If you do read any Molière, I strongly recommend the Richard Wilbur translations.
Self deception is a very strange ability. It's not the same as simply believing false things. You can't deceive yourself without knowing it's a lie. It's believing while not believing. It seems to me that it's a little like what we do when we read a work of fiction. When know the fiction is a fiction, we accept it—but on an as-if basis—without believing it. But when we lie to ourselves, we not only accept it, we go one step further and actually live on an as-if basis, in accordance with the fiction we've invented. I don't think I was intending to say anything of philosophical interest when I said that lovers engage in self-deception, I only meant that they might see the negatives of their beloved, but choose to spin those negatives as positives. If they didn't do this, then Célimène would be right, "the dawn of love would be the end of pleasure." But she's talking about the dawn of love—the kind of love that is in danger of collapsing in disillusionment if one starts to doubt the fiction. Love, in my view, as it matures, doesn't rely on seeing what isn't there, even if in the beginning it may have started that way.
Sorry that Little Women isn't holding your attention. Maybe you're trying to read too much in one sitting? I can get through some books by reading only twenty-minutes per day. Just a thought.
Amazon canceled my Associate Account because of insufficient activity. Maybe if I get more subscribers I'll apply for a new account. Meanwhile, I thought it would still be useful to list the works I mention.
Quotations provide evidence, but also tease toward reading entirely. I look forward to getting started. Would love to hear more about self-deception. Do you mean because those flattered allow themselves to believe the flattery? Or something more Modern/Existential? Maybe Biblical: All is Vanity"?
Have to add quickly that I cannot bear the droning Little Women. Have put it aside. But many thanks for pushing it forward!
The list is absolutely helpful! I was going to use the link to send some pennies your way ; o )
Good advice, thanks. Some chapters of LW are fascinating and well written surprises. I will do as you recommend.
Noble struggles, Robert--noble struggles! In your shoes, I would long ago have descended to incoherence!
If you do read any Molière, I strongly recommend the Richard Wilbur translations.
Self deception is a very strange ability. It's not the same as simply believing false things. You can't deceive yourself without knowing it's a lie. It's believing while not believing. It seems to me that it's a little like what we do when we read a work of fiction. When know the fiction is a fiction, we accept it—but on an as-if basis—without believing it. But when we lie to ourselves, we not only accept it, we go one step further and actually live on an as-if basis, in accordance with the fiction we've invented. I don't think I was intending to say anything of philosophical interest when I said that lovers engage in self-deception, I only meant that they might see the negatives of their beloved, but choose to spin those negatives as positives. If they didn't do this, then Célimène would be right, "the dawn of love would be the end of pleasure." But she's talking about the dawn of love—the kind of love that is in danger of collapsing in disillusionment if one starts to doubt the fiction. Love, in my view, as it matures, doesn't rely on seeing what isn't there, even if in the beginning it may have started that way.
Sorry that Little Women isn't holding your attention. Maybe you're trying to read too much in one sitting? I can get through some books by reading only twenty-minutes per day. Just a thought.
The cited works are not live links?
Amazon canceled my Associate Account because of insufficient activity. Maybe if I get more subscribers I'll apply for a new account. Meanwhile, I thought it would still be useful to list the works I mention.
Quotations provide evidence, but also tease toward reading entirely. I look forward to getting started. Would love to hear more about self-deception. Do you mean because those flattered allow themselves to believe the flattery? Or something more Modern/Existential? Maybe Biblical: All is Vanity"?
Have to add quickly that I cannot bear the droning Little Women. Have put it aside. But many thanks for pushing it forward!