Buy the Book: The Story of Philosophy
In this article, we will explore the philosophical ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche and Soren Kierkegaard, shedding light on their critiques of power, religion, and the despair of modern society. Nietzsche’s suspicion of power and his analysis of Christian morality will be examined, followed by Kierkegaard’s critique of Christendom and his concept of the self. Additionally, we will delve into the fascination with apocalypse movies and the existential longing for escape they reflect, as well as the disappearance of humans in the face of advancing technology.
Nietzsche: Power and Suspicion
– Nietzsche challenges the idea that values like truth and goodness are independent of power, emphasizing their historical intertwining.
– He highlights the Greek concept of virtue as excellence, including the fulfilment of desires.
– Nietzsche critiques Christian morality as compensation for the lack of power, projecting power onto another world while promoting love and compassion.
– He suggests that beneath the cloak of love, Christianity’s underlying motivation is resentment and hatred.
Nietzsche’s Remark: “God is Dead”
– Nietzsche’s remark reflects the fragmentation of modern life, where religion is limited to a separate day, detached from daily existence.
– He argues that churches and creeds have become mere tombs of God, indicating the loss of a religious way of life permeating all aspects of existence.
– The remark highlights the dominance of economic and political structures over religious values.
Kierkegaard: Critique of Christendom
– Kierkegaard critiques Christendom as a shallow and conformist form of religion.
– He contrasts genuine Christianity, which involves challenges and risks, with the diluted version aligned with the status quo.
– Kierkegaard warns against reducing religion to mere support for the existing social order.
Kierkegaard’s Notion of the Self and Despair
– Kierkegaard presents the self as a relation, a synthesis of the infinite and the finite, freedom and necessity.
– The self is incomplete and not yet fully realized.
– Despair is not merely a psychological state but a deeper condition, and psychology cannot offer a lasting solution since the self itself is a problem.
– Kierkegaard’s book “The Sickness unto Death” explores the paradoxical nature of the human condition and the impossibility of finding fulfilment through psychological means.
The Despair of Modern Society: Apocalypse Movies and the Disappearance of the Human
– The fascination with apocalypse movies stems from a longing to escape the despair of modern life.
– These films offer compensation for the limitations of existence, presenting the apocalyptic as a hopeful alternative.
– Despair in modern society is a structural condition rooted in the cycle of boredom and limited projects.
– While suicide may seem like an escape, it fails to address the underlying issue.
– Apocalypse movies provide a temporary respite from the dehumanizing aspects of society.
The Disappearance of the Human
– As technology advances, humans face the possibility of being replaced in various functions.
– The question arises: what roles are left for humans in a changing landscape?
– The emphasis on images, spectacles, and the virtual, challenges traditional notions of human values and identity.
The Giddiness of Freedom
– The disappearance of certain human functions presents an opportunity for freedom.
– Freed from the burdens of labour, humans can explore new projects and dimensions of existence.
– This shift challenges conventional ideas of what it means to be human and opens up possibilities for reimagining social and personal values.
Conclusion
Nietzsche and Kierkegaard’s philosophies offer profound insights into power, religion, and the human condition. Nietzsche’s suspicion of power and critique of Christian morality reveals the complex interplay between power and values. Kierkegaard’s critique of Christendom emphasizes the need for a transformative relationship with the divine. Moreover, the fascination with apocalypse movies reflects a longing to escape the despair of modern society, while the disappearance of humans poses profound questions about our values and identity in the face of advancing technology.
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