All about Nietzsche

[Redzeppelin]

The thing is...Socrates never admitted he had flaws in his philosophy. He preached it as if it was absolute and perfect. His last quote before he died proved that on the inside he knew there were majors holes in his philosophy; holes that debunked his entire metaphysics. (I'm sure you guys already know about aristocratic philosophy and Socrates' "souls").

I'm sorry - I must be kind of slow because I just don't understand this. Philosophers are required to acknowledge "flaws" in their philosophies to be considered "legitimate"? Huh? What exactly do you understand Socrates' philosophic "system" to be? I always understood that his primary focus was asking questions and engaging in discussion - that's a pretty simplistic synopsis, but I'm lost as to what he was supposed to say about his philosophy and I still don't get how his final words indicate his knowledge of the flaws. But wouldn't this be considered acknowledging the supposed "flaws"? Could you help me out here?

[dramasnot6]

Nietzsche admitted that "eternal recurrence" isn't scientifically proven, but it's good to live by for it increases the will to power.

Eternal reccurence is definetly my favorite concept of Nietzsches.I compare to pretty much everything. Just finished writing a paper for drama comparing eternal reccurence to Stanislavski's emotional memory and also reincarnation. great stuff.

[hyperborean]

Eternal recurrence is an interesting concept.

And zeppelin, I'm referring to aristocratic philosophy (souls, freeing your soul from the body [its prison]). That's what it contradicts.

[dramasnot6]

have you read Will to Power, hyperborean?

[hyperborean]

yes, to me it's one of nietzsche's best works.

[AstroCity]

Today i ditched work and went to the library and just read a short book that sort of explained Nietzche's philosphy. i have read the discussions although i am still unclear about the interpretations of some of his ideas i am attempting to do more research. Anyways.
Is the phrase "God is dead" a conclusion that he derived at. Can it be that since he concluded that the human intention is deceptive or selfish(Will to Power) that anyone wanting to reach Heaven, will or can do so in this manner only? So "God is dead" could just be that God is dead in the hearts of wo/mankind or that the concept of God is dead not God himself of course.
If i am way off please direct me to the right direction.

[dramasnot6]

"God is dead in the hearts of wo/mankind or that the concept of God is dead not God himself of course. "

That is exactly right. From my interpretation, he is saying God is no longer neccesary to explain life.

[hyperborean]

exactly. It doesn't matter if there is a divine being or not. The only way to overcome oneself is to live life without the influence of God's control. Nietzsche defines it as master-slave morality.

[dramasnot6]

This is why I think Nietzsche is so easily comparable to many psychological concepts, he has such a fascinating take on the motives behind human behaviour. But the most brilliant part of his philosophy is that he not only identifies the motives behind being religious, but offers substitution concepts to help ease people from their religious dependence. I think he does this so well because he REALLY, genuinely believes in what he is saying. To me, he seems sincerely concerned with the death of God in society and it's effect on people. Maybe that is why he went insane, his passion for this beliefs was too strong. Like with creative writing, philosophy must contain a balance between raw belief and passion and also some objectivity. No one person can save the world, maybe Nietzsche went insane trying. Wow, lots of pro-Nietzsche, idealizing bias in that interpretation. Someone please argue against me.

[hyperborean]

that was nicely put; there's no way someone can argue against that.

I do hope some of you guys understand what a "hyperborean" is. I've got a feeling you guys think I made it up. My avatar is Ouroboros which is a symbol for eternal recurrence.

[dramasnot6]

wow, i didnt even know there was a symbol for eternal reccurence! What is the context behind Ouroboros? I am intrigued by the symbolism. At first I thought it was just similiar to the dozens of reincarnation symbols people have put out, and then I realized it was completely different in that he was consuming himself. He eternally reccurs in his own life by endlessly consuming every inch of his life. And in this case, literally his LIFE as in body! Clever stuff.

[DrBill]

This "discussion" of Nietzsche stalls on one bumper-sticker concept. Explore Nietzsche for half a year; take along a checklist of provocative questions:

A) What does Nietzsche argue about the world and willpower that had not been advanced by Schopenhauer?
B) Is truth, as Nietzsche insists, an illusion?
C) Is morality something to be dismissed?
D) Is there any connection between Nietzsche's glorification of a "Superman" (Overman) and the idea of a master race?
E) In Nietzsche's perspectivism, if there is no such think as truth but only different interpretations of truth, is the world without validity?
F) In what perspective, for that matter, does the history of Twentieth Century put Nietzsche's glorification of war?
G) In the history of philosophy, is there any rival to Nietzsche's contempt for women?
H) Is the doctrine of Eternal Recurrence a conclusion or a cop-out? How can anything recur unless it ends, or it turns back like a boomerang? Where does the recurrence start--at Jurassic Park? Is it a variation of "world without end"?
I) To what degree do Nietzsche's aphoristic writings show him 1) a philosopher, 2) and existential psychologist, 3) a poet with a program?
Et cetera.

[hyperborean]

Are you a teacher DrBill? That's a really good outline.

[dramasnot6]

This "discussion" of Nietzsche stalls on one bumper-sticker concept. Explore Nietzsche for half a year; take along a checklist of provocative questions:

A) What does Nietzsche argue about the world and willpower that had not been advanced by Schopenhauer?
B) Is truth, as Nietzsche insists, an illusion?
C) Is morality something to be dismissed?
D) Is there any connection between Nietzsche's glorification of a "Superman" (Overman) and the idea of a master race?
E) In Nietzsche's perspectivism, if there is no such think as truth but only different interpretations of truth, is the world without validity?
F) In what perspective, for that matter, does the history of Twentieth Century put Nietzsche's glorification of war?
G) In the history of philosophy, is there any rival to Nietzsche's contempt for women?
H) Is the doctrine of Eternal Recurrence a conclusion or a cop-out? How can anything recur unless it ends, or it turns back like a boomerang? Where does the recurrence start--at Jurassic Park? Is it a variation of "world without end"?
I) To what degree do Nietzsche's aphoristic writings show him 1) a philosopher, 2) and existential psychologist, 3) a poet with a program?
Et cetera.

My gosh DrBill. That list is sensational, it opens a world of Nietzsche I never even considered. I think you could write an entire thesis on each of them.

[Asa Adams]

I'm not commenting on whether one believes in God or not. I'm commenting on this phrase:

Now one that humbles himself may have lots of motives. Where does Nietzsche get in speculating why? Now that's for one person. There are a whole host of people who may humble themselves. Is he saying they all share the same psychology? Well, that is patently crap if he is saying that. There are a complex range of motives why people do all sorts of things, some of which may be genetic some which may be environmentally acquired. No two people share the same experience or the same genetic make up.

Now to be fair to Nietzsche I'm reading that sentence out of context. He may clarify what he is saying. But as it stands it is psychobabble.

Psychobabble is an attempt to reduce humanity to an equation.

I am A little late, but as they say better late!
I think that This quote is not pyschobabble for this reason; Nietzsche is seperating himself from Christ by saying that Man will humble himself for the reason that he alone, without God's doing, will be exalted. Suggesting that man shall humble himself to satify himself without the need to satisfy God.
I hope that made sense ...then again!