Getting over Myself
There is a downright frightening connection my mind has established between the work of Friedrich Nietzsche and my own recent explorations into the nature of governance. Though there are clear differences as well in our observations. Nietzsche aims his arrows at religion, Christianity to be more precise, whereas I do not hold such an elite position for faith. Where we are the same is in our loathing of the external governing principle which, by definition, limits the degree of power one can aspire to. It is important to note that with Power Nietzsche was barely intending to highlight what we nowadays associate with the term, that is direct dominance over the environment, but rather…so I believe, he was referring to self governance and self development. And so am I.
In The Antichrist Nietzsche explains for the last time his disgust for Christianity and the lack of scientific and philosophical truth it propagates. He further more considers those who follow religion to be of weak mind and those who advocate it of weak character. In his less social state of mind he argues that those who are weak should be left behind and those who are strong (those capable of thinking for themselves and aspiring to truth) should be left. In practice this would have meant the psychological instability and misery of millions of individuals.
And that is the most prominent difference between my line of reasoning and that of Nietzsche, who’s shy character, by the way, almost seems paradoxical when considering the strength and passion in his writing. Whereas Nietzsche believed it proper to simply abandon(or worse) those who he felt were unfit I hold a drastically different point of view.
My dislike towards the external governing principle is probably as strong as the one Nietzsche felt during his time on this planet…but my mindset is of a different quality. Where Nietzsche could not accept the difference between him and most of his fellow man I have found that I can…and perhaps must. I have realized that even though I don’t need “the system” and am probably better off without it, some if not most might need it all the same. The answer is not to violently oppose both the system and the desire for it, but to argue with it from time to time on a rational and considerate level.
In the end it makes more sense for me to live by my own set of rules and accept that those around me might have entirely different objectives, preferences and priorities. This has prompted an offline project of mine, in which I analyze and describe the methods I see fit for changing the environment in a less Nietzschean way. I’ll see what that brings me in due time.
For now…think for yourselves and take your personal responsibilities.