Jean Arno, with his literary brilliance, makes an awe-inspiring return to the global stage with his latest book, “Soliloquies” (in French, Soliloques). This bilingual (FR-EN) compilation of philosophical aphorisms carries on the metaphysical poeticism seen in his earlier work, “Trophies” (in French, Les Trophées). In this profound meditation, Jean Arno takes his place alongside revered figures like Seneca, La Rochefoucauld, Ackermann, Goethe, Nietzsche, Wilde, and Cioran in the sacred pantheon of literary and philosophical masters.
“Soliloquies” stands proudly without envy of its precursors, as each reader can immerse themselves in the abundant wisdom revealed through Jean Arno’s philosophical and poetic musings. Fearlessly, Arno unveils the grand illusions pervasive in our time, exposing the emptiness of materialism and superficiality within the artificial paradises that ensnare us, distracting us from our true potential. Employing an extraordinary poetic style, which is a hallmark of his oeuvre, he delivers a devastating blow to the cherished ideals of humanity: “In the narcotic haze of entertainment, humanity seeks to evade the inexorable call of fate.” The vastness within us, only conquerable through our creative pursuits, becomes the sacred duty of each creator—to transform the randomness of existence into destiny: “To reach the pinnacle of one’s destiny, one must summon the fiery inner forces within.”
Regrettably, the corruption of noble ideas, sometimes at the hands of those entrusted to protect them, presents a disheartening spectacle. The human spirit seems to have lost its ability to effectively counter the rise of ignorance, often resorting to mere expressions of concern rather than engaging in direct confrontation with logical arguments and practical demonstrations. In our contemporary era, the looming danger of regressing into a state reminiscent of historically darker times is more pronounced than ever.
Moreover, spirituality has been overshadowed by moralistic constraints, science by dogmatism and excessive academia, and philosophy, often associated with metaphysics and phenomenology, has succumbed to the allure of technical jargon, concealing the absence of genuine deep thought, instead of being an art of living, an art of being and thinking. Art, too, finds itself confined within the bounds of conceptual discussions, having lost its power to evoke profound experiences and intense emotions, the invisible and untold.
Today, it appears that contemporary humanity seeks solace for its soul in the deceptive glow of certainties. “Where dogma prevails, no thought thrives.” Acknowledging the existence of truth seems to imply surrendering thought, a profound tragedy wherein we constantly conquer shadows and elicit light: “Every seeker’s horizon is but a hazy sky,” and “To illuminate the abyss, that is the task of the intrepid mind, which persistently seeks.” Truth, a process of construction, only exists step by step, never achieving finality, merely petrifying the world, an alteration: “Truth petrifies.” Thought knows no end. Those dreaming of order and stability, of the absolute and universal, inadvertently act against it, shying away from the instability of movement, for life is an ever-constant motion in which only “becoming” truly “is,” a movement that brings living matter to its supreme unfolding: “It is through the alchemy of a fired pneuma that life blossoms, and through love that a human being grows.” However, instead of embracing the greatness and vastness within, individuals seek escape in artificial paradises, diminishing their essence as they indulge in the decline of their intrinsic forces, portrayed on the fading stage of social networks, where falsity reigns and an artificial ego triumphs. What greatness can still be hoped for when all that remains of our inner life is this dull and faded medal? An empty representation of ourselves, this social comedy that vanity honors, this slave of recognition: “In the opium of entertainment, everyone escapes the supreme call of destiny.”
It is as if all endeavors should be avoided, and mere existence suffices, reducing us to nothing more than shadows of ourselves, while a potent fire urges us to “sculpt the highest heavens of destiny.” Are the younger generations merely dreaming of monetizing content, often lacking substance, squandering their time on the decline of human forces instead of elevating themselves? Are engineers and visionless scientists attempting to recreate, in a diminished form, the complexity of diverse and synesthetic human intelligence? Jean Arno, in defiance of transhumanism, posits the artistic genius of humanity, fully unfurled in its vastness. The unfolding era, often referred to as the “Neo-Renaissance,” expects individuals to be versatile and multifaceted.
One exhilarating aspect of our time lies in the need to reinvent everything. Technology has propelled us into a new digital era, where boundless possibilities await. Amidst this sea of possibilities, establishing and upholding a philosophical vision to guide our actions is essential. Faced with rapid technological advancements, it is this philosophical vision that will provide direction and ensure that we make choices aligned with our values and aspirations. Embracing this vision, we can navigate the vast landscape of possibilities and shape the digital era to serve the betterment of humanity.
Humanity is beckoned by transcendence, urged to reach new heights and ascend to new summits. To fulfill this profound task, art plays a crucial role, especially poetry, embodying the culmination of philosophical thought: “In the vertigo of life, the notes of the soul collaborate to compose a superior symphony,” and “Nothing ascends as high as when carried by the flame of love.” Analysis must serve creation, fulfilling a philosophical vision: “Within every perspective lies a metaphysical foundation,” and “All artwork inspired by a supreme love of life shines with eternal brilliance.” The horizon must be free and open, as it is yet to be constructed. Idealism closes it off by denying reality, while pessimism, disguised as reality, hinders its potential by embracing negativity. Jean Arno challenges cynics, urging them to overcome bitterness and envy, for these tendencies hinder the momentum toward the existential fulfillment of our superior forces: “The future only has meaning that we confer upon it, thus dream the conquerors.”
