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I am a fictionalizing philosopher, not a novelist; my novel & story-writing ability is employed as a means to formulate my perception. The core of my writing is not art but truth. Thus what I tell is the truth, yet I can do nothing to alleviate it, either by deed or explanation. Yet this seems somehow to help a certain kind of sensitive troubled person, for whom I speak. I think I understand the common ingredient in those whom my writing helps: they cannot or will not blunt their own intimations about the irrational, mysterious nature of reality, & for them, my corpus of writing is one long ratiocination regarding this inexplicable reality, an investigation & presentation, analysis & response & personal history. My audience will always be limited to those people.

Philip Kindred Dick#70

RealityTruthArtWriting

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author views writing as a means to articulate truth and connect with readers sensitive to the mysterious nature of reality.
In plain terms
I write to find truth and help others who see the mystery in life.
What can you take from it?
Writing serves as a tool for philosophical inquiry.

Where it applies

  • creative work
  • philosophy
  • reading

Putting it to work

  • write to explore truth

Questions to consider

  • What is the primary goal of your writing?

Another view

Not all writing aims to alleviate suffering.

More from Philip Kindred Dick

  1. When two people dream the same dream, it ceases to be an illusion.

    Permalink to quote #69
  2. Each of us assumes everyone else knows what HE is doing. They all assume we know what WE are doing. We don't...Nothing is going on and nobody knows what it is.…

    Permalink to quote #71
  3. Madness, like small fish, runs in hosts, in vast numbers of instances.

    Permalink to quote #68

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