All Things Shining: Reading the Western Classics to Find Meaning in a Secular Age

Hubert Dreyfus and Sean Dorrance Kelly address the modern sensation of nihilism, which they trace to the collapse of shared cultural certainties. They argue that the Enlightenment's focus on individual autonomy has left people burdened by the need to invent their own meaning. By analyzing texts like Homer’s Odyssey, Dante’s Divine Comedy, and Melville’s Moby-Dick, the authors demonstrate how ancient civilizations experienced the world as full of sacred presence. They propose a return to "polytheism," described as a heightened sensitivity to moments of intense, collective excellence and gratitude.

This book is for readers interested in existentialism, philosophy, and the history of Western literature. It attracts those who feel overwhelmed by the modern requirement to make every choice significant without any external guidance. Readers gain a framework for distinguishing between temporary fanatical moods and genuine experiences of wonder. The text provides a method for recognizing and appreciating the "shining" moments of life that exist outside of purely rational or technological frameworks, offering a way to find purpose without relying on traditional religious dogma.