Comfort is the Enemy | Nietzsche - The Last Man

For Nietzsche The Last Man stood as the opposite of the Ubermensch and the great danger of the "levelling" tendency of modernity. In this episode we are going to look at what Nietzsche meant by the Last Man and how his prophecy has come through. We look at The Last Man in 21st century society and what Nietzsche got right even while we should be cautious of fully embracing his ideal.
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📚 Further Reading:
- Joseph S (2011) _What Doesn’t Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth_. New York: Basic Books.
- McGonigal K (2015) _The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It_. New York: Avery, a member of Penguin Random House.
- Seligman MEP (2013) _Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment_. Atria paperback edition. New York London Toronto Sydney New Delhi: Atria Paperback.
- Nietzsche FW (1976) Thus Spoke Zarathustra in _The Portable Nietzsche_. New York: Penguin Books.
- Nietzsche FW and Kaufmann WA (1974) _The Gay Science: With a Prelude in Rhymes and an Appendix of Songs_. 1st ed. New York: Vintage Books.
- Nietzsche FW and Kaufmann WA (2000) _Basic Writings of Nietzsche_. Modern Library ed. New York: Modern Library.
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🎼 Media Used:
1. Long Note Three - Kevin MacLeod
2. There’s Probably No Time - Chris Zabriskie
3. Despair and Triumph - Kevin MacLeod
4. Dark Times - Kevin MacLeod
5. End of the Era - Kevin MacLeod
Subscribe to Kevin MacLeod [ / kmmusic ]( / kmmusic )
Subscribe to Chris Zabriskie [ / chriszabriskie ]( / chriszabriskie )
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⌛ Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
01:50 The Last Man in Thus Spoke Zarathustra
05:13 The Values of the Last Man
09:25 The Last Man in the 21st Century

[@Metaphix]

Nietzsche is the best philosopher at making me judge the fuck out of myself lol

[@AFarNebula]

Hi. I just wanted to leave a comment here in which I wanted to express how much I owe to philosophy. A year ago, going through my worst breakup, I was at the lowest point of my life. I was crying all the time, seeking meaning in life. Then, I discovered philosophy and works of Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Camus. These philosophers and their philosophy opened my eyes to stop seeking the meaning of life and just rebel against the absurd. Absurdism stuck with me and now, over a year later, I live a somewhat happier, healthier and overall better life thanks to philosophy. So, to sum up, I love what you're doing... spreading messages of the most influential philosophers of all time. Keep going man, you are literally saving lives. Cheers. PS: Thanks to all of this, next year I am graduating and going to college to pursue philosophy. (If all goes well)

[@Jafo-9477]

Wow, that's a great comment. You should make a KZbin video about the philosophers and the books that helped you.

[@AFarNebula]

@Jafo-9477 Thanks a lot, but I don't really like filming myself😂

[@satnamo]

Self-mastery is the ultimate form of power because I am my enemy.

[@coffeepot3123]

Bro i thought i was your enemy :'- ( The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[@Lolamontez...]

Such a good comment.

[@dreddy_g]

I think I listen to this video about once a day on workdays while I make breakfast, and again in the afternoon after work while I'm lifting at the gym. While it is delivered with a kind of ominous tone, it motivates me to better myself and not (mostly) care for other people's opinions. Thank you.

[@sianefer-ptah1258]

Living and breathing Nietzsche since about 1997. Still find golden nuggets although I've read them infinite times 😊 Ironically, my daughter and he share a birthday 🎂

[@Lucy27386]

I really like how you include modern books to support the ideas which you are explaining. Do you usually read a book with purpose of putting it in a video or read it unrelated to video and then just incorporate it if it fits well?

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

The latter Lucija. It's really if those ideas have been connected in my mind. Sometimes a few videos will come out of reading one book (as happened with the liminality series) and sometimes I'll read books and no video will come out of them but maybe I'll reference them in some future scripts. It's more an ecosystem of knowledge and insights developing together and out of that coming videos. Not sure if that makes sense - the creative process is still very much something I'm figuring out

[@Lucy27386]

Yes, that completely makes sense; I actually assumed something similar. Keep filming, your videos are great.

