Tolkien and philosophy

[The Saucepan Man]

Hookbill, many of the issues raised in Tolkien's writings will give rise to issues which one might describe as "philosophical". When discussing the nature and origin of Orcs, for example, it is only a small step to go on and consider whether they were by their nature irredeemably evil. That, in turn, raises issues about the "fairness" of a world where sentient beings (if indeed Orcs were that) have no choice in being evil, but are born as such. Similarly consideration of the "dooms" pronounced upon the Noldor (by Mandos) and Hurin's family (by Morgoth) will inevitably involve consideration of whether they had free will, leading perhaps to more general discussion of free will within Middle-earth and indeed within our own world. And the consideration of good and evil within Middle-earth will often raise questions concerning the nature and source of morality. It is inevitable that questions such as these will arise in a forum such as this.

But never fear, there are ample threads devoted to the consideration of pure factual issues (did Balrogs have wings being the prime, albeit hackneyed, example). Along with threads devoted to the portrayal of Tolkien's works on film, quiz games, creative writing and simply having fun with the books and the films. The list is endless. There is something here for every Tolkien fan, however their interest manifests itself. It is up to you which topics you involve yourself in. If you want to engage in serious philosophical discussion you can, even if (like me) you sometimes feel woefully ill-equipped in terms of learning and experience to do so. Or you can simply move on to another topic. It's up to you.

Tolkien was not a philosopher. That is plain enough. (Hookbill)

On what are you basing that statement? (Helen)

Well, clearly Tolkien is not remembered primarily as a Philosopher, in the same way that Plato, Aquinas and Nietzsche are. He is primarily remembered as a great story-teller. But it is clear from a cursory glance at his Letters and some of his essays that he did philosophise, in the sense that he concerned himself with considering, and expressing to others his views on, the weightier issues in life.

Of course, he saw little merit in over-analysing those works which he published primarily as tales to amuse himself and give pleasure to others. He quoted Gandalf's line cautioning against breaking a thing to discover its meaning in this context on a number of occasions. For example, in a draft of a letter to Peter Szabo Szentmihalyi (Letter 329), he stated:

When they have read it, some readers will (I suppose) wish to 'criticize' it, and even to analyze it, and if that is their mentality they are, of course, at liberty to do these things - so long as they have first read it with attention throughout. Not that this attitude of mind has my sympathy: as should be clearly perceived in Vol. I p.272: Gandalf: 'He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.'

His greatest wish was that people should read and enjoy his tales. And, while he may not have had much sympathy for those who seek to analyse them (and was perhaps concerned that over-analysis might impair the enjoyment), he nevertheless recognised that his stories will have applicability for his readers (that, for many, is part of the enjoyment). And I don't think that he would have begrudged those who are inclined to do so from considering the manner in which his tales are applicable to them and discussing their views with others. Such a process is, I think, bound to lead frequently to discussion of philosophical issues. And I also don't think that he would have objected to people considering and discussing his own philosophical views, as hinted at in essays such as 'On Faerie Stories', and as often explicitly stated in his Letters (which, while he did not intend them for general publication when he wrote them, were generally written for an audience of at least one).

And, contrary to what you say, I don't think that a recognition that his stories were not intended to be allegorical is necessarily an obstacle to such discussions provided that people recognise that they are discussing how Tolkien's works might bear upon philosophical issues, rather than trying to establish a particular philosophical idea or meaning that they believe he might have intended to represent by them.