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Nietzsche vs. Hobbes
Nietzsche vs. Hobbes
ANDREW LANGILLE GRADE 13 PHILOSOPHY COURSE, How are the philosophies of Nietzsche and Hobbes different on topics of Christianity, Human Nature, and Morality. The philosophies of Nietzsche and Hobbes are radically different, Hobbes philosophy is dominated by loyalty to the crown, riddled with references to the Christian scriptures, and a belief that life is nasty, brutish, and short (Leviathan, 133); while Nietzsche s philosophy was dominated by the pessimistic Schopenhauer, a belief that the human race was a herd, and that God is dead (Thus Spoke Zarathustra, S. 13). Hobbes and Nietzsche look at the world completely differently. Hobbes was a Christian who defended the bible, while Nietzsche called Christianity the one great curse (The Anti-Christ, s. 62). On the topic of human nature Hobbes thought life to be aware…of every man, against every man (Leviathan, 232) while Nietzsche took a nihilistic approach and declared that human nature is just a euphemism for inertia, cultural conditioning, and what we are before we make something of ourselves… (Human, all too human, 67). On morality these two philosophers have opposing views, Hobbes views on morality were straight out of Exodus, while Nietzsche holds that morality is a hindrance to the development of new and better customs: it makes stupid [people] (Daybreak, s. 19). These two philosophers lived at different times, in different locations, and their differing philosophies reflect the lives that they lived. Thomas Hobbes was born into an English upper class family in 1588, his father was the parish priest. Thomas was educated by his uncle until he was fifteen, when he was sent to Oxford to continue his studies. In 1608 he finished his formal education and took up with the son of Lord Cavendish, they undertook an adventure which saw them travel across Europe. Hobbes remained in England until the start of the English civil war when he fled to France. The civil war took place from 1642 till 1649, this conflict had a profound effect on Hobbes, particularly the execution of Charles I in 1649. All his writings after this event reflect Hobbes quest to find a peaceful, stable form of government. Hobbes died in 1679. Fredrich Nietzsche was born into an upper class family in Germany, on 15 October 1844, his father was tutor for the royal family and also a priest. Nietzsche father died when he was twelve, this had life-long impact on him. At age eight-teen he discovered the philosopher Schopenhauer, the basis for much of his early work, and gave up Christianity. He was educated at the University of Bonn, at the age of twenty-five Nietzsche was appointed Professor of Philosophy at the University of Basle. He became close friends with composer Richard Wanger, whose work he enthusiastically supported. Nietzsche most productive years were to be his last, he drove insane by syphilis and died at the dawn of this century. Nietzsche declared in that modern Christian civilization is sick and must be overcome (The Anti-Christ, 156), Hobbes would have found that excerpt to be repugnant having declared that God…when he speaks to any subject…he ought to be obeyed (Leviathan, 492). Hobbes was a Christian, while Nietzsche was an atheist, their views on Christianity are completely opposite. Nietzsche held the belief throughout his life that Christianity has taken the side of everything weak, base, ill-constituted, it has made an ideal out of opposition to the preservative instincts of a strong life; it has depraved the reason even of the intellectually strongest natures by teaching men to feel the supreme values of intellectuality as sinful, as misleading, as temptations, (The Anti-Christ, S. 5) Professor Howard Rainer of Davis University states that Nietzsche was uncompromisingly anti-Christian, for Christianity was the most potent force against those values which he prized most highly. Nietzsche felt that Christianity would hinder the emergence of the overman (The Will to Power, 546), a human being that follows their own path and not the herd s. Hobbes while being a Christian to the end, had a rather pessimistic view of it; Professor Ian Johnston of Malaspina University states that Hobbes believed the public religion of the artificial state must serve the need for security to protect the selfish economic interests of the individuals composing it. Hobbes view of Christianity was quite radical for his time and he publicly scorned for his belief that Christendom was nothing more economic security blanket; Hobbes attacked the elements in the Christian church which profited from religion. The times in which Hobbes and Nietzsche lived in were very different, in Hobbes times deadly religious wars were fought across the European continent. It was in this climate the Thomas