tahak

Tahak is a fictional character from the 1963 science fiction novel *The City and the Stars* by Arthur C. Clarke. The protagonist of the story, Tahak is a human who lives in a futuristic, utopian city-state called New Jerusalem, located on the planet Newton. The city is designed to be self-sustaining and free from conflict, with its inhabitants living in harmony under the guidance of an advanced artificial intelligence known as the Thinker.

Tahak is depicted as a philosopher, scientist, and explorer who seeks to uncover the mysteries of the universe beyond his city. His curiosity leads him to discover that New Jerusalem is not the only inhabited world in the galaxy and that humanity has spread across the cosmos. The novel explores themes of human ambition, the limits of civilization, and the consequences of unchecked technological progress.

The name "Tahak" is derived from the Arabic word "tahāku," meaning "to strive" or "to aspire," reflecting the character's relentless pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Clarke’s portrayal of Tahak challenges the idea of a perfect society, suggesting that even in an idealized world, the human desire for exploration and discovery remains unfulfilled.

*The City and the Stars* is considered a foundational work in Clarke’s body of work, blending philosophical inquiry with speculative fiction. Tahak’s journey serves as a metaphor for humanity’s broader quest to understand its place in the universe, making him a significant figure in science fiction literature.