Showing results for "Humans" in Literary History & Criticism

In Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction outing, an examination of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life through an insightful, unsparing argument that proves the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination but instead are found in reality. "There is a signature motif discernible in...

Introduction If you come across any special trait of meanness or stupidity . . . you must be careful not to let it annoy or distress you, but to look upon it merely as an addition to your knowledge—a new fact to be considered in studying the character of humanity. Your attitude towards it will be that of the mineralogist who stumbles upon a very characteristic specimen of a mineral. —Arthur Schopenhauer

Published in 1748, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is Scottish empiricist philosopher David Hume's distillation of his mature philosophy. Addressing themes including the limits of human understanding, the compatibility of free will with determinism, weaknesses in the foundations of religion, and the appeal of skepticism, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is Hume's attempt to revise and clarify the ideas of his earlier A Treatise of Human Nature.

From one of the most acclaimed and profound writers in the world of comics comes a thrilling and provocative exploration of humankind's great modern myth: the superhero. In this exhilarating work of a lifetime, Grant Morrison draws on art, science, mythology, and his own astonishing journeys through this shadow universe to provide the first true history of the superhero - why they matter, why they will always be with us, and what they tell us about who we are... and what we may yet become.

No Longer Human (1948, Ningen Shikkaku / A Shameful Life / Confessions of a Faulty Man) was an attack on the traditions of Japan, capturing the postwar crisis of Japanese cultural identity. Framed by an epilogue and prologue, the story is told in the form three notebooks left by Ōba Yōzō, whose calm exterior hides his tormented soul. Osamu Dazai was a Japanese author who is considered one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th century Japan. A number of his most popular works, such as Shayō (The Setting Sun) and Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human), are considered modern-day classics in Japan.

Rewriting the pernicious, enduring relationship between blackness and animality in the history of Western science and philosophy, Becoming Human breaks open the rancorous debate between Black critical theory and posthumanism. Through the cultural terrain of literature by Toni Morrison, Nalo Hopkinson, Audre Lorde, and Octavia Butler, the art of Wangechi Mutu and Ezrom Legae, and the oratory of Frederick Douglass, Zakiyyah Iman Jackson both critiques and displaces the racial logic that has dominated scientific thought since the Enlightenment.

O curso traz seis clássicos ocidentais que mostram como a literatura é um caminho de investigação sobre o humano. Boas histórias ou poemas são capazes de nos conquistar pelo coração ao nos revelarem aspectos de nós mesmos que, não obstante sua centralidade—ou talvez, por causa dela—resistem à sua tradução em palavras. Ao transportarem o ouvinte para os dramas e dilemas das personagens, a literatura é capaz de tratar dos principais desejos (e angústias), como a busca pela felicidade e por um sentido para a vida.

Humans live in landscapes of make-believe. We spin fantasies. We devour novels, films, and plays. Even sporting events and criminal trials unfold as narratives. Yet the world of story has long remained an undiscovered and unmapped country. It's easy to say that humans are "wired" for story, but why? In this delightful and original book, Jonathan Gottschall offers the first unified theory of storytelling. He argues that stories help us navigate life's complex social problems.

While exploring Shakespeare's plays with her students, Paula Marantz Cohen discovered that teaching and discussing his plays unlocked a surprising sense of compassion in the classroom. In this short and illuminating book, she shows how Shakespeare's genius lay with his ability to arouse empathy, even when his characters exist in alien contexts and behave in reprehensible ways.

Drawing from a vast array of creation myths - Babylonian, Greek, Aztec, Maya, Inca, Chinese, Hindu, Navajo, Polynesian, African, Norse, Inuit, and more - this concise book uncovers both the similarities and differences in our attempts to explain the universe. Anthony Aveni, an award-winning author and professor of astronomy and anthropology, examines the ways various cultures around the world have attempted to explain our origins, and what roles the natural environment plays in shaping these narratives. The book also celebrates the audacity of the human imagination.

