INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS AND ETHICAL DILEMMAS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF TOM STOPPARD’S THE HARD PROBLEM
Yavuz Pala
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Dergisi April 29, 2026 DOI: 10.69878/deuefad.1575553 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Key points | Argues that the play's debate between evolutionary explanations of human nature and the possibility of true altruism raises questions about the feasibility of altruism, suggesting that apparent noble acts are often linked to self-interest. Proposes that the play offers a critical perspective on the role and identity of intellectuals in contemporary society. |
Abstract
This study offers an in-depth examination of the nature of human consciousness and ethical responsibilities, focusing on the nature of the intellectualism in Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem. The intellectual debate, which is the main focus of the study, is discussed through ideas and concepts such as, ‘altruism’ and ‘the prisoner’s dilemma’ and ‘selfish gene’ theory. This study elaborates on these concepts and ideas through the protagonist Spike, who explains human nature entirely in terms of evolutionary biology and the selfish gene theory, and Hilary, who is sceptical of evolutionary approaches that explain human nature solely as a result of physical actions and emphasises the necessity and importance of the concept of altruism. This article questions the feasibility of true altruism in terms of intellectualism and offers a glimpse into debates in evolutionary biology which suggests that what appears to be a noble endeavour is often intertwined with self-interest. The article further discusses the roles, responsibilities and positions of intellectuals in contemporary societies and compares the two main ideas in the play in the light of the theories on intellectuals of Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci, Julien Benda and Edward Said. The article offers a critical perspective on the role and identity of intellectuals in contemporary society dealing with the philosophical ideas and the hard problem of consciousness.
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