The Outsider

[RobertJ]

The Outsider (Colin Wilson) is a book that I am currently in the process of reading, and I came along a section within the book that struck me as precise and profound in regards to the plight of the outsider, and resonated with me acutely.

This particular section pertains namely to T.E. Lawrence and his writings in the book, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

If our reasoning is correct, the Outsider's problem is not new; Lawrence points out that the history of prophets of all time follow a pattern: born in a civilization, they reject its standards of material well-being and retreat into the desert. When they return, it is to preach world rejection: intensity of spirit versus physical security. the Outsider's miseries are the prophet's teething pains. He retreats into his room, like a spider in a dark corner; he lives alone, wishes to avoid people. 'To the thinkers of the desert, the impulse into Nitria had proved ever irresistible.' He thinks, he analyzes, he 'descends into himself': 'Not that probably they found God dwelling there, but that in solitude they heard more certainly the living word they brought with them.' Gradually the message emerges. It need not be a positive message; why should it, when the impulse that drives to it is negative--disgust?
The prophet is a man of greater spiritual integrity than his neighbours; their laxness revolts him, and he feels impelled to tell them so. In his embryonic form, as the Outsider, he does not know himself well enough to understand the driving force behind his feelings. That is why his chief concern is with thinking, not doing.

I have shared this with a few other people but generated little more than passing interest. I figured perhaps another INTP might find it interesting.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

Interesting but this passage I need to ask about:

It need not be a positive message; why should it, when the impulse that drives to it is negative--disgust?

I can sympathize with the notion of being an outsider but I don't see the driving impulse as being negative disgust. Although I'm sure it applies to many, it's stereotyping unless the author knows the sentiments of the outsider in question. One could say that the author is the outsider trying to understand the motivations of his subject and reaching a conclusion prematurely. Or am I reading it all wrong?

 

[RobertJ]

I can sympathize with the notion of being an outsider but I don't see the driving impulse as being negative disgust. Although I'm sure it applies to many, it's stereotyping unless the author knows the sentiments of the outsider in question. One could say that the author is the outsider trying to understand the motivations of his subject and reaching a conclusion prematurely. Or am I reading it all wrong?

Well, I suppose that the author is assuming it is human nature to socialize and participate with your fellows. Any renunciation of that instinct must be brought about by some form of alienation, and alienation tends to result from some sort of negative incident/pattern of events in ones life that leads them to feel so disenchanted with their fellow humans.
This is conjecture on my part, as I don't have much more context to answer your question than you do. Though I have read more of the book I still don't feel more aptly equipped to answer your question with any great degree of certainty.