Fashionable Philosophy, and Other Sketches

Name: Fashionable Philosophy, and Other Sketches
Author: Laurence Oliphant

By Laurence Oliphant

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Essays, Letters & Speeches Humour Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A compendium of witty sketches and short tales that satirise fashionable spiritual movements and social pretensions. Several pieces stage drawing-room debates where proponents of positivism, theosophy and esoteric teachings reveal contradictions and affectation, while other narratives range from a Southern Italian tale of brigandry to a satirical exploration of Tibetan-style occultism and a comic study of personal affinities. The tone shifts between light comedy and pointed irony, combining brisk character comedy with sceptical reflections on belief, morality and social ambition without prescribing definitive answers.

About the Author

Laurence Oliphant

Laurence Oliphant was a 19th-century British author, diplomat, and traveler, known for his vivid accounts of his journeys and observations of different cultures. His notable work, "A Journey to Katmandu," details his travels in Nepal and offers insights into the region's customs and politics. Oliphant's writings often blend travel narrative with philosophical musings, as seen in his collection "Fashionable Philosophy, and Other Sketches." He also explored themes of modernity and spirituality in works like "Haifa; or, Life in modern Palestine." His unique perspective and engaging style contributed to the literary landscape of his time.