Note: This is not meant to be an authoritative explication of Chesterton's words. Just my thoughts on them.
One of my favorite quotes from Chesterton is this:
Of course.
First off, let's get something clear: Chesterton is not saying that science and metaphysics are lies. That would be a position irreconcilable with his Catholic Faith. Therefore, we must rule that out. However, he says that the novel is more true.
We can say that a second grade science textbook is scientific. It does, after all, treat of science. However, I do not think that we could by any means say that it is as scientific as, say, a high school physics textbook. You are able to say things in a high school physics textbook which you just can't say in a second grade science textbook. It is more scientific to say "Earth's gravity causes objects to accelerate towards it at a rate of 9.81 m/s^2" than it is to say "Gravity pulls stuff down," yet both are scientific statements.
In a similar way the more advanced statement about gravity is a true statement. However, allow me to submit that Frodo's fight against the evil influence of the Ring is even more true than whatever we can say about gravity.
One of my favorite quotes from Chesterton is this:
“People wonder why the novel is the most popular form of literature; people wonder why it is read more than books of science or books of metaphysics. The reason is very simple; it is merely that the novel is more true than they are.” –G.K. ChestertonOn first glance it may seem a little strange. The Lord of the Rings is more true than a chemistry textbook? Has Gilbert lost his mind? A story involving elves, wizards, a big flaming eye, and a magic ring is more true than a book about protons, neutrons, etc?
Of course.
First off, let's get something clear: Chesterton is not saying that science and metaphysics are lies. That would be a position irreconcilable with his Catholic Faith. Therefore, we must rule that out. However, he says that the novel is more true.
We can say that a second grade science textbook is scientific. It does, after all, treat of science. However, I do not think that we could by any means say that it is as scientific as, say, a high school physics textbook. You are able to say things in a high school physics textbook which you just can't say in a second grade science textbook. It is more scientific to say "Earth's gravity causes objects to accelerate towards it at a rate of 9.81 m/s^2" than it is to say "Gravity pulls stuff down," yet both are scientific statements.
In a similar way the more advanced statement about gravity is a true statement. However, allow me to submit that Frodo's fight against the evil influence of the Ring is even more true than whatever we can say about gravity.
It is easy to forget that we are in the midst of a vast cosmic war. The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and a host of other novels speak about this war. While the Chronicles are more explicitly theological than LOTR, both do have things to tell us. They communicate truth, which puts them on par with a science textbook.
Now, as for how they can be more true than science books. Let's consider the words of Chesterton on his deathbed: "The issue is now quite clear. It is between light and darkness and every one must choose his side." He issues us a final warning about this war.
We might perhaps say that the novel is more true than science textbooks because it treats more directly of this battle, of the spiritual life. Frodo's story is true because it tells us that we must resist evil. This is much more important, I think, than knowing the numbers for gravity.
As a last note, I'd say that naturally, spiritual books like The Way of a Pilgrim and Jesus of Nazareth are even more true than novels. And the Bible, naturally, is more true than anything mentioned here.
We might perhaps say that the novel is more true than science textbooks because it treats more directly of this battle, of the spiritual life. Frodo's story is true because it tells us that we must resist evil. This is much more important, I think, than knowing the numbers for gravity.
As a last note, I'd say that naturally, spiritual books like The Way of a Pilgrim and Jesus of Nazareth are even more true than novels. And the Bible, naturally, is more true than anything mentioned here.
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