Dune as Source of Philosophy

[Paul]

how the Dune and Foundation trilogies provide great treatments of profound philosophic issues ... 20-min podcast with link to essay ...

[Lou]

Significantly, is the life philosophy that when you make things too easy for people, they may not develop quite as well as they might while having to overcome hardship. Of course, overdoing it or artificially creating such hardship can have the effect of creating demons.

Still, I think there is a certain hole in the soul of the individual who has had life too easy. Such people have little appeal as human beings and you can tell there is something missing.

Instead of contributing members of society, they frequently become leeches.

--Wag--

[Paul]

That's an important and perceptive point.

But, in Dune, I think the story is that the capacity to see the future makes life more difficult, not easier, for Paul Muad'dib in the end...

[Lou]

I agree. Also for Leto II.

--Wag--