{"product_id":"reading-by-the-light-of-a-burning-phoenix-von-patrick-j-mccauley","title":"Reading by the Light of a Burning Phoenix","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a new interpretation of Hermann Hesse's Steppenwolf.  This interpretation is grounded on Immanuel Kant's moral philosophy and is centered on a discussion and analysis of an inescapable paradox that is fundamental to the human condition.  I argue that our rational capacity exposes us to an unconditional and insuperable moral demand.  However, we can only ever respond to this autonomous command with a finite material capacity.  It is our fate, therefore, to impose conditions on our own unconditional imperative, that is, to exist as a self-evident contradiction.  Since it is possible to escape neither the conditioned nor the unconditioned pole, we must eventually despair of the possibility of moral sufficiency.  I argue that Steppenwolf is an aesthetic articulation of and response to this radical and tragic structural disparity.  I also argue that Steppenwolf offers an intimation of deliverance, but only in the form of willing and anonymous self-sacrifice in the name of the impossible ideal.   I conclude with an articulation of a fundamental three-stage moral development that is made possible by empowering aesthetic symbols described by both Kant and Hesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"aw-variant-hidden-subtitle-div\" id=\"aw-variant-subtitle-9783845402680\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA Kantian Interpretation of Hesse\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Autorenwelt Shop","offers":[{"title":"Softcover - 9783845402680","offer_id":39497143746653,"sku":"9783845402680","price":79.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0940\/0622\/files\/d37dd1bf-5c32-4947-a042-1fc0af120bcb.jpg?v=1757912446","url":"https:\/\/shop.autorenwelt.de\/products\/reading-by-the-light-of-a-burning-phoenix-von-patrick-j-mccauley","provider":"Autorenwelt Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}