” It is not too late for him to put down the books and start a family.”
That struck me as a wonderfully American thing to say … redemption is always possible, there’s always time for you to be made whole.
But perhaps that’s being a little too self-centred? Would he have the energy to be a good father? He might have children, but his grandchildren would be missing a grandfather. Maybe it’s not a good idea for old men to have children to provide ‘meaning’ to their lives.
Yea not like a Royal family. Stupid solution.
Doesn’t Harry want to save the world from the Heat !o!
Last edited 1 year ago by Mark M Breza
Russell Hamilton
1 year ago
” It is not too late for him to put down the books and start a family.”
That struck me as a wonderfully American thing to say … redemption is always possible, there’s always time for you to be made whole.
But perhaps that’s being a little too self-centred? Would he have the energy to be a good father? He might have children, but his grandchildren would be missing a grandfather. Maybe it’s not a good idea for old men to have children to provide ‘meaning’ to their lives.
Richard Parker
1 year ago
I agree with Russell Hamilton’s insightful comment, and especially the final point – though I’d extend its franchise.
It’s not a good idea for anyone to have children for any other reason than genuinely wanting to do so and being prepared to sacrifice a good deal of themselves in the process.
It also strikes me that the possibility that said sacrifice might be seen by some as a negative is a good illustration of the atomisation and solipsism which Monsieur Houellebecq illustrates so well in his novels.
Just a wonderful essay. It would be nice to see a compare and contrast with Leonard Cohen, also obsessed with the intersection of sex and spirituality.
Just a wonderful essay. It would be nice to see a compare and contrast with Leonard Cohen, also obsessed with the intersection of sex and spirituality.
Richard Parker
1 year ago
I agree with Russell Hamilton’s insightful comment, and especially the final point – though I’d extend its franchise.
It’s not a good idea for anyone to have children for any other reason than genuinely wanting to do so and being prepared to sacrifice a good deal of themselves in the process.
It also strikes me that the possibility that said sacrifice might be seen by some as a negative is a good illustration of the atomisation and solipsism which Monsieur Houellebecq illustrates so well in his novels.
Last edited 1 year ago by Richard Parker
P Branagan
1 year ago
“How much evidence is required before it is clear that Western Civilization is empty of integrity, judgment, reason, morality, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, truth, empty of everything that Western Civilization once respected?
All that is left of the West is insouciance and unrestrained evil.”
~Paul Craig Roberts, former Undersecretary Of Treasury, Reagan Administration
I’d suggest that these very pages on Unherd are evidence that Roberts was wrong.
P Branagan
1 year ago
“How much evidence is required before it is clear that Western Civilization is empty of integrity, judgment, reason, morality, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, truth, empty of everything that Western Civilization once respected?
All that is left of the West is insouciance and unrestrained evil.”
~Paul Craig Roberts, former Undersecretary Of Treasury, Reagan Administration
Dermot O'Sullivan
1 year ago
‘You may not believe in God but he believes in you. ‘
Reminds me of a T shirt I once saw that said, “God is dead” – Nietzsche. On the back it said, “Nietzsche is dead” – God.
Dermot O'Sullivan
1 year ago
‘You may not believe in God but he believes in you. ‘
Toni Morrison (I think)
chris sullivan
1 year ago
is Jacob saying then that the ONLY way to find meaning is via reproduction because meaning per se will always be nihilistic – what a load of tosh !! There are many forms of spirituality that can accommodate all the aspects of human reality without giving up and subsuming one’s critical journey with the busy reality of parenting. He does not seem qualified to write this peice !!
chris sullivan
1 year ago
is Jacob saying then that the ONLY way to find meaning is via reproduction because meaning per se will always be nihilistic – what a load of tosh !! There are many forms of spirituality that can accommodate all the aspects of human reality without giving up and subsuming one’s critical journey with the busy reality of parenting. He does not seem qualified to write this peice !!
Steve Murray
1 year ago
So what, one might ask? So what of Houellebecq’s meanderings? They have no greater agency, or prophetic power, except that which is granted to them by those who believe in that particularly French type of philosophising.
We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on. Quoting Nietzsche is becoming a bit like quoting one’s younger self after a lifetime of experience.
A good article for all that, if only to evoke the dilemma from which we need to escape. We should start with ourselves, not with abstractions.
“We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on.”
OK, but move on to what? What is your meta-ethical system and in what precisely is it grounded? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. Without God all we have is emotivism, or some other form of relativism that draws society ever closer to nihilism. We end up with each person as King of their own moral universe saying… “Boo-hoo theft… boo-hoo.. murder… boo-hoo war… because boo-hoo!!” Man cannot be the problem AND the solution. This was worked out thousands of years ago and it is a lesson each generation must learn anew. Houellebecq has at least tried to re-present/re-package this much needed message.
Agreed. In time, it will all come full circle. Men will think they can have babies, women will think they can impregnate men and murder will become simply an example of freedom of expression. And who can argue if morality is relative?
