This blog post examines why ‘use-inspired basic science’ is important through Pasteur’s Quadrant and explores the impact of this approach on scientific research. Pasteur’s Quadrant, or the Pasteur Quadrant, signifies ‘use-inspired basic science’—basic research that leans neither solely toward pure academic inquiry nor purely toward practical application. When scientific...
Is rape an evolutionary behavior that can leave a genetic legacy?
In this blog post, we deeply analyze whether rape can be viewed as an evolutionary adaptation, examining it from the perspective of survival and reproduction. It has been 25 years since the 21st century began. Compared to the 20th century, the 21st century has seen a dazzlingly rapid pace of change. Not only the structures of technology and society as a whole, but even the fundamental...
How did Alaa Al Aswany portray Egyptian reality in ‘Chicago’?
Alaa Al Aswany’s ‘Chicago’ illuminates the lives of Egyptian intellectuals amidst dictatorship and corruption. Set in Chicago, this novel deeply explores the conflicts and realities faced by Egyptians who left their homeland, examining political oppression and the complex tapestry of human characters. About Alaa Al Aswany Egyptian novelist and dentist Alaa Al Aswany (born 1957) was...
‘Entropy: A New World View’, Can We Defy the Law of Disorder?
‘Entropy: A New World View’ is a book that explores the sustainability of modern civilization based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics. A few weeks ago, I was waiting in line at the bus stop to catch the school shuttle. A blue bus I hadn’t seen before approached from a distance, with the words ‘Electric Bus Trial Run’ written on its front. This can be seen as part of the policy...
‘Les Misérables’ and Victor Hugo’s Literary World
‘Les Misérables’ and Victor Hugo’s literary world is an epic work encompassing themes of love, justice, salvation, and revolution. This masterpiece of 19th-century French literature embodies Victor Hugo’s life and philosophy. Victor Hugo: A Journey Through Life and Literature Victor Hugo was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon. Following his father, a general under Napoleon...
The question posed by ‘My Brilliant Life’: What is communication?
Kim Ae-ran’s ‘My Brilliant Life’ explores the meaning of communication through Areum, a boy with progeria. This blog post examines communication and understanding within his story. Introducing Areum The parents of Areum, the protagonist of the Korean novel ‘My Brilliant Life’, started their family in a somewhat unconventional way. They became parents to a child while still in high...
What lessons does Arnold J. Toynbee’s theory of civilization offer modern society?
This blog post examines Arnold J. Toynbee’s theory of civilization and discusses how his ‘Challenge and Response’ theory can be applied in modern society. British historian Arnold J. Toynbee, in publishing ‘A Study of History’, established civilization—not the nation-state—as the fundamental unit of historical inquiry. He argued that even though Britain was geographically separated...
Why did Franz Kafka strip the doctor naked and throw him into a blizzard?
This blog post explores the metaphors of the unconscious and desire in Kafka’s literature through a psychoanalytic lens, focusing on ‘A Country Doctor’. Beginning with the line “He was extremely perplexed,” this story is actually more perplexing for readers. Its dreamlike, surreal narrative unfolds in a way that defies comprehension. Imaginary beings suddenly appear, and strange...
The Case Against Perfection: Is Designing Children Really the Wrong Choice?
This blog post examines the ethics and feasibility of designing children through biotechnology, presenting a critical perspective. Biotechnology is advancing rapidly, and humanity will eventually reach the point of designing children. ‘The Case Against Perfection’ argues that the problem lies in “parents’ arrogant attempt to conquer the mystery of birth.” It opposes designing...
Lu Xun’s Melancholy and Enlightenment as Seen Through ‘A Madman’s Diary’
This blog post examines Lu Xun’s melancholy and enlightenment consciousness revealed through ‘A Madman’s Diary’, revisiting its meaning from today’s perspective. Melancholy is the product of knowledge. The more we know, the more we suffer. For we come to know the good, the bad, and even the wrong. For those who seek to change what they know for the better, that suffering...