Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rteacher]

The "need of human society" is explicitly stated in the final sentence of the brief passage I quoted from the preface of the 30 volume Srimad Bhagavatam, the translation and explication of which was Bhaktivedanta Swami's main literary lifework.

There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society... http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Bhagavatam_Preface.html

Although it deals with fantastic topics and remote settings in time and space (and beyond) it is not written from a mystical perspective (typically described as "mumbo-jumbo" by critics ...) It's a devotional approach to the end of knowledge, the only way to understand the Absolute Truth - who remains forever elusive to empirical approaches...

The fact that the writing style, language and structure are a little peculiar is because he was not a native English speaker (though disciples polished it up as far as possible without changing the meaning ...)

Here are a couple brief reviews by scholars:

"This is a work to be treasured. No one of whatever faith or philosophical persuasion who reads these books with an open mind can fail to be both moved and impressed." .
Dr. Garry Gelade, Professor of Psychology
Oxford University.

"It has been my great pleasure recently to have read the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the superb edition authorized by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. I am sure this monumental work will go far to bring the sublime message of the Bhagavatam to numerous Westerners who otherwise would miss this opportunity." .
Dr. Alex Wayman, Professor of Sanskrit
Columbia University

http://www.prabhupadaconnect.com/Prabhupadas_Books.html

[Zoobot]

"he [Nietzsche] doesn't even get taught in American schools"

WHAT???!!!!

I thought the only thing the american academy was screwing up majorly was cultural studies a la Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall. Despite the cachet of having certain American degrees here, I'm glad I'm not going to school there.

Nietzsche is one of the greatest thinkers ever, period. A giant among men. A man among syncophants.

[ddeubel]

I'm glad that Nietzsche gets his well deserved praise, especially given he was a lover of fate......amor fati . I was also glad to see Alan Watts' name mentioned, he doesn't get the accolades he deserves these days, anymore. Not for his great new ideas but for his synthesis and synopsis of thought....

For me, the Adorno of the mid and late 20th century would be Koestler and Huxley. Both men wrote in many genres, were versed in many languages and cultural traditions, were scientists, humanists, novelists, political pundits and just had minds as dense as black holes......

I would also say that I am partial to Colin Wilson. He doesn't get much mention but he too really roamed everywhere in thought and mind. Criminologist, theology, philosophy, novels, magic etc...... George Steiner comes to mind as the American version. Also Kenneth Rexroth...wow , now there was the very idea of a thinker, who knew history and who was so fond of sharing with all who came his way....

If you read French, you might want to put Valery up there in the pantheon. Very unique and precise thinker. A thinker for the mind and the mind's sake only.

Those are my mentions....

DD

[seoulunitarian]

In the fields of religion, I would definitely vote for (1) Martin Buber and (2) Huston Smith.

Peace

[Ody]

[Ody]

Ayn Rand's Fountainhead was one of the first books i read. it was an important one for me at the time and definitely helped to set me on course for the life i live today.

apparently she got something from reading some of the very same great thinkers mentioned in this thread!

[Delirium's Brother]

[Ody]

[ChopChaeJoe]

I went through a phase of reading Ayn Rand, and looking back, it's almost all terrible. Atlas Shrugged has to be the most boring sci-fi novel ever. There's not an original thought in the book. When i was a kid we were taught that when writing you should show not tell. But telling is all Ayn Rand does, she tells you what to think, there's no magic, no mystery, no room for debate. She is the law.

Robert Heinlein has a similar vein of quasi-Nietzchean schmaltz, but at least he's fun to read -- sometimes.

[Delirium's Brother]

[seoulunitarian]

[ChopChaeJoe]

[cbclark4]