Agreed. In time, it will all come full circle. Men will think they can have babies, women will think they can impregnate men and murder will become simply an example of freedom of expression. And who can argue if morality is relative?
“Along with politics, Houellebecq has ignored the standard markers of literary seriousness. His books lack subtlety and roundedness. They eschew both social realism and formal inventiveness, while fixedly pursuing the stunted emotional logic of their characters.”
I believe the author is giving much too much credit to people who are merely writing stuff in order to sell books and earn drinking money.
“We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on.”
OK, but move on to what? What is your meta-ethical system and in what precisely is it grounded? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. Without God all we have is emotivism, or some other form of relativism that draws society ever closer to nihilism. We end up with each person as King of their own moral universe saying… “Boo-hoo theft… boo-hoo.. murder… boo-hoo war… because boo-hoo!!” Man cannot be the problem AND the solution. This was worked out thousands of years ago and it is a lesson each generation must learn anew. Houellebecq has at least tried to re-present/re-package this much needed message.
“Along with politics, Houellebecq has ignored the standard markers of literary seriousness. His books lack subtlety and roundedness. They eschew both social realism and formal inventiveness, while fixedly pursuing the stunted emotional logic of their characters.”
I believe the author is giving much too much credit to people who are merely writing stuff in order to sell books and earn drinking money.
Last edited 1 year ago by Warren Trees
Steve Murray
1 year ago
So what, one might ask? So what of Houellebecq’s meanderings? They have no greater agency, or prophetic power, except that which is granted to them by those who believe in that particularly French type of philosophising.
We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on. Quoting Nietzsche is becoming a bit like quoting one’s younger self after a lifetime of experience.
A good article for all that, if only to evoke the dilemma from which we need to escape. We should start with ourselves, not with abstractions.
Familial love, especially with children, is, indeed, the most satisfying motif of all.
As for the great existential dilemma of human life on this earth, there is still no greater scenario than this:
There is only one man in history who suffered death (and an agonizing criminal death, at that) and then lived to tell about it. I’m going with his prescription. How about you?
” It is not too late for him to put down the books and start a family.”
That struck me as a wonderfully American thing to say … redemption is always possible, there’s always time for you to be made whole.
But perhaps that’s being a little too self-centred? Would he have the energy to be a good father? He might have children, but his grandchildren would be missing a grandfather. Maybe it’s not a good idea for old men to have children to provide ‘meaning’ to their lives.
And there is, of course, the problem that men don’t have children, women do.
Gasp! You might be the next one de-platformed by uttering such “misinformation”.
Gasp! You might be the next one de-platformed by uttering such “misinformation”.
Yea not like a Royal family. Stupid solution.
Doesn’t Harry want to save the world from the Heat !o!
And there is, of course, the problem that men don’t have children, women do.
Yea not like a Royal family. Stupid solution.
Doesn’t Harry want to save the world from the Heat !o!
” It is not too late for him to put down the books and start a family.”
That struck me as a wonderfully American thing to say … redemption is always possible, there’s always time for you to be made whole.
But perhaps that’s being a little too self-centred? Would he have the energy to be a good father? He might have children, but his grandchildren would be missing a grandfather. Maybe it’s not a good idea for old men to have children to provide ‘meaning’ to their lives.
I agree with Russell Hamilton’s insightful comment, and especially the final point – though I’d extend its franchise.
It’s not a good idea for anyone to have children for any other reason than genuinely wanting to do so and being prepared to sacrifice a good deal of themselves in the process.
It also strikes me that the possibility that said sacrifice might be seen by some as a negative is a good illustration of the atomisation and solipsism which Monsieur Houellebecq illustrates so well in his novels.
Just a wonderful essay. It would be nice to see a compare and contrast with Leonard Cohen, also obsessed with the intersection of sex and spirituality.
Just a wonderful essay. It would be nice to see a compare and contrast with Leonard Cohen, also obsessed with the intersection of sex and spirituality.
I agree with Russell Hamilton’s insightful comment, and especially the final point – though I’d extend its franchise.
It’s not a good idea for anyone to have children for any other reason than genuinely wanting to do so and being prepared to sacrifice a good deal of themselves in the process.
It also strikes me that the possibility that said sacrifice might be seen by some as a negative is a good illustration of the atomisation and solipsism which Monsieur Houellebecq illustrates so well in his novels.
“How much evidence is required before it is clear that Western Civilization is empty of integrity, judgment, reason, morality, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, truth, empty of everything that Western Civilization once respected?
All that is left of the West is insouciance and unrestrained evil.”
~Paul Craig Roberts, former Undersecretary Of Treasury, Reagan Administration
I’d suggest that these very pages on Unherd are evidence that Roberts was wrong.
Precisely.
Precisely.
I’d suggest that these very pages on Unherd are evidence that Roberts was wrong.
