Value Rationality and Instrumental Rationality in Humboldt's Gift

摘要

Saul Bellow's novel Humboldt's Gift delineates Citrine's internal spiritual space and external space. These two spaces reflect instrumental rationality and value rationality. Citrine's external world is dominated by instrumental rationality with people idolizing technology, practicality and the commercialization of people-to-people relationship. In Citrine's internal space, value rationality takes the predominant position, which demonstrates Citrine's pursuit of goodness, art and imagination. Inspired by Humboldt's Gift and spirit, Citrine comes to realize that he should stick to his pursuit of goodness, love and art. He realizes that only by integrating instrumental rationality with value rationality can people regain the long-lost spiritual home, get rid of many worries, regain human values and dignity and return to the perfect platonic life.