‘The Meaning of Travel’ by Emily Thomas
One of Iran’s bestsellers this week is a book about travelling, which might come as a surprise. Originally published in 2020, ‘The Meaning of Travel: Philosophers Abroad’ has been recently translated to Farsi and published in a series that belong to philosophical examinations of different aspects of life.
Emily Thomas, a philosopher and traveler, has delved into the intersection of philosophy and travel in her book. It takes readers on a journey through time, exploring how travel has shaped our perception of the world and ourselves. Thomas weaves together personal reflections with philosophical insights from luminaries such as René Descartes and John Locke.
From the Age of Discovery to the present day, Thomas examines how travel has influenced our understanding of the world. She explores philosophical musings on otherness, cannibals, and wilderness from the likes of Montaigne, John Locke, and Henry Thoreau.
The book also delves into darker topics such as the ethics of “doom tourism” and how space travel might impact our perception of human significance in a vast universe. Thomas’s personal anecdotes add depth and authenticity to the thought-provoking book.
‘The Meaning of Travel’ is not just a history of the intersection between philosophy and travel but also a memoir of Thomas’s own experiences on the road. It is an enthralling journey that will transform readers’ understanding of travel and its profound impact on our lives.
The book is divided into twelve chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of travel with regard to the ideas of one or more philosophers. Throughout the book, Thomas draws on the insights of philosophers such as Francis Bacon, René Descartes, John Locke, Henry More, and Edmund Burke to deepen our understanding of the philosophical implications of travel.