Latest news with #existentialism
The Guardian
18-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The Rev John Heywood Thomas obituary
My friend and former colleague John Heywood Thomas, who has died aged 98, came from humble beginnings to become a theologian of international standing. As well as being a scholar of note, in particular of the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and the German-American theologian Paul Tillich, John provided great encouragement to younger academics, especially those teaching and writing in Welsh. Proud of his roots, he frequently attended the National Eisteddfod, was appointed to the Gorsedd of Bards in 1972 and elected fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2012. Born near Llanelli, one of the four children of Ann (nee Morris) and her husband, David Thomas, a blacksmith, John went to the local boys' grammar school. He studied philosophy at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (now Aberystwyth University), graduating in 1947, then theology at the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, gaining a BD in philosophy of religion and Christian doctrine. Early interest in existentialism and its relationship with theology was first pursued as a Fletcher scholar at Cheshunt College, Cambridge (1950-52), where he undertook an analysis of the work of Kierkegaard. His studies continued in Copenhagen, enabled by a grant from the Swenson-Kierkegaard memorial fund. A monograph, Subjectivity and Paradox, was published in 1957. As Mills fellow, he studied at the Union Theological Seminary, New York (1952-53), under Tillich, who referred to John as 'my logical critic'. A further monograph, one of the first to interpret and critique his former teacher's work, Paul Tillich: An Appraisal, appeared in 1963. In 1965, John was awarded a doctor of divinity degree by the University of Wales, on the basis of his published work. Though ordained in 1952 at his home church, Bryn Chapel, Llanelli, John pursued his vocation in theological education. He taught scripture at the grammar school in Newcastle Emlyn, in west Wales (1954-55), before undertaking a research fellowship at Durham University (1955-57), a lectureship in the philosophy of religion at the University of Manchester (1957-65), and a readership in divinity at Durham (1964-74). His final appointment came as professor and head of the department of theology at Nottingham University (1974-92). A special career highlight for John was to facilitate cooperation between Durham University and Ushaw College – the Roman Catholic seminary near the city – supporting seminarians with their studies at the university. In retirement from 1992, John lived at Menai Bridge and gave distinguished service as honorary professor at the University of Wales, Bangor (now Bangor University), which is where we met, as well as to the philosophical and theological sections of its Guild of Graduates. Despite his achievements, he remained humble and generous; on relocating to Bonvilston in the Vale of Glamorgan in 1999, he served as honorary minister at Trehill Presbyterian Church of Wales. He married Mair Evans, also from Llanelli, in 1953. She died in 2021, followed by the untimely death of their only child, the journalist and broadcaster Nicola Heywood-Thomas, in 2023.
Reuters
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
'Life of Chuck' movie chases the meaning of life, loss and love
LOS ANGELES, June 4 (Reuters) - Before finishing the science-fiction drama film "The Life of Chuck," English actor Tom Hiddleston and American director Mike Flanagan had a conversation about life, death and existence. 'I think (the conversation) went far deeper than just about any conversation I can recall having with an actor,' Flanagan told Reuters during an interview in Los Angeles. For both Hiddleston and Flanagan, the core of the movie, based on author Stephen King's 2020 novella of the same name, is understanding the essence of being alive. 'I loved the wisdom in the story,' Hiddleston said. 'This idea of holding onto the people you love and the people who matter, because you never know when it'll all end, and to have the courage to live as fully as you can with what you have,' he added. The film produced by Intrepid Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, and WME Independent arrives in theaters on Friday. The story follows Charles "Chuck" Krantz, whose life story is told chronologically backwards, depicting the influence he has on the world and also how the world influences him. The movie explores existentialism, death and loss, and the apocalypse, fitting the thematic elements that both King and Flanagan are known for. The cast includes Hiddleston as Chuck Krantz, Mark Hamill as Chuck's grandpa Albie Krantz, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan as ex-spouses Marty Anderson and Felicia Gordon. Beyond the supernatural themes, Hamill believes the messages of 'The Life of Chuck' delve into current real-world divisions. 'I really think it's the perfect timing for this movie, because we are so divided as a nation, and we are dealing with just one outrage after another,' he said. 'It's almost frightening to open up your computer every day and see what's happened now. And so, I think this movie couldn't arrive at a better time. It's almost therapeutic,' he added. Similarly for Hiddleston, it was imperative that the movie offer something joyful despite the moments of loss throughout the story. This included a big dance scene from Hiddleston. The "Hush" director said that the dance scene was the first thing they filmed for the movie and made him realize that the 'explosion of joy' was the 'heart of the story,' that would hold everything together.
Arab News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Book Review: ‘A Shining' by Jon Fosse
Jon Fosse, the 2023 Nobel laureate, delivers a masterclass in existential minimalism with 'A Shining,' a novella that glimmers with metaphysical unease. Translated from Norwegian by Damion Searls, this brief but resonant work lingers like a half-remembered dream, inviting readers to grapple with its haunting ambiguity. An unnamed man drives into a remote forest, seeking isolation. When his car stalls, he abandons it, lured deeper into the trees by an enigmatic light. What begins as a quest for solitude spirals into a disorienting confrontation with the unknown. Strange encounters — a flickering figure, disembodied voices, a persistent glow — blur the boundaries of reality. Is the 'shining' a divine sign, a mental rupture, or something beyond comprehension? Fosse offers no easy answers. Fosse's sparse, rhythmic prose mirrors the protagonist's fractured psyche. Sentences loop and stutter, mimicking the repetitive chatter of a mind unraveling ('I walked, I walked, I walked'). Yet, within this austerity lies startling beauty: Descriptions of moss, shadows and cold air ground the surreal in the realm of the sensory. The novella probes humanity's existential contradictions, particularly the tension between our desire for solitude and our terror of abandonment. It lays bare the futility of seeking meaning in a universe indifferent to human struggles, while questioning how much we can trust our perceptions. Are the protagonist's encounters real, or projections of a mind teetering on the brink of collapse? Fosse leaves readers suspended in that uncertainty. Fosse refuses to cater to conventional narrative appetites. There are no villains or heroic arcs, only a man wrestling with the void within. Fans of Franz Kafka's existential labyrinths or Samuel Beckett's bleak humor will find kinship here. 'A Shining' is not for readers craving action or closure. It is a quiet storm of a book, best absorbed in one sitting under dim light. Perfect for lovers of philosophical fiction, poetry devotees, and anyone who has ever stared into darkness and wondered what stared back.
