Between the Prophets and Nihilism

Between the Prophets and Nihilism PDF Author: O'Mara William Edward, IV
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355308112
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
The problem addressed in this study is nihilism. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche traced its origin to the long history of apocalyptic and eschatological thought in Western religions, and to the survival of the linear and universalizing aspects of their theology in modern secular thought. Nietzsche saw this unconscious legacy affecting everything from Enlightenment philosophes, to the natural and biological sciences, to politics and economics. An existential crisis in European civilization---the advent of nihilism---thus came about because of the "death of God", i.e., the loss of unshakeable objective faith amongst Europeans in the truth of the Abrahamic faiths.I take seriously Nietzsche's suggestion in Thus Spoke Zarathustra of a genealogical relationship between the ancient Iranians and the ancient Hebrews, which Nietzsche scholars have neglected. Exploring that historical interchange allows us to establish that Zoroastrian concepts of universal time and absolute morality entered Judaism, and thus the West, at a formative stage. I then discuss some key modern thinkers to which Nietzsche's project responded, and show that apocalyptic eschatology lived on in the work of Kant, Hegel, Marx, and the Darwinians. Having established for himself that modernity was tainted at its origin by this kernel of religious dogma, Nietzsche saw no need to save modernity from itself, and thus looked beyond it, and beyond the naive worship of reason that underpinned it.The solution to the problem of nihilism, in Nietzsche's view, was not to overcome religion, but to transform it. What was needed was a new mythology---one consistent with the natural sciences, and one which glorified the world as it is, and not an ideal world to come. His challenging notions of Eternal Recurrence and Overhumanity were contributions to this new, life-affirming mythology.I make use of an extensive body of primary sources, ranging from the works of philosophers and scientists of the nineteenth century, to that of the ancient Greeks whom Nietzsche so admired, to the scriptural traditions of Zoroastrianism and Judaism. The work involves close reading and historical contextualization, seeking to establish contingent relationships as ideas moved and were transformed over time.

Between the Prophets and Nihilism

Between the Prophets and Nihilism PDF Author: O'Mara William Edward, IV
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355308112
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book Here

Book Description
The problem addressed in this study is nihilism. The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche traced its origin to the long history of apocalyptic and eschatological thought in Western religions, and to the survival of the linear and universalizing aspects of their theology in modern secular thought. Nietzsche saw this unconscious legacy affecting everything from Enlightenment philosophes, to the natural and biological sciences, to politics and economics. An existential crisis in European civilization---the advent of nihilism---thus came about because of the "death of God", i.e., the loss of unshakeable objective faith amongst Europeans in the truth of the Abrahamic faiths.I take seriously Nietzsche's suggestion in Thus Spoke Zarathustra of a genealogical relationship between the ancient Iranians and the ancient Hebrews, which Nietzsche scholars have neglected. Exploring that historical interchange allows us to establish that Zoroastrian concepts of universal time and absolute morality entered Judaism, and thus the West, at a formative stage. I then discuss some key modern thinkers to which Nietzsche's project responded, and show that apocalyptic eschatology lived on in the work of Kant, Hegel, Marx, and the Darwinians. Having established for himself that modernity was tainted at its origin by this kernel of religious dogma, Nietzsche saw no need to save modernity from itself, and thus looked beyond it, and beyond the naive worship of reason that underpinned it.The solution to the problem of nihilism, in Nietzsche's view, was not to overcome religion, but to transform it. What was needed was a new mythology---one consistent with the natural sciences, and one which glorified the world as it is, and not an ideal world to come. His challenging notions of Eternal Recurrence and Overhumanity were contributions to this new, life-affirming mythology.I make use of an extensive body of primary sources, ranging from the works of philosophers and scientists of the nineteenth century, to that of the ancient Greeks whom Nietzsche so admired, to the scriptural traditions of Zoroastrianism and Judaism. The work involves close reading and historical contextualization, seeking to establish contingent relationships as ideas moved and were transformed over time.