The mind, nurtured by the wellsprings of philosophy, science, and art, enables us to question, understand, and invent the world. It aspires to reach its own heights, contemplating the possibilities of what can be built and perfected—an infinite task destined to remain unaccomplished.
It is incumbent upon us to rediscover the spirit that shall illuminate the world and celebrate its rebirth. We must reach our own inner foundation and delve deeper within ourselves to access what constitutes our inner being. Thus, art becomes a form of self-exploration, an ontological quest: “All art is a quest for oneself and the world,” and the most spiritual means to attain this inner vastness, which still remains a spark: “A powerful fire calls to ignite itself, to transcend itself, to create at a higher level.” One must search hard “in reverse, in order to surpass worlds,” not in the Nietzschean eternal return, but rather in the spiral where “the inner forces that compose being” move and combine, occasionally awakening those who slumber and, through their intertwining, transcend themselves as “simultaneously the same and already different” in the alchemical fire of creation. However, this world is only enriched through our senses. The powerful being, ever different and in motion, ever deepened and amplified, “a pure ‘towards what,'” “carries rays” only through synesthesia, through the blending of sensations that allow for perceiving the world in multiple ways. For this being, a “gigantic alchemical furnace” will grow and unfold richer with a flourishing life: “a living force, contrasting mighty matter.”
This being creates itself while simultaneously becoming “greater than what it was and smaller than what it will be.” Yet, unlike worlds that move indiscriminately, human beings assert themselves through the meaning they choose and construct: “The artist does not want to owe anything to chance.” The world may be understood, but above all, it is to be invented. Everything must serve the act of creation anew. Driven by a “love of heights” and “destinies,” heightened by the synesthetically absorbed “fragrances of the world,” the intellect ascends to these dedicated summits. The act of creation is the fire that assembles and multiplies: “New heavens are dedicated to the fires, concealed in the abyss.”
If philosophy is an art of being, it is also, and above all, an art of living and creating: “Each person is entrusted with being the architect of their own kingdom.” Every philosopher is a creator of values, the very values that will lead them on the path to their truth. Truth is no longer a mere coincidence or agreement; it is destined for analytical science that each must cultivate while being aware of its limitations. It is also a product of creation—the completed vision brought into existence: “One can only dance freely when following the rhythm of one’s soul.” Thus, the philosopher becomes a maker of existence, and it is by becoming a poet—the supreme stage of ontological transformation—that they bring together the complexity of the world in the unity of their work. This is why art is not meant to be contemplated; it is a real experience that should open up one’s perception of their own vastness. In his preface, Jean Arno emphasizes the active role of the reader, stating that “Great truths are conquered in the fire of the mind,” truths that are intended to mature the luminous echoes of a work by delving in and extracting its essential essence, with the intent to prolong the sacred chain, to “perfect the sketched star.”
A reader’s objective should be to enter the hidden worlds within the palimpsest work and explore its mysteries, recompose the scattered gems, and extend the rays of new clarity. Once one has reached their own summits, the individual, the creator, must still look beyond to humanity, to the “living cathedral” to which they belong, as a “living stone.” Humanity only shines when individuals are fulfilled, and it is to this ideal that all our forces of love must strive. We must love our destiny, the illustrious amor fati, and even more, try to fulfill it to its rightful heights, to radiate the light that each of us carries within.
What thoughts could be more beautiful than those that urge us to take our destiny into our own hands, to guide us in our journey towards our own summits, those that force us to doubt and question, and sometimes leave us to our sudden void, illuminated by flashes of wisdom? With torches torn from the swamps of the world, Jean Arno, like Orpheus, has probed and explored the beauty of song and the depth of thought in the most uncharted lands. This fire is transmitted because it must lead each of us to forge our own throne. Like “Trophies,” “Soliloquies” is a book that one must have in their library—a life-changer.
A. Anderson
More about Jean Arno:
Jean Arno, an ascendant French-American writer, is renowned for his profound aphorisms, notably “Trophies” and “Soliloquies”, and innovative aesthetic theories of “chaosism” and “symphonism”. His work seeks to embody life’s intricacies within artistic unity. Imbued with philosophical wisdom, Arno’s poetry explores life, love, existence, and the enigmatic beyond, asserting that through artistic endeavor, humans can stoke their inner ‘inextinguishable fire of life’ and realize their destined selves. In defense of life’s sanctity, Arno rallies against the encroaching forces of world contempt and apathy, aligning with those who utilize their creativity to affirm life’s zenith. His anticipated 2024 philosophical tale, “Thus dreamed the poet”, chronicles Ostanes, a poet’s introspective journey, emphasizing the imperative of self-creation : “Art’s chisel shapes one’s supreme self”. This forthcoming work exemplifies Arno’s narrative mastery, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile creative powerhouse. His indefatigable spirit, inexhaustible creativity, and profound philosophy continuously enrich the artistic and intellectual panorama, ensuring his enduring influence in the realms of art and thought.
Instagram:
@poetrybyjeanarno
@jc_arno
Linkedin:
Facebook:
@Poetrybyja
Interview:
Articles:
