Analyzing An Aphorism
So while I would love to have something incredibly interesting to say or comment on current events (anyone hear about the death of the Polish president?), I've decided that I might as well just write about things that interest me rather than pander to a non-existent audience! So anyhoo, I apologize in advance if this is not interesting to you.
One of the most analyzed (an one of my favorite) aphorism of Friedrich Nietzsche is
This in my opinion is primarily an excellent and insightful statement but also gives me an opportunity to illustrate Nietzsche's style and overall philosophy.
The statement itself is rather clear -- Nietzsche is trying to stress the importance of differing opinions in an educational system -- yet has far reaching consequences. It seems amazing that people still do not support teaching differing theories on phenomenon. During my Spring Break, I actually learned that the IB program is taking Freud out of the teaching material for IB Psychology; while I DO think Freud was wrong about sexuality as the primary motivation (I believe largely in his dream work though) I find it horrible that they would not teach such an amazing and influential psychologist's work -- even if it was largely incorrect. It illustrates the foundations of modern psychological work and research. But that differs from my point.
This quote illustrates Nietzsche's preferred style of writings -- in short aphorisms which he wanted the reader to pick apart and analyze each bit. Furthermore, it illustrates Nietzsche's pessimism inherited largely from Schopenhauer. Instead of advising the educational system the best way to teach a youth he structures the aphorism to address the worst way.
Lastly, just to end this blog, I want to stress something important about Nietzsche. Many scholars, largely due to his sister changing some of his works to fit her pro-Nazi beliefs, had interpreted Nietzsche as some sort of pro-Nazi after Hitler and the 3rd Reich used much of his philosophy of the "master race" and "superhuman" to justify their actions. While this quote is not addressing Semitic feelings, Nietzsche has numerous points in his philosophy to illustrate his hatred of German nationalism and anti-Semitism. For those of you who didn't know this, this can help if you study Nietzsche and someone tries to claim he was an anti-Semitic.
Well thanks for reading! Time for bed. Cheers
One of the most analyzed (an one of my favorite) aphorism of Friedrich Nietzsche is
This in my opinion is primarily an excellent and insightful statement but also gives me an opportunity to illustrate Nietzsche's style and overall philosophy.
The statement itself is rather clear -- Nietzsche is trying to stress the importance of differing opinions in an educational system -- yet has far reaching consequences. It seems amazing that people still do not support teaching differing theories on phenomenon. During my Spring Break, I actually learned that the IB program is taking Freud out of the teaching material for IB Psychology; while I DO think Freud was wrong about sexuality as the primary motivation (I believe largely in his dream work though) I find it horrible that they would not teach such an amazing and influential psychologist's work -- even if it was largely incorrect. It illustrates the foundations of modern psychological work and research. But that differs from my point.
This quote illustrates Nietzsche's preferred style of writings -- in short aphorisms which he wanted the reader to pick apart and analyze each bit. Furthermore, it illustrates Nietzsche's pessimism inherited largely from Schopenhauer. Instead of advising the educational system the best way to teach a youth he structures the aphorism to address the worst way.
Lastly, just to end this blog, I want to stress something important about Nietzsche. Many scholars, largely due to his sister changing some of his works to fit her pro-Nazi beliefs, had interpreted Nietzsche as some sort of pro-Nazi after Hitler and the 3rd Reich used much of his philosophy of the "master race" and "superhuman" to justify their actions. While this quote is not addressing Semitic feelings, Nietzsche has numerous points in his philosophy to illustrate his hatred of German nationalism and anti-Semitism. For those of you who didn't know this, this can help if you study Nietzsche and someone tries to claim he was an anti-Semitic.
Well thanks for reading! Time for bed. Cheers
posted by Narcissus at
7:46 PM
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