. These experiences are given names by Emmanuel Levinas within his philosophical theories: transcendence and an interaction with the Other. Levinas describes this experience of transcendence as an exit from oneself (which, in itself is humanity) in which we have a relationship with the Other (“Interview”). This “Other” is something that cannot be defined, but is prior to oneself and a confrontation with the face signifies a response of empathy (Levinas, pp. 24-25). Because Levinas expresses concepts such as these, it is possible to claim that he would be for a social system in which no person is discriminated against because of their sex. The Other could be considered a woman, which then implies that violence towards this being is senseless. …show more content…
Nietzsche believed that Christians were trapped in a herd mentality that causes them to be unable to think for themselves and blindly follow whatever their “leader” tells them to believe. In modern society, the concept of a herd mentality can be applied to both men and women alike, as both groups are still susceptible to believing whatever they hear from a majority figure or population (especially regarding the supposed inferiority of the female sex). In order to escape this herd mentality, Nietzsche proposes that God’s death should lead to the death of any absolute truths that existed when God was still “alive” through the concept of perspectivism. Therefore, if God is truly dead in the way the Nietzsche proposes he is, then the supposed “truth” that women are inferior to men that existed during God’s life should also be …show more content…
The noumena exists outside our experience. Humans cannot experience it as noumena are of another dimension/reality” (Lightsey, p. 17). Pamela Lightsey, another womanist theologian, interpreted Kant’s ideas “as saying that humans as rational beings could discover truth, but that our understanding (reason) was limited/constrained regarding what truth we can experience” (pg. 17). Thus, because humans are limited by what they experience, it may be difficult to present those outside the realm of oppression with a truth that they have not (or cannot) experience. This presents a problem with deconstruction and reconstruction, but it is not something that is impossible to overcome; it simply means that more work has to be done in order to work towards this truth of equality of the sexes. In a situation such as this, the intergroup contact that was discussed by Taschler, et al. would be beneficial in presenting new experiences in order to work towards the truth of
Characters in Pedro Paramo depict Nietzsche’s Theory of the Übermensch as they embody the idea that they are superior, almost like god. The theory states that an Übermensch is an ideal man who transcends the ordinary morals and values set by society and the actions of an Übermensch are inherently for the best, no matter what the actions are. Pedro Paramo is a prominent character who depicts the theory whereas Juan Preciado is the foil who is just an normal, average human being. The difference between each of them is how they react to crimes. Pedro as well as his son, Miguel Paraml, both possess a strong feeling to not feel guilty for the crimes they have committed and therefore, do not have the fear of punishment because they can use their power or dominance over others. Characters such as Pedro Paramo or Miguel Paramo are depicted as the Übermensch because both characters feel “normal” after committing a dreadful crime because the characters believe that there isn’t a higher power beyond them. Thus, are able to assert any type of gruesome, unjustified or blunt action without feeling remorse or responsibility.
Gender inequality has been a major issue for many centuries now. Societies insist in assigning males and females to different roles in life. The traditional stereotypes and norms for how a male and female should present themselves to the world have not changed much over time. But individuals are more than just their gender and should have the right to act and be treated the way they want. The novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Religion is fraught with stories and myths of otherworldly journeys. There are a variety of reasons; however, the two main ones one may notice are humans’ innate pattern recognition, and our necessity to define and understand the world in which we live. These otherworldly excursions, out-of-body-experiences OBEs, near-death-experiences NDEs, and altered-states-of-consciousness ASCs are side effects of trauma rather than real experiences. In this paper ASC will be the basic reference unless otherwise noted. Therefore, it is prudent to explore those examples of forced ASCs, the causes, and the impacts on the society. An ASC experience within a religion may serve an important purpose in the belief system, yet it is a personal experience of the mind and not a legitimate experience in the real world.
Throughout history, the role of women in society has caused arguments which resulted in the discretization of women’s intelligence, imagination, reason, and judgment (Murray 740). Women were forced to feel inferior because of men’s “natural rights,” resulting in the mental superiority of men. With the confinements of society ever on a woman’s threshold, came the inability to express thoughts and emotions without suffering ridicule from their male counterparts. Some critics suggest that the “inalienable rights… [such as] life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” were not simply taken away from women without consent, but they were rights never achievable for women at all (Deceleration of Independence). One critic, Judith Sargent Murray, a feminist of her day, advocates the rights of women on the grounds of social, political, and economic equality to men in her essay “On the Equality of Sexes.”
