Novels: Simulators for Deeper Self-Understanding
This article explores the benefits of reading novels, especially when facing complex life decisions. The author cites Robert Johnson's "Farsighted," arguing that novels act as simulators, helping us practice handling life's multifaceted problems, similar to the dilemmas faced by characters in George Eliot's "Middlemarch." Silicon Valley executive Patrick Collison's attempt to improve his understanding of human nature by reading classic novels supports this. The article further explores novels' roles in moral improvement and psychological healing, as well as their potential negative impacts. Ultimately, it concludes that novels are indispensable tools for understanding life's complexities, valuable for handling those life problems that can't be solved with simple equations.