My thoughts on Nietzsche was that he is just trying to lighten up the mood. I do agree with him that philosophers have sucked the fun out of life and kind of made life seem depressing. That we can't even be happy in this life sounds crazy to me. I remember I think my blog on Aristotle I was actually saying how it seems silly to me to say that we can't be happy until we die. Most philosophers that we read before Nietzsche did make it seem as if they were trying to be like God. Which is impossible and I think God wants us to have his likeness but not be the exact of Him. That's why I really laughed when Nietzsche said, "To live alone one must be an animal or a God-says Aristotle. There is yet a third case: one must be both-a philosopher" (pg.33). The whole Maxims and Arrows section made me smirk at some points. Nietzsche reminded me of a comedian; it's like somethings you kind of think deep down but you don't want to say, he says them. I mean I was skeptical that I would even like anything he had to say after reading the title 'Twilight of the idols and The Anti-Christ'. When I saw Anti-Christ my face kind of went like this =/.. but after reading some of the book he's just trying to tone that serious vibe down and kind of make you have an open mind. But Nietzsche sounded so mean when he was talking about Socrates being ugly. That he is "monstrum in fronte, monstrum in animo"(a monster in face, a monster in soul) (pg.40). That's not nice! I know he was trying to make a point about how the people of Athens were already beautiful, and typically when somebody sees beauty they are intrigued and want to know more about them and follow them. Nietzsche suggested that Socrates did philosophy to get followers, because he couldn't get them naturally. But you know I actually thought Socrates was arrogant at first, but then after reading more I think he generally just wanted people to be better morally. Hey hey hey Nietzsche don't try to knock down the Socratic equation reason=virtue=happiness (pg.41). Nietzche says that the equation is the "bizzarest of equations and one which has in particular all the instincts of the older Hellenes against it." That equations is right in some sense for others. Because that equation is right for me in some sense. For an example, like giving money to someone in need. I use my reasons to deduce that that person really needs help and just something small like spare change will help them get through that day. Instead of having that mindset that anything I give that person will not help. Actions like that build up my moral characteristics or moral virtues (and in turn makes me who I am today). I look back and I'm happy for who I am today. Plainly, those reasons and actions shaped my virtues and I'm happy with it.
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