Hobbes proposed… [his] philosophy. (Howard Rainer, Lecture Notes) Nietzsche did not have to worry about being hunted as a heretic if his ideas were not like by members of the Christian community, Hobbes did. Hobbes makes references to the scripture quite frequently in his works, he uses them to strengthen his ideas surrounding philosophy; Nietzsche never quotes from the Bible but he make many references to the parables of Jesus, he uses these in his critiques on modern Christianity. Hobbes and Nietzsche views on Christianity could never be reconciled, Hobbes died a Christian, while Nietzsche is reputed as saying let me go to my grave a honest pagan. Both Nietzsche and Hobbes share a pessimistic view of human nature, Hobbes asserted that life was nasty, brutish, and short (Leviathan, 278) while Nietzsche believed that human nature was akin to that of an animal herd. Professor Howard Rainer of Davis University states that Nietzsche thought that human nature was nothing more than cultural conditioning on a mass scale. Nietzsche and Hobbes both shared the view that human nature changed depending on the situations a person found themselves in. Hobbes ideas on human nature were gloomy, in Leviathan Hobbes states in the nature of man, we find three principals causes of quarrel. First, Competition; Secondly, Diffidence; Thirdly, Glory. The first, maketh men invade for Gain; the second for Safety; and the third, for Reputation. (Leviathan, 345) Most of Hobbes ideas were born out of his experience with the English Civil War, Hobbes; attitude toward man, whom he considered a wicked animal, knowing no restraint to his passions, was, doubtlessly formulated in England during the turbulent years of the Revolution. (Ethics:Origins and Development, 172). Nietzsche thoughts on human nature are revealed in this quote: It is not things, but opinions about things that have absolutely no existence, which have so deranged mankind! (Daybreak, s. 563) Nietzsche held the belief that man had no such thing as human nature to battle against, his belief that the idea of human nature was fictitious creation of past philosophers who sought to explain life. Nietzsche advanced the opinion that mankind has a Herd mentality [that] overcomes master morality by making all the noble qualities appear to be vices and all weak qualities appear to be virtues. Mediocre values are the values of the herd. (Helen Grayman, Lecture Notes). Nietzsche s writings on human nature, for the most part are an attack on the herd mentality, which he holds great contempt for. Nietzsche put forth this idea our entire sociology simply does not know any other instinct than that of the herd, i.e., that of the sum of zeros-where every zero has equal rights, where it is virtuous to be zero. (The Will to Power, 33) Nietzsche believes that not mankind but overman is the goal! (The Will to Power, 519 ), this means that the goal of the human race, in Nietzsche s mind, should be the development of a class of human beings that is not part of the herd, which hinders mankind s development. Both Hobbes and Nietzsche s views on human nature were misanthropic, Nietzsche held the belief that mankind was nothing more than a herd, and Hobbes views on human nature can be summed up wonderfully with three words: competition, diffidence, and glory. Hobbes and Nietzsche have differing opinions on morality, Hobbes adhered to the Christian mores during his time, Nietzsche would have found this funny because he was an atheist and also because he did not believe in any moral code. Nietzsche thought Morality makes stupid. — Custom represents the experiences of men of earlier times as to what they supposed useful and harmful – but the sense for custom (morality) applies, not to these experiences as such, but to the age, the sanctity, the indiscussability of the custom. And so this feeling is a hindrance to the acquisition of new experiences and the correction of customs: that is to say, morality is a hindrance to the development of new and better customs: it makes stupid. (Daybreak,s. 19), he believed that morality prevents people from reaching their full potential in life, he uses the example of the head mentality to show how people are controlled by their morals. Nietzsche believed that morals are one of the root problems of society, Howard Rainer of Davis University states Nietzsche felt morals destroyed the basic framework of society. Hobbes view on morals was affected by his fanatical belief in Christianity, he basically referred back to the scriptures for all his idea on morality; his greatest source for ideas on morality was the Book of Exodus. Many of Hobbes ideas concerning morality have their base in the Bible, which he constantly refers to in his works. (Howard Rainer, Lecture Notes) Hobbes defends Christian morality in Leviathan, he believes that only a society