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david_rhee's review
4.0
Ortega y Gasset has graced my bookshelves for a number of years with two memorable reads, What is Philosophy? and Revolt of the Masses, immediately coming to mind. I wish I found Meditations earlier. I enjoy reading an author's first work. But better late than never.
Meditations begins with a leisurely reflective walk in a forest where a simple distinction between a clump of trees and the whole forest leads to a cluster of aphorisms which develop the contrast between impression and the concept of a thing. Then comes criticism of Spanish culture for being too immersed in the impression side of things and the restrictions and bonds with which this approach comes. I have to say it was a sequence quite unexpected but I did appreciate being taken along such a searching string of reflections.
It might be difficult to see how this ties in with Don Quixote but it does. It is definitely more macro than micro with a lot of commentary focused on genre related elements. In all, this is a valuable read for its insight into Ortega y Gasset's penetrating vision and ability to articulate his thought process with grace. It reminded me why I am always eager to read his work.
Meditations begins with a leisurely reflective walk in a forest where a simple distinction between a clump of trees and the whole forest leads to a cluster of aphorisms which develop the contrast between impression and the concept of a thing. Then comes criticism of Spanish culture for being too immersed in the impression side of things and the restrictions and bonds with which this approach comes. I have to say it was a sequence quite unexpected but I did appreciate being taken along such a searching string of reflections.
It might be difficult to see how this ties in with Don Quixote but it does. It is definitely more macro than micro with a lot of commentary focused on genre related elements. In all, this is a valuable read for its insight into Ortega y Gasset's penetrating vision and ability to articulate his thought process with grace. It reminded me why I am always eager to read his work.
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