The Philosophies of Descartes, Nietzsche and Schopenhauer Lesson 7/9 October 2013

Atheism – “there is no God” Before exploring the work of a few philosophers, let’s distinguish between two words. Atheism – “there is no God” Agnostic – There may be a God, will stay indifferent

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) French Philosopher, scientist and mathematician (think Cartesian theory x-y axis!) Sometimes called the father of modern philosophy

Descartes Philosophy Attempted to apply the rational inductive methods of science, and particularly mathematics, to philosophy. Inductive reasoning: the process of reasoning to probable explanations or judgements

Scholasticism Before Descartes, philosophy had been dominated by the method of Scholasticism Scholasticism was based on comparing and contrasting the views of recognized authorities St. Thomas Aquinas

Quote Descartes, determined to hold nothing true until he had established grounds for believing it true (scientific approach) Descartes finally concludes that he cannot be deceived into thinking that he does not exist when in fact he does, for unless something existed there would be nothing to deceive.

Cogito ergo sum The single sure fact from which his investigations began was expressed by Descartes in the famous quote: ‘I think, therefore I am.’ From this beginning Descartes argued the existence of God God according to Descartes’ philosophy, created two classes of substance that make up the whole of reality.

Two Substances One class was thinking substances, or minds The other class was extended substances, or bodies This ‘Two Substance’ approach lead to the Cartesian theory known as: Dualism

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) A German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist He became one of the most provocative and influential thinkers of the 19th century.

Life and Work Born in Röcken, Prussia to a Lutheran minister and his wife - his father died when he was 5 Raised by his mother, grandmother, two aunts and a sister Studied classical philology at the universities of Bonn and Leipzig Appointed professor of classical philology at the University of Basel at the age of 24.

Health and Death Ill health – poor eyesight and migraine headaches – forced his retirement in 1879 Ten years later he suffered a mental breakdown from which he never recovered He died in Weimar on August 25, 1900

Influences In addition to the influences of Greek culture, particularly the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle He was also influenced by: the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer Darwin’s theory of evolution His friendship with composer Richard Wagner

Selected Writings The Birth of Tragedy Thus Spoke Zarathustra Beyond Good and Evil On the Genealogy of Morals The Antichrist Ecce Homo The Will to Power

Belief Nietzsche basic philosophical point was that traditional values – mostly represented by Christianity – had lost their power in the lives of individuals Nietzsche proclaimed: God is dead. Traditional values represented a “slave morality”, created by weak and resentful individuals who encouraged gentleness and kindness because this behaviour served their interests.

Solution: Superman Nietzsche claimed that new values could be created to replace traditional ones This led to his concept of the overman or superman: Übermensch

Qualities of the Übermensch This new man was independent, secure and highly individualistic. He feels deeply but his passions are rationally controlled His focus is on the this world, the real world, not the next world He is a creator of values and a “master of morality” that reflects strength and independence of one who is liberated from all values, except those that he deems valid.

Will to Power Nietzsche maintained that all human behaviour is motivated by the will to power. This is not simply power over others, but the power over oneself that is necessary for true or authentic creativity This is found in the individual’s independence, creativity and originality.

Historic Examples Although Nietzsche denied that any overmen had yet arisen he does mentioned several individual who could serve as models. Anyone see anything wrong with this picture? Shakespeare Julius Ceasar Napoleon Socrates Jesus

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860) A German philosopher, who is known for his philosophy of pessimism Pessimism: A tendency to stress the negative or unfavourable or to take the gloomiest possible view

Background Born in Danzig, he was educated at several universities including Berlin Settled in Frankfurt where led a solitary life

Influences Became deeply involved in the study of Hindu and Buddhist philosophy and mysticism Also influenced by the German mystic and theologian Meister Eckhart As well as scholars of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment

Major Work His book The World as Will and Idea (1819) proposed his dominant ethical and metaphysical ideas of atheistic and pessimistic philosophy This was in sharp contrast to the dominant German philosopher of the time G.W.F. Hegel who believed in the spiritual nature of reality

Philosophy According to Schopenhauer the will is not limited to voluntary action; all experienced activity of the self is the will – even the subconscious thoughts or actions Tragedy results as the will constantly urges the individual toward goals none of which can provide permanent or lasting satisfaction What is this similar too? (last assignment)

Philosophy - 2 Thus, the will inevitably leads a person to pain, suffering and death This cycle is repeated in rebirth (reincarnation) It can only be brought under control through an attitude of resignation In which the reason governs the will to the extent that all striving or desire ceases. How pessimistic is that?

Understanding Schopenhauer’s philosophy revealed the strong influence that Buddhism and Christianity had on his ideas His pessimism indicates a gross misinterpretation of both traditions

Philosophy of Love Schopenhauer was also renowned for his hostility towards women He argued that human sexual activity are not the result of sentimental love but by the irrational impulses of the will

Who he influenced? Schopenhauer had little influence on philosophy of his own time but was very influential on the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, as well as the musical work of Richard Wagner. Both of whom had a profound effect on the actions and ideas of this man…

The Result

Consolidation With a partner, use you phone to find a quote from each philosopher. On a piece of paper, write each quote and answer the following question. How does this quote represent the theories/beliefs of its author?