“The Brothers Karamazov.” In my personal opinion, an exemplary book. On the surface, it unfolds as a murder mystery and a legal drama entwining three brothers: Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha. Yet, at a certain point, one realizes that these brothers embody the three most important branches of modern philosophy.
Dmitri is driven by his passion and desires and believes in the pursuit of ones dreams and embracing ones emotions. He seeks to live his life to the fullest, following his heart’s call, heedless of occasional moral considerations. Dostoyevsky, refers to him as the sensualist. He’s the podcasting venture capitalist, who tells kids to follow their passions and not focus too much on grades, but wouldn’t mind occasionally establishing companies solely to generate a buzz for his portfolio. He is the supermodel, encouraging carpe-diem on her public messages, while partaking in meticulously orchestrated photoshoots in the lap of nature. Dmitri embodies that yearning to have it all, have it better, all at once.
Ivan, the second brother, espouses the skeptical, ultra rationalistic take on the world, which drives one into nihilism, although Dostoyevsky never actually uses that exact word. He questions traditional beliefs and systems and grapples with questions around morality, justice, the existence of God, the necessity of evil and the acknowledgment of absurdity.
One of my treasured Ivan moments arises when he dissects the renowned phrase, “Truth will set you free.” Free, but from what? Humans mistakenly yearn for freedom, yet they derive no genuine satisfaction from it. In fact, they possess an inherent craving for subjugation. In bygone eras (and even in the present), this manifested as religious conflicts driven by the desire to belong to a superior faith. The mentality echoed, “My religion surpasses yours, so I shall wage religious wars to validate my stance. For I am a superior serf, obedient to a higher deity.” Today’s deities are wealth and accolades. “Look, as I dwell in my penthouse, and my hedge fund showers my ice cream with sprinkles. My company adorns trendy hoodies, signifying my membership in the classy tribe. Can you not perceive my coolness? Have you not read my resume, brimming with stamps of conformity? I shall go to any limits, to keep up my servitude.”
Ivan represents that part within you, that emerges when grappling with heartbreak, navigating through feelings of stagnation, betrayal, or recovering from personal trauma.
The youngest among them, Alyosha, personifies existentialism. He grapples with questions surrounding the meaning of life and personal responsibility amid chaotic circumstances. He believes that what happens to you is not your fault, yet handling it gracefully is your responsibility. He understands Ivan’s point that the act of living is inherently meaningless, but rather than perceiving it as a problem, he views it as an opportunity to forge one’s own meaning and live life on one’s own terms. Alyosha, is that friend, whose presence feels like, being around a teddy bear. He is you, when you make countless unidentified sacrifices for someone without any thought of return. He represents that inner strength that allows you to savor the present moment and enjoy a cup of coffee on a bleak rainy day.
Undoubtedly, Dostoyevsky’s writing style represents the pinnacle of simplicity and effectiveness, establishing the upper limit for philosophical fiction. Personally, I have read this book twice as reading it, feels like giving my soul a hug. Within all three characters, I catch glimpses of my own being and I wholeheartedly recommend picking up a copy.
Amogh Mahapatra's Writings 