In this intriguing 1920s American classic, renowned public speaker and self-help figure Elsie Lincoln Benedict introduces her controversial system of Human Analysis. She asserts that humanity can be divided into five distinct sub-types, each characterized by unique traits and appearances that have evolved over time. Benedict aims to equip readers with the skills to identify these types and appreciate their inherent differences. Although her theories have been dismissed by the scientific community, this book remains a staple in its genre and continues to captivate audiences today. (Summary by ...

This captivating tale goes beyond the lives of bees, weaving in the authors delightful experiences with his cats, the intriguing behavior of red ants, and the fascinating world of insect psychology. In 19th Century France, Jean Henri Fabre made significant strides by advocating for the inclusion of girls in science classes, a testament to the importance of education for all. This recording is dedicated to the brave young women who pursue knowledge, often facing challenges and the distractions of societal expectations. - Summary by BellonaTimes

Welcome to the Everyday Human podcast. My name is Eastin DeVerna. Each day, I'll share a reflection written by me and inspired by literature, poetry, music, movies, video games, and more. And after that, I'll share a prompt for you to write your own reflection.Together, we'll explore what it means to be human. Every month we'll walk a new path, taking a look at life, death, the universe, and everything in between.Thanks for coming along.For more, visit eastindeverna.com or join me on Instagram @the_everydayhuman.

The poem says, "Human voices wake us, and we drown." But I’ve made this podcast with the belief that human voices are what we need. And so, whether from a year or three thousand years ago, whether poetry or prose, whether fiction or diary or biography, here are the best things we have ever thought, written, or said.

Buy the book on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3JJIks2From the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power comes the definitive new book on decoding the behavior of the people around you. This is the only authorized hardcover edition in the US.Robert Greene is a master guide for millions of readers, distilling ancient wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for seekers of power, understanding and mastery. Now he turns to the most important subject of all - understanding people's drives and motivations, even when they are unconscious of them themselves.We are social animals. Our ...

Let's dream better! Join paleontologist-futurist Michael Garfield for bold, far-ranging explorations into the nature of agency in the age of automation, wisdom and innovation, responsibility and power, and the care and feeding of the new superpowers conferred to us by magical technologies. Weekly dialogues at the edge of the knowable, learning to navigate Global Weirding and exponential AI with the curiosity and play required of us. Building on twenty years of independent research plus firsthand experience of the tech, arts, and science worlds, Humans On The Loop is a show to transform you and...

Written over 700 years ago, Dante’s Divine Comedy remains a classic of the Western literary canon and one of the most masterful poems ever written. Join Italian literature expert Alan Perry to discover why its commentary on the human condition still resonates strongly today. In this powerful audio course, you’ll learn why The Divine Comedy is profoundly meaningful not only to Christians but to anyone grappling with the big questions of existence and morality.

Embark on a transformative soul journey with our 26-episode podcast series, "Becoming Human", inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s timeless classic, The Prophet. This chapter-by-chapter exploration dives deep into Gibran’s poetic insights—on Love, Marriage, Children, Work, Joy & Sorrow, Freedom, Death, and more—offering fresh, modern reflections that speak to both the spirit and the everyday human experience. Each episode brings the full text of The Prophet to life, followed by a meaningful, relatable interpretation designed for listeners of all backgrounds. Whether you're searching for ...

Vincent OSullivan, a distinguished writer known for his decadent and haunting fiction, stands as a remarkable contemporary of Oscar Wilde. While his supernatural tales of horror, including the chilling novella Vershoyles House, have garnered significant acclaim, this collection of stories reveals the many dimensions of OSullivans personality, all delivered in his signature demi-monde style. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of his work and the darker corners of his imagination. (Summary by Ben Tucker)

Stories about optimization, momentum, and the consequences no one intended. As AI systems optimize at scale, momentum accumulates faster than governance, and consequences emerge before balance can reassert itself. What happens when intelligent systems stop failing loudly—and start failing quietly? Human After AI is a long-form podcast exploring how artificial intelligence systems break down in the real world, and what those failures look like in human lives. Created by novelist Hank M. Greene, the show combines original techno-realistic fiction and long-form conversations about alignment.