The intellectual usefulness of literature is not that it necessarily tells us the truth about an issue, but rather that it serves as a catalyst to thinking about the great issues of life.” - Leland Ryken
I adore this quote. Literature is not the end-all-be-all philosophical Encyclopedia Britannica. Literature is a question. Literature is the satisfaction of falling asleep at night not because life is figured out. But falling asleep after pondering life deeply.
As Christians or Buddhists or Secular Humanists, the mission of humankind is not to batter one another’s brains out with doctrine. Rather, our mission is to ask the questions that sweetly linger. Lingering around topics of ethics and economy. Justice and pain. These wafting questions will change humanity. The answer is not found in bread or bombs or broadcasts. The answer is found in questions. Pointed, humble, glimmering questions. Questions that tug on the heartstrings of every being with a soul.
So let us write literature. So that we may ask questions.
As Christians or Buddhists or Secular Humanists, the mission of humankind is not to batter one another’s brains out with doctrine. Rather, our mission is to ask the questions that sweetly linger. Lingering around topics of ethics and economy. Justice and pain. These wafting questions will change humanity. The answer is not found in bread or bombs or broadcasts. The answer is found in questions. Pointed, humble, glimmering questions. Questions that tug on the heartstrings of every being with a soul.
So let us write literature. So that we may ask questions.