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Author Topic: the best life  (Read 2828 times)
maurice73
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« on: 22/10/08 @ 10:00 »

what is the best life in either a democratic or aristocratic society? what are the similiarities and differences between the two societies?
« Last Edit: 22/10/08 @ 10:01 by Gareth Southwell » Logged
Gareth Southwell
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« Reply #1 on: 23/10/08 @ 08:55 »

I don't want to jump on all your posts, Maurice, but I'll just say something about this because it's something that Nietzsche has a lot to say about (and I've just written a book about him!).  Grin

There would seem to be two interpretations of democratic and aristocratic societies respectively. On the one hand, it is tempting to see democracy as rational and just, and aristrocracy as elistist and unfair. This is more or less the modern perspective.

However, Nietzsche argues almost the opposite: democracy aims at 'levelling' everyone, and making them all the same. As a result, the rarer and more gifted individual is oppressed, and denied self-expression. As regards aristocracy, Nietzsche sees this as the natural way for humans to evolve higher 'types'. So, for Nietzsche, the purpose of society as a whole is to produce more evolved individuals. Democracy undermines this process, and leads to a stunting of human growth.

Discuss!
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wicked insanity
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« Reply #2 on: 11/11/08 @ 13:04 »

Furthermore, Plato has some criticisms of Democracy (I have to write a synoptic paper on this next May...) For example, The Craft Analogy, The Ship of State, or The Wild Beast thingy. Although ancient Athenian democracy was very different to ours today, it is still relatable and has modern meaning.
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Gareth Southwell
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« Reply #3 on: 11/11/08 @ 13:23 »

Hi there - thanks for posting, and welcome to the forum!

I agree: Plato has some good criticisms of democracy, as well as other forms of government - worth checking out, for anyone who's interested (see the Republic, Part III, bk Cool.
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