[@nickprobst6841]

Great stuff. Thanks

[@BertoBerg]

Lovely video! Great analysis and easy to understand.

[@philipcockayne1057]

That was an amazing video. Very well articulated. Thank you for sharing it with the world.

[@NovaScotianBelle]

I just found your channel yesterday. Thank you for all your hard work. I'm looking forward to watching all your videos. Excellent job!

[@berger1968]

This hits deep. We are the last generation.

[@oswurth8774]

Ain’t that the truth

[@yarinelmaliach1444]

Only if we let ourselves be

[@johnb9999]

Subscribed! Been looking for more channels like yours 👌 keep up the good work, youre playing an important role in the world ✊

[@khalidsafi7539]

Thanks dude, your videos are always amazing and easy to grasp. Keep it up!

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Delighted to hear it thanks for that

[@Mukesh....707]

❤❤ lots of love to you brother

[@thryi]

Just recently found this channel and im delighted to subscribe and keep watching

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Delighted to hear it Dakota!

[@kingdm8315]

amazing

[@Reza090]

Thanks for introducing a few good books along the way as well.🎉

[@ahmed25janegy]

This explained Nietzsche's Last man perfectly broo

[@Charismaniac]

This is one of the most important videos on the internet.

[@tphilbin1]

You did it

[@Kriby-is-a-man]

I truly admire the depth of analysis and intellectual approach you bring to your channel, particularly when delving into complex philosophical subjects. Would it be possible for you to create a video discussing the relationship between Islamic teachings and metamodernism. It sounds really random, but I believe your unique ability to elucidate intricate concepts and your profound understanding of philosophy could present this topic in an exceptionally engaging and insightful manner for viewers interested in exploring this connection. It would be immensely valuable for many, including myself, to gain your perspective on this fascinating subject.I eagerly anticipate any future content on your channel.

[@liamnacinovich8232]

When you discuss the lamb and the eagle I’m reminded of an almost insignificant interview I watched with Marty O’Donnell, the composer for the halo games. He remarks that the team he worked for-Bungie-was a golden goose of creativity. He mentions this to a higher up at Activision who eerily remark ‘there’s nothing better than a nice Foie Gras’ and they proceeded to use Bungie to make more corporate video games.

[@taylorstrachan402]

Not sure if this has been mentioned but part of the proliferation of mental health prevalence estimates may be attributable (at least in part) to increased awareness, increased health care, standardized diagnostic criteria (DSM,ICD) etc.

[@TENEBRAELGAMING]

Wow 😮

[@umbertopaoluccipierandrei1503]

Grazie.

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

Thanks umberto

[@umbertopaoluccipierandrei1503]

Thank you James @@TheLivingPhilosophy

[@Morn1n5tar]

🔥❤️🔥

[@killgriffinnow]

10:38 The more I learn about philosophy the greater my appreciation for JRR Tolkien grows, because he addressed this exact problem in his story "Leaf By Niggle", about a man who desperately attempts to paint the perfect tree, adding leaf by leaf, but never manages it because he's taken away to "paradise" at the end of the story...

[@MrJK162]

I find the notion of negative emotions to be a strange one. As if there are emotions that must be avoided at all costs. Should we strive to always be happy, content and comfortable (assuming these are the positive emotions) and never be angry or sad (assuming these are negative)? If I become angry at seeing injustices in the world is it then fair to call that a negative emotion, especially if that emotion spurs me on to end said injustice? Conversely, if the torture of an innocent man causes me to feel happiness can that be called a positive emotion, especially if that creates a desire to partake in said torture. It seems that emotions themselves do not have positive or negative qualities, rather the actions or lack of action that may be a result of those emotions could be called positive or negative. Depression seems to be caused by an inability to feel emotion, rather then to only feel 'negative' ones. Without emotion our souls are laid bare to the harshness of reality and we can no longer see the beauty in the world, as if we are totally disconnected from the sublime.

[@Dantes_kiddo]

I want to see mountains again Gandalf! Mountains!

