Precision and soul

"We do not have too much intellect and too little soul, but too little precision in matters of the soul."—Robert Musil. Best known for The Man without Qualities, Musil wrote these essays in Vienna and Berlin from 1911 to 1937, reflecting on the crisis of modern culture as seen in science, capitalism, nationalism, and evolving roles of women and writers. He sought to navigate a world where moral systems appeared to be in decay, aiming to reconcile functional relativism with the passionate pursuit of ethical values. Born in 1880 and passing in 1942, Musil's earlier work, Young Törless, is available in English, and a new translation of his major novel is forthcoming. This collection features thirty-one essays, ranging from "The Obscene and Pathological in Art" to "On Stupidity," marking a significant literary event for English readers. Musil is recognized as a pivotal modern thinker, addressing issues that shape our time with a depth comparable to Mann, Joyce, or Beckett. These essays are essential for understanding a writer dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific precision and the essence of life and art.