Beyond Good and Evil #15: Conclusion - Struggle Against Platonism (IX.268 - IX.296)

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Nietzsche concludes the book with the suggestion that cognition itself is “common”, insofar as communicability is more effective the more
common the experience that is communicated. Language facilitates the “abbreviation” of the most common sentiments and experiences, which is part of the process of joining a people together as one. The person whose experiences, thoughts or feelings are individual & peculiar will necessarily find himself unable to communicate them to others, and will be thrust into solitude. Much of the final aphorisms concern this eternal struggle between the rule and the exception, one of the themes of the work. Nietzsche ultimately muses that even the precious, wicked thoughts he has offered us throughout the work are but a pale imitation of the thoughts during their spring: for all thoughts are events, fleeting experiences, a physiological process within a living being. All the philosopher can do is catalogue their aftermath, or display the frozen remnants that linger in their memory. This section also contains multiple remarks on pity, and the prose poem, “The Genius of the Heart”. An exegesis of this poem can be found in episode 39.
Episode art: Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian (detail)

[@damin1916]

Just finished the lectures alongside my second reading of this book, the first time was in Dutch and now in English. I wan't to compliment your use of language it was very clear, modern and understandable, I'm positive you will be a usefull resource to many non native-english listeners around the world. Thank you for everything you have done!

[@cheri238]

It was an excellent journey, and thank you for all your lectures. "Get off the cross, we need the wood." There is a difference between self-pity and empathic wisdom. Nietzsche sores loudly with tigers of inward cries. 🙏❤️🌏🕊🎵🎶

[@shaunkerr8721]

"Come on up, to the house..."

[@akha1658]

thank you man your explaining helped alot i have completed this series fasting during ramadan and without that explanation i would not be able to understand the book espicially its my first time listening to the book thank you

[@GSOURUSAIPRASAD]

The melancholy of everything finished!

[@socialswine3656]

Uploaded on the very day I finished my first reading of this incredible book! Thanks so much Keegan for your hard work, your videos have been invaluable to me on my journey of reading this book. So many occasions where I was struggling and your insights came in clutch and so many others where I felt like I understood the general gist of what was being said only to listen to your analysis where you reveal several hidden layers, leaving me amazed and feeling a little bit dumb. Again thank you.

[@anthonyduval3191]

Im not crying youre crying

[@alexmarinica5310]

Well, I guess you’re not a master. 😂

[@kimfreeborn]

Thank you for being a guide to the perplexed.

[@jonnil7107]

hip hip hurray my g you did it! btw you are a great musician

[@vikramchatterjee4495]

Great series. The poem at the end, as much as I am reticent to say it, strikes me as an uncanny personification of Nietzsche, (the man, the mind, the philosophy) as it degenerates, or more precisely, ossifies, from a wild, satyrical freedom in the Gay Science, through his later works into Twilight of the Idols. "What is youth? A dream. What is love? That dream's content." -Soren Kierkegaard

[@DionysiaSapentia]

Woah , I love your interpretation of his quote about stepping back to take a better leap . Nietzsche is no reactionary

[@s.lazarus]

Thank you for this, Keegan! Looking forward to your commentaries on Deleuze! Love, from Mexico.

[@ldreyes]

Just finished listening to your playlist. Thank you so much for all you've done

[@zenden6564]

Thanks ❤

[@Primetiime32]

Thanks for the videos !! This is excellent!

[@phillipjordan1010]

I must say Salts, you have much salt to see this through. Ive been following which gives me inspiration to reread the book without confusion. Rock on brs🤘

[@transhumanmercury1279]

I love these videos, thankyou

[@makashanidze8443]

Thanks 😊

[@robnaugle4149]

Thank you.

[@dashlamb9318]

Thank you sir. I truly appreciate your work and insight.

[@ummon995]

What a hike, reading along with each of your episodes! Tomorrow is my last discussion with friends about the last section of BGE. Well done, sir.

[@transhumanmercury1279]

Thanks

[@gus8310]

On a planet out there in the cosmos; where those dark skies which cover the horizon of the eye; Where no birds fly, no rain falls or no light is seen, no colour or contrast, no heat or humidity. Barren land, cast out like a blanket of silence. How these black planets wander without aim, without a lust for life; how many of them are out there? How our planet has given rise to what can only be described as an experiment; something quite uncommon to the rest of this dormant crowd. I have travelled to these foreign relics and walked their lands, contrasting our world to this ocean of dew.

