Note to Frederich Nietzsche

[Ragamuffin]

You didn't get the last word.


"God is dead"
Fred


"Fred is dead"
God



Ragamuffin

 

[MoonlessNight]

So, since Nietzsche died his theories have no worth?

 

[Ragamuffin]

So, since Nietzsche died his theories have no worth?

I don't know, you tell me; what about his theories do you believe are true and why do you believe that? How have you seen his theories positively impact society?

 

[MoonlessNight]

I'm not really that familiar with Nietszche myself, but dismissing his theories because he died does not follow. I would have said the same thing if you had posted about anyone, unless it was part of their philosophy that they were immortal.

 

[Ragamuffin]

Defending a theory that asserts God as being dead from a man who dies is intrinsically curious, thought provoking, and perhaps ironic. I thought it was sedistically funny.
If what he claimed is true, he remains the breakfast of insect champions. If what he said is not true, and I would pitch my tent in that camp (as I am sure you have your rightful and important opinion), then it is not as much funny as sad. I apologize if it was off flavor to you.

Ragamuffin

 

[MoonlessNight]

I just don't see how him stating that "God is Dead", (which had to be metaphorical in order to make sense anyways) has any relation to him being dead. If I say "Napoleon Bonaparte is dead" is it ironic when I eventually die? Or for a better analogy if I had said in Ancient Greece "Zeus is dead" and then proceeded to die how would that be ironic?

 

[Ragamuffin]

The premise of my thought is that men on earth make such great boasts about so many things spiritual. And when they do, it often times is with such a degree of pomp, pride, and superiority that I wonder what, when confronted with their statements on the day of thier death (when we will ultimately discover what our trust has been in al of our life), they would have to say. I don't limit this to non-Christians. So many things are said in Christianity... that would make somebody somewhere roll over in their grave.
My perspective is from that of a Christian believer. In my reality, I trust God, and through the experience of knowing Him and relying on Him, I believe that He is and what He said is true. Having said that, I read what this man says, and think it to be rediculous and I chuckle.

Ragamuffin

 

[foolsparade]

Defending a theory that asserts God as being dead from a man who dies is intrinsically curious, thought provoking, and perhaps ironic. I thought it was sedistically funny.
If what he claimed is true, he remains the breakfast of insect champions. If what he said is not true, and I would pitch my tent in that camp (as I am sure you have your rightful and important opinion), then it is not as much funny as sad. I apologize if it was off flavor to you.

Ragamuffin

You thought it was funny because you have no clue as to what Nietzsche was implying with "God is Dead". Would you like to discuss it? Care to tell me what Nietzsche was getting at? Can God be made the object of synthetic knowledge without death entering in him???

 

[burrow_owl]

"God is dead" doesn't really have anything to do with God - it's part of Nietzsche's overall hermeneutic theory of the underdetermination of meaning by the text that produces it.

It's a variant of the 'there are many legitimate interpretations' thesis. Lest you condemn that as all post-modern and evil, don't forget that the same polysemic theory of meaning was advanced by St. Augustine, who saw it as a byproduct of God's wisdom, in that the same words on a page could affect so many people in so many different ways. People may arrive at Jesus through many interpretive routes, but that's fine so long as the destination is the same.

 

[Ragamuffin]

Your signature assures me of your insight as well as your convictions regarding Nietzche. I would rather talk about the demise of the Detroit Lions since the departure of Barry Sanders than go deeper. To answer your question Foolsparade, I could give a rat's flea about his ideologies, and besides, the depth of my ignorance is so deep regarding Nietzche's philosophies, I would rather remain dumb and entertained, than to be "dis"graced by his teachings. Care to discuss the intricacies of the sometimes illogical BCS poll?

Peace,
Ragamuffin

 

[Havoc]

You didn't get the last word.

I passed your remarks on to Nietzsche and he discussed them with Goddess. Neither of them sees your pont.

 

[Eudaimonist]

You didn't get the last word.

"God is dead"
Fred


"Fred is dead"
God

Ragamuffin

And if Freddy N. died an "atheist's death", finding oblivion due to the non-existence of any God, then what?

 

[Jacob4Jesus]

Your signature assures me of your insight as well as your convictions regarding Nietzche. I would rather talk about the demise of the Detroit Lions since the departure of Barry Sanders than go deeper. To answer your question Foolsparade, I could give a rat's flea about his ideologies, and besides, the depth of my ignorance is so deep regarding Nietzche's philosophies, I would rather remain dumb and entertained, than to be "dis"graced by his teachings. Care to discuss the intricacies of the sometimes illogical BCS poll?

Peace,
Ragamuffin

So, if you are not willing to know more about Nietzsche, how can you shoot down something he said. You could be shooting down an idea that you totally agree with.

 

[Ragamuffin]

I suppose you are right. I would invite anyone to share with me the benefit of his life and ideas.

What was the theme of his teachings?
Can you sum up his life in a nutshell?
In your opinion, what kind of lagacy did he leave?
What are the results of his way of life? How did they affect others?
Where are the majority of writings contained?

Curiously wondering,
Ragamuffin

 

[Ragamuffin]

Your quote and signature: "As a Eudaimonist, I think the greatest moral achievement is the self-actualization and happiness of the individual in this life, which requires such means as rationality, good character, and friendship."


Let me ask you a few questions if I may about Eudaimonism.

