Question Proposed By Eric Schaaf
Given Nietzsche's psychological analysis of religious belief, as seen throughout his writing, but in its most concentrated form in the first essay of The Genealogy of Morality, sections 10-14, what would he say about Father Zosima as seen in Dostoevsky's The Russian Monk Consider the following statements by Zosima who says "every blade of grass , Every insect any, and golden bee, all so marvelously know their path... they bear witness to the mystery of God..." (47) along the same lines he adds that " if you love everything, you will perceive the divine myster in things" How would Nietzsche interpret and explain these claims that Zosima makes? { Consider the ideas of life and its value; happiness, guilt and resentment, and love vitrue and ideals) What would nietzsche say underlies these values? What would zosima saywith respect to nietzsche? whose reasoning seems stronger?
Nietzsches and Father Zosima seem diametrically opposed but both seek for the same ideal. In sense they both want to see Mankind at its greatest ability and extent. They both believe they see what is best for mankind. And would both agree that everything is going to hell. The world is falling in to shambles and this is only exacerbated by the industrial revolution.
Nietzsche would certainly seem Zosima as someone utterly influenced by slave morality. Reduced in his humanity to a slave to a improveable god. N would also complain that Zosima's proliferation of Morality unto the people would also enslave people. But I also believe that N's reaction to how Zosima became Zosima as detailed by Dostoevsky would not be one of condemnation necessarily. N would possibly be moved that Zosima felt enervated by emotion by feeling that what is explained is someone coming in contact with true feeling. Nietzsche would likely see a level of humanity in zosima's utter sacrifice of his humanity and also that Zosima was not religious for the wrong reasons... Ala He isn't good just so he doesn't go to hell. Because Zosima is genuinely good. He acts because he feels beauty in the world and isn't compeled by punishment. Nietzsche would psychologically say that Zosima exhibits slave morality but his slave morality is compelled from inside of him. Not exteriorly, so he isn't quite as weak. He isn't the reactive slave moralist But instead of a stronger type closer to the noble race who acts rashly.
Zosima would react to Nietzsche would either utter disgust or maybe he would seek to convert him. Zosima would use poetic prose to say Look upon the world etc etc
P.S. What the Fuck is wrong with Being Erudite? Being Erudite Seems to be a Paradox because you are erudite... therefore you a well read and well cultured. You may resemble the individuals described in Stuff White People Like. And in someway you see yourself as better than many people because you are informed and capable, well rounded, human being. But you are told and know in many ways "you are not any better than anyone else" or "get off your high horse" "ivory Tower" etc. Ok So then if you acknowledge this and the public acknowledges that you aren't any better? Then why be smart? why be informed? Does it Make you Better Individuallly? Therefore your opinion has greater weight? But some how you still equal to the man who can't get his shit together? Is this really fair? is it right? What good and right can come from this? Should the Erudite be given power? and authority? or like Plato believes keep their own knowledge
Is it the goal of the erudite to make others as educated and informed as himself. By narrative, Art, poetry, and Rhetoric imbue knowledge unto the populace? Will they listen? can they hear?
I suppose The erudite can be compared to how to treat a superhero? are they above the law? can they be vigilantes? is it moral to give them special priviledges? I would disagree for superheroes or vigilantes but the especially smart?
By being smart doesn't it seem to give them more than being strong? something that is more useful?
Or are the cultured elite special and keep to themselves? segregating knowledge? Isn't upholding a position like that similar to "Seperate But Equal" that the civil rights movement fought against?
*OH God I am having Nose Bleed*
Anyway after bleeding all over myself. I decided that no! knowledge should be free all of it. Every ounce of it. It should be the gift of a sentient race to every member of that sentient race. Free from restriction.
This is all a battle between Free and Open versus the beauty and value of esoteric knowledge and beauty of what is personal. but knowledge is nothing without audience. But if those who have knowledge preach knowledge... How far should they go? will it be intrusive? mandatory? or only for those who seek it? what is the best way to distribute knowledge? should those who cannot be or refuse to be educated be punished? Brainwashed?
