Monday, March 24, 2008
Nietzsche and The Nazis
"The Nazis knew what they stood for...do we?"
A very chilling question which ends a very interesting lecture I just watched.
It could probably be said that, in Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy there is something for everyone. Thus the wide respect and support by Nazis and many a left wing fanatic. But, how different are Nazis and left wing radicals -- duh. (Hint, both despise capitalism and free open societies).
I just finished watching Stephen Hick's excellent lecture regarding Nietzche and The Nazis.
Hick's is an Objectivist, a follower of Ayn Rand, and what he has to say about both National Socialism (Nazism) and the grand prophet of much of post-modern thought is profound to say the least.
I won't be so foolish as to even imply that Nietzsche didn't have enormous insight or that some of what he said was of value to anyone who is looking for answers, but...
In the final analysis, what Nietzsche "revealed" and unleashed (intellectually) upon the 20th century was ultimately "no way to run a house" (or society).
The idiots who chastise conservative/free-market philosophy and label it "Nazi" are not only lacking in historical knowledge, they're weak in the capacity to look into the mirror at their own totalitarian instincts.
Conservatives are used to being called "Nazis" by many a fervent Jacobin, but honest appraisal will find that Hitler's values and goals more clearly match those of any garden variety socialist than the local citizen who calls for lower taxes and defense of individual liberty.
