When it is presented as a strictly epistemological problem, both Kant and Nietzsche are critical of the possibility of self-knowledge. Kant, in his Anthropology, issues a warning for self...Show moreWhen it is presented as a strictly epistemological problem, both Kant and Nietzsche are critical of the possibility of self-knowledge. Kant, in his Anthropology, issues a warning for self-observation of unintentional or involuntary perceptions of our thoughts and feelings, because this leads to ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘madness’. This is because of different forms of self-deception and the fact that Kant holds that self-observation should be observation of voluntary mental representations. With this warning, I argue, the risk of self-observation becomes a problem of moral psychology. Nietzsche also offers a warning or atleast a stipulation of the fact that ‘digging into one’s self’ might lead to hurting ourselves. Instead, Nietzsche argues for self-observation through ‘the outside path’ of the world, which we can then relate back to ourselves. This enables us to be self-creating individuals. In this self-creation however there is still a risk of isolation, but Nietzsche takes this for granted. I compare both thinkers and what I have laid out about their views on the risk of self-observation. I argue that both thinkers recognize risks involved in self-observation, but for different reasons. I also offer a Nietzschean argument against the warning of Kant. Nietzsche would and does argue that not everything we think is voluntary and that philosophy in general is related to the morality we aim at. This also goes for Kant and the warning he issues in the Anthropology, which Nietzsche would argue springs from Kant’s universal morality.Show less
This is a study on Madness beginning from the Insane Asylums, to the Shakespearean stage, to films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Dark Knight. We take a look at different types of...Show moreThis is a study on Madness beginning from the Insane Asylums, to the Shakespearean stage, to films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Dark Knight. We take a look at different types of fools in King Lear, the confined "insane" man, and the crazy misunderstood Joker of Gotham. Parallel to the study there are echoes of Michel Foucault's study on madness and how it is shaped by institutions and by the culture and society it is found in. It is brought into the time of 9/11 and how even the 'evilest' characters can be a direct reflection of what is happening in the world outside of the films, and how art is influenced by the state of mind of those living in this society. Be it behind bars and confined, or running free causing chaos the madman is a projection of expectations cast upon them by others.Show less
