Ultimate Questions by Lafcadio Hearn
The work explores the concept of ultimate questions and their significance in human existence. It delves into the nature of reality, morality, and the search for meaning. The author examines various philosophical and cultural perspectives on these fundamental inquiries, highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in seeking definitive answers. Through a critical analysis of traditional wisdom and modern thought, the text aims to illuminate the underlying assumptions and values that shape human understanding.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1887 · Genre: Philosophical Essay, Metaphysical, Non-fiction · 3,953 words
First lines
A memory of long ago. I am walking upon a granite pavement that rings like iron, between buildings of granite bathed in the light of a cloudless noon. Shadows are short and sharp: there is no stir in the hot bright air; and the sound of my footsteps, strangely loud, is the only sound in the street. Suddenly an odd feeling comes to me, with a sort of tingling shock, -- a feeling, or suspicion, of universal illusion. The pavement, the bulks of hewn stone, the iron rails, and all things visible, are dreams! Light, color, form, weight, solidity -- all sensed existences -- are but phantoms of being, manifestations only of one infinite ghostliness for which the language of man has not any word.
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Ultimate Questions is listed on Textopian as an essay by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Lafcadio Hearn
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Essay, Metaphysical, Non-fiction, Intellectual Biography, Existentialism
- Length: 3,953 words
- Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Genres
- Philosophical Essay — The text deeply explores existential themes, the nature of consciousness, and the riddle of life and death, characteristic of philosophical discourse.
- Metaphysical — It delves into the nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between consciousness and the universe, aligning with metaphysical inquiry.
- Non-fiction — The work presents a reflective analysis based on intellectual thought and scientific principles, categorizing it as non-fiction.
- Intellectual Biography — It reflects on the thoughts and contributions of a significant thinker, providing insights into their intellectual journey.
Tags
Philosophy · Existentialism · Mortality · Spirituality · Eastern Philosophy · Buddhism · Zen Buddhism · Japanese Culture · Cultural Anthropology · Symbolism · Mythology · Folklore