Narrative Ontology

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This book critically examines three foundational ideas in philosophy: freedom, God, and immortality, highlighting their interconnectedness that has faded from contemporary thought. The concepts of God and immortality receive little attention, while the notion of freedom is often used so broadly that it loses meaning. The author, Axel Hutter, aims to remind philosophy of its essential purpose: to achieve human self-knowledge through these three ideas. Hutter finds a valuable ally in Thomas Mann, whose novel *Joseph and His Brothers* offers profound insights into freedom, God, and immortality, surpassing much of modern philosophical discourse. Through his interpretation of Mann's work, Hutter reveals the deep relationship between philosophical self-knowledge and narrative form, showing how the novel articulates human self-understanding and necessitates a philosophical reading. This approach enriches philosophical concepts, grounding them in the novel's motifs and expressive language. The book serves as both an innovative philosophical text and a robust defense of humanism, creatively merging philosophy and literature. It promises to engage students and scholars in philosophy, literature, and the humanities, making it a significant contribution to these fields.