The Prophets of Nihilism

The Prophets of Nihilism PDF Author: Sean Illing
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781680530261
Category : Nihilism (Philosophy)
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
In this engaging study, Sean Illing examines the impact of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Friedrich Nietzsche on the development of Albert Camus's political philosophy. It innovatively attempt to offer a substantive examination of Camus's dialogue with Nietzsche and Dostoevsky. The connections among these writers have been discussed in the general context of modern thought or via overlapping literary themes. This project emphasizes the political dimensions of these connections. In addition to re-interpreting Camus's political thought, the aim is to clarify Camus's struggle with transcendence and to bring renewed attention to his unique understanding of the relationship between nihilism, ideology, and political violence in the twentieth century. The book focuses on Camus's dialogue with Nietzsche and Dostoevsky for three reasons. First, these are the thinkers with whom Camus is most engaged. Indeed, the problems and themes of Camus's work are largely defined by Dostoevsky and Nietzsche; a full account of this dialogue will therefore enhance our understanding of Camus while also reinforcing the enduring importance of Nietzsche and Dostoevsky. Second, it allows a recasting of Camus' political philosophy as both a synthesis of and a response to Nietzsche and Dostoevsky's projects. Finally, this approach allows for a reassessment of Camus's broader political significance, which I contend has been undervalued in the literature. Ultimately, I argue that Camus remains among the most important moral and political voices of the twentieth century. Although limited, his philosophy of revolt offers a humane portrait of justice and articulates a meaningful alternative to the extremes of ideological politics.

Against Nihilism

Against Nihilism PDF Author: Stepenberg Maia Stepenberg
Publisher: Black Rose Books Ltd.
ISBN: 1551646781
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
Described by Thomas Mann as "e;brothers in spirit, but tragically grotesque companions in misfortune,"e; Nietzsche and Dostoevsky remain towering figures in the intellectual development of European modernity. Maia Johnson-Stepenberg's accessible new introduction to these philosophers compares their writings on key topics such as criminality, Christianity, and the figure of the "e;outsider"e; to reveal the urgency and contemporary resonance of their shared struggle against nihilism. Against Nihilism also considers nihilism in the context of current political and social struggles, placing Nietzsche and Dostoevsky's contributions at the heart of important contemporary debates regarding community, identity, and meaning. Inspired by class discussions with her students and aimed at first-team readers of Nietzsche and Dostoevsky, Against Nihilism provides an accessible, unique comparative study of these two key thinkers.

Nietzsche’s Lenzer Heide Notes on European Nihilism

Nietzsche’s Lenzer Heide Notes on European Nihilism PDF Author: Daniel Fidel Ferrer
Publisher: Daniel Fidel Ferrer
ISBN: 1979968594
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
Nietzsche’s Lenzer Heide Notes on European Nihilism / By Daniel Fidel Ferrer. ©2020 Daniel Fidel Ferrer. All rights reserved. Book formatted: 177 pages. Publisher: Kuhn von Verden Verlag. Language: English ISBN-13: 978-1979968591. Includes many bibliographical references. I have translated the entire group of Nietzsche’s notes that start with a note giving Nietzsche’s location “Lenzer Heide” (Graubünden, Switzerland) dated June 10, 1887 (Lenzer Heide den 10. Juni 1887). From the first note, eKGWB/NF-1886. 5 [71] and then subsection ending at the final note: eKGWB/NF-1886. 5 [110]. Volume information, KSA 12. Nachgelassene Fragmente 1885-1887, (1967). Section for this notebook is five. 5 = NVÜ3. Sommer 1886—Herbst 1887. Pages for this subsection are p. 211-229 (KSA 12). Over 190+ Nietzsche’s notes are also translated in this book. Additional materials from his published writing are included in the topics discussed. Principle conclusion: all of Nietzsche’s philosophical thought can be seen as his response to the urgent crisis of Nihilism. Countermovement to Nihilism. “The tragic era for Europe: due to the struggle with nihilism.” (Das tragische Zeitalter für Europa: bedingt durch den Kampf mit dem Nihilismus). KGWB/NF-1886, 7 [31]. More translations from all of Nietzsche’s writings covering such topic as: the eternal return of the same, Will to Power, B. Spinoza, concept of meaninglessness, Nihilism and Nietzsche Thought, Stages or the outline of Nihilism, Chronological Nietzsche’s Thoughts on Nihilism, and Nietzsche on the Nihilist. Nietzsche Contra Metaphysics: Rejection of ontology and Being Rejection of God Rejection of metaphysicians Rejection of the idea of eternal Rejection of supersensuous Rejection of Platonism Rejection of the dignity of humanity (metaphysicians) Rejection of eternal values Rejection of immorality Possible Metaphysical Claims for the idea of Will-to-Power, Connection of Will to Power and Amor Fati, Anti-metaphysical and perspectivism, Nietzsche's Metahistory of philosophy, and Bibliographic sources.

