1984 and Philosophy: Is Resistance Futile?

1984 by George Orwell is one of the most successful political science-fiction books ever, with multitudes of general-interest fans who have been warned by its predictions and concerns. Many find it still relevant in this age of political chaos where we no longer know what or who we should believe, but we have a choice. The novel reminds that we need to be vigilant in order to avoid such a dark totalitarian future. 1984 and Philosophy: Is Resistance Futile?, edited by Ezio Di Nucci and Stefan Storrie, is a fascinating exploration of the novel, with many connections being made between philosophers and the ideas and concerns Orwell raised.

As in Orwell’s work, one will find in this philosophical collection articles dense with ideas about politics and ideology. The book, though, is understandable and reminds us that we need to think ourselves out of such situations. The long book is a slow read with much pique. There is all sorts of takes on the text, providing new ways to think of our current predicament. Some might just wish to read parts of it, but it abounds with fascinating ideas and modern interpretations. Though 1984 is about the concerns following World War II and a prediction of a worse time to come, many are still rightfully intrigued by it and interested in sharing their thoughts here.