On the uses and abuses of history for life - Nietzsche

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In 1874 the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, (yes, the same Nietzsche of “God is dead”) penned some notes titled “On the uses and abuses of history for life.”

If you want to read a highly intellectual discourse on Nietzsche’s article, you will find it here.


Nietzsche’s concept was novel in 1874. History is not “a thing in itself,” like mathmatics, but something always seen from a perspective (especially from the current perspective, in which it serves a living purpose…agenda). If this is frightening, Nietzsche further realized that history could be manipulated. There is the UNHISTORIC mode of destroying history, forgetting it, rewriting (revision); there is the HISTORIC mode of collecting, documenting, memorializing the past; and the SUPRAHISTORIC mode which belongs, (according to Nietzsche, who was always seeking a superman, instead of discovering Jesus Christ) to “great men” like Napoleon or Caesar. Men in the SUPRAHISTORIC mode consciously, by their will, destroy and create new history simultaneously.

The German philosopher, Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel, believed that only the rational is real (this would exclude God and religion). Hegel believed that the STATE was the highest achievement and the only thing worthy of reverence. This contradicts the First Commandment

Exodus 20:3-5

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Both Marxism (communism) and Naziism derive atheism and worship of the State from Hegel.

Nietzsche’s concept of using history as a manipulative tool is commonplace today We used to say “To the victor belong the spoils” (that includes the ownership of history). World War II history is mostly written from the Allied perspective because the Allies won. Civil War history is mostly viewed from the perspective of the Union, because they won the war.

Interestingly, revolutionaries, too, like the Marxists leading BLM and Antifa, can adopt the UNHISTORICAL perspective of destroying, suppressing, erasing, or forgetting any history contrary to their current agenda. This is why statues are being toppled. Nietzsche observed that the UNHISTORICAL unleashes a kind of violent, joyful, animal-like energy that is actually widely appealing to some people as a “life force.” This can be a prelude to the emergence of a SUPRAHISTORICAL dictator.

Will that dictator be a Communist, a Nazi, or Antichrist? The outcome will not be positive for humanity.
 
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Not an accurate portrayal of Hegel. I majored in Econ Stats, but took many fun classes in Philosophy. One was a class on Hegel. What they say about Hegel, is not true of Hegel who some refer to as the Protestant Aquinas. Hegel believed History followed the course of reason with freedom being the ultimate goal of History. This is how he outlines History in Introduction to the History of the World. Where freedom starts out as freedom for one, the King or the dictator, then moves on to freedom for some, the aristocrats, to freedom for all the Democratic Republic.

In Hegels Elements of Philosophy of Right, three quarters of the book are spent on family, neighbor, community, civil society, before even mentioning anything about the function of the State. Again, in Hegels estimation no state could exist without the fundamental family and community being protected and established. Again, when Hegel does mention the State, the States only function is to be a figurehead of the will of the people to foreign states.

But again, that is what you get for reading about an author, instead of reading an author. Finally, I’ve read most of Nietzche. And I never find him impressive. The allure of Nietzche is that he is easy to read and openly offensive. It also occurred to me that Nietzche wouldn’t be a fan of any of his readers, who are don’t resemble the Superman; instead, Nietzche would be a fab of Jeffrey Epstein, who probably never read Nietzche. Aristocratic, wealthy, tall living by his own moral code until old age. I’m not a fan of a Jeffery Epstein, the guy obviously has problems and was potentially evil. But Nietzche would approve.

But again, everyone wants to be smart instead of wise…
 
I’ve read a lot of Nietzsche, too. Remarkable how spiritually blind he was (considering he descended from a line of Lutheran Pastors). I think he couldn’t see that Jesus Christ was the true “Ubermann” as evidenced by his resurrection and miraculous healings.

The writings of Nietzsche encourage some kind of self-liberation from all morality. I concluded that Nietzsche was demonized. There is just enough truth and brilliant thought in his work to seduce people into destruction.

I took many philosophy classes in university. We touched on Hegel, but not extensively. I’ll admit that I have not read Hegel’s own works. I will defer to your knowledge of Hegel.

As a confirmed Catholic, I have the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments, and the Bible for guidance. They suffice and are not cluttered by the thoughts of “mere men.” To discuss philosophy, I have to fetch back 45 years, and I consider myself well beyond ruminating extensively on philosophy now.

My discussion of Nietzsche and the manipulation of history is written to inform people who do not grasp the meaning of the UNHISTORICAL (the destruction or erasing of history) to further CURRENT political agendas. Nietzsche was correct about this, and as far as I know he was the first to outline the uses and abuses of history for life. What we are witnessing in the streets is not about black lives, Confederates, white people, slave owners, etc. This is a ploy to seize power by any means, erase everything, and create a new totalitarian state. It will result in a bloodbath. As Nietzsche noted, the UNHISTORICAL is associated with energy and movement and joy. Is this “energy” demonic and the “joy” a deception? I think so.
 