with a strong moral base is capable of keeping the wicked nature of man in check. Hobbes was also a hypocrite, he believed that a King could violate God s laws if they were in the best interests of the state. Hobbes maintained that everything must be done to protect the commonwealth, even morals could be tossed aside for the advancement of the commonwealth. Nietzsche believed that Because we have for millennia made moral, aesthetic, religious demands on the world, looked upon it with blind desire, passion or fear, and abandoned ourselves to the bad habits of illogical thinking, this world has gradually become so marvelously variegated, frightful, meaningful, soulful, it has acquired color – but we have been the colorists: it is the human intellect that has made appearances appear and transported its erroneous basic conceptions into things. (Human, all too Human, s.16) these morals compounded themselves over the centuries making errors seem like truths, Nietzsche was against these commonplace errors in our societies morals. Hobbes and Nietzsche have absolutely nothing similar in the realm of morals. The beliefs of Hobbes and Nietzsche contradict each other at every available opportunity, their philosophies are totally different on almost every level. Nietzsche has a hatred of Christianity which is unsurpassed, he believed that Christianity was one of the leading reasons for a herd mentality in society; Hobbes embrace Christianity and uses the scriptures as one of his main sources of inspiration. Only on the topic of human nature do Hobbes and Nietzsche ideas come closer together, both of these philosopher held a pessimistic view of human nature; Hobbes believed it was aware…of every man, against every man (Leviathan, 232), while Nietzsche held the belief that the human race was a large herd. On morality Nietzsche and Hobbes do not see eye to eye, Nietzsche did not belief in any sort of morals while Hobbes used the Bible as his main moral cookbook, these two radically different ideas do not match up whatsoever. In conclusion Nietzsche and Hobbes are two philosophers with very different life philosophies.
Bibliography:
Primary Sources: Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. Toronto, 1985. Penguin Classics. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Toronto, 1982. Penguin Books. Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Anti-Christ. Toronto, 1982. Penguin Books. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Human, All Too Human. Toronto, 1986. Penguin Books. Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Will to Power. Toronto, 1982. Penguin Books. Nietzsche, Friedrich. Daybreak. Toronto, 1984. Penguin Books. Secondary Sources: Grayman, Helen. Broward College. Lecture Notes. Johnston, Ian. Malaspina University. Lecture Notes. Kropotkin, Peter. Ethics: Origins and Development. 1989. George E. Harrap & Co.,Ltd. Rainer, Howard. Davis University. Lecture Notes. Biography: Book of Exodus, the Bible. Hobbes, Thomas. The Citizen: Liberty-Dominion-Religion. Toronto, 1981. Penguin Books Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Gay Science. Toronto, 1982. Penguin Books Nietzsche, Friedrich. Twilight of the Idols. Toronto, 1982. Penguin Books
De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs
De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs
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De-criminalization of Illicit Drugs
Serious discussion and debating on the subject of legalizing substances and drugs within the United States has received little public support. Top scholars and other government officials have since backed the idea since the move would be an alternative to the fight against drug-related issues (McKeganey, 2013). The U.S government is losing billions of dollars in the fight against illicit drugs, money that it can use for other purposes. Furthermore, many citizens will escape the penalty of serving jail terms for drug-related crimes. If the government can decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs in the United States then the judicial system would not be as burdened. Moreover, emphasis could be placed on helping the persons who are plagued and are suffering from compulsion and addiction with plans of treatment, thus reducing the number of persons incarcerated. My goal is to substantiate this hypothesis that the current judicial system in the United States is being used as a treatment plan for individuals who are suffering from addiction.The theory of social deviance, as argued by Harshi, is one of the applicable sociological concepts that we can use in this text. According to this theory, society enacts laws but individuals decide to go contrary to these due to loss of social attachment. There are clear and strict rules against the use of illicit drugs in the United States but still there are