A detailed review of William Carlos Williams' 'Kora in Hell: Improvisations', analyzing its structure, themes, and literary context within modernist poetry. Longer summary

This review analyzes William Carlos Williams' 'Kora in Hell: Improvisations', exploring its structure, themes, and literary context. The reviewer discusses the book's title, its improvisational nature, and Williams' approach to poetry. They compare Williams' style to contemporaries like T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, highlighting his focus on American experiences and the present. The review also examines the book's structure, Williams' use of commentary, and his relationship to improvisation and composition in art. The reviewer concludes by discussing the various ways to approach and interpret the text. Shorter summary

Scott critiques Chesterton's 'truth-telling thing' argument, suggesting that religion's apparent coherence stems from cultural conditioning rather than inherent truth. Longer summary

Scott Alexander critiques G.K. Chesterton's 'truth-telling thing' argument for religion. He argues that religion's claims are often wrong when testable, and that the feeling of coherence people get from religion is due to cultural conditioning rather than inherent truth. Scott uses a metaphor of fractured Roman culture being restored by ancient texts to illustrate how exposure to religious doctrines can create a false sense of enlightenment. He suggests that modern Western thought is a mix of Christian and modernist ideas, and that exposure to pure forms of either can feel revelatory, but for different reasons related to how we hold beliefs. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores whether atheists can fully appreciate Chesterton's work, arguing that the moral beauty in his writing stems more from modern humanism than Christianity itself. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses whether atheists can appreciate the works of G.K. Chesterton, a Christian author. He argues that the moral qualities that make Chesterton and C.S. Lewis admirable are more a product of modernity than Christianity itself. Scott suggests that these authors took humanist ideas and dressed them in Christian clothing. He explores several reasons why the Christian framework might be particularly effective for conveying moral beauty, including the power of myth, legitimacy, a different perspective, and a focus on the individual. Lastly, he considers the challenge for atheists in portraying Good as an active, terrifying force, but finds some hope in works like 'Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality'. Shorter summary