Studies in Philosophy and Education 18 (6):405-434 (1999)
Abstract |
The central questions raised by Allan Bloom's The Closing of theAmerican Mind are often overlooked. Among the most important ofBloom's themes is the impact of nihilism upon education. Bloom condemnsnihilism. Interestingly, we find among his critics two alternativejudgments. Richard Schacht, citing Nietzsