Comments on: God is dead

By: Dominic The Great

Dominic The Great — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:46:55 +0000

The meaning of the phrase is often not understood, and the “death” Nietzsche refers to is often misconceived to be physical, rather than metaphorical, as Nietzsche originally intended it to be.

By: Dominic The Great

Dominic The Great — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:41:45 +0000

Let me start off by saying, Nietzsche was a wise man. The quote “God is dead” doesnt necessarily mean god is dead. I belive his meaning behind that qoute is, Christians in todays society are killing their own god by the way they live their life. So I guess you could say he is mocking the Christian religion.

By: hieronymous goose

hieronymous goose — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:57:11 +0000

“Some are born posthumously.” —Nietzsche

BURN

God: 1
Nietzche: 2

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:36:53 +0000

Lessie – I hope you do decide to stick around :). And good luck with your academic pursuits!

Spectrum – I will not disagree that Nietzsche had a stringent critique of religion. What I tried to get across with this post, however, was that Nietzsche, with his “God is dead” quote, was addressing “atheists” (most literally, but not exclusively, in section 125 of the Gay Science). He was trying to make the “atheists” aware of their own religiosity not alerting theists that their God had died. Nietzsche’s critique of religion is elsewhere but his critique of his contemporary atheists find itself here, with this quote. God is dead, there is now a huge void – do not fill it with godly things (Truth, History, Spirit, etc). This is something, however, that he accused his contemporary atheists of doing.

By: Spectrum

Spectrum — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:16:56 +0000

I always felt Nietzsche was disgruntled that ignorant “god-believers” had deeply infected so much of society that it permeated other aspects wherever one turned. The idiocy of the masses believing in imaginary beings became a danger to clear minded individuals. And when the lunatic church propounded these events for their own profit and power, one had to beware of the common human herd. The very ones science was trying to help. Until this planet is purged of religious psychosis with such frauds being outlawed, there will never be “peace on earth.”

By: Lessie

Lessie — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:10:34 +0000

Thanks Kevin. I want to be a prof so I can stay engaged in academia for the long term. I’m certainly not going into it for the money (nobody goes into education/academia for the money). However, if I could at least make enough to support my family and provide us some health insurance (assuming our current system stays the same), then that would suffice:)

Now that I’ve been here, I may stop by more often–I don’t know a whole lot of people who are interested in philosophy.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:59:58 +0000

Lessie – Walter Kaufmann’s book, “Nietzsche; Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist” is a really helpful and informative secondary source (it also helped revolutionize Nietzsche’s reception in the United States).
As far as a career goes… Liberal Arts allow for all careers but train you for one – becoming a Professor. I honestly don’t have career plans yet and am studying philosophy because I’m deeply interested in it, not because I’m striving toward a particular job. I would say, however, that someone wanting a high paying job with lots of job opportunities should not go to graduate school in a liberal arts – it is an adventure in poverty with potential for interesting results. Sorry, I know this doesn’t really help.

the chaplain – you are welcome :)
I have 3 answers to your question:
1. If you want to work your way through his major works I would start with, “The Birth of Tragedy.” This was his first book and, although he later disagrees with many of his conclusions, it helps the reader ease into Nietzsche’s style and direction of thinking.
2. If you want to get to the meat of his philosophy in one book I would go with “Beyond Good and Evil”. It is one of his later books and he discusses many of the major themes that he is now known for.
3. If you want to know what all the Nietzsche-hype is about I would recommend “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”. This is his most popular and most widely read book. It is a satire of the New Testament and is really engaging.
Good luck!

By: the chaplain

the chaplain — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:59:34 +0000

Thanks for a fine post. I haven’t read Nietzsche, but I intend to do so. What works would you recommend as a starting place?

By: Lessie

Lessie — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:46:38 +0000

No, no, I know N isn’t against us helping others. But I also know a lot of people interpret him that way. I’m assuming that since you’re in Germany, you’re able to look at this without the lens of translation. Your statement about helping others because we are “overfull” has actually clarified a little of his position for me. You wouldn’t happen to know of any lay resources that make good study companions would you?

Also, you mentioned on MoF that you’re studying philosophy and hope to do something besides be a professor. I was under the impression that the liberal arts really didn’t allow for any other careers. Wanna clue me in?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:39:20 +0000

A conversation about Nietzsche is a conversation I love having :)
You are right in saying that N is against the Christian version of altruism. That being said, Nietzsche doesn’t think people shouldn’t help others – they should, however, help others for reasons different than those given by Christianity. The “reasons” he gives are vague but he does talk about helping others because you yourself are “overfull.” You aren’t looking for redemption/salvation by helping others but help others because you are full of life.
The will to power is more of a “drive” than a tool for changing institutions. However! changing an institution (or philosophizing with a hammer) can be said to be an expression of someone’s will to power.