Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Nietzsche vs Vanderleeksche
Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of traditional morality and Christianity. He believed in life, creativity, health, and the realities of the world we live in, rather than those situated in a world beyond. Central to Nietzsche's philosophy is the idea of "life-affirmation," which involves an honest questioning of all doctrines which drain life's energies, however socially prevalent those views might be. Often referred to as one of the first "existentialist" philosophers, Nietzsche has inspired leading figures in all walks of cultural life, including dancers, poets, novelists, painters, psychologists, philosophers, sociologists and social revolutionaries.
Vanderleeksche:
Although the surname literally means 'from the town of Leek' (pronounced Lake) in Holland, a Leek is also an Afrikaans word for fool or commoner (who usually doesn't know much) and this provides an initial view for hor this philosophy: it is seeing the work of man as misguided and flawed, and the consequences of our ambitions are catastrophe. This idea, of man-as-fool is how we begin to learn how not to be. It follows Nietzche's second guessing and questioning approach, but continues further to dismantle current systems and technologies that are patently absurd.
Thus this philosophy embraces sustainable living, and abandons growth as a primary goal, although it might be a later symptom of a thriving community.
Sustainmable living means investments in local people, local talents, local resources, and finding self sufficiency here, as a group.
The goal is to develop the individual at the same pace, and to the same extent as the group. The community is eenj as a self sustaining unit that works with the environment in a symbiotic relationship.
One of the areas that these communities focus on is the development of energies, both metaphysical and otherwise, but all creative or transformative energies, especially the use of star energy (solar energy).
Another area that characterises this philosophy is the abolishment of individual property rights in favor of communal farms and areas, which creates a hive or nest system, similar to a nuclear family, though it is a family of similar attitudes, rather than birth and blood.
It also rejects religion of all kinds as harmful and delusional, but pursues a Higher Spirituality which acknowledges that man has a deep spiritual seat, for the soul. God cannot be defined or described, but can be acknowledged. God simultaneously is not, and is, and this presence/absence requires us to be diligent and responsible for our lives on the planet.
Exploration, of intellect, of the universe, is one of the highest priorities. Curiosity and the imagination are seen as man's greatest gifts, the gifts that inspired us to write and talk and remember and predict.
There is a trend towards universal communication (expressing information that is always valuable), beyond language, universal living (living out one's talents and sharing them), beyond work. This implies a highly co-operative agreed upon existence, where contemplation is king, and action its agent, and respect is engendered at all levels for the project of civilisation as one that is an affirmation for all who participate in it.
Health is the bottom line for all these activities, and the end goal is to thrive and to bring the environment back to abundance.
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