The Search for the Spiritual Remedy: A Recap on Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
Presentation, pp.8, 2026
- Publication Type: Other Publication / Presentation
- Publication Date: 2026
- Page Numbers: pp.8
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The Search for the Spiritual Remedy: A Recap on Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
“But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real
danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I
want sin.” The famous quote from Aldous Huxley’s
Brave New World (1932) seems to be the wake-up call humanity needs at the times
of uncertainty. The words expressed by John (the Savage) embody the universal
dilemma of modern Man who attempts to find peace in the middle of a chaotic
order. This paper attempts to reinterpret Huxley’s book under the light of the
drastic changes which faced humanity in the past 100 years. The researcher
reposes the question of the spiritual alienation as the main crisis of modern
man. Though written in a completely different culture and context, “Brave New
World’s” core moral messages express striking similarity with mystical thoughts
in the Islamic doctrine. Ibn Tufayl’s (d.1185) “Ḥayy ibn Yaqẓān” allegorical work can
relate in similar manner to the metaphor of finding meaning and spiritual
values in a hostile external environment. The search for the outside values
goes hand in hand with the inner quest for the true meaning of being and
fulfilling the genuine mission of humanity at large. The paper combines
literary analysis and philosophical affinities to harmonize and reshape the
reading experience of the famous book after almost a century from its original
publication date. Islamic mysticism, morality and the fall of modern man remain
active subjects within the scope of the research.
Key Words: Brave New World,
Modern Man, spiritual Values, alienation, Islamic Mysticism