In this class we will ask ‘what is philosophy?’ in the hopes of defending the importance of this discipline for the individual and society. In this endeavor we shall trek through the history of philosophy while unpacking some of the major issues and problems in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic and politics. Furthermore we will address the perennial problems of the good life, personal identity, authenticity and social responsibility.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Truman's passage from slave to master morality
I believe the "Truman Show" reflects perfectly Nietzsche's philosophical notions. First, Truman has lived for the most part of his life under slave morality. He does what is expected of him, he goes by every day following an ever-present routine. He lives his life disdainfully, and although he would want it to get better, it takes him many years to actually muster the will and curiosity necessary to attain his goal. He develops a Will to Power, which then naturally becomes Will to Truth as he finds himself more and more suspicious of the possibilities that may be available for him and of the reality of this place in which he has been living. He later fights his way to the truth, and desperately develops a desire to escape this "fake" world. Possibly the most relevant scene is when he escapes at night and takes a boat into the "sea". The creator of this whole place doesn't want to let him go though, and so, he unleashes a big storm on Truman. At this moment, on top of the boat, Truman has never seemed more alive. He is yelling at the storm. Shouting in defiance and asking for more, he is finally beginning to say yes to life. He takes everything in stride and in the end when confronted with the decision of either staying and living in a world created only for him, or going outside to the real world and saying yes! to life, he decides upon the latter with great enthusiasm (as any true Apollonian would) and finally flees.
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Judith Corro
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