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Welcome to my site! Below are links to my novels and philosophy essays and to the side you’ll find links to hear my music, find out more about me, view pictures and contact me. Most recently, I have added philosophy essays written during my stint at the University of Kansas (K.U.). I am still working on my fourth novel, though I have far less time to devote to it since entering the Ph.D. program at K.U. (and having a daughter…and…). As usual, I’d love to hear from anyone who has anything to say regarding anything I’ve ever said or done (or regarding anything I’ve never said or done); I love opinions (& publisher referrals): (bradmusil@kramernet.org).
FICTION
What if… (word format) / What if… (pdf format) :
My most recent novel, finished in June of 2006. Just as "out there" as the first two, maybe even more controversial. Without giving too much away, the book revolves around a guy who spies on his strange neighbors and documents, in his own personal memoirs, what he witnesses. This one has it all: drugs, serial killers, religious fanatics, and the "main event."
Apathy (word format) / Apathy (pdf format) :
My second novel, which was inspired in large part by Friedrich Nietzsche and, as usual, the enigmas that plague this life (why are we here?, who/what is responsible for the thoughts that emerge inside my head?, etc.). The rough draft was completed in December of 2004. Much more polished than my rookie effort, due in large part to incessant revising.
Is There Anybody Out There? (word format) / Is There Anybody Out There? (pdf format) :
My rookie effort. Beginning in the fall of 2002, it took me roughly a year to finish the rough draft. Revolves around questions of reality and toys with our stereotypical conceptions of "insanity."
As of October 08′ I have written the first five and a half chapters (out of thirteen) of my fourth novel, tentatively entitled, Revelations Of A Straight Shooter (Or So It Seems). My approach to this book has been drastically different than those before it. This one has been much more thoroughly mapped out ahead of time (i.e. I’ve written extremely detailed chapter outlines and character sketches), whereas the other works were a lot less structured when I actually sat down to write them.
NON-FICTION
The Utility of Marijuana Prohibition (word format) :
In this essay, I examine the utility of marijuana prohibition, ultimately arguing that it is futile and misguided. Written under the guidance of Ben Eggleston (K.U.) in the spring of 2008, the essay assumes a utilitarian perspective (of morality and government policy) and illuminates the merits and demerits of marijuana prohibition accordingly. Thus, the essay begins by articulating the aforementioned perspective and concludes by offering a utilitarian assessment of America’s policy regarding marijuana.
The Will to Power: An Examination of Nietzsche’s Most Essential Thought (word format) :
This essay explores what Nietzsche means by his notion of "will to power," arguably the most fundamental or essential concept in his philosophy. Written in the fall of 2007 for Scott Jenkins at K.U., the essay develops an unpopular interpretation of Nietzsche, whereby it is argued that the will to power is most consistently viewed as a descriptive claim about life, sans the prescriptive baggage other scholars typically associate with it. Analogously, Nietzsche’s general criticisms of prescriptive morality are enunciated and emphasized, in an effort to elucidate the problematic nature of interpreting Nietzsche as being in any way prescriptive himself.
The (F)Utility of Religion: Who Needs God(s)?–A Prospective Bible for Non-Believers (word format) / The (F)Utility of Religion: Who Needs God(s)?–A Prospective Bible for Non-Believers (pdf format) :
In this essay/rant/manifesto, written in the spring of 2007 at K.U. for a graduate seminar on John Stuart Mill (taught by Ann Cudd and Ben Eggleston), I/we assess the utility of religion. Ultimately, I/we argue that religion causes more harm than it does good and, subsequently, that the human race would be better off expunging the propagation of religious belief altogether. Despite the size of this "essay" as is, this is still really a work in progress, and it will likely wind up being part of a more comprehensive doctoral thesis.
I Don’t See Any Body: Impressions Of David Hume’s Belief In External Existence (word format) / I Don’t See Any Body: Impressions Of David Hume’s Belief In External Existence (pdf format) :
This essay is pretty philosophically sophisticated (very abstract) and is more geared to those with some philosophical background (particularly regarding epistemology–i.e. how we know what we know–and metaphysics–i.e. what exactly it is we know, or what exists). More specifically, it explores David Hume’s skepticism regarding physical objects, and his more general doubts pertaining to the possibility of "certainty," or indisputable knowledge. It was written in the fall of 2006 (first semester in K.U.’s Ph.D. program) for Jack Bricke’s seminar on David Hume.
Experimenting With Madness And Suicide: Swallowing The Nietzschean Pill (word format) / Experimenting With Madness And Suicide: Swallowing The Nietzschean Pill (pdf format) :
An essay examining Nietzsche’s battle with nihilism and hopelessness, written primarily in the fall of 2004 for Professor Krzysztof Michalski’s course on Nietzsche at Boston University. This essay has also been incorporated into my novel, Apathy.
The Delusion Of An Illusion (word format) / The Delusion Of An Illusion (pdf format) :
This was written in the spring of 2004 for Professor William Richardson’s course entitled, "Psychoanalysis and Subject." This class was taught at Boston College and focused on Sigmund Freud’s works. This particular essay dissects Freud’s views of religion and science, ultimately suggesting that there is a problem with Freud’s critiques of religion given his own perspectives of religion and science.
A Game Called Life (word format) / A Game Called Life (pdf format) :
Also written in the spring of 2004, and submitted to Professor Vanessa Rumble for her seminar on Kierkegaard at Boston College. Do not even attempt to read this if you are not familiar with Kierkegaard’s book, The Sickness Unto Death, let alone Kierkegaard himself. This essay is difficult to understand and very confusing at times, yet this is only to be expected considering that it focuses on Kierkegaard. The main themes include self-consciousness, existence, and freedom.
Why Am I Writing This Paper? (word format) / Why Am I Writing This Paper? (pdf format) :
I wrote this essay for a class on metaphysics during my very first semester in graduate school at Boston College. It is much shorter than the other essays and argues that Plato is more of a skeptic than most philosophers presume him to be. I incorporated this essay into my first novel, Is There Anybody Out There?
(Website last updated (added The Utility of Marijuana Prohibition, The Will to Power: An Examination of Nietzsche’s Most Essential Thought, and The (F)Utility of Religion: Who Needs God(s)?–A Prospective Bible for Non-Believers): 10/27/2008)
Copyright Brad Musil 2008
No reproduction without author’s consent (but, hell, if you’re interested please let me know…)