[@johng4609]

Re. our natural preferences for/focuses on particular 'non-average' musicians: "When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created." -- Tao Te Ching. This sounds trite perhaps, but from a perspective of indifference about /non-attachment to life one can see aesthetic preferences, and indeed Nietzchian projects of ambition/self-overcoming in general, as cool entertainment rather than as stern prime directives

[@kebabfoto]

This series has changed my life, I don't know if it's for the better but it has changed my life. I sold my gaming pc and started my journey into baking and that's basically all I do now except work and it feels really good. I have produced bread and pastries I thought I could never do with my hands and also accidently invented my own unique way of doing certain things that I am surprised nobody seems to have thought about (tried looking for it everywhere on the web and even asked a bakery) but it enhances flavour in cinnamon buns and everybody says it's the best cinnamon bun they ever tasted, i'm usually a harsh judge but I have to agree, tastes amazing. I write everything down that I do and keep track of what worked and what doesn't, I wonder what I can produce if I keep this up. I also bought my own copy of beyond good and evil so I could keep up with the series and in between baking when I needed to rest I would take walks and listen to this. It really has changed my outlook on the world, in both hurtful and joyful ways. I hope you will go on with some more of his books, I will return to this series.

[@untimelyreflections]

Thank you! I’m thrilled that you’ve moved your life in a positive direction. Also, I did a series on Birth of Tragedy as well: kzbin.info/aero/PLjnhfrJcWicBt3kTAxnPNa221pVs6rc2c&si=hDKr5NuGJyCWeNGC

[@gingerbreadzak]

