Nietzsche: Apollonian vs. Dionysian and the Essence of Art
The Duality of Apollonian and Dionysian in Art
Both poles are needed and stimulate each other, representing the essence of Greek art and all art, as well as the measure of immunity. In their struggle, two whole relationships emerge victorious. Neither is nullified. For Nietzsche, its most finished expression is tragedy and its apparel. Nietzsche argues that from Socrates (and Euripides) onward, this unity breaks down, giving priority to the figure of Apollo. Life is subordinated to reason, not vice
Read MorePlato’s Philosophy: Knowledge, Soul, and Society
Degrees of Knowledge: The Line Simile
In Plato’s epistemological dualism, there are two main grades of knowledge. The sensible world, perceived through the senses, yields only opinion, not true knowledge, as these are mere appearances. True knowledge can only be attained of the intelligible world through reason, because it is immutable and eternal. Knowledge is relative when based on things with little reality, but it is absolute when dealing with what is fully real: Ideas. The objects of concern
Read MoreUnderstanding God and Philosophical Methods
God as an Ontological Problem
Studying God within the world of images: For many people, God appears in their consciousness as a real, evident being. For religious people, belief in God is the foundation of their personal world. For some religions, like Christianity, God is a personal being who cares for his creatures. To other religions, such as Buddhism, God is an impersonal being.
- Theology: The science that deals with God. There has been talk of a theology based on supernatural experiences or revelations
Kant and the Enlightenment: Reason, Freedom, and Morality
Kant’s thinking evolved during the eighteenth century, a period known as the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment had its origins in England and spread throughout Europe, influencing movements like the French Revolution. It is considered to have begun with the English Revolution of 1688 and ended with the early stages of the French Revolution of 1789. This century was marked by a strong belief in the illuminating power of reason.
Enlightenment reason was secular, independent, and critical. The highest
Read MoreUnderstanding the Human Being: Evolution, Philosophy, and Freedom
Understanding the Human Being
The human being, through the accruing evolution of the primate family, is characterized by a genome specific to the species. From this emerges a symbolic and social intelligence, processing information in a self-aware manner, allowing us to:
- Communicate
- Direct our own behavior
- Create cultural events that introduce changes in how we utilize our intelligence and our relationship with the social and physical environment.
Ways of Understanding Humanity
Jean-Paul Sartre, a very
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Nihilism, Will to Power, Eternal Return, and the Superman
Nietzsche’s Nihilism and European Devaluation
Nietzsche identifies European nihilism as the devaluation of traditional values resulting from Christianity and the concept of moral truth. He distinguishes between two forms of nihilism:
Passive Nihilism (Camel Phase)
This form denies life, aligning with false Western values. It attributes the perceived worthlessness of life to the Western tradition, specifically:
- The Problem of Idealism: Prioritizing reason over instinct.
- Transcendent Reality: Belief in