Human Behaviour Lesson after reading Dostoevsky (Part 3)
Hi guys, this is part 3 of the 10-part series on human behaviour from Dostoevsky. This one is mainly from my favorite”The Brothers of Karmosov”. These are the insights I got after reading the work of Fodor Dovtyosky about human nature & also these are the things I have observed in my real life too. If you haven’t read my last 2 posts, I highly encourage you to check them out first, even though it’s not a chronological series.
Also, guys, here is one request: don’t just read it for the sake of reading. Pause for a moment while you are reading. let it sink in. feel it. Think about your past, try to find an example from your life. Take notes. Use ChatGPT, talk with it discuss your feelings. Otherwise, you are just not taking the full potential of this.
Before going to the article, let me share a little story-
Dovstosky used to go to The Petrashevsky‘s secret circle, which was for revolutionizing Russia against the Tsar, cause he was being told that they were discussing literature. (Now, Petra Sevasky was considered to be an intellectual because he had knowledge about philosophy & literature) coz that time communism was on trend in Europe. Petera Seavasky’s idea was to keep the tsar but introduce a people’s government in Russia. That time printing press was introduced in Russia after being inspired by Europe.
Meanwhile, the tsar’s spy (Antonelli) was in the circle & he stayed there for a year, observing them in disguise. No one was able to catch him but Dovstosky(unfortunately no nobody cared about his opinion & ended up in the tsar’s hand). Coz Dovstosky, since the beginning, had a skill in understanding human nature. They were all caught & sent to prison in Peter and Paul Fortress. Life was hell & here he realised that loneliness can kill a human. & during their repentance, Petrashevsky was reaffirming god even though he is a well-known atheist. But in the end, everyone was free & some were sent to Siberia jail.
This incident had a big psychological impact on all of them in that circle. One got mad, Petrashevsky was immediately sent to a Siberian jail/labour camp & he didn’t care about it. After this, Dovtosky never took his life lightly & he appreciated his moment on earth & focused on creation. He understood life is too short & uncertain. Anything can happen & any life is better than death.
Now continue with the article-
St Petersburg, founded by Tsar Peter the Great.
1. The human heart longs for faith, even while rebelling.
Story: Ivan Karamazov argues fiercely against God, yet he cannot stop wrestling with Him — his rebellion shows how deeply he cares.
Memory Hook: A man shouting at the sky but never walking away from it.
Example: An atheist who constantly debates religion — their obsession reveals a longing for belief, even in opposition, even if you are Petra Sevesky, a well-known atheist.
In Camus’s The Rebel. Rebellion reveals a belief in human dignity — and often, a hidden yearning for justice and transcendence. Camus argues that rebellion is not born of atheism, but of a moral protest against cosmic silence.
Even personally, if I check my behavior fully during my teenage I was an atheist, but still I wanted to believe in something bigger than me.
2. Children’s suffering challenges belief in divine justice.
• Story: Ivan presents Alyosha with horrific stories of innocent children tortured and asks, “How can there be a God?”
Ivan’s Argument: “I Return My Ticket”
Memory Hook: A broken toy in a child’s hand, placed before heaven as evidence.
example: classic example of an atheist. After seeing children hurt in wars, disasters, or abuse, people often ask, “If God exists, why does He allow this?
In ”Schindler’s List. Many survivors of genocide lost faith, not because of logic, but because of the cruelty inflicted on children. The girl in the red coat — a child — symbolizes the horror of innocence trampled by evil.
3. Doubt and faith coexist in the same soul.
Story: Alyosha, the monk, has moments of doubt; Ivan, the skeptic, longs for meaning. Both wrestle with dualities.
Memory Hook: Two candles burning side by side — one flickers with faith, the other with doubt.
Examples: A believer who prays daily but secretly wonders, “Is anyone listening?” Faith and doubt aren’t opposites; they live together.
In the movie Life of Pi. He asks: “Which story do you prefer?”. Pi believes in God across traditions. He tells two versions of his survival — one magical, one brutal.
Biblical Echo: The Cry of the Believing Doubter – “Lord, I believe — help my unbelief!” — Mark 9:24 A plea that could come from both Ivan and Alyosha — one in protest, one in prayer.
4. Humans project their desires and fears onto God.
Story: The Grand Inquisitor creates an image of Christ that serves the Church’s power rather than Christ’s teaching.
