The question of whether, with respect to the value of things, the instincts deserve more authority than reason (reason wants some ground or “what for?”, some purpose or utility behind our values and actions) – this is the same old moral problem that first emerged in the person of Socrates and divided opinions long…
The old theological problem of “faith” and “knowledge” – or, to be more precise, of instinct and reason – and so, the question of whether, with respect to the value of things, the instincts deserve more authority than reason (reason wants some ground or “what for?”, some purpose or utility behind our values and…
But the strange fact is that everything there is, or was, of freedom, subtlety, boldness, dance, or masterly assurance on earth, whether in thinking itself, or in ruling, or in speaking and persuading, in artistic just as in ethical practices, has only developed by virtue of the “tyranny of such arbitrary laws.” And, in…
The difficulty involved in grounding the claim just citedmight be great indeed – Schopenhauer himself came up famously shortin this regard. And anyone who has ever truly felt how inanely false andsentimental this claim is in a world whose essence is will to power –,they might recall that Schopenhauer, pessimism notwithstanding, actually – played…
Whoever fights with monstersshould see to itthat he does notbecome onehimself. And when you starefor a long time into an abyss,the abyssstares backinto you. Beyond Good and Evil, by Friedrich Nietzsche, trans. Judith Butler, aphorism 146 For many certainly this is the “morning after”. Like the hangover after the all night binge. I…
Today is such summer’s that only a poet could describe by shading language into light. Today promises to be full. I have chores which I find agreeable. This day is my wife’s birthday. She and I have made common cause since we met in our early 20s. Many years are to be celebrated as…
To write something, anything at all is only one reason for starting the day at Starbucks. Perhaps a good conversation will be possible? Wednesday is a day of good fortune since I have benefited from a good chat with Doug, as well as prospect of reflecting upon some aphorisms from Beyond Good and Evil. …
This day, a Tuesday is unsettled with respect to the weather. Also, in truth the unsettled condition is the normal state of things for homo sapiens, for everyone of us, no matter our class, our poverty or our affluence. Education and health or youth or professional success does not eliminate the fact that not…
Monday. Feeling as if this is the first day, the first page of six more to be filled, hour by hour with my life. I am not alone though. Around me are others, working, playing, worrying, exploring, celebrating, and fucking up. All of us, with rare exception know that we are on the cusp…
Finally, as for the common people, the great majority, who exist and are only allowed to exist to serve and to be of general utility, religion gives them an invaluable sense of contentment with their situation and type; it puts their hearts greatly at ease, it glorifies their obedience, it gives them (and those…
