|
|
Post by jarelyrebollar on Jun 25, 2024 14:07:00 GMT
In existentialism, rebellion, and the Ubermensch are pivotal concepts. Rebellion, as articulated by Camus, is a response to the absurd, asserting human values in a meaningless world. It's a defiance against oppression and a quest for authenticity. Nietzsche's Ubermensch, transcends conventional morality, creating new values and living beyond good and evil. This figure epitomizes self-overcoming and the pursuit of greatness.
I feel like both ideas emphasize individual freedom, creativity, and the rejection of imposed limitations, urging us to live with purpose and integrity in a world that offers no inherent meaning.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jun 25, 2024 18:39:01 GMT
Right on Jarely-- and this is why I'm always puzzled by the lack of coherence between Americanism and existentialism. If you look at a lot of the words you mention : rebellion, defiance against oppression, authenticity, freedom, individuality, creativity.... Those are all very American values, no?
And yet we usually tend to associate existentialism with brooding European philosophers who are full of angst and despair and pessimism and whatnot.
Superman is a very American creation, after all!
|
|
|
|
Post by jarelyrebollar on Jun 25, 2024 19:19:05 GMT
American ideals often emphasize optimism and the pursuit of the American Dream. In contrast, existentialist thought delves into the inherent meaninglessness of life and the personal responsibility to create one's essence despite this. The American superhero, Superman, embodies hope and the triumph of good, contrasting with the existentialist Ubermensch's focus on self-overcoming and value creation in a world indifferent to human concerns. Both perspectives, however, celebrate the power of the individual.
Another interesting point is that American ideals and existentialist thought recognize the importance of personal responsibility in shaping one's life. While American ideals emphasize the pursuit of the belief that individuals have the power to achieve success through hard work and determination, existentialist thought places the burden of creating meaning and purpose on the individual, highlighting the need for personal agency and choice in the face of life's inherent meaninglessness.
Both share similar ideals while being different at the same time!
|
|
|
|
Post by gnicholson3 on Jun 25, 2024 19:22:45 GMT
The distinction between Camus' ideals and Nietzsche's Übermensch is incredibly interesting. In modern literature tropes, I'd argue that we use the hero's journey for Camus' thoughts and morally grey characters for Nietzsche's ideas. The characters that I think of are Harry Potter and Regulus Black from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise, although the version of Regulus I'm thinking of is actually a fanon take from Only the Brave by Solmussa. Fanon is fan-canon and isn't the same as canon (author supported and compliant with the original work). Harry, a boy who is told from a young age that he has saved the world and must do it again, fights against the oppression of dark wizards and lives his life distinguishing his identity of who he is versus who everyone believes he is. Regulus, on the other hand, lives his life doing what needs to be done, not in the eyes of the 'light' and 'dark' wizards, but in tackling the issues themselves regardless of what is considered good or bad. These of course are fictionalized characters, and these traits are extreme versions of what we're discussing, but it made me think of them.
|
|
