‘Canonicity’: the Book or the Reader? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aiwendil · 05-07-2004, 10:32 AM

So the thread comes to the point where arguments must take the form of parables. I will not waste my time demanding better definitions for the terms being used or trying to make literal the arguments. I will simply ask two questions.

1. Is everyone sure that an end is not being confused with a means? Think about the sort of relation that obtains between applicability, eucatastrophe, etc. and a good story.

2. If "Truth" means, as I guessed before, something like "God", "heaven", "the divine plan", etc., and if a glimpse of this Truth is a critical part of your theory, where does that leave non-religious readers (like me)? Would you claim that we do not fully appreciate Tolkien? Would you claim that we are subconsciously religious? If not, then how can your theory about the critical importance of the "glimpse of Truth" be valid?

05-07-2004, 10:32 AM	#11
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	So the thread comes to the point where arguments must take the form of parables. I will not waste my time demanding better definitions for the terms being used or trying to make literal the arguments. I will simply ask two questions. 1. Is everyone sure that an end is not being confused with a means? Think about the sort of relation that obtains between applicability, eucatastrophe, etc. and a good story. 2. If "Truth" means, as I guessed before, something like "God", "heaven", "the divine plan", etc., and if a glimpse of this Truth is a critical part of your theory, where does that leave non-religious readers (like me)? Would you claim that we do not fully appreciate Tolkien? Would you claim that we are subconsciously religious? If not, then how can your theory about the critical importance of the "glimpse of Truth" be valid?