avatarYong Kim

Summary

The provided text is a philosophical reflection on the nature of fascism and socialism, contrasting their moral stances and societal impacts through an analysis of historical contexts and psychological underpinnings.

Abstract

The article delves into a comparative analysis of fascism and socialism, portraying fascism as an overtly amoral and nihilistic ideology that is straightforward in its intentions of power and subjugation. It suggests that fascists, often misinterpreting Nietzsche, embrace violence and a destructive purpose, as exemplified by Nazi Germany. In contrast, socialism is depicted as a more covert threat, masquerading as a moral high ground while harboring hypocritical and potentially more dangerous moral justifications for its actions. The text explores the psychological and societal conditions that give rise to such ideologies, emphasizing the unique circumstances of Germany that led to the rise of Hitler and the consequent atrocities. It also touches upon the concept of Zeitgeist and the role of emotions and passions in driving ideological movements, questioning whether humanity can learn from past mistakes or if it is doomed to repeat them.

Opinions

  • Fascism is seen as more honest about its amorality, recognizing its nihilism, and is compared to a foe that openly declares its intent to harm.
  • Socialism is viewed as more dangerous due to its deceptive nature, presenting itself as morally superior while concealing its own immorality and potential for harm.
  • The rise of fascism, particularly in Nazi Germany, is attributed to a combination of economic hardship, national humiliation, and the influence of a charismatic leader, along with a misinterpretation of Nietzsche's philosophy.
  • The text suggests that fascism is not true nihilism, as it is driven by a strong sense of purpose and meaning, albeit a destructive one.
  • The author reflects on the collective rage and unified purpose of a nation, such as Germany during the rise of Hitler, as a force that can overshadow moral considerations.
  • The article posits that the aftermath of such ideological fervor leaves a society with a choice: to understand and learn from the past or to repress and ignore it, potentially leading to its recurrence.
  • The author criticizes the approach of banning discussions about fascism, arguing that such measures do not eradicate the ideology but rather sweep it under the rug, leaving lingering feelings of guilt and unresolved issues.

12

Fascism, the More Obvious Monster

Than socialism, its dishonest sister

Photo by Author

“So is fascism, by the way, although they’re a tad more honest about their psychopathy in that they at least recognize their amorality or nihilism, fashioning themselves, some of them, as followers of Nietzschean will to power, whether Nietzsche approves or not.”

“At least they don’t pretend to have a high moral ground because there’s no such thing for them, while the Marxists act like they’re on a high moral horse, talking about the injustice of the class struggle, while conveniently hiding the necessity of many evils in their plans.”

“The fascist is the obvious foe that tells you that they’ll kill you. The socialist is the hidden foe that acts like your friend, someone moral and trustworthy, only to talk smack about you behind your back to justify their backstabbing, stealing, and killing.”

“In that way, the socialist is more dangerous because you don’t see them coming because you don’t realize their friendliness masks their immorality, their incredulous justifications of the worst moral wrongs, much worse than those of fascists in many ways.”

“Fascism is easy to oppose, easy to denounce because anyone with any shred of moral conscience will be appalled at the amorality, the true nihilism. Only those mentally deficient, seduced by the charms of Nietzsche’s philosophy, might be so radicalized.”

“Mentally deficient because they think they understand Nietzsche when they don’t, any more than Hitler did. Nihilism does not endorse Fascism more than any other, and is pretty difficult to come to terms with.”

“Though more likely it’s some psychological issue, rather than a fascination with Nietzsche’s philosophy, that might lead you to fascism, to be OK with such violence and subjugation, such absolute disrespect and hatred of humanity.”

“Or perhaps a cult of personality, a profound obsession and devotion to someone such that you forsake all others, even your morals, for the sake of obedience, to be their slave, not that different from religious submission, like the Islamic radicals.”

“Whatever the case, it’s relatively rare, Hitler and Nazi Germany is a pretty unique case, many factors converging simultaneously to create a perfect storm never before seen in history and hopefully never to be seen again…”

“From the devastation of Germany and the harsh penalties from the previous World War, the economic suffering and the resentment towards the rest of the world who seem hell-bent against her, and the rising charismatic leader promising to end Germany’s suffering…”

“And here’s Nietzsche, one of your own, talking about the disgusting slave morality of the Christians, the Jews, that pander to the weak to the detriment of the strong, talking about ubermensch and the will to power, and it’s just so easy…”

“So easy to turn it into anti-semitism, to turn it into militarism, into an anthem for Germany’s glorious rise to power once more, exacting revenge on the rest of the world who sought to punish her, humiliate her, destroy her.”

“I’m not a historian, I’m not even a psychologist, but I can feel it, I can hear Hegel’s Zeitgeist whispering, no shouting, ‘Vengeance and destruction! Vengeance and destruction to the world!’ over and over again, the whole of Germany unified in this mission.”

“I can understand it, I’ve felt such rage before, almost impossible to tame, the rage of the downtrodden, of someone with nothing to lose, and when they combine and multiply into a mob, a whole nation, it has a life of its own, permeating everything.”

“It doesn’t even feel like submission anymore, not mere obedience, but true unity in purpose, true unity in meaning, as if Germany has become one organism with a singular purpose, with nothing to stop its progress until it has accomplished it or destroyed itself.”

“It’s not nihilism. In fact, nothing could be more purposeful, more meaningful, it’s the opposite of nihilism. Everything matters and matters a great deal. Only the meaning is destructive here, almost blind to the moral horror of even concentration camps.”

“Because they’re not human, not even animal, but only things to dispose of, to destroy. And in that blindness and frenzy, there’s nihilism, at least in the form of moral nihilism, because there’s no right or wrong, only will, power, passion, and rage…”

“Like a child acting out, full of rage and will, as if to prove Hume’s thesis that reason is the slave of the passions, there’s no talking him out of it, not until he’s given a time-out, not until he’s calmed down enough to be able to listen and reflect.”

“And when the rage is spent, the blinding haze is lifted, and you see the destruction you’ve wrought, the monster you’ve unleashed, you can either face it, understand it, and incorporate the lesson, or repress it, punish the obvious leaders, and move on.”

“The feelings of guilt still lingering, still eating away at your soul, until you’ve resolved it one way or another. Because you can change and control your passions, that’s what growing up is all about, but that requires looking at the monster in the shadow.”

“No, instead you ban the monster, ban even talking about the monster, pretend it doesn’t exist, put it out of view from everyone, into a nice, forbidden box no one can peer into. There! It’s gone! No need to worry about fascism ever again! Right? Right???”

a monologue about social, political, and moral philosophy cleverly disguised as a dialogue between me and my imaginary daughter Annie: first, next.

Politics
Philosophy
Society
Culture
Fascism
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