00:12 🧠 Nietzsche discusses the nature of cognition, emphasizing that concepts are image signs for recurring sensations and require shared experiences for effective communication. 05:08 🤝 The ease of communication among people who share similar experiences and needs is crucial for their understanding and coordination. 08:20 💔 Fear of eternal misunderstanding can deter individuals from rash attachments in romantic relationships, particularly between men and women. 16:48 🗣 The power of shared experiences shapes human values, and easy communicability of common experiences drives the evolution toward the ordinary and common. 19:19 🧐 Exceptional psychologists who delve into human complexity often face the danger of being suffocated by pity and may even turn against their own kind due to the corrupting influence of the ordinary. 21:51 🤔 Nietzsche explores the fear of memory and silence in individuals burdened by their own insights and suffering from judgments of others. 23:13 🌟 Great men, venerated by society, often become subsequent pieces of wretched minor fiction, with their true nature hidden beneath the surface. 25:17 💔 Nietzsche psychologizes Jesus as a pathological figure obsessed with the idea of perfect love and the inadequacy of human love. 34:30 🤔 Profound suffering can lead to a sense of pride and knowledge in the sufferer, making them more profound and elevating them in rank. 39:12 😷 Refined individuals respect the mask, avoiding excessive psychological probing and curiosity, embracing the importance of appearances and illusions. Epicureanism is a disguise that resists sadness and profundity. 42:49 😔 Nietzsche argues that various doctrines and masks we adopt are often ways to hide from suffering and deny our broken nature. 43:38 🚫 Nietzsche rejects pity because it is often driven by repulsion or revulsion from the suffering of others, and he argues that true understanding of suffering can be transformational rather than pitiable. 46:14 🧼 Nietzsche suggests that cleanliness, both physical and spiritual, plays a significant role in the emergence of the saintly type and their separation from others. 50:47 🙅‍♂ Nobility, according to Nietzsche, involves not universalizing one's individual responsibilities and duties, keeping them distinct from those of others. 54:24 ⌛ Many exceptional individuals are ruined by waiting for the right opportunity, only to find that when it finally comes, they have lost their youthful vigor and spirit. 55:05 🌟 Genius is not necessarily rare, but the circumstances required for its manifestation are, requiring numerous favorable factors to align. 59:51 🧐 Those who cannot see the loftiness in an individual tend to focus on their flaws and common traits, revealing more about their own perceptions than the person being judged. 01:03:03 😞 Nietzsche reflects on the melancholy of completing a task and only then realizing the knowledge that was truly needed before starting, emphasizing the eternal disappointment of "too late." 01:03:17 📚 Nietzsche reflects on the potential regrets artists and creators may feel as they near the end of their work, realizing missed opportunities or flaws in their foundation. 01:07:51 🚶‍♂ Nietzsche revisits the character of "The Wanderer" as a symbol of perpetual philosophical seeking, never settling, and resisting the temptation of rest. 01:15:23 😔 Nietzsche observes that individuals with profound sadness often treat happiness with jealousy, fearing its fleeting nature. 01:20:57 🤔 Nietzsche contemplates the difficulty of self-knowledge and expresses skepticism about believing anything definite about oneself, suggesting an aversion to self-certainty. 01:24:11 🧠 Immediate knowledge is a contradiction because all knowledge is mediated; there is no immediate intellectual certainty. 01:25:20 🤔 Nietzsche explores the psychology of individuals who have an aversion to believing anything definite about themselves. 01:25:58 🟣 People may suddenly lose control and act out of character when their high and choosy desires clash with mundane circumstances, leading to inner conflict. 01:26:41 🧙‍♂ The most spiritual individuals can experience dyspepsia from sudden insight and disappointment about their surroundings and fellow diners at the metaphorical "table of life." 01:27:46 👥 Feeling exceptional or like an outsider is common, even though Nietzsche highlights the challenges of trying to convey the idea of exceptionalism through common language. 01:29:58 🌍 Nietzsche grapples with the challenge of conveying the philosophy of the exception using common language, which inherently contradicts the idea. 01:30:12 🤹 Nietzsche struggles with the central problem of reconciling his philosophy of the exception with the common world of concepts. 01:31:50 😡 The eruption of conflicting tyrannical drives within a person can lead to uncharacteristic outbursts and actions, challenging the notion of voluntary governing free will. 01:33:26 🎭 Praise and agreement are not synonymous; one can praise a person without agreeing with them, highlighting Nietzsche's contrarian perspective. 01:34:22 🌟 Nietzsche emphasizes the value of living among people whose misunderstandings and blunders are amusing due to their subtlety, allowing for disagreement without animosity. 01:36:50 💪 Nietzsche advocates for the virtues of courage, insight, sympathy, and solitude, all of which contribute to individualism and independence from common beliefs. 01:41:20 🌌 Nietzsche discusses how the greatest thoughts and events are comprehended last, emphasizing the posthumous nature of great ideas. 01:43:56 🌄 Nietzsche contrasts two types of individuals: those with exalted, free vision and those who also have free vision but look down, suggesting a complex perspective on superiority. 01:44:51 🦉 Nietzsche's concept of looking down from a height emphasizes a perspective that transcends personal concerns and focuses on understanding the broader patterns and meanings in life. 01:48:31 🤔 Nietzsche explores the concept of the "noble" human being, highlighting the importance of inner faith and self-reverence rather than external actions or works. 01:53:43 🌌 Solitude, as experienced by a hermit, can lead to a unique perspective and depth of thought, making one's concepts acquire an incommunicable and recalcitrant quality. 01:55:15 😶 Every philosophy conceals another philosophy, and every opinion serves as a hideout, revealing the complexity of a philosopher's inner world. 02:00:07 🎭 Morality is described as an art of deception, enabling individuals to simplify their souls and enjoy life's illusions. 02:02:54 🌩 A philosopher is portrayed as someone who experiences extraordinary thoughts and insights, often fleeing from themselves but always returning to introspection. 02:04:17 💪 Nietzsche values pity when expressed by those naturally inclined to mastery, but criticizes the prevalent cult of suffering and excessive sensitivity in Europe, suggesting the need for a firmer attitude. 02:05:36 📚 The "Gay Science" in Nietzsche's philosophy is a blend of art and science, emphasizing the pursuit of power, advantage, and the will to power rather than dispassionate truth-seeking. 02:06:40 😢 Nietzsche critiques pity, considering it a means of spreading suffering rather than mitigating it, and suggests that common pity is unhealthy and universalizes suffering. 02:07:45 🏅 Nietzsche's "gay science" is an immoralist pursuit of truth, encouraging an exuberant, joyful approach to life, contrasting with the stoic and solemn attitudes of many philosophers. 02:09:32 🤣 Nietzsche values laughter and sees it as a sign of a philosopher's rank, emphasizing the importance of not being burdened by the gravity of life but taking things lightly. 02:15:48 🤔 Nietzsche introduces "The Genius of the Heart," a concept praising the ability to enrich others, smooth rough souls, and inspire new desires through philosophy and insight. 02:17:11 🙏 Nietzsche expresses a deep love for mankind, believing that all suffering and experiences can serve a purpose if used to elevate and transform humanity. 02:19:27 🧐 Nietzsche reflects on the role of his work, acknowledging its potential to arouse suspicion among philosophers but emphasizing his desire to offer insights that enrich and advance humanity. 02:26:06 📜 Nietzsche laments the transformation of his own thoughts and ideas from vibrant and colorful to dull and conventional, highlighting the transient nature of intellectual creations.

