Controvert, or On the Lie -- and Other Philosophical Dialogues - Couverture souple

Pappas, Nicholas

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0875866514 ISBN 13 : 9780875866512

Editeur : Algora Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

In a world where art, politics, and human relationships intertwine, Nick Pappas offers a rare glimpse into the forces shaping creativity and intellect. In Controvert, or On the Lie, he takes readers on a journey that begins behind the scenes of artistic production—lighting, setting, and the often-overlooked political currents that influence what we see on stage or screen. Rather than focusing solely on the surface, the book reveals how political conditions and societal maneuverings impact art’s purpose and meaning, arguing that art does not exist in isolation but thrives when connected to the broader human experience.

Through conversations between characters such as the Director, Engineer, Student, and Author, the book probes the nature of markets, intelligence, and brilliance. For instance, it questions the role of markets as mechanisms crafted by humans to regulate behavior and maintain relationships, challenging readers to consider what truly limits or governs these systems. The dialogue surrounding intelligence and brilliance illuminates these qualities not as static traits but as dynamic forces that breathe life into ideas and vision, much the way a brilliant author’s work can fill a reader’s sails with wind and transform winter ice into spring thaw.

The book also examines the delicate balance between ruling ideas and being ruled by them, encouraging readers to reflect on how perspective shapes understanding. It contrasts dazzling artistry with genuine brilliance, portraying the latter as something rooted in honesty, justice, and humanity rather than mere spectacle. Through the Student’s reflections, we see how a brilliant artist acknowledges weaknesses yet maintains confidence and mutual respect—a reminder that true art speaks to us as human beings, resonating with truth rather than fleeting excitement.

Moreover, the narrative highlights the critical importance of connection and mentorship. The isolation of brilliance is portrayed as a dangerous path leading to decay and madness, while engagement with others offers the possibility of growth and illumination. The book warns against the dark forces of indifference and conventionality, suggesting that to sustain brilliance, one must continually seek new perspectives and challenge the status quo.

Readers will find themselves drawn into thoughtful discussions about the nature of sublimation, pride, and courage, discovering that these elements fuel the human struggle for meaning and life itself. The book invites us to reconsider what it means to be brilliant, to read deeply, and to find our own light in the night.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In a style emulating that of the Platonic dialogue, the author approaches serious moral questions in a conversational manner that will appeal to both the general and the specialized reader. The first dialogue, “Controvert, Or on the Lie,” examines the nature of lies and telling “the truth” and tests our assumptions regarding whether or when it might be appropriate to lie. Is it right to lie just for fun? Is a lie justified when speaking to a tyrant? “Contempt” ponders many distinctions we assume exist but which we may not have considered very carefully, including those between what is good and what is contemptible, and shades of nuance between pity, love, and respect, and hate and fear. Can contempt be the key element of a fighting creed? Or is contempt itself contemptible? In “Ambition,” the characters debate the nature of this very human characteristic, its value as a passionate love of life that enables us to reach for the stars and its darker side as a destructive, self-centered drive to win adulation and assert our own good over that of others. Is ambition more than the love of praise? Must ambition be harnessed (and to what end?) or is it more powerful when left unchecked and allowed to flower into great accomplishments? The world of human aspirations and the means by which we pursue them are explored further in the dialogues “Architect,” “Brilliance,” and “Anarchy.” Using these specific threads the author weaves together a consideration of larger questions as well, including the inevitable competition between individual and society, and how to approach life for the maximum value.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Algora Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2008
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0875866514
• ISBN 13: 9780875866512
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 214
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible