The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings Paperback – November 4, 2005

There are many who have fallen into the well of wonder in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth and not considered why the story is so compelling. Many of those who have fallen in love with Tolkien’s world have never asked why the story is so compelling, why the world seems so unfathomably deep, and why the caricatures of Tolkien’s world as moralistically simple or black and white seem so incredibly wrong.Peter Kreeft explores Tolkien’s worldview in his book, The Philosophy of Tolkien: The Worldview Behind The Lord of the Rings. What emerges is a portrait of a rigorously Augustinian Roman Catholicism which undergirds the stories of elves, orcs, and dwarves. For the most part, explicit worship is absent from The Lord of the Rings, but there is certainly a reverence toward the supernatural.In fact, Kreeft argues, the primary religious sentiments of Middle Earth are a form of pre-Christian paganism, which, like the polytheism practiced by Abram prior to being called by YHWH, provides a pathway toward Christian theism. Much of the basis for Kreeft’s argument is found in The Silmarillion and some of Tolkien’s letters. What is clear, however, is the openness to the sublime and the supernatural in the world. Tolkien’s worldview stands in stark contrast to the materialism of the modern world.There are thirteen chapters of varying length in this middling sized book. Kreeft subdivides his topics into questions that relate to topics like Metaphysics, Philosophical Theology, Angelology, Cosmology, Epistemology, Aesthetics, and Ethics. While the book does not cover every possible topic, it does show the range of thought that went into Tolkien’s sub-creation.Kreeft is always an interesting read. He is most interesting when he is writing about C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Though this book has Tolkien in the title, there is a hefty dose of Lewis in its pages. I’m sure he quotes Tolkien more, but it is surprising how much of Lewis worked his way into the book. Of course, that is because Lewis and Tolkien were friends for much of their adult lives (despite a cooling, which seemed to stem from Tolkien’s dislike of the Narnia series), and shared much of their understanding of Christianity. As well, the inclusion of Lewis makes this book stronger because Tolkien wrote much less non-fiction prose. Lewis wrote many essays that cover a wide range of topics. Therefore, since Lewis and Tolkien share so much in common with their worldview, there are many times when Lewis can be used to explain why Tolkien is illustrating with The Lord of the Rings.It may seem odd to some that there is a book by a significant, articulate, and well-studied philosopher delving into the underpinnings of a fantasy world. After all, especially since the movies have been released, there are enthusiasts of various ages that dress up in costumes and play act as the many fantastical characters of the epic novel. A better question, however, is why the imaginative world of a twentieth century Roman Catholic inspires nones, pagans, Christians, atheists, and others to invest so much of their lives. Even before the movies caught on there were many people of diverse backgrounds who found the story of Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring a compelling narrative. Graffiti popped up on college campuses shortly after The Lord of the Rings was published declaring that “Frodo lives.” Even SciFi legend Leonard Nimoy felt condemned to write a song honoring Bilbo Baggins.Tolkien is popular because he points to something deep and meaningful. For many years I struggled to articular why I read The Hobbit dozens of times and have read The Lord of the Rings about once a year for many years. Kreeft provides an easier path to understanding the powerful vision under the surface of The Lord of the Rings that draws thoughtful readers back again and again. It isn’t simply that Tolkien wrote with a greater detail and presented a more thoroughly consistent world than any other fantasy writer. Rather, it is that the world he created is overlaid on the greatest and truest myth there ever was—Christianity. Tolkien’s creation points toward reality as it really is and as it is described by Christianity.For the academically minded Christian who wonders what the Tolkien fandom is all about, The Philosophy of Tolkien provides a serious exploration of the value of this fantastical story that extends well beyond entertainment. For the Tolkien-lover wondering why philosophy and theology matter, Kreeft’s book opens doors to abstractions like metaphysics and epistemology through the world that The Lord of the Rings fans already know so well. There is a certain sort of homeschooler who would benefit greatly for having this book put into their hands. As for me, I found the book both delightful and instructive. It was an enjoyable way to pass the time thinking about a story I love and thinking more carefully about the real world I live in.NOTE: This is a version of a review posted at Ethics and Culture.

I wasn’t planning on reviewing this one, but had so many requests for my thoughts on it that I figured I might as well put pen to paper. I read this as part of my research for the next book I’m working on and also because I’m a Tolkienphile. With that in mind, The Philosophy of Tolkien was the most enjoyable book I’ve read in a very long time and should be required reading for anyone who loves Tolkien. Kreeft opens the wardrobe to Middle-earth. I feel like I know Tolkien and Middle-earth better after reading this. That’s a feat considering how many times I’ve read Tolkien’s stories. On the other hand, I shouldn’t be surprised because “The Lord of the Rings is a deep mine with many precious gems,” Kreeft says, “deep enough for many others to plumb to their hearts’ content” (20).The format is straightforward. Kreeft discusses the big questions of philosophy with Tolkien’s point of view in his line of site. Each assertion is backed up by quotations from The Lord of the Rings, his other writings (regularly his Letters and The Silmarillion), and usually C. S. Lewis.I would normally point you to some of my favorite sections at this point, but I have underlines, notes, marginalia, and the like on almost every page. It’s a repository of wisdom on Tolkien. I will mention I enjoyed how Kreeft shows how poorly the critics of Tolkien (who can’t stand that The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are beloved classics and can’t stand The Lord of the Rings was voted book of the Millennium and Tolkien the most influential authors of the 20th century) understand him or his work. They cannot wrap their minds around someone who holds to a Christian worldview during a time where modernism and then postmodernism were infecting all of literature. It’s like trying to explain the intricacies of delicate and delicious coffee to someone who has no taste buds. They’re just as happy with Folgers instant coffee than a single source, shade grown, hand picked coffee bean roasted to perfection.I must give credit where credit is due. Nate Claiborne recommended this book to me. I wouldn’t have read it without his thumbs up. I’ve read a lot of Tolkien criticism and have been left disappointed with most of it. Kreeft doesn’t disappoint.

Prof. Kreeft provides an absolutely delightful and well-structured guide to the ideas and beliefs underpinning Tolkien's work. In his introduction he suggests that his book, unlike LOTR, will be somehow less enjoyable, yet relevant. I would beg to disagree. "The Philosophy of Tolkien" is merely a pleasure of a different kind. LOTR brings us into a mythological world where we can quickly lose ourselves to the richness and texture. By contrast, Prof. Kreeft's book is like wandering through a beautifully ordered museum focused on a single artist -- in this case J.R.R. Tolkien. The author shows connections and threads, ideas and motivations.After wandering this museum, at least this one Philistine came away with a much clearer understanding of why Tolkien's work has touched me at such a deep level. My first reading was of a paperback copy given by my grandmother when I was 11. Now, at 50, I cannot count the number of copies that I've ploughed through or given to friends. Prof. Kreeft clearly explains my "obsession" and the deep human needs that have driven it.Another delight of this must-read-over-and-over book is the author's weaving of other writers to explain, elucidate, and extend Tolkien's ideas. Especially pleasurable for me is that Prof. Kreeft draws from books that I have read -- by Lewis, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, and others -- as well as from books that an engineer-turned-MBA would have never gone near. My must-read list has grown dramatically.In short, this is a magical book, a door to learning about ourselves. I couldn't put it down.