Medical Nihilism

Medical Nihilism PDF Author: Jacob Stegenga
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198747047
Category : MEDICAL
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
"Medical nihilism is the view that we should have little confidence in the effectiveness of medical interventions. This book argues that medical nihilism is a compelling view of modern medicine. If we consider the frequency of failed medical interventions, the extent of misleading evidence in medical research, the thin theoretical basis of many interventions, and the malleability of empirical methods in medicine, and if we employ our best inductive framework, then our confidence in the effectiveness of medical interventions ought to be low" --

Between Nihilism and Faith

Between Nihilism and Faith PDF Author: Karsten Harries
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
ISBN: 3110226898
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
If the Enlightenment turned to reason to reoccupy the place left vacant by the death of God, the history of the last two centuries has undermined the confidence that reason will bind freedom and keep it responsible. We cannot escape this history, which has issued in a pervasive nihilism and has rendered all appeals to the ethical questionable. Nor could Kierkegaard. The specter of nihilism haunts all of his writings, as it haunts already German romanticism, to which he is so indebted. To exorcize it is his most fundamental concern. And it is the same fundamentally religious concern that makes Kierkegaard so relevant to our situation: What today is to make life meaningful? If not reason, does the turn to the aesthetic promise an answer? To really choose is to bind freedom. Either-Or calls us to make such a choice, i.e. to be authentic. But what does it mean to be authentic? How are we today to think of such an authentic choice? As autonomous action? As a blind leap? As a leap of faith? Either/Or circles around these questions.

The Prophets

The Prophets PDF Author: Klaus Koch
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 9781451412604
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
"An excellent introduction to the prophets and the prophetic literature?The goal of the book is to understand the thought of the prophets in their historical contexts, and to communicate that understanding for our time. Its approach, while innovative, builds upon he best of contemporary analysis of the prophetic literature."--Gene M. TuckerCandler School of TheologyEmory University"Koch's first volume on the prophets of ancient Israel displays his sound and creative scholarship and will fill a bibliographical gap?He displays the individuality of each prophet with perceptive insight, but he also compares and interrelates them in his various summaries. Furthermore, Koch relates his study of individual prophets to theological currents that have been flowing through the scholarly world in recent decades."--Bernhard W. Anderson

Father Seraphim Rose

Father Seraphim Rose PDF Author: Damascene (Hieromonk)
Publisher: St. Xenia Skete Press
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 1164

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Book Description


Nihilism

Nihilism PDF Author: Seraphim Rose
Publisher: St. Xenia Skete Press
ISBN: 9781887904063
Category : Absurd (Philosophy)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"In 1962, the young Eugene Rose undertook to write a monumental chronicle of the abandonment of Truth in the modern age. Of the hundreds of pages of material he compiled for this work, only the present essay, on Nihilism, has come down to us in completed form. Here Eugene reveals the core of all modern thought and life--the belief that all truth is relative--and shows how this belief has been translated into action in our era. Today, nearly half a century after he wrote it, this essay is more timely than ever. It clearly explains why contemporary ideas, values, and attitudes--the "spirit of the age"--are shifting so rapidly in the direction of moral anarchy, as the philosophy of Nihilism enters more deeply into the fiber of society. Nietszche was right when he predicted that the twentieth century would usher in "the triumph of Nihilism."--Back cover.

The Politics of Nihilism

The Politics of Nihilism PDF Author: Nitzan Lebovic
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1623562562
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
Contemporary politics is faced, on the one hand, with political stagnation and lack of a progressive vision on the side of formal, institutional politics, and, on the other, with various social movements that venture to challenge modern understandings of representation, participation,and democracy. Interestingly, both institutional and anti-institutional sides of this antagonism tend to accuse each other of "nihilism", namely, of mere oppositional destructiveness and failure to offer a constructive, positive alternative to the status quo. Nihilism seems, then, all engulfing. In order to better understand this political situation and ourselves within it,The Politics of Nihilism proposes a thorough theoretical examination of the concept of nihilism and its historical development followed by critical studies of Israeli politics and culture. The authors show that, rather than a mark of mutual opposition and despair, nihilism is a fruitful category for tracing and exploring the limits of political critique, rendering them less rigid and opening up a space of potentiality for thought, action, and creation.