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rayla 's review for:
The Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Dear Ivan, I too love sticky leaves and blue skies. I wish I could love my own sister as you love your most wretched brother.
I’ve seen it claimed that the Grand Inquisitor is a condemnation of socialism and perhaps that was the intention, however, I was largely struck by the line (paraphrasing) “we will take the bread they made then give it back to them and they will be grateful” seems more akin to capitalism to me. Tho I guess the way capitalism is currently operating it’s more “we will take the bread they make and give them back crumbs”. I’m not grateful for crumbs.
I guess really it was most likely intended to be a critique of the Catholic Church and religious institutions and the way they enforce— force— faith, which is no true faith right? Faith cannot be true unless freely given. Alyosha in the face of Ivan’s reason still maintains total faith. I wish I could be so sure of something. Descartes would be appalled at the conclusion that there is no rational argument that can arrive at the existence of god. One must take a leap of faith regardless. Did Dostoevsky ever read Kierkegaard? Or did they arrive at the same conclusions independently? Faith can only exist in the presence of doubt, isn’t that what Conclave was about?
Maybe I’m not an atheist. I suppose I am. But still, what biological purpose does my wonder at sunlight hitting a patch of grass serve? I’m not interested in the real answer. I will maintain my wonder.
I’ve seen it claimed that the Grand Inquisitor is a condemnation of socialism and perhaps that was the intention, however, I was largely struck by the line (paraphrasing) “we will take the bread they made then give it back to them and they will be grateful” seems more akin to capitalism to me. Tho I guess the way capitalism is currently operating it’s more “we will take the bread they make and give them back crumbs”. I’m not grateful for crumbs.
I guess really it was most likely intended to be a critique of the Catholic Church and religious institutions and the way they enforce— force— faith, which is no true faith right? Faith cannot be true unless freely given. Alyosha in the face of Ivan’s reason still maintains total faith. I wish I could be so sure of something. Descartes would be appalled at the conclusion that there is no rational argument that can arrive at the existence of god. One must take a leap of faith regardless. Did Dostoevsky ever read Kierkegaard? Or did they arrive at the same conclusions independently? Faith can only exist in the presence of doubt, isn’t that what Conclave was about?
Maybe I’m not an atheist. I suppose I am. But still, what biological purpose does my wonder at sunlight hitting a patch of grass serve? I’m not interested in the real answer. I will maintain my wonder.