What is the proper Balance of Free, Responsibility and Knowledge for sentient human beings
* Did Edward Norton say you could swallow an ounce of blood or a quart of blood before you puke?*
2 comments:
Nietzsche would view Father Zossima as he viewed all priests. He respected their strength of purpose, but thought it misdirected and misapplied. Their sublimated asceticism is useful in combatting nihilism, but why care about saving society's weak and debauched, those whom mother nature would "cull" from the herd?
As Zarathustra would say when seduced to his final sin:
-Unto your distress did he want to seduce and tempt me: 'O Zarathustra,' said he to me, 'I come to seduce thee to thy last sin.'
To my last sin?" cried Zarathustra, and laughed angrily at his own words: "what hath been reserved for me as my last sin?"
-And once more Zarathustra became absorbed in himself, and sat down again on the big stone and meditated. Suddenly he sprang up,-
"Fellow-suffering! Fellow-suffering with the higher men!" he cried out, and his countenance changed into brass. "Well! That- hath had its time!
My suffering and my fellow-suffering- what matter about them! Do I then strive after happiness? I strive after my work!
Well! The lion hath come, my children are nigh, Zarathustra hath grown ripe, mine hour hath come:-
This is my morning, my day beginneth: arise now, arise, thou great noontide!"- -
Thus spake Zarathustra and left his cave, glowing and strong, like a morning sun coming out of gloomy mountains.In other words, it isn't important for me to be concerned with the struggles with others to lend meaning to my life, what's important is that I continue to struggle and grow and "be all that I can be". THAT is what gives my life its' meaning. What does not kill me, makes me stronger!
And by continually "helping" others, he weakens them and makes the less "self-reliant".
And those who help out of "pity" do so only to feel better about themselves, a self-absorbed exercise in demonstrating their own "power" to self and others.
ps - from Will to Power
858 (Nov. 1887-March 1888)
What determines your rank is the quantum of power you are: the rest is cowardice.Equality is the humbug of the last man... Life's Meaning comes from the STRUGGLE, not a condition of its' relief (aka - happiness):
Zarathustra
Lo! I show you the last man.
"What is love? What is creation? What is longing? What is a star?"- so asketh the last man and blinketh.
The earth hath then become small, and on it there hoppeth the last man who maketh everything small. His species is ineradicable like that of the ground-flea; the last man liveth longest.
"We have discovered happiness"- say the last men, and blink thereby.
They have left the regions where it is hard to live; for they need warmth. One still loveth one's neighbour and rubbeth against him; for one needeth warmth.
Turning ill and being distrustful, they consider sinful: they walk warily. He is a fool who still stumbleth over stones or men!
A little poison now and then: that maketh pleasant dreams. And much poison at last for a pleasant death.
One still worketh, for work is a pastime. But one is careful lest the pastime should hurt one.
One no longer becometh poor or rich; both are too burdensome. Who still wanteth to rule? Who still wanteth to obey? Both are too burdensome.
No shepherd, and one herd! Everyone wanteth the same; everyone is equal: he who hath other sentiments goeth voluntarily into the madhouse.
"Formerly all the world was insane,"- say the subtlest of them, and blink thereby.
They are clever and know all that hath happened: so there is no end to their raillery. People still fall out, but are soon reconciled- otherwise it spoileth their stomachs.
They have their little pleasures for the day, and their little pleasures for the night, but they have a regard for health.
"We have discovered happiness,"- say the last men, and blink thereby.-
And here ended the first discourse of Zarathustra, which is also called "The Prologue", for at this point the shouting and mirth of the multitude interrupted him. "Give us this last man, O Zarathustra,"- they called out- "make us into these last men! Then will we make thee a present of the Superman!" And all the people exulted and smacked their lips. Zarathustra, however, turned sad, and said to his heart:
"They understand me not: I am not the mouth for these ears.
Too long, perhaps, have I lived in the mountains; too much have I hearkened unto the brooks and trees: now do I speak unto them as unto the goatherds.
Calm is my soul, and clear, like the mountains in the morning. But they think me cold, and a mocker with terrible jests.
And now do they look at me and laugh: and while they laugh they hate me too. There is ice in their laughter."The struggle gives life its' meaning.
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