What is Malacondra?: (Out of the Silent Planet)

 

In the beginning of the book, Weston and Ransom are discussing Malacandra. They are in disagreement as to what Malacondra is. Ransom believes it is a star while Weston calls it a planet. This conversation seems like meaningless exposition at first glance but contains parallels to other issues in philosophy.  When I first read this, it gave me the impression that Lewis was referring to what we call “God.” My interpretation may seem outlandish, which it probably is, but it is genuine as my thinking tends to be outlandish as well. Weston and Ransom are arguing about what Malacandra actually is, which both philosophers and laypeople do alike. Mirroring arguments about transcendence, which some claim is necessary for a god to have, which the star is, according to Ransom, outside of the solar system while Weston claims it is within the solar system. One could claim that the chosen people assigned the name, but that might be too far. Of course this is far from a perfect parallel. 

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