On "Happy Endings" and the Tragedy of Existence

[Note: Quoations from Findlay's works are present throughout this website in each of the contents categories at left.]

"Ends, adding the crowning touches to total experiences, whose character is previously somewhat problematic, are obviously more important, pro tanto, than beginnings or middles: hence the supreme importance of happy endings, and the ruinous character of deeply miserable ones. It is, for this reason, one of the greatest tragedies of existence that most of us die so pitiably" (Values and Intentions, p. 237).

On Classicism and Modern Art

The exploitation of shock...cannot profitably be reiterated ad infinitum, nor for its own sake.  Perhaps the happiest of aesthetic situations would be that of a culture strong in academic traditions, but permitting also of internal revolutions, and which exploited an experience so various as to need few innovations of mere form. European art-experience prior to 1914 was possibly in this position: we have now entered the flagellating age.  It is arguable that the fallowness of mere classicism would be preferable to our present state (Values and Intentions, p. 249).