Hmm …

… The shallow nihilism of John Gray | spiked review of books. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)



I pretty much agree with Gray regarding "progress." But this review is so intent on refuting him that it really doesn't give a clear idea of what Gray is arguing. I don't know what to make of this:

It is difficult to know what to make of this section in light of the words which end it, seemingly influenced by the poet Wallace Stephens: ‘Knowing there is nothing of substance in our world may seem to rob that world of value. But this nothingness may be our most precious possession, since it opens to us the world that exists beyond ourselves.’

What exactly is the Wallace Stevens connection? Stevens was certainly no nihilist. And as for Robinson Jeffers's inhumanism, here's what Jeffers himself had to say about it:

"a shifting of emphasis and significance from man to notman; the rejection of human solipsim and recognition of the trans-human magnificence... This manner of thought and feeling is neither misanthropic nor pessimist... It offers a reasonable detachment as rule of conduct, instead of love, hate and envy... it provides magnificence for the religious instinct, and satisfies our need to admire greatness and rejoice in beauty."