Friedrich Nietzsche | The Greek State | Philosophers Explained | Stephen Hicks

"... we must accept this cruel sounding truth that slavery is of the essence of
Culture..."

This essay was originally slated to appear in Nietzsche's first book The Birth of Tragedy. In the essay, Nietzsche takes a critical look at modern liberal society and capitalism and concludes that its key ideals, 'the dignity of man' and the 'dignity of work', are illusions. Instead, Nietzsche offers a look at his aristocratic understanding of the state.

The text can be found here: https://www.stephenhicks.org/wp-conte...

Timestamps:
00:30 The text
02:00 Two modern ideas: The dignity of man. The dignity of labor.
04:32 Yet, few philosophies and religions place a value on existence.
07:20 The emergence of artistic culture
10:40 The Greeks knew that labor is a disgrace. It has no dignity.
12:04 Man who works for his existence cannot become an artist.
13:36 Modern workers are cursed with beliefs in dignity.
15:40 What about art then? Its creation or appreciation?
19:13 Culture rests on a terrible basis.
19:55 The majority serves the minority.
20:40 Slavery is of the essence of culture
22:34 The misery of the toiling majority makes possible the production of art for a small minority.
23:54 Religion and its dependence on slavery
27:26 The proper role of the state
31:43 The weak accept their new lower status and worship their leaders
34:27 Might one run away when they see the true origin of the state?
36:00 The Greeks also submerged their interests into the state.
38:40 The consequences for culture and art
42:44 The liberals and capitalists vs. those who love the fatherland
48:06 War is necessary for the state just as slavery is necessary for society
50:10 We must correct this notion of the dignity of man and labor
52:20 Man is not an end in himself
53:05 A favorable look back at Plato

Philosophers, Explained covers major philosophers and texts, especially the great classics. In each episode, Professor Hicks discusses an important work, doing a close reading that lasts 40 minutes to an hour.

The playlist of current videos can found here:    • Philosophers Explained  

Stephen R. C. Hicks, Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy at Rockford University, USA, and has had visiting positions at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., University of Kasimir the Great in Poland, Oxford University’s Harris Manchester College in England, and Jagiellonian University in Poland.

Other links:

Explaining Postmodernism audiobook:    • Explaining Postmodernism by Stephen H...  
Nietzsche and the Nazis audiobook:    • Nietzsche and the Nazis by Stephen R....  

Playlists:

Education Theory:    • Education Theory  
Entrepreneurship and Values:    • Entrepreneurship and Values Series  
Nietzsche:    • Nietzsche