Philosophy

Philosophy is a major theme in the novel “Railsea” by China Mieville. Philosophy (love of wisdom), is the study of knowledge and all its effects, and often provides guiding principles by which to live. In the novel, philosophy provides such guiding principles and motives by which to live one’s life. And such philosophy affects the characters in the novel in various ways.

The clearest form of philosophy in the novel is that of Abacat Naphi’s. Her philosophy is to hunt down and destroy Mocker-Jack, the giant, old-tooth-colored moldywarpe that has been evading her for years. Nothing else motivates Naphi beyond this task. It is her sole purpose in life: live by the philosophy of killing Mocker-Jack. But when Mocker-Jack is killed fighting the angel train, Naphi, suddenly without a life philosophy, tries to kill herself as well, but is saved by Sham.

Philosophy exists...