George Saunders on Anger, Ambition and Sin

The conversation centers on George Saunders' new novel, "Vigil," and broader themes of judgment, sin, and truth. Saunders explores the tension between judging others and understanding the conditions that shape their actions, particularly through the character of an oil tycoon facing his past. He connects this to the cultural moment, where society debates the legacies of powerful figures and the balance between progress and its costs. Saunders also discusses his evolving understanding of kindness, contrasting it with a deeper pursuit of truth and acknowledging the role of anger and negative emotions. The discussion touches on free will, the illusion of the self, and the search for meaning in a world often driven by delusion.