The Philosophy of Desperation: The Three-Body Problem
I recently read The Three-Body Problem, a masterpiece by Liu Cixin. Although the series adaptation has seen significant changes, adding new characters and altering storylines, I want to focus on the profound impact of the original book itself. This novel, rich with complex themes and philosophical questions, offers a compelling narrative that intertwines science fiction with deep reflections on humanity.
Set against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, the story begins with Ye Wenjie, an astrophysics graduate from Tsinghua University, who witnesses her father’s brutal death at the hands of Red Guards. Branded a traitor, she endures harsh punishment and eventually finds herself recruited into Red Coast, a secretive Chinese initiative aiming to disrupt spy satellites with high-powered radio waves.
As the book progresses, it explores how humanity starts to contact the Trisolarans and accepts them as gods who will help the Earth. Here, it is crucial to delve into the character of Ye Wenjie, who, in one of her reflections, says:
“This was so, then how many other acts of human nature that seemed normal or even righteous were, in reality, evil? As she continued to mull over these thoughts, a deduction made her shudder: Is it possible that the relationship between humanity and evil is similar to the relationship between the ocean and an iceberg floating on its surface? Both the ocean and the iceberg are made of the same material. That the iceberg seems separate is only because it is in a different form. In reality, it is but a part of the vast ocean… It was impossible to expect a moral awakening from humankind itself, just like it was impossible to expect humans to lift off the earth by pulling up on their own hair. To achieve moral awakening required a force outside the human race.”
Ye Wenjie’s philosophy is pivotal. Witnessing the atrocities of the Cultural Revolution and the murder of her father by those she once trusted, she becomes disillusioned with humanity. This disillusionment drives her to believe that true moral awakening requires an external force, an idea that shapes her entire life’s direction.
Morality and Desperation
Ye Wenjie’s trauma and the horrors she witnessed pushed her to seek an external force for moral awakening. Her belief that humanity is incapable of self-salvation leads her to make decisions that have far-reaching consequences. This theme of seeking salvation from beyond oneself resonates deeply, raising questions about our capacity for change and redemption.
To further her cause, Ye Wenjie, along with like-minded individuals, uses the immersive virtual reality game “Three-Body” to attract and identify those who share their philosophy. This game, depicting the struggles of the Trisolaran civilization, becomes a platform to recruit and consolidate a group of individuals who believe in the necessity of an external force to save humanity. Through the game, they create a network of believers who are convinced of the inevitability of Trisolaran intervention.
In the game, players encounter the phrase: “In chaotic eras, human beings will reveal their true natures. That’s when the extreme evil or extreme good in their hearts will be brought out.” This reflects the desperation and moral ambiguity that define the Red Coast Project and its participants.
The Red Coast Project
The Red Coast Project symbolises humanity’s desperation and technological reach in its quest for salvation or destruction. Initially designed to damage spy satellites, it becomes a conduit for first contact with the Trisolarans. This project represents both the pinnacle of human ingenuity and the depths of human desperation, encapsulating the dual nature of technological progress.
When Ye Wenjie sends the message to the Trisolarans, she says: “I don’t care if humanity is destroyed. It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters. If this world is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed! If the Trisolarans are to come, let them come!” This quote captures her profound disillusionment and desperation.
First Contact and Its Consequences
The initial contact with the Trisolarans is a turning point. While humanity begins to revere the Trisolarans as gods, believing them to be a superior civilization that can bring salvation, it is later revealed that the Trisolarans are themselves fearful of humans. This mutual fear and misunderstanding set the stage for a complex relationship.
Following this contact, humanity splinters into various factions, each with its own philosophy regarding the Trisolarans:
- The Adventists: Extremists who believe that humanity deserves to be destroyed. They see the Trisolarans as a force of retribution that will cleanse the Earth of human corruption. They echo the sentiment: “Only destruction can bring rebirth. Only by destroying the old can we build the new.”
- The Redemptionists: This faction worships the Trisolarans as a superior civilization, hoping that by venerating them, they can bring about a new era of enlightenment and improvement for humanity. They believe: “The arrival of the Trisolarans is the dawn of a new era.”
- The Survivors: Pragmatic and self-serving, this group intends to sell out humanity to ensure their own survival. They believe that aligning with the Trisolarans will provide them with the best chance of survival in the impending conflict. Their mantra: “Survival is the highest principle.”
These factions reflect the diverse responses to existential threats and moral dilemmas, highlighting the complexities of human nature when faced with the unknown.
Character Study of Ye Wenjie
A detailed character study of Ye Wenjie reveals her as a brilliant yet profoundly scarred individual. Her motivations are rooted in her traumatic past, her ethical dilemmas reflect her disillusionment, and her actions at Red Coast set the stage for a dramatic and ethically complex narrative. Ye’s transformation from a grieving daughter to a key figure in humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization is both compelling and tragic.
Her actions, driven by a belief in the necessity of an external force for moral awakening, set off a chain of events that would forever change the course of human history. Ye Wenjie’s internal conflict and ultimate decisions offer a profound commentary on the nature of morality, desperation, and the search for salvation.
Cultural and Political Context
The Cultural Revolution’s portrayal in the book provides a harsh backdrop that influences the characters and narrative. The brutalities of this period shaped Ye Wenjie’s worldview and actions, highlighting the impact of historical and political contexts on individual lives and decisions. This context adds depth to the story, grounding its science-fiction elements in real historical events.
Conclusion
Ye Wenjie’s journey in The Three-Body Problem is a harrowing tale of a brilliant mind shaped by tragedy and a desperate belief in the need for an external moral force. Her reflections on the nature of humanity and evil, and her ultimate decisions, offer a profound commentary on our own world. By exploring the philosophy behind the Red Coast Project and Ye Wenjie’s motivations, as well as the consequences of first contact with the Trisolarans, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between desperation, morality, and the search for salvation in Liu Cixin’s masterpiece.