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

You writing a book?

[@Vooodooolicious]

It is worth noting that Jung's antidote to the Last Man was individuation. From here, I think that ideas such as the Dionysian eros in response to capitalism become interesting as viewed through the lens of the unconscious becoming in line with the conscious. Bit of a convoluted sentence there.

[@grimjhaixus]

A rebel to anything other than a challenge

[@satyakimukherjee5264]

What's the name of the painting in 5:09

[@tphilbin1]

Going to watch Napoleon played by joachim phoenix tonight at the odeon

[@oswurth8774]

THE OLD THUMBNAIL RETURNS!!

[@renaissancefairyowldemon7686]

This enlightening video: never get too comfortable with your life; always plan for the worst and hope for the best outcome. Thank you. 🖤🌹

[@oswurth8774]

Its nothing about planning. Youre not supposed to be attached to an idea of being. The only truth is youll always be becoming. Anything that happens has happened. You have to adapt.

[@renaissancefairyowldemon7686]

@oswurth8774 I love reality tunnels; I look at Philosophy and Psychology as being blended to humans, and there are no rules in what should go together. We are here on this blue planet to learn and grow from each other. Thanks for sharing.

[@mohitdas4065]

Please make a video on master morality and slave morality

[@incompetech_kmac]

👍

[@oswurth8774]

I wonder if he got comfort wrong for stability. That of the lowest maintenance and displeasure, that pacified state of an acceptable misery. Not comfort, but an acceptable level of “good-enoughness”, found in his criticism of Darwin.

[@justinchan8868]

comfort breeds weakness - Rengar

[@johnmanole4779]

Didn't you already uploaded this video a day or 2 ago?

[@TheLivingPhilosophy]

About 6 weeks ago. I had a couple of community posts about the original being age-restricted. This is a reupload where I've changed the only things that are even close to being questionable image-wise and the original thumbnail so we're going to see whether this gets restricted or not. The restriction basically killed the reach of the original dead so hoping this one reaches more people

[@johnmanole4779]

@@TheLivingPhilosophy let's hope they won't do it again

[@jodaddy83rd]

Is there still room for struggling for the good when the amount of government owned land increases and the cost of living is exponentially increaseing? Is it not better to not have to worry? there was a point in my life when I had enough money and time to do as i pleased and I feel I had no worries or struggles other than what should I do first in my day, go on a hike or enjoy a nice meal? how much stuggle is good and whats the quality of a good struggle? Whats the point of a struggle if you can have it all?

[@Mukesh....707]

Why Nietzsche loved Napolean? love from india❤

[@antirealist]

This is why I'm signing a contract with the US Army Rangers and not getting a desk job in the "real" world. I earned a degree in philosophy but that invaluable experience forced me to reconcile with the meaningless infinitude that is existence and seek my own meaning - all for the sake of my own flourishing instead of going down the path one with a degree is expected to trod. On this path, I have come to reject the values so prominent in the modern west such as comfort, seeking social status in cyberspace through performative empathy and sharing snapshots of a life curated for a platform. Instead, I want to make my body as strong as can be trained, my mind as sharp as can be molded, and my life as full of danger, adventure, and passion as can be had. This is my response to nihilism.

[@hallelujah88]

Good luck on your hero's journey.

[@josefk332]

Good luck defending the system you despise.

[@pablofrancisconizzo6731]

@@josefk332 the best way to destroy your enemy is to understand him deeply, if you want to destroy the system, get into it

[@Vooodooolicious]

I've been down that road. I think that you will find more nihilism in the Army more than anywhere.

[@abesapien9930]

Of COURSE somebody had a problem with this video. Glad I watched.

[@oswurth8774]

Poor and domesticated = your obedience will cause you to lose

[@d1427]

It is not comfort that is the source of evil but the pursuit of it, to the exclusion of living life for the sake of life. Well, if John the savage claims them all, and stress is seen as an impulse to growth, where does depression stand- isn't depression stress too? If it is, why is it excluded as a potential agent of growth? Nietzsche has a good point in describing the downside of comfort transforming man in 'the last man'. But why the idea of uberrmensch rather than that of, let's say 'first man'- one who can see beyond its humanity, if the last man needs an opposing type of character at all? And further the idea of the ubermensch as predators on the flock of last men that fueled the nazi ideology... That was unnecessary.

