Continental Philosophy

Dostoevsky – The Escape From Rationalism

Literary Source:

• Dostoevsky, Notes from Underground, pp. 3-29

Background:

For the course, we are using the Norton Edition of Notes from Underground. This is a fabulous edition of the work and it contains more than enough background on Dostoevsky and this particular work. So poke around the book a bit and you’ll find plenty of information.

Questions:

• Who is the Underground Man and is he rational, irrational, or what?
• Why does he believe that consciousness is a disease and breeds inaction?
• How is the mouse contrasted with the “man of action”? What is the “wall” and how do these two types of people react to it and why?
• What is the Crystal Palace, how does it relate to “the wall” and what does it rob individuals of? How will people react to living in this palace?

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