Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
(800) 937-3880
SELL

Lot #306
Philip K. Dick Typed Letter Signed

Lengthy philosophical letter by Philip K. Dick, interpreting "the irreal nature of spatiotemporality" and Plato's 'Theory of Forms'

This lot has closed

Estimate: $1500+
Sell a Similar Item?
Share:  

Description

Lengthy philosophical letter by Philip K. Dick, interpreting "the irreal nature of spatiotemporality" and Plato's 'Theory of Forms'

TLS signed “Love, Phil,” adding a heart with arrow, three pages, 8.5 x 11, February 14, 1981. Lengthy philosophical letter to science fiction author Patricia Warrick, in small part: "If the same object (Tree X, as I call it) is seen at two times and two places then 'two times and two places' is illusory as a way of perceiving reality. The perseverance of the object, which is to say the fact (as I noted) that things do not in fact perish, is due to the irreal nature of spatiotemporality. This must be so, and this, precisely, is what the brain concludes. It concludes this on the same basis that it concludes that when the mother approaches the crib three times in a row there are not three mothers but one mother. One mother seen three times. Thus this is a primal, elementary abstracting-process by the infant brain, absolutely correct and absolutely necessary.

Equally absolutely correct and equally absolutely necessary is the conclusion—also an abstracting—that if Tree X appears at two times in two places—or thirty times at thirty places—then, it is indubitable that this is Tree X and not Tree Y which resembles Tree X and hence is mistaken for Tree X, all these times and all these places are one 'time' and one 'place.' Thus the very category of spatiotemporality is abolished upon this conclusion. What happens then is that the contingent objects related spacially and temporally to Tree X at the several times and places blend together syntonically, which at once empirically verifies the conclusion to which the brain has been invincibly led. This is precisely the double superimposition of two space-time continua that I witnessed in February 1974, and, more fully, in March 1974. The contingent objects blend because they are related to one another through the Form, eidos, constant or universal that I term Tree X. Out of this event the concept of Platonic Form arises; the Form is 'in' particulars but, itself, is outside of time, outside of space, is eternal and undergoes in itself no chance whatsoever." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Animation
  • Dates: #668 - Ended June 14, 2023





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for (inquire for price)

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.