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https://lateboomersden.blog/2023/05/22/valis-and-the-fragmented-self/
Just finished VALIS, a very trippy book by Phillip K Dick. That might be redundant - they're all a head trip. I found this one meaningful in terms of psychology.
#Books, #Culture, #Existentialism, #Science, #Gnosticism, #phillipkdick #Psychology, #VALIS
@paninid
I think he's talking about Jungian individuation. He (the character in the book) has a self destructive alter ego Horselover Fat that was running the show. Phil learns to coexist with him but removes his control.
@Woodchaz Got it. Thanks for sharing!
@Woodchaz One of my favorites from him.Some of the friends sitting around deep in conversation on esoteric or just plain insane subjects reminded me very much of A Scanner Darkly. Very deeply felt discussions.
@4d3fect
It was so weird that both Phil and Fat were taking part in the conversations. I wondered how that would be resolved. His friends let on later that they knew he was sick. I were so familiar with his multiple personalities that they didn't need to mention it until later.
@Woodchaz I went down multiple rabbit holes because of this novel. Gnostics, scripture analysis, brain chemistry, WWll tanks, & c.
@4d3fect
I'm definitely interested in Gnosticism. I think my first reading of VALIS may have been my first real exposure to Gnostic concepts. First time I heard of the Nag Hamadi Library. I grew up Baptist. It was out of left field for me. I forgot the reference to tanks... Can you remind me? I've been sort of in an adjacent rabbit hole for a while since discovering Carl Jung. Next stop: Alchemy.
@Woodchaz been a while. It was almost a throwaway line by one of the group to the effect of the T34 on the outcome of the war.
@4d3fect
I remember that now. And no it wasn't essential.
@Woodchaz Can't locate it rn. Dammit, now I'm gonna have to re-read it!
@4d3fect
I was mainly captivated by his description of reality, his Gnostic world view and the concept of VALIS, the idea of the iron prison existing in multiple time periods at once. Wild stuff.
@Woodchaz I thought since I'd enjoyed Valis so much that I'd enjoy the Exegesis. But after a hundred pages of repeating himself over and over again, I had to bail.
@4d3fect
I don't think I could do it. I mean, he got some very compelling concepts out of his experience because he was brilliant, but he WAS a mental case with drug problems. I see it as source material.
You could also say that about Carl Jung's Red Book btw, but I'm finding it a compelling read.