[@normanchan2001]

I'm not sure if this interpretation is entirely correct.

[@samuelAbebaw-ve7gr]

Is it me, or does nietzsche contradict himself? Or is it perhaps your ignorance in leaving out his philosophy of idleness? Perhaps it's nietszche. Perhaps he thought, just like emerson, consistency to be a foolish thing. He wrote of having free time and thinking for oneself, and he was above all critical of being busy. Why is this so misleading? Can anyone help?

[@DragonPanic]

I don't buy the narrative that the main problem with modernity is that we have it too easy and that is making us weak. Our environment is filled with pollution and toxins, forever chemicals such as PFAS and microplastics are inescapable, our food is barely recognizable as food to someone only a few generations ago, our minds are actively preyed upon by global media agendas, wealth inequality is at an all time high and we are living under the most aggressive all pervasive surveillance state in history, everywhere on the globe. Our rich culture history has been burned to the ground and we are left with a single dominator driven culture at a global level which has systematically dismantled or destroyed our age old coping mechanisms. This has all happened in the blink of an eye in evolutionary and cultural terms. There are better explanations for why people are depressed and have more mental issues than ever before. Yes it is due to the modern lifestyle and culture that we cannot escape, but not only or primarily because life is now too easy. But, as you point out, this isn't a reason to despair, but to accurately asses our challenges and do the hard work required to develop ourselves to the next level required to handle and thrive in this daunting situation. Probably an integral level has the answers in SD terms. Thank you for the great videos!

[@matthewdown5378]

The Ubermensch is an abomination. Nietzsche was never concerned with how his philosophy translated to the world or the horrors that unfold when beings mired in ignorance clutch at power. It is a philosophy of narcissism and grandiosity.

[@EatWithBadlands]

The ubermensche is just Neitsche’s alternative to nihilism after the death of God. In his opinion, you can either adopt the attitude of “nothing matters” or you can strive after your own set of values that you create yourself. His version of the ubermensche isn’t some dictator or special race of people, it is anyone who can live in a life affirming manner based on their own set of values. The Nazis just cherry picked aspects of his writings that fit their agenda, but this has also. been done with all religious books throughout history, as well as other philosophical works. Neitsche can’t help how other people choose to behave.

[@matthewdown5378]

@@EatWithBadlands The Ubermensch is concerned only with the welfare of its own being. There are no ethical or moral guidelines to his philosophy because these considerations are thought to be less important than self-actualisation. There is nothing more dangerous than Nietzschean philosophy because it is devoid of humanity. It betrays humanity in favour of its own grandiosity. You are right to suggest that we don't know what set of values might be produced.

[@felixb6]

@@matthewdown5378​​⁠​⁠​​⁠​​⁠​⁠​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠ The rest of humanity is a part of the Übermensch's being just as the Übermensch is a part of humanity. And what is the point of "humanity" anyway without the true actualization of desire? The moralistic, sterile, detached utilitarianism of the Last Man and modernity is even more devoid of any semblance of humanity imo.

[@EatWithBadlands]

@@matthewdown5378 My point is that the entire reason he felt the need to create the ubermensche is because people are losing their belief in God. If ppl don’t believe in God then there can be no absolute set of values outside of what each man creates for himself. He isn’t even telling people not to believe in God, he is just observing the fact most people can’t believe it anymore. Therefore, we would need to create our own sets of values because there is no man in the sky for ppl to look to. If you read TSZ, there is a scene where he meets a saint in the woods and he has a lot of admiration for this saint. He does not tell the saint that God is dead because the saint is living a meaningful life even if he is ignorant.

[@JK-ji3kl]

​@@matthewdown5378ok so what do you suggest in the face of the death of God?

[@villevanttinen908]

Don`t you think there is already too much Nietzsche? Like he´s the only one. Try to do something new, something of your own.