Nihilism: Impact on Freedom, Society, Love, and Modern Life
The Path of Nihilism
On the Word Freedom
Three kinds of freedom have been considered:
- Natural Liberty: Linked with nature and its events.
- Political or Social Freedom: Related to the external environment in which man develops.
- Personal Freedom: Autonomy, independence, to do what you want in an orderly manner and direct your steps.
Freedom must pursue good and happiness.
A difference exists between the freedom of a liberal and, in turn, the consequences of being liberal:
- Policy: A liberal state is one that
Augustine and Ockham: Faith, Reason, and the Ideal Society
St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th Century AD)
St. Augustine, a prominent figure among the Church Fathers, shaped Christian thought by establishing its doctrinal basis, combating heresy, and offering unique interpretations of doctrine.
Central Idea: A just society arises from citizens’ adherence to God’s law, embodying love for God and neighbor. Without such adherence, a society cannot achieve true political good.
Structure:
- Thesis: Justice, defined as citizens observing God’s law, is incompatible with
Thomas More’s Utopia: An Analysis of an Ideal Society
Conclusion
In Utopia, Thomas More depicts an ideal society free of problems, where everyone helps one another. This is exemplified by the lack of importance given to gold and silver, as they are considered expendable. However, the society presented can be seen as monotonous and lacking passion.
This book, especially Book II, is quite entertaining. It presents innovative aspects that, from our modern perspective, can even be humorous.
Utopia Island
The island of Utopia is named after its conqueror, Utopus.
Read MoreRousseau and Mill: Social Contract, Education, and Utilitarianism
Rousseau: Principles and Tensions
His principles and tastes walked several paths; his life was a constant tension between the ideal and the real. His life and work were an anticipation of Romanticism, followed by the Enlightenment.
Man’s Nature and Historic Home
Rousseau (like Hobbes) speaks of a natural state of man, but in radical opposition to Hobbes. Imagine a man being good and naturally happy. The primitive man described by Rousseau is as innocent and generous as a child; in him, there is no
Read MoreUnderstanding Desire, Passion, and the Concept of Person
Desire: A Driving Force in Human Experience
Wish: Movement of our psychic activity drives us to achieve an object that we consider a source of satisfaction. Features:
- First Foul: The desire to want something involves not the presence, but the absence of something.
- Living in the World of Excess: It is beyond the need to always address a world of possibilities in a world of excess.
- Based on Conflict: It dies when it gets its goal, but new desires emerge.
Acceptance of Desire: Essential Reality
Desire is
Read MoreNietzsche’s Philosophy: Will to Power and the Overman
**First,** Criticism of the Platonic-Christian Tradition and Nihilism
A: Critique of the Platonic-Christian Tradition
The object of his critique is not see above dogmatic philosophy, but Platonism. Concretely, the guidelines in his criticism are:
- Moral
- Traditional metaphysics and the ontological-epistemological
- Positive sciences
1. Morality
Nietzsche’s critique with regards to morality opposes an unnatural life, and Platonic-Christian morality goes against its base instincts. The philosophical moral of
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