“How much evidence is required before it is clear that Western Civilization is empty of integrity, judgment, reason, morality, empathy, compassion, self-awareness, truth, empty of everything that Western Civilization once respected?
All that is left of the West is insouciance and unrestrained evil.”
~Paul Craig Roberts, former Undersecretary Of Treasury, Reagan Administration
‘You may not believe in God but he believes in you. ‘
Toni Morrison (I think)
Reminds me of a T shirt I once saw that said, “God is dead” – Nietzsche. On the back it said, “Nietzsche is dead” – God.
Reminds me of a T shirt I once saw that said, “God is dead” – Nietzsche. On the back it said, “Nietzsche is dead” – God.
‘You may not believe in God but he believes in you. ‘
Toni Morrison (I think)
is Jacob saying then that the ONLY way to find meaning is via reproduction because meaning per se will always be nihilistic – what a load of tosh !! There are many forms of spirituality that can accommodate all the aspects of human reality without giving up and subsuming one’s critical journey with the busy reality of parenting. He does not seem qualified to write this peice !!
is Jacob saying then that the ONLY way to find meaning is via reproduction because meaning per se will always be nihilistic – what a load of tosh !! There are many forms of spirituality that can accommodate all the aspects of human reality without giving up and subsuming one’s critical journey with the busy reality of parenting. He does not seem qualified to write this peice !!
So what, one might ask? So what of Houellebecq’s meanderings? They have no greater agency, or prophetic power, except that which is granted to them by those who believe in that particularly French type of philosophising.
We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on. Quoting Nietzsche is becoming a bit like quoting one’s younger self after a lifetime of experience.
A good article for all that, if only to evoke the dilemma from which we need to escape. We should start with ourselves, not with abstractions.
“We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on.”
OK, but move on to what? What is your meta-ethical system and in what precisely is it grounded? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. Without God all we have is emotivism, or some other form of relativism that draws society ever closer to nihilism. We end up with each person as King of their own moral universe saying… “Boo-hoo theft… boo-hoo.. murder… boo-hoo war… because boo-hoo!!” Man cannot be the problem AND the solution. This was worked out thousands of years ago and it is a lesson each generation must learn anew. Houellebecq has at least tried to re-present/re-package this much needed message.
Agreed. In time, it will all come full circle. Men will think they can have babies, women will think they can impregnate men and murder will become simply an example of freedom of expression. And who can argue if morality is relative?
Agreed. In time, it will all come full circle. Men will think they can have babies, women will think they can impregnate men and murder will become simply an example of freedom of expression. And who can argue if morality is relative?
“Along with politics, Houellebecq has ignored the standard markers of literary seriousness. His books lack subtlety and roundedness. They eschew both social realism and formal inventiveness, while fixedly pursuing the stunted emotional logic of their characters.”
I believe the author is giving much too much credit to people who are merely writing stuff in order to sell books and earn drinking money.
Over intellectualizing is the true sin of our age. We’ve produced far too many soi disant faux intellectuals
Over intellectualizing is the true sin of our age. We’ve produced far too many soi disant faux intellectuals
“We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on.”
OK, but move on to what? What is your meta-ethical system and in what precisely is it grounded? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. Without God all we have is emotivism, or some other form of relativism that draws society ever closer to nihilism. We end up with each person as King of their own moral universe saying… “Boo-hoo theft… boo-hoo.. murder… boo-hoo war… because boo-hoo!!” Man cannot be the problem AND the solution. This was worked out thousands of years ago and it is a lesson each generation must learn anew. Houellebecq has at least tried to re-present/re-package this much needed message.
“Along with politics, Houellebecq has ignored the standard markers of literary seriousness. His books lack subtlety and roundedness. They eschew both social realism and formal inventiveness, while fixedly pursuing the stunted emotional logic of their characters.”
I believe the author is giving much too much credit to people who are merely writing stuff in order to sell books and earn drinking money.
So what, one might ask? So what of Houellebecq’s meanderings? They have no greater agency, or prophetic power, except that which is granted to them by those who believe in that particularly French type of philosophising.
We have to free ourselves from the “religion = morality and without it we’re lost” straightjacket and move on. Quoting Nietzsche is becoming a bit like quoting one’s younger self after a lifetime of experience.
A good article for all that, if only to evoke the dilemma from which we need to escape. We should start with ourselves, not with abstractions.
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a42039884/alex-murdaugh-murders-family/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_tnc&utm_medium=email&date=121122&utm_campaign=nl29845352&user_email=86e31cb3bb9b4cb2b637435a03d046e8affd34f704029e4749786058369699dc&utm_term=AAA%20–%20High%20Minus%20Dormant%20and%2090%20Day%20Non%20Openers
Familial love, especially with children, is, indeed, the most satisfying motif of all.
As for the great existential dilemma of human life on this earth, there is still no greater scenario than this:
There is only one man in history who suffered death (and an agonizing criminal death, at that) and then lived to tell about it. I’m going with his prescription. How about you?