Daniel Castillo Castro

Second Rough Draft Statement of Purpose

December 4th, 2015
12:00 14:00

Every novel says to the reader: Things are not as simple as you think.
That is the novel's eternal truth, but it grows steadily harder to hear amid the
din of easy, quick answers.Milan Kundera.
This quote is the probable reason why people feel so fascinated by works
like Platos dialogues and Dostoievskys novels. It has been a long way to me to
realize that philosophy and literature, in such combinations, achieve more than
the sum of the two parts. Each one has much to teach one another. The
possibilities for mutual illumination are vast, but the opportunity for serious and
sustained engagement between the disciplines is the reason I am interested in
your Philosophy + Literature @ Standford program.
Currently, I am cursing the third year of Petroleum Engineering
undergraduate EPN`s program.

And while this time, it has not been a

preference-of-mine choice, but a self-commitment question. Even though I

think did the right choice because it has always afforded me to keep my
interest for literature and philosophy alive. However, I am not sure I am
progressing anymore with these amateurish studies. In addition, I decided to
enroll myself with my current studies program because I thought a person with
such profile will serve better the society than a writer or a philosopher. But now
my eyes a wide open and I can see the big picture.
My love for literature has been with me since I can read. I remember the
first gift my parents gave me was an encyclopedia, with two volumes dedicated
only to introductory studies of metaphoric literature with plenty of philosophical
ideas, motifs, and vocabulary to help a young boy to understand such complex
topics. Since then, a feeling of reliability towards books began to grow inside
myself. Because of this almost everything I had ever known has been learned
from books and those other things were matter of experience or advice. And

that is what I am looking for, an institution which pushes me to break my

boundaries, gives me guidance, or tells me prudent comments. All I want is to
take the first step, and I can assure you are the right choice.
Specifically, the Philosophy on Literature part of program has my
especial interest. As result of being part for several years of a society where
the novels` issues are pretty subjective and are usually attached to selfhood, I
will develop fresh insights around philosophical approaches to literary texts.
Specifically with issues of truth and authorship, by first reaching an
understanding of what each is or does on its own. So then, I will already be able
to answer some concerns that had been orbiting my thoughts , and other
fellows minds too, for a long time, such as what is the effect of imaginative
literature or if can literature improve its readers morally?
Therefore, the Philosophy + Literature @ Standford program will be an
interesting turning point in my career to commit with what my real passion is
and the professional field in which I think I am better. I would be grateful to be
accepted in your program to whether transmit idiosyncratic visions, invent
glorious lies, convey lame truths, or simply set up useful imaginary scenarios,
but to do something and not remain in this ceaseless inertia.