Fridreich Nietzsche writes in The Gay Science "God is dead....And we have killed him," (99, Existentialist Philosophy) referr...
Transcendentalism is a belief system wherein “the physical world is viewed as deceptive and illusory,” and there is a “need to see the unity of all things.” (Phillips, Brown, and Stonestreet. 200...
Nietzsche’s dramatis personae “…is different than the actor of this drama” (Science 241). The preparatory human being is one who sees the world as Nietzsche does, and so his characterization is Nietzsche, and people who he sees stick out from the rest of society. The preparatory human being is one that is fit for the transition that Nietzsche sees the world around him going through. This is the destruction of the belief in God. Nietzsche proposes that the belief has receded and questions how people will be able to cope with this (Science 181). Mentioned, also, by Nietzsche in The Gay Science is his view that monotheism stifles and directs the individual towards a normative sense of mora...
Women have been an important role in society whether or not it is not remarked to the public eye. Oppression against women is never-ending along with violent acts constantly being pursued on them for over a century which is not only crucial but it is lessening their value worldwide. The suggestion of women’s emotions being a barrier for them to be equal to men is falsified, there is not one predicament that prevent a woman from being equal than a
Underlying each of these claims is the theme of the unification of body and mind into a state of consciousness which greatly facilitates clarity and order in one's awareness. Through the deep periods of rest achieved during levels of transcendental consciousness, t...
The most essential technique in overcoming and even unlearning bias is being educated. Learning that everyone has their own difference and it is difficult to “know” someone by looking at them. Intergroup contact is a common way to have all cultural and racial backgrounds collab and is a way to be comfortable around these diverse backgrounds. Treating one as an equal is essential to establish because it has been shown to reduce prejudice and discrimination. This is known as the equal status contact and has a positive effect on groups who desire to have no power over each
... people about racism and setting anti-prejudice groups to establish more harmonious communities. Empathizing with people from different cultures and embracing other people’s cultures are great ways to not only enrich communities, but they certainly help individuals to successfully navigate Erikson’s seventh stage of development.
Despite the patriarchal society from the biblical days, God is taught as being just as much a Mother as God is a Father (102). The willful ignorance of religious scholars of the time just show that they were making a conscious effort of trying to keep women from retaining any power that they had. This relegation of religious roles in an effort to keep Men in power is a poor example of how Christianity is a religion which promotes for the love and care of all people, no matter their status. The interpretation of God from these times clash severely with my notions of what is now considered to be an all-loving entity. Women of these times were obviously not equal to their male counterparts. In modern days however, women are thought of as equals in society. The problem is that they are still not being treated as equals in a religious aspect as well as many other aspects.
“God is dead. God remains dead, and we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become Gods simply to appear worthy of it?” (2). This quote was said by one of the greatest philosophers to have lived; Friedrich Nietzsche. Although Friedrich Nietzsche is not as well known as some of the philosophers that we’ve discussed in class; such as Plato, Descartes, or Socrates, he and his ideas have influenced the views of modern philosophy today. Friedrich Nietzsche is a german philosopher that was born October 15, 1844 and died at the ago of 55 on August 25th, 1900. Although Friedrich Nietzsche died at a fairly young age it doesn't mean that he didn't leave us with anything to remember him by. A few of his greatest works were; “The Will to Power, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Beyond Good and Evil, Antichrist and, The Gay Science” (6). The last of which I will be talking about in this essay because it contains Nietzsche’s; “God is Dead” pronouncement, which is what this paper will pertain to.
In his book, The Gay Science, Friedrich Nietzsche famously states that God is dead. Passages 108 (New battles), 125 (The madman), 153 (Homo poeta) and 343 (How to understand our cheerfulness) all deal with a particular aspect of this assertion. Passage 108 states that God is dead but that it may be a long time before we acknowledge this. Passage 125 reiterates that God is dead and then goes on to say that we have killed him. Passage 153 shows homo poeta taking culpable responsibility for the death of God. Passage 343 deals with the aftermath of the death of God and questions what will change. Through critical analysis and examination of these four passages, while extending upon in-class discussion, a more complete understanding of this quote is possible.
Transcendence has always been a common goal of many humans across the world. They have seeked to exceed ordinary human capabilities by achieving a higher state of being, both mentally and physically. Some people have left their lives to be alone to meditate, in hopes that they would be able to “find themselves”, or worked so hard in sports to achieve what others have never been able to accomplish. A human is only capable of transcendence by working towards achieving a higher state of mind. This work to reach transcendence can be through sports, meditation and religion.