According to the Idealist…
The world works according to your ideals. If you’re religious, you’re an idealist – you believe in a god (or gods), and therefore the good are rewarded, the evil are punished, etc. There is some sort of justice/a plan.
From the cover…
The Iliad is typically described as one of the greatest war stories of all time, but to call it a war story does not begin to describe the emotional sweep of its action and characters: Achilles, Helen, Hector, and other heroes of Greek myth and history in the 10th and final year of the Greek siege of Troy…
How it’s idealistic, summarized…
In Homer’s world, everything is the result of godly actions. The gods aren’t perfect beings by any means, so there isn’t necessarily a plan – but at the end of the day, most of the good live. You don’t have to be an optimist to be idealistic – you just need to believe that there’s a higher purpose out there (and those with hubris will meet downfall.)
Existentialism in Dostoevksy's Crime and Punishment
According to the Existentialist…
The world is meaningless/absurd/etc., so you’ve got to create your own meaning: You’ve got to consciously decide on what you live for. Then you can live passionately.
From the cover…
A desperate young man plans the perfect crime -- the murder of a despicable pawnbroker, an old woman no one loves and no one will mourn. Is it not just, he reasons, for a man of genius to commit such a crime, to transgress moral law -- if it will ultimately benefit humanity? So begins one of the greatest novels ever written: a powerful psychological study, a terrifying murder mystery, and a fascinating detective thriller infused with philosophical, religious and social commentary…
How it’s existentialist, summarized…
Raskolnikov, our protagonist, is a complete existentialist (as was Dostoevsky himself.) 23, feverish, and completely mentally unstable, he seeks greatness by committing a murder. He is in contrast to Sonia, a Christian prostitute, and stunning character in her own right. Eventually, Raskolnikov experiences a change of heart, but continues to believe in the creation of his own meaning.
Naturalism in Wells' Island of Doctor Moreau
According to the Naturalist…
The world works according to scientific laws. Morality comes from humans' biological and social evolution rather than divine revelations.
From the cover…
After surviving a shipwreck, Edward Prendick is rescued and brought to the island of Doctor Moreau, exiled from England because of his gruesome experiments in vivisection. What Prendick encounters in the days ahead is more horrible and terrifying than any death he could ever have imagined…
How it’s naturalistic, summarized…
In the story, Prendick goes from idealistic to naturalistic. He lives on Moreau’s island for 10 months and emerges completely changed: He has witnessed near-human creatures revert to animals, and is no longer able to live with others. He isn’t able to study biology, either. In one scene, he even compares a preacher to an Ape-Man speaking “Big Thinks” – ideas he repeats because of their important sound. It’s very creepy, and very believable.My Questions
Do your characters share any of these ideas? How does this affect their actions? Do they pray frequently, move to the country, murder an old woman... ?
Most of your characters won't be acting so drastically, but questioning your characters' beliefs is important. They're going to act on these, not their ages or hair coloring. Make sure you focus on the important details! (Besides, too much description is tiresome, and you want some details to be left to the reader's imagination - that's part of the fun of a story. Plus, it's too easy to waste time on names and sketches.)
So - what do you think? How do you use philosophy in your fiction? What other examples do you know of?
