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August 1, 2006
BOOK REVIEW: The Philosophy of Tolkien, The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings
Well Peter Kreeft has done it again...this time tackling one of my favorite topics, i.e. Tolkien. In The Philosophy of Tolkien, The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings , Kreeft skillfully explores all the fundamental philosophical ideas or, better yet, realities and how they can be found in Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings.
He addresses such topics as metaphysics, philosophical theology, cosmology, anthropology, epistemology, philosophy of history, aesthetics, ethics, political philosophy, and many others. This organization by themes makes this book an enjoyable read. The reader quickly realizes how Tolkien's Catholic faith played a vital role in this "book of the century." I consider this book a must read for any friend of Tolkien.
The following is from one of the final chapters, Ethics: The "Soft" Virtues. Enjoy!
13.1 What is the power of friendshipThe importance of this topic to Tolkien is evident from the title of the first volume: The Fellowship of the Ring. "Fellowship" is another word for friendship.
It is a greater power than wisdom. Gandalf knows this, and that is why he picks Merry and Pippin at the Counsel of Elrond. "It is true that if these hobbits understood the danger, they would not dare to go. But...I think, Elrond, that in this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom" (LOTR, p. 260).
This is why Gandalf is so happy to hear that Sam went with Frodo into Mordor after the Fellowship broke up at Amon Hen: a mini-fellowship, at least, might work, but a lone individual would not.
There is evidently a connection between this point, the value of friendship, and the previous one about the superiority of duty to utility, or calculation. Soldiers do not die for causes, or even for "country", but for their buddies, their friends. Friendship shows its power most when the situation is most desperate and temptation is strongest--as it was for Sam in the tower of Cirith Ungol. "In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm" (LOTR, p. 881). Friendship, after all, is a form of love.
If there is one single thing that was most responsible for the success of the Fellowship, it was their fellowship, their friendship, especially between Frodo and Sam. That literally carried the Ring to Mount Doom:
"I said I'd carry him, if it broke my back," he muttered, "and I will!"
"Come, Mr. Frodo!" he cried. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo, dear! Sam will give you a ride...."
Sam staggered to his feet; and then to his amazement he felt the burden light. he had feared that he would have barely strength to lift his master alone, and beyond that he has expected to share in the dreadful dragging weight of the accursed Ring. But it was not so (LOTR, p. 919).Of course not: "He ain't heavy; he's my brother."
Not the most intriguing part of the book, but one with meaning for me. Jay and I have been friends for a long time, since childhood, and we have made it through good times and bad times. The one thing that has remained constant through the years is our friendship. Of course, it helps that we are both big fans of Tolkien :-)
In Christ,
Joe
Posted by jay at August 1, 2006 12:03 AM
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