criminal offenders. If the government could de-legalize illegal drugs and govern its use, then there would be reduced crimes because people will not be subject to these regulations again (Reid, 2008). Researchers argue that the government waste resources that it can use on other projects in enacting laws. Legalization of drugs will result in a reduction in the number of prisoners. That is because drugs will be affordable and there will be no scrupulous business individuals since the government will be able to set prices of drugs (Wyler, 2010).The practical implications of this move will be evident in the reduced cases of crime. People will use drugs wisely based on the education received and simple regulations set. Prisons will also cease being rehabilitation centers as it has always been. Moreover, Decriminalization will provide safer avenues for accessing drugs since the government will take charge and, as a result, individuals will turn to the recommended drugs. Decriminalization will not lead to increased drug use; it will only provide easier ways of accessing drugs.EvidenceThere have been varied reactions to the debate of legalization of illicit drugs. Some countries have since taken this move and it is evident that it has come with positive feedback. A typical example is Portugal, which took this direction in 2001. This country came up with well-defined reforms on enactment of rules on drug use. The results are positive since there has been a reduction in drug consumption. Cases of drug-related crimes have since reduced and arrests due to crimes have gone down (McKeganey, 2013)Decriminalization has reduced the cost of fighting drug-related crimes in Portugal. Instead of the US government channeling funds to enforce rules on drugs, it can use these funds for building rehabilitation centers and encourage the willing individuals to find help in these institutions. Other countries that have embraced this move and realized its results include Netherlands and Mexico. There might be some bias since people might decide to make individual decisions on the use of drugs. Economic differences can also play a role in these disparities hence the US government should consider doing an extensive research on this move. Scholars and government agencies should be involved to come up with clear guidelines on this matter (Rushefsky, 2013).In conclusion, decriminalization of drugs does not result in increased cases of drug consumption and crime. As research clearly shows, countries that have legalized drug use have reported positive effects. There have been reduced cases of drug use and crimes since these countries have put up clear reforms on this. If US can consider legalization of illicit drugs, the researchers predict similar results. The government will take charge of the whole issue and come up with government recommended drugs. Regulation of prices will come in and this will eliminate drug traffickers, authorized shops companies will channel taxes to the government, hence more funds to use in other projects. It will, therefore, employ resources in building rehabilitation centers that will attract interested individuals instead of using prisons to rehabilitate drug addicts and law offenders. Researches have shown that the effects of decriminalizing drugs will work towards solving the problem of drug abuse and its eventual crimes.If the US government can consider this move, it will still engage in research that is more extensive. Law enforcing agencies and scholars can offer more insight in this since this can directly or indirectly fall under their area of expertise.
References
Mckeganey, N. (2013). A-Z of Substance Misuse and Drug Addiction. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Reid, J.M. (2008). Drug Use Sequencing and Kandel’s Gateway Hypothesis. New York: Proquest Publishers.
Rushefsky, M. (2013). Public Policy in the United States. New York: M.E. Sharpe Publishers.Wyler, L.S. (2009). International Drug Control Policy. Pennsylvania: DIANE Publishing.
Deconstructive Analysis Of Dubliners
Deconstructive Analysis Of Dubliners
Dubliner is a collected works containing short stories that were written by James Joyce. The short stories are a major boost to today’s play writers as well as essay writers. The first publication of the collection of the stories was first done in the year 1914. The stories were meant for the middle class of the Irish people in Dublin. Joyce’s stories were published at the time when nationalism of the Irish was leaning t its peak (Jeri & Johnson, 2000). At that time identity of the nationalists was at rage and also in its peak as well as with cultural backgrounds and history. This led to several influences been converged at Ireland. Joyce’s idea was mainly for epiphany was about experiences of a certain character and self understanding (Bowen & Zach 1974).
