An Explanatory Note

I realize that my first post here was a bit obscure, and likely left you wondering what Exit Cave Right is all about. First, an initial word on Jonathan Swift and A Modest Proposal. Professor Jaffa obviously did not point me to this text for chronological or stylistic reasons, but for moral and philosophical ones. In other words, the pamphlet does not occupy a starting point in time from which all other literary themes flow, nor does it represent the beginnings of a new artistic form. What it does do is present a practical dilemma juxtaposed with a moral one. Jaffa was implicitly telling me that any investigation of Western thought had to be framed by the general question that is asked by the particular circumstances of Swift's 18th century Ireland. That question is simply this: what is "right" as opposed to what is merely useful? A subsequent post will explore this question in light of how and why Swift's satire poses it.

This brings us to another query: What is this blog all about? I envision two complementary purposes for it. The first concerns the already-stated task at hand, that is, a thorough study of the history of Western ideas. This objective itself raises practical dilemmas (where to begin? what path to follow? where to end?), as well as a theoretical paradox (if there is, in fact, a distinct tradition that we can fairly call "the West," what exactly is it? what are its components, and is the sum of those components greater than its parts? what "Western" ideas and ideals have been influenced by "non-Western" ones, and vice versa?). I have only very preliminary answers to this barrage of questions, but hope, through the outlet that this website provides, to gradually move toward more profound and more complete versions of those answers, and to begin to grasp a greater understanding of, and a greater appreciation for, the subject under examination.

So, the first purpose of the blog is to allow me to organize, save, and share my thoughts as I proceed on this quixotic quest (and to benefit from the wisdom of the few select readers whose interest I may capture). The second purpose (and the two are mutually reinforcing) will be to comment on matters, whether contemporary or historic, practical or artistic, that I happen across, even if they may, if only for a moment, wrench my project from its directed path. And, indeed, these may be necessary detours, for what is an understanding of the past without recognizing its ability to illuminate the present? And toward what end go the judgments of today and our visions for the future without grasping what has gone before?