Memory Hook: A mirror reflecting not God’s face, but our own.
Examples: People who say “God wants me to be rich” — turning God into a reflection of their personal wants.
In the work of George Orwell – 1984 Offering comfort in exchange for truth Big Brother is not just a political symbol — he functions like a distorted God: Always watching, Demanding obedience.
5. Religious rituals can be corrupted into control.
Story: In the Grand Inquisitor tale, miracles and rituals are used to enslave rather than free souls.
Memory Hook: A golden cage shaped like a cross.
Examples: Leaders who use religion to manipulate followers for money, politics, or power, instead of genuine faith.
In India, in the name of a religious guru, there have been a lot of fraud & corruption, still it’s there & has a good impact on indian society.
6. Humans crave miracle, mystery, and authority more than freedom.
Story: The Grand Inquisitor says people don’t want freedom; they want bread, authority, and something to worship.
Memory Hook: A child dropping keys of freedom to grab candy from a stranger.
Examples: People prefer strong political leaders who promise “simple solutions,” even at the cost of their freedom.
In The Truman Show. The story asks: Would you rather be free… or happy in a lie? Truman is free to leave — but doing so means facing the unknown, giving up comfort, control, and illusion.
In the bible -Jesus’ Temptation in the Desert (Matthew 4) Satan offers: Bread → miracle, Temple leap → mystery, Power over kingdoms → authority. Jesus refuses — but in The Grand Inquisitor, the Church accepts them all.
7. Forgiveness heals more than justice.
Story: Alyosha embodies forgiveness, bringing peace where punishment fails (e.g., comforting Grushenka, the boys).
Memory Hook: A hand wiping away tears instead of pointing a finger.
Examples: Families torn apart by fights find healing not through “winning” arguments, but through forgiveness. In the film “Homeless to Harvard,” Liz marries her parents despite her neglected childhood.
Honestly, I couldn’t process this even though I have read it. There are people in my life whom I don’t forgive. Hope one day I will.
8. Spiritual love (Agape) transcends earthly desires.
Story: Alyosha’s love is not romantic or sexual — it’s compassionate, universal, selfless.
Memory Hook: A heart radiating like sunlight over everyone.
Examples: Nurses, teachers, or volunteers who care for people with no personal gain — love beyond romance.
In this moment, I remember Gurudev rabindranth tagore. In this work, he talks about the divine love (Agape) term used by Dr Jhon Verbeke in this course, Awaking from the meaning crisis,[highly recommended free on YouTube].
9. Atheism doesn’t erase morality, but can leave existential despair.
Story: Ivan rejects God yet still struggles with guilt, meaning, and values. His morality remains, but without foundation, he suffers despair.
Memory Hook: A man standing on a bridge with no river below — still standing, but lost.
Example: People who lose religious belief often still value kindness and honesty, but sometimes feel emptiness: “What’s the point?”
In the movie, The Seventh Seal, Ingmar Bergman His despair isn’t nihilism — it’s longing without hope. A knight returning from the Crusades plays chess with Death. He no longer believes in God — but still fights for meaning, justice, and love.
Albert Camus put it in a good way, in this novel, The Fall, A former lawyer lives in self-aware hypocrisy. He sees no God, yet can’t live without moral judgment. The result: perpetual guilt, alienation, and inner collapse.
10. The soul seeks redemption through humility.
Story: Dmitri Karamazov, proud and impulsive, finds peace when he humbles himself, accepting suffering instead of denying it.
Memory Hook: A warrior laying down his sword in the temple.
Example: Someone facing addiction who only begins to heal once they say, “I can’t do this alone. That’s why rehab exists. Also, human behaviour is sort of money-like behavior, & monkey see monkey do.
In ”Dead Man Walking. Through humility, he dies free. A death row inmate begins genuinely repenting, not to escape execution, but to face his soul honestly.
Now this was part 3 of the 10-part series. Share your thoughts in the comments & also share your stories where you have encountered these insights in your life. We would love to know about your perspective and story here. Each part of this series delves deeper into understanding these concepts and integrates them into our daily experiences. We believe your unique insights could enrich the conversation, and your stories might inspire others navigating similar challenges. Let’s create a vibrant community where we exchange ideas, learn from one another, and grow together through shared experiences. Your voice matters, so don’t hesitate to contribute!