Actors of Dubliners
Several characters that are found in the Joyce’s Dubliners later appeared acting as minor actors in the famous novel of Ulysses which was liked and admired by many people all over the world. Stories found in the Dubliners today are a source of encouragement to many play writers. Child protagonists narrate the stories very well. The stories have passion for the lives of the older generation and their concerns. That was because Dubliners is in a collection of young generation, adult and the most mature generation.
The tale of the ‘The dead’
In the collection of Joyce’s Dubliners, the dead is final story but the longest and the most liked for its sweetness while reading. Gabriel Conrol finds himself in the center of the story. This is at the night when sisters of the Morkan were preparing for the annual dinner which was been celebrated annually, Gabriel surprises himself for discovering that he never understood much about the past experiences of his beloved wife
How and when- he discovers this by just making a joke hen he arrived at the party. The joke not towards his wife but towards the prediction of the maid’s marriage but in the process he is seriously and funky poked by his wife by bringing an old conversation that concerned about wearing of clothes hen the weather is very bad. This leads Gabriel to find himself in a pathetic situation but to show that he is a strong gentleman, he overcompensated some of his statements that he had dedicated to miss Ivors who was a citizen of the Irish origin (Jeri & Johnson, 2000). The two were dancing together at that evening.
Gabriels conventions led to Miss Ivor escaping away from the celebration before serving of dinner. Gabriel had talked issues that praised Irish nationals at the same time considered to hearing the past story on experiences of his wife. He never noted that his wife was standing far away from the staircases when he was talking all that. He got surprised at the last minute when he noticed her deep in thought. This was so amazing; he couldn’t believe it was her. What could he do next, just to stare on her as a real stranger? But Gabriel gains courage goes to her and envisages her as a real model in his illumination of distant heavy music.
Mrs. Gabriel was later so much diverted to a mood of sexual attention towards him but later becomes unresponsive when Gabriel confronted her to a private room. Gabriel notices that her wife had heard the song sung by D’arcy. Gabriel presses on his wife Gretta to openly tell him the reason she was that much affected by the Arcy’s song. Gretta agreed to tell her husband the whole story from her childhood when she fell in love with Michael Furey, a boy of her close age mate at the time when she was staying at her grandmother’s home. Later afterwards she was send away to Dublin and this led to distraction from her beloved boyfriend (Bowen & Zach 1974). Michael was so in deep with her such that regardless been very sick and bedridden he walked a long distance while raining to Gretta’s home whereby he climbed to the window and wished her all the best in her future. In one week’s period, Michael passed away. Michael’s death in the story of ‘the dead’ is like the death of Evelines mother’s death in the story of Eveline. Deaths of the two characters in these symbolize how they brought much effect to the lives of the main characters: that is Gabriel and Eveline. Gabriel was not aware of his wife’s past experiences and when he came to understand to notice, his life was not the same again. There is an indication in Gabriel’s mind that he believed his wife loved someone who was dead more than she loved him. In Evelines case, she realizes that she has to keep the promise of a dead mother rather than that of her boyfriend Frank.
Most of readers claim James Joyce wanted to prove to the world about the power of love (Bowen & Zach, 1974). The love in two dimensions-towards the parent and love towards the boy-girl relationships. The confession of Gabriel’s wife took him to another world of imagining about himself as well as of his wife, does he really feel insecure? This is what many readers ask themselves. Gabriel is also left imagining more about the living and the dead.
The tale of Eveline
This is a story of a young lady who passes through many experiences. She experiences the death of her mother as well as his older brother called Earnest. She tries to imagine how life has treated her poorly to an extend of thinking about leaving home. But will she really make it. The other brother of hers is busy with church activities that concern decoration. The girl is so much full of fear that her father will punish if he came to realize that she had a keen interest on jobs that do concern sales. She too like Greta in the story of the dead falls in love with a young man called frank. Frank has promised her girlfriend that they will tour Buenos Aires (Bowen & Zach 1974). The girl was much anticipating for that time and she hoped Harry, her boyfriend will keep the promise. Eveline hears music on organ grinder been played outside and this takes her memories back to the time her mother passed away. Eveline had promised her mother that she will always protect the home with due respect (Jeri & Johnson, 2000). The situation is very confusing to her. The sad memories over calm her, but will she leave her home and go away with harry.
