Preliminary Thoughts

2wonderY asked me to start this thread as she was having some technical difficulties with her server. Apologies, Ruth, for not noticing your comment yesterday.

Okay, I had to go and google syntopical. That led me directly to a book

How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler has four parts and

"The last part of the book covers the fourth level of reading: syntopical reading. At this stage, the reader broadens and deepens his or her knowledge on a given subject—e.g., love, war, particle physics, etc.—by reading several books on that subject. In the final pages of this part, the author expounds on the philosophical benefits of reading: "growth of the mind", fuller experience as a conscious being."

I thought I owned the book, but now I can't find it. I'll find it at the library....

Thanks Jenni. I forgot to check back.

Is this a general purpose thread? Oh, well, I guess it is now. :)

Interesting idea, Venki. Not sure I could make the connections I make between different books interesting to anyone else--but it might be interesting to try.

>2 2wonderY:

Personally, I felt that, that book by Mortimer J. Adler was a bit difficult to read through. I have personally been able to complete only the first part of it. But I am sure I will complete it...some day....some day....

I named this group 'The Syntopical readers' after the term 'Syntopical' which that book coins. But this group was not really inspired by that book nor to inspire people to read it! Basically, I just needed a term that would represent the idea behind this group best and I felt like the one that book gives would be the right term.

>3 LolaWalser:

Well you never know...unless you give it a try!