Word: presentism
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...strength and weakness of philosophical novels is that they often feel like a multiple choice test for which the author has circled several answers to the same question. Whereas a traditional philosopher must present a rigorous argument that is carefully constructed and proven, the philosophical novelist revels in the ambiguity of his or her characters, and the conflicting ideas that make up their lives and conversations. Rebecca Goldstein—who has made a career out of presenting philosophical concepts in fictional form—offers with her latest book a showcase of the advantages and frustrations attendant to this...
Goldstein’s novel flits between two storylines in the life of affable academic Cass Seltzer, one in his present, the other in his past. Presently, Seltzer is contemplating an offer to assume a post at Harvard University, having achieved unexpected fame with his book, “The Varieties of Religious Illusion.” The combination of this secularist tract—and its appendix refuting 36 arguments for God’s existence—with Cass’s clear-eyed empathy for religious belief has turned him into an overnight celebrity, dubbed by Time...
...secular world that so engages him or leaving his communal responsibilities and attending MIT—a struggle which informs Cass’s own thinking on religion’s roots and allure. While in the past Cass waits to discover what Azarya will decide, in the present readers wonder whether Cass will prevail in his upcoming religion-and-reason debate at Harvard against a neoconservative Nobel Laureate...
...displayed the organization of the executive board, the passion of the students of Kuumba, the connectedness which is inter-generational now,” says returning alumni Dennis J. Henderson ’79. “They’re very concerned about connecting the past to the present and to the future so they have a vision for keeping Kuumba going and expanding it. I believe that it is also the foundation for greater stability in the future...
Cudi’s performance was the culmination of an event that never achieved any kind of liftoff. All three artists struggled to present a consistent and compelling momentum. Though Wale was the highlight, he still exhibited the lack of consistent energy that held the entire evening back. Despite having more artists than in previous years, this year’s Yardfest failed to stand out from the rest...