If self-actualization and happiness is the greatest moral achievement, then what happens when you get in the way of my happiness? Is it then my right, for the ultimate purpose of moral acheivement, to use whatever means necessary to remove you, attack you, or even worse?

Who decides what the traits of good character are? Is it good character to be greedy, because money sure brings me happiness? If an adult has a sexual relationship with a consenting 14 year old (legal in Canada) for the sake of his happiness, is that O.K.? What is the basis for good character in Eudaimonism?

My intention is not to bash Aristotle, but to find the origin of htese thoughts and logically follow them to their conclusions.

Ragamuffin

 

[Ragamuffin]

Maybe they are not as smart and quick-witted as you think they are.

Rag

 

[foolsparade]

Your signature assures me of your insight as well as your convictions regarding Nietzche. I would rather talk about the demise of the Detroit Lions since the departure of Barry Sanders than go deeper. To answer your question Foolsparade, I could give a rat's flea about his ideologies, and besides, the depth of my ignorance is so deep regarding Nietzche's philosophies, I would rather remain dumb and entertained, than to be "dis"graced by his teachings. Care to discuss the intricacies of the sometimes illogical BCS poll?

Peace,
Ragamuffin

Why did you start this thread? are you just a troll? If you want to play little games then perhaps you should visit the TEEN section. What are Nietzsche's teachings? and if you don't know anything about them, then how do you presuppose you would be disgraced by them? Like I said before I think you are a troll, you start a thread in the philosophy section, You mock God as if he would find someone who has died funny, and then you admit you are not even interested in a discussion. I know there has to be a rule violation in there somewhere.

 

[Ragamuffin]

It seems I have touched on a nerve. The teen section didn't think I was funny or cool, so I figured this was the only place for a misfit.

Now that I have been spit upon and ridiculed, my curiosity is genuinely piqued. Read up in the thread somewhere; I have asked some very well-intentioned and sincere questions that NOBODY has answered yet. Not even you.

Honestly I started this thread because of an old Benny Hill show where they posted that quip. Now that is pathetic.

What God do I mock? Your God? My God? Which God is that? What are his attributes? What do you know about my God or for that matter, your God? You are great at your little humoring stabs and jabs and hatred toward anything Christian, but don't seem in the least interested in sharing your beliefs and the basis on which they stand. I am trying to understand your perspective on life and your worldview and have meaningful dialogue. You are very intruiging and I am interested in learning more about you.

I apologize for the bad taste in regarding someone's death as funny. It really is sad more than anything. My bad.



Ragamuffin

 

[Eudaimonist]

If self-actualization and happiness is the greatest moral achievement, then what happens when you get in the way of my happiness? Is it then my right, for the ultimate purpose of moral acheivement, to use whatever means necessary to remove you, attack you, or even worse?

If you were to physically attack me, it would be appropriate for me to defend myself with reasonable force. But generally no. Happiness in the sense that I mean it isn't some limited external resource that one needs to steal from others to have for oneself -- it is earned through one's own efforts. Perhaps you are thinking about a hedonistic conception of happiness as merely a sum of accumulated pleasures, or as merely pursuing what one happens to desire, but that's not what I mean. I'm talking about something closer to a healthy self-esteem generated by making choices in life that preserve one's self-respect. (Come to think of it, without self-respect, how can there be happiness in any sense?)

Who decides what the traits of good character are?

It isn't a question of "who", any more than figuring out if the Earth is round depends on who is saying so. This is something that needs to be reasoned out from life experience, and so there can be right and wrong answers regardless of who is speaking.

Is it good character to be greedy, because money sure brings me happiness?

That depends on what you mean by "greed". Money doesn't bring happiness, though working in a profession where one may make money through honest means, and in which one finds the work challenging and fulfilling, may very well help bring happiness.

If an adult has a sexual relationship with a consenting 14 year old (legal in Canada) for the sake of his happiness, is that O.K.?

Good question. That's a very specific question, and I'm not sure where I would draw the line. I suppose I would start by pointing out that such a person is likely mistaken that sex with a 14 year old will bring him happiness. What sort of fulfilling relationship can an adult have with a 14 year old? Remember that I said that I don't mean "happiness" in a hedonistic way, so people who are pursuing physical pleasure alone are actually falling far short of what they may best pursue.

What is the basis for good character in Eudaimonism?

I'll get to this question later. Gotta run now.

 

[foolsparade]

I am not conviced of your sincerity at all, but in the interest of intellectual enlightenment I will give a few answers for now. Being an atheist, I need to leave soon and commit all kinds of sinning.
What was the theme of his teachings?
I am not aware of any "teachings" other than life-affirmation. I suppose he wanted people to think more and to question everything.
Can you sum up his life in a nutshell? His father and grandfather were both Lutheran ministers, he was planning on becoming one himself and majored in theology when he first entered college. He almost suddenly became an atheist and changed his majors to philology{the study and interpretation of classical and biblical texts}, He was a brillant student and received his doctorate and became a professor at the age of 24. He retired at age 34 because of bad health. He started writing books. The last year of his sane life 1888, he completed 5 books, he went insane around Jan.6 1889. He died in 1900.[insanity may have been cause by a slowly developing brain tumor}
In your opinion, what kind of lagacy did he leave? I don't know.
What are the results of his way of life? How did they affect others? I don't know
Where are the majority of writings contained? Huh?