[@DionysiaSapentia]

Hurray

[@languagegame410]

most excellent, monsieur Keeg!!!... i reread BEYOND along with your episodic analysis/interpretation... many thanks!!... (now ZARATHUSTRA perhapssssssss?)

[@johnstewart7025]

The Taoists say that pity leads to courage (defending downtrodden), frugality leads to charity (savings become donations), humility leads to leadership (admiring others ask you to lead).

[@johnstewart7025]

Pity prevents the sufferer from becoming something better through their pain. Maybe, but I doubt it. Also, pity can lead others to help the family of people who are beyond help

[@rachelandrews8255]

Ya dun did it bro! You mentioned Deleuze recently for an upcoming series? Will you be touching on The Body Without Organs or the Rhizome Theories? I would love to hear your connections to Nietzsche.

[@socialswine3656]

I'm assuming he will just cover Nietzsche and Philosophy and maybe some difference and repetition!

[@languagegame410]

i f**king love double K!!... and that's not just the Kettle One vodka (from Holland) speaking... build your legacy, monsieur Keeg!... ZARATHUSTRA beckons you... from beyond the Neitzschean abyssssssss.

[@Phishiesmels]

Thank you, Really enjoyable videos Keegan.

[@icutmycat6049]

Painting?

[@UserName-uz1qu]

It's in the description

[@nickstebbens]

I see it differently: the first mask is like the face, and the second like emotion

[@nickstebbens]

would it make sense to you that I found reading this book in solitude useless, and hearing you read it, and speak from yourself about it, immeasurably valuable?

[@nickstebbens]

about as useless as a vampire looking at himself in the mirror

[@user-jr5vy2bg5q]

All hope excluded thus, behold in stead Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight, Mankind created, and for him this World. So farewel Hope, and with Hope farewel Fear, Farewel Remorse: all Good to me is lost; Evil be thou my Good; by thee at least Divided Empire with Heav'ns King I hold By thee, and more then half perhaps will reign; As Man ere long, and this new World shall know. - John Milton, Paradise Lost.

[@nickstebbens]

the wandered is not necessarily insatiable - the wandered was unsated by depth, and wanted recourse in the ease of apparition - in the comfort of the obviousness of beauty

[@nickstebbens]

imagine, for a time, that all the world were exactly as it seemed

[@nickstebbens]

'language is the purpose of thought' and 'unique thoughts can't be put into words' are not very compatible notions, in my view... let's look at art, for example. Say you have a unique thought experience, that you don't know how to put into words, so you draw a close approximation of it in symbolic representations. Let's think about that more closely. Is a system of symbolic representation a language? Is art a language? Can logos be words, and can words be logos? Are any linguistic descriptions of things exactly equal to the experiences they describe? Is music any different in that regard? Is the sound of my speech going to be received the same way by any two different audience members? Is Nietzsche trying to say that all the words I use to describe my thoughts are by fiat of his reasoning not unique to myself... even if I'm the first person to say them? Even if that notion had never been thought before? Is he in denial of the possibility of genuine Creation?

[@nickstebbens]

Is writing not a 'real' form of action?

[@nickstebbens]

that I have arrived *after* some wretched works of minor fiction does not portend any such similarity upon me

[@nickstebbens]

how could one extrapolate a rule about exceptions? *all* great men, you say? Were there not any great men common to all mankind between treedwelling apes prey to cats and men domesticating them who wield metal and fire and shape rock?

[@6ixthhydro652]

The mask is very revealing

[@kalervolatoniittu2011]

Thanks