Fashionable Philosophy, and Other Sketches

"Fashionable Philosophy and Other Sketches" by Laurence Oliphant is a collection of philosophical and satirical essays written in the late 19th century. The opening sketches introduce a gathering in a London drawing room, where fashionable society members engage in discussions about the future of religion and philosophical ideas. Through witty dialogues and character interactions, Oliphant critiques contemporary beliefs, highlighting the absurdities of those seeking a new moral framework while disregarding the depth of existing traditions. The beginning of the work showcases Lady Fritterly's tea gathering, featuring various eccentric guests who discuss the future of religion and morality, with characters like Mr. Germsell, a proponent of scientific approaches to religious thought, and Mr. Rollestone, who advocates for a more profound moral exploration. As conversations unfold, humor and irony permeate their debates about esoteric Buddhism and the role of personal experience in shaping beliefs, reflecting Oliphant's critical perspective on the frivolities of fashionable intellectualism and the search for meaning in an evolving society. This engaging narrative sets the tone for the rest of the collection, blending humor with insightful commentary on human nature and social dynamics. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Laurence Oliphant, a Member of Parliament, was a South African-born British author, traveller, diplomat, British intelligence agent, Christian mystic, and Christian Zionist. His best known book in his lifetime was a satirical novel, Piccadilly (1870). More heed has gone since to his plan for Jewish farming communities in the Holy Land, The Land of Gilead. Oliphant was a UK Member of Parliament for Stirling Burghs.