Philosophy
Nietzsche seems to have thought that genuine kindness is only possible for those who are powerful. He writes:
"Verily, I have often laughed at the weaklings who thought themselves good because they had no claws."
Nietzsche also implores the powerful to be kind. He writes:
"And there is nobody from whom I want beauty as much as from you who are powerful: let your kindness be your final self-conquest."
"Of all evil I deem you capable: therefore I want the good from you."
Is Nietzsche right to think that this relationship exists between power and kindness?
I certainly think that an act of kindness is more beautiful, more awe inspiring ( and tear-inducing) when performed by one who is strong, powerful and capable of real cruelty. Why should we praise an act of kindness performed by a person who could have done no other?
So, I ask, are you capable of genuine kindness?
- Agap? And Our Mett? Obligation
Guest post from C.Ewing: Linkage and here. Recently, I had a discussion with TR about the linear assumption people seem to have. That is, if one appears to be acting in a kind way (performing a kind action) then we tend to assume that this relates back...
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I'm sure many of you remember this great clip from the 2008 presidential race. In response to Hilary Clinton's negative campaign ads, then-Senator Obama brushes off his shoulders, alluding to Jay-Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." [Please, listen...
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For those of you who noticed and were concerned with a very personal post a few days ago, thank you for your posthumous words of kindness, but everything is all right. That was an entry I created a while ago to be automatically posted on Christmas, should...
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"What Tibetan Buddhism Can Teach Us About Happiness" by Carolyn Gregoire February 6th, 2014 The Huffington Post One of the most geographically isolated cultures in the world may contain the secrets to happiness that the rest of us have been looking for....
Philosophy
Power and Kindness
Nietzsche seems to have thought that genuine kindness is only possible for those who are powerful. He writes:
"Verily, I have often laughed at the weaklings who thought themselves good because they had no claws."
Nietzsche also implores the powerful to be kind. He writes:
"And there is nobody from whom I want beauty as much as from you who are powerful: let your kindness be your final self-conquest."
"Of all evil I deem you capable: therefore I want the good from you."
Is Nietzsche right to think that this relationship exists between power and kindness?
I certainly think that an act of kindness is more beautiful, more awe inspiring ( and tear-inducing) when performed by one who is strong, powerful and capable of real cruelty. Why should we praise an act of kindness performed by a person who could have done no other?
So, I ask, are you capable of genuine kindness?
- Agap? And Our Mett? Obligation
Guest post from C.Ewing: Linkage and here. Recently, I had a discussion with TR about the linear assumption people seem to have. That is, if one appears to be acting in a kind way (performing a kind action) then we tend to assume that this relates back...
- Is Being Kind Always Morally Good?
You see a speed trap set up for the folks in the other lane. Do you flash your lights and alert them? If so, was it a good act? You get nothing from it. It was a purely other-directed action. The desire was to keep those folks on the other side from getting...
- Jay-z And Nietzsche On Gettin' That Dirt Off Your Shoulder
I'm sure many of you remember this great clip from the 2008 presidential race. In response to Hilary Clinton's negative campaign ads, then-Senator Obama brushes off his shoulders, alluding to Jay-Z's "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." [Please, listen...
- Still Kicking, Sorry About The Confusion
For those of you who noticed and were concerned with a very personal post a few days ago, thank you for your posthumous words of kindness, but everything is all right. That was an entry I created a while ago to be automatically posted on Christmas, should...
- I Am Happy Being A Materialist...well, Maybe Not
"What Tibetan Buddhism Can Teach Us About Happiness" by Carolyn Gregoire February 6th, 2014 The Huffington Post One of the most geographically isolated cultures in the world may contain the secrets to happiness that the rest of us have been looking for....