The title of my post is about Nietzsche’s article “On the uses and abuses of history for life.”

Don’t get distracted by discussions of Hegel, who I admit is not my forte’

That does not invalidate my discussion of Nietzsche and the manipulation of history for current agendas…which is what we are seeing in the streets of America today. My title is not about Hegel.

Some people are so allergic to the name “Nietzsche” that they can’t think straight. Hardly the demeanor of philosophers.

Goes with the collapse of free speech and free thought being fostered in our universities today.
 
RepetantCatholic said:
But again, that is what you get for reading about an author, instead of reading an author. Finally, I’ve read most of Nietzche. And I never find him impressive. The allure of Nietzche is that he is easy to read and openly offensive. It also occurred to me that Nietzche wouldn’t be a fan of any of his readers, who are don’t resemble the Superman; instead, Nietzche would be a fab of Jeffrey Epstein, who probably never read Nietzche. Aristocratic, wealthy, tall living by his own moral code until old age. I’m not a fan of a Jeffery Epstein, the guy obviously has problems and was potentially evil. But Nietzche would approve.

But again, everyone wants to be smart instead of wise…
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Matthew 7:6

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

PS: It’s spelled Nietzsche
 
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Yah, I can never figure how to spell his name. This is laymen, but the idea of history written to serve a cause ie propaganda goes back to Thucydides,Herodotus , Ovid and even Virgil. If you ever had time I would read Ovid’s The Erotic Poems, which is not about love or lust but is instead Social criticism. And again, it is Ovids attempt to correct history along with providing social criticism of Roman Society.

But, again, I wouldn’t look to Nietzche for any answers (yes, I forgot the s). To me Nietzche in the modern era would just be some guy trolling on Reddit and 4Chan. Look at a picture of him, he looks like one of those dudes.

Again, as a Catholic I can’t condone the reading of Nietzsche much less the celebration of Nietzsche. I would rather Catholics read Dostoyevsky’s Brothers Karamozov. I don’t mind you using scripture as a weapon, but I know Nietzche is not the pearls Christ was talking of.
 
Oh, didn’t read your whole post, didn’t know it was about politics. I wouldn’t have answered. Someone had a question about scripture in Mathew; I don’t see humans as animals. But that is all I will write. Again, all I can be is a lone voice of dissent knowing what I know about subjects like literature and philosophy. I won’t have children, but if I did I would warn them against reading Nietzsche or others like Freud or Marx.
 
I’m not using scripture “as a weapon,” but for your edification as a Catholic. Your response logically meets Jesus criteria in Mattthew 7:6. JUST LOOK AT YOUR RESPONSE! Perhaps you need to repent? You made a personal attack on a Catholic brother without rational consideration of the material.

You certainly did not have time to examine my posted link before launching into a pedantic dissertation on Hegel. You missed the point about the manipulation of history for contemporary political purposes entirely. The very name “Nietzsche” triggered you.

Nietzsche is not exalted by me in my post. I even call him out as being likely demonized.

That does not mean everything he said or wrote was false, and we should be able to discuss him rationally, like any other philosopher, without insisting that everyone wear blinders and be gagged. That mentality is positively frightening, and I pray you are not suggesting such a thing. That intolerance is where our millenial “educated” generation is headed…like lemmings for the cliff. Are you suggesting a return to the dungeon, the stake, and the rack in the name of “thought police?” One prays not.
 
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I do not advocate or exalt Nietzsche, Marx, or any other Atheist.

I am Catholic and I follow Jesus Christ.

However, people have the GOD GIVEN right (First Amendment, U.S Constitution) to think and discuss issues (FREE SPEECH / FREE THOUGHT).

We should know and understand our enemies, including Nietzsche and Marx…and other false prophets. That helps us to convert their deceived followers to Jesus Christ.

I respect Catholics who wish to adopt a narrow “shun evil” approach for themselves and their children. You have every liberty to to read what you wish, AND NOT TO READ WHAT YOU DISLIKE.
 
No, I had the discussion. I didn’t try to shut down the thread. My comment was the discussion. In short, I don’t find Nietzsche helpful nor worthy of critical acclaim by academics. That’s it, others can continue the discussion. I read the first part up until Hegel, so I thought I would correct Hegels reputation. That is all I wanted to discuss. Anyone can continue the discussion. I’m not going to discuss politics or current events. I’m not interested in that.
 
Sorry, DD. I misread the entry.

Repentant Catholic said:

“I won’t have children, but if I did I would warn them against reading Nietzsche or others like Freud or Marx.”

I respect his parental right to determine what is healthy or unhealthy for his children
 
Thank you for your intellectual tolerance and detachment.

It is exemplary in this day and time.
 
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