Love that hurts
When ones love someone and he gets hurt, painful feelings come across. Frank was hurt by Eveline decision to remain at her own home; Gabriel was hurt by his wife’s confession- ‘Michael loved me to an extend of been rained on his way to visit me I was in love with him since childhood’ A difficult situation indeed. Frank was ready prepared for the journey but after been let down by her girlfriend will be a very hurtful situation. Gabriel was hurt by hearing the confession of his beloved wife that before him, he loved someone else. Greta’s love was for her first love Michael while in the tale of Eveline, the love is towards memories of her beloved mother who had died a few days ago. The big question several readers of the Eveline tale ask themselves is that; did Eveline really love frank?, why do they ask this? Its because after she declined to accompany frank in their adventurous journey, she never showed any emotions at all. She knew the situation will be so painful to frank but why did she not show any feelings. In the tale of the dead the readers can confirm that Michael truly loved Gretta! Why? This is because at one point he is seeing travelling all the way to the home of Gretta while it was raining and at the same time very sick, he goes to an extend of climbing to the top of the window to as to talk with his love. Eveline finds herself in an indecisive situation been confused on which way to go. After Michael passed away, Greta had no otherwise other than just to accept the fact and go ahead with his life. Another aspect that leaves readers of the dead tale with suspense is whether truly Greta loved Gabriel? Why? Because after Greta listened to Arcy’s song, his mind went back to the memories of his long time love, Michael. This shows that her true love was not Gabriel but Michael. The situation put Gabriel in an awkward position because he started becoming unsecure of his wife. Maybe he himself asked many questions starting with whether his wife’s heart was really for him or somebody else who passed a long time ago.
Gabriel may also have wondered why in all those years he never understood the life of her wife. In the tale of Eveline, frank may also wonder why he requested Eveline for an adventurous journey a few days after passing away of her mother. The confusing issue is that in the story of Eveline we are not told any other man she had fallen in love with. This to some readers can create a feeling that Eveline loved frank but due to the promise she had whispered to her mother at the time she was dying, her conscience can’t allow. Also in the story of the dead, Greta may have not had any option other than getting married to someone else despite her love death.
These two tales on James Joyce, elaborate on the decisions one may be able make when finds himself in a confusing situation, Greta is pressured by his husband to say why he was so emotionally affected by Arcy’s song. She never knows whether to confess the truth or to ignore, but she takes courage and tells her whole truth about her past. At some point Gabriel was put in a pathetic situation whereby he never knew how to quote one of the poem from the poet of browning Robert. This was mainly because he never wanted to be seen as just pretending. Gabriel gave himself courage and the audience believed on him (Jeri & Johnson, 2000). Eveline is confused whether on whose promise to keep. She gains confidence and decides o keep the promise of her dead mother over the promise of her man in love.
Journeys
There is involvement of journeys in the two stories. Frank was to take Evelina to the Buenos Aires, for an adventurous tour while Greta was to be sent off away from Galway to Dublin at the time her love Michael visited him on the window of her house (Bowen & Zach 1974).
Emotional moments
The story of the dead and Evelina is full of emotional moments- Evelina tries to think of her mother’s death as well as that of her brother and feels sorry for herself and the life before her ahead. When Greta confesses her love for Michael, Gabriel is over calmed by an epiphany of artistic and emotions. Greta is also filled with emotions of Michael’s death. The tale of the ‘the dead’ and ‘Evelina’ sympathize so much on the feelings of love of the Irish nationality.
Works cited
Bowen, Zach, Musical Allusions found in the Works of James Joyce: Early Poetry Through Ulysses Albany: Suny Press publishers, 1974.
Jeri Johnson, “Composition and Publication History”, in James Joyce, Dubliners, Oxford University Press, 2000.