Provocative Nietzsche
- May 14
- 2 min read
Updated: May 16
To be clear, I am not well read in Nietzsche. There are specific, extraneous reasons I reference Nietzsche. It is highly possible I am off the mark in my evaluation here. Even if I am, the point I am making is still valid.
Why is Nietzsche an incredibly popular philosopher?
He has some lines which are most certainly truthful over time but much of his philosophy is simply provocative. This is where he blends the line between a literary wizard and a philosopher.
I do not believe that much of what Nietzsche created is productive to be used as anything other than thought experiments. Nietzsche's philosophy is meant to be thought about, not lived. The concept of embracing life and litmus tests being the outliers.
Nietzsche created provocative thought experiments. Nietzsche makes one think. Nietzsche was brilliant regarding his understanding of human psychology and truth. He pushed ideas into the world that lie on the edge of what is sustainable as ethical but are technically true. They are thought provoking but not for ethical use.
I feel like there is or should be a term describing the philosophy I am describing. Perhaps there is but I'm unaware.
A modern example is what Jordan Peterson has brought up regarding dragons. If enough people believe that dragons are real, what is the difference between if they are real or not? Psychologically, there is no difference.
I love this argument. I feel like it is something I would have come up with at some point in time.
There is a large problem with this argument though.
If, we accept this argument as productive and more than just a provocative thought experiment, then truth becomes less valuable. Dragons are not real. To work off of any kind of understanding that they are real creates inevitable voids for truth and communication moving forwards.
It breaks down to an idealist or materialist view point. Is it okay to hold what is truthful as a completely idealist concept or is what is truthful always based in a physical, material reality?
Dualism is the answer. Inevitably and always, dualism is going to be what brings us closest to what is truthful over time.
Dragons are not real but people can believe in them regardless. Those people are wrong but there is nothing that can stop them from believing.


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