Nietzsche on Knowledge and Ignorance

Nietzsche (1886) writes that we humans live in a simplified and falsified world and that we make everything around us seem clear, easy, and simple. To enjoy life we indulge in superficiality and our thoughts play wanton pranks.

From this passage, Nietzsche (1886) believed that knowledge is built on the foundation of ignorance. We want to know things, but we also want to stay ignorant. We want to be free, thoughtless, and happy.

Nietzsche argues that we need both knowledge and ignorance to live a full life. Language should not limit our thinking. Language often forces us to think in terms of opposites,when there are many gradations between them (Nietzsche 1886).

Again, Nietzsche argues that morality can limit our thinking by telling us that we should be truthful and avoid making mistakes, but sometimes mistakes are necessary for us to enjoy life.

Nietzsche's theories on knowledge and ignorance are very thought-provoking:

• His views force us to juxtapose truths and things that are not true.
• His views also challenge us to embrace the complexity of life and to understand that knowledge and ignorance are both necessary to fully enjoy life and get the most out of it.

Here are some additional thoughts on Nietzsche's views on knowledge and ignorance:

• Our thoughts and language create our own reality and they also can limit it.
• We simplify and falsify the world to make it comfortable and manageable
• Knowledge can sometimes be dangerous leading to rigidity and rendering some people to believe that their truths are always truths regardless of the evidence. This can lead to suppression of creativity and spontaneity.

Should we be wary of people who claim to know everything? Are such people only motivated by power and control?

Do uncertainty and ambiguity fuel our creativity and growth?

When we answer these questions honestly and weigh the evidence they open us up to a unique perspective on the relationship between reality's nature and the role that knowledge plays in our lives.

Nietzsche's views on knowledge and ignorance are very complex, and this blog post is a good start for anyone interested in learning about Nietzche.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494

Virtues

 Our Virtues

Nietzsche argues that we, the Europeans of the day after tomorrow, have our own virtues. These virtues are not the same as those of our grandfathers, who were more sincere and massive in their moral character. Our virtues are more complex and nuanced, reflecting our own unique values and experiences.

Nietzsche believes that we should search for our own virtues in our own labyrinths. This means that we should not blindly follow the moral codes of our ancestors, but should instead create our own moral code based on our own needs and desires.

Nietzsche also argues that we should believe in our own virtues. This means that we should be confident in our own moral compass, even if it differs from the moral compass of others.

Nietzsche's views on virtue are controversial. Some people believe that he is advocating for a kind of moral relativism, where anything goes. Others believe that he is simply pointing out that there is no one right way to be moral, and that we should all create our own moral code based on our own values.

Regardless of one's interpretation of Nietzsche's views on virtue, there is no doubt that he was a profound thinker who challenged us to think critically about our own moral beliefs.

Take some time and self-reflect:

1. What are your own virtues?
2. Are they different from your parents or even your grandparents?
3. Do you believe in your own virtues or are you just going through the motions?

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494

 Socratism and the Morality of Plato

Nietzsche (1886) writes that Plato's philosophy there was an element of morality that did not originate from himself. This element is the presence of Socratism which is the belief that all evil is done unwittingly. Plato did not believe that entirely. Socrtatism theorized that man is only evil because of ignorance, but if someone frees him of this ignorance he will not do evil. Nietzsche (1886) writes that this mode of reasoning is simplistic and appeals to the masses. He also states in his writing that any system of utilitarianism can be traced back to the theory that it is stupid to do wrong and that good is synonymous with "useful and pleasant" (Nietzsche 1886).

Plato tried to interpret something refined and noble into the tenets of his teacher, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. He was too far removed from the common people to understand their way of thinking. As a result, his interpretation of Socrates was distorted and unrealistic.

The Platonic Socrates

• The Platonic Socrates is a fictional character created by Plato. He is a wise man who uses questions and logic to help people learn and grow. He is always changing his approach, depending on the person he is talking to. This ability to shapeshift is what makes him so powerful. He is able to get inside the minds of his interlocutors and help them to see things in a new light.

• The Platonic Socrates is a reflection of Plato himself. Plato was a complex and multifaceted thinker, and he was always searching for new ways to understand the world. The Platonic Socrates is a manifestation of this search, and he represents Plato's attempt to capture the essence of human wisdom.

Nietzsche's critique is insightful and thought-provoking. However, it is important to note that it is just one perspective on Plato's philosophy. There are many other ways to interpret Plato's work, and not everyone agrees with Nietzsche's assessment.

For example, some scholars argue that Plato's morality is not simplistic at all, but is instead complex and sophisticated. They point to the fact that Plato's dialogues often explore the nuances of moral decision-making, and that he does not always offer easy answers.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they agree with Nietzsche's critique of Plato's morality. However, the blog post you have provided provides a useful starting point for thinking about this issue.

Some additional thoughts on Nietzsche's critique of Plato's morality:

• Nietzsche's critique of Plato's morality is based on his own philosophy, which is often critical of traditional morality. Nietzsche believes that morality is often used to control and manipulate people, and that it can be harmful to individual freedom.
• Plato's philosophy is often seen as being more optimistic than Nietzsche's. Plato believes that it is possible to achieve a just and harmonious society, and that this can be done through education and reason.

The debate between Nietzsche and Plato is still relevant today. There is no easy answer to the question of whether or not morality is simplistic or complex. It is a complex issue that has been debated by philosophers for centuries.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494

 

Nietzsche and "Fasting"

Nietzsche (1886) wrote that industrious races often find it difficult to be idle. He also mentions that the English made Sunday a day of rest to look forward to the work week ahead. Nietzsche saw this as a fast similar to those found in ancient cultures. He felt that a fast was defined as "powerful habits and influences were controlled through periods of restraint" (Nietzsche 1886). Nietzsche (1886) saw fasting as not being limited to food and that it also referred to abstaining from certain impulses or habits, which purified and sharpened them.

Nietzsche also wrote that fasting had been practiced by religious and philosophical groups throughout history as a way to control impulses and purify the mind. He believed that fasting could help to reduce cravings and distractions, and provide an opportunity for introspection and reflection. He mentions the Stoics in ancient Greece who believed that the key to happiness was to live in accordance with nature, and how they believed that fasting could help to strengthen their willpower and discipline.

Nietzsche (1886) also wrote that this fasting concept could be applied to love and the sexual impulse. He writes that during the Christian period of European history, because of the pressure of Christian sentiments, the urge for sex was modified into a more socially acceptable form called love. Nietzsche (1886) wrote that this was a form of fasting, where the impulse is controlled and refined. In other words, he was saying that by fasting from instant sexual gratification, the impulse would be more refined in the form of love. This fasting of instant sexual gratification would lead to a deeper and more meaningful relationship between two people.

In conclusion, Nietzsche was claiming that fasting could be a powerful tool, not just in relation to eating. By taking a break from certain behaviors, we actually have time to reflect and sharpen our minds.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494