Mircea Eliade Oceanografie Pdf Download

Mircea Eliade's Oceanography: A Collection of Essays on Life and Literature

Mircea Eliade (1907-1986) was a Romanian historian of religions, philosopher, novelist, and essayist. He is best known for his works on comparative mythology, such as The Myth of the Eternal Return and The Sacred and the Profane. He also wrote several novels, such as The Forbidden Forest and Bengal Nights, that reflect his personal experiences and worldview.

One of his lesser-known works is Oceanography, a collection of essays that he published in 1934, when he was only 27 years old. The book covers a wide range of topics, from philosophy and literature to fashion and sexuality. Eliade displays his erudition, wit, and originality in these essays, which reveal his early interests and influences.

Oceanography is not easy to find in print nowadays, but thanks to the Internet Archive, you can download a pdf version of the original Romanian edition for free. You can also find a pdf version of a later edition that includes five more essays that Eliade wrote in 1936. If you are interested in exploring the mind of one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, Oceanography is a treasure trove of insights and ideas.

The title of the book, Oceanography, is a metaphor for Eliade's exploration of the depths and mysteries of human existence. He compares himself to an oceanographer who dives into the unknown and brings back samples of life forms and phenomena. He writes: \"I am not a philosopher, nor a poet, nor a novelist. I am an oceanographer. I dive into the depths of life and bring back to the surface some specimens that I examine with curiosity and astonishment.\"

The essays in Oceanography are not systematic or academic, but rather personal and impressionistic. Eliade does not pretend to offer definitive answers or solutions, but rather invites the reader to share his reflections and questions. He writes: \"I do not want to convince anyone of anything. I only want to communicate some experiences, some intuitions, some discoveries that have enriched my life and made it more interesting.\"

Oceanography is a testament to Eliade's intellectual curiosity and creativity. He draws on various sources of inspiration, such as literature, philosophy, religion, art, science, history, and psychology. He discusses topics such as the meaning of death, the role of chance, the nature of truth, the value of beauty, the power of imagination, the function of humor, and the essence of love. He also offers his opinions on contemporary issues, such as fashion, sexuality, politics, and culture.

One of the most striking features of Oceanography is Eliade's style, which combines elegance, irony, and humor. He uses various literary devices, such as metaphors, paradoxes, anecdotes, and quotations, to illustrate his points and engage the reader. He also experiments with different genres and forms, such as letters, dialogues, aphorisms, and fragments. He writes: \"I do not want to bore anyone with long and tedious dissertations. I prefer to write short and lively pieces that can be read in one sitting.\"

Another remarkable aspect of Oceanography is Eliade's self-awareness and self-criticism. He does not take himself too seriously or claim to have the final word on anything. He acknowledges his limitations, doubts, and contradictions. He writes: \"I do not pretend to be a sage or a prophet. I am only a young man who tries to understand himself and the world around him. I do not have a system or a doctrine. I only have some intuitions and some hypotheses that I submit to the public's judgment.\"

Oceanography is a fascinating and stimulating book that reveals the early thoughts and passions of Mircea Eliade. It is also a valuable document of the cultural and intellectual climate of Romania in the 1930s. It shows Eliade's engagement with the European avant-garde movements, such as surrealism and existentialism, as well as his critique of the totalitarian ideologies that were rising at the time. It is a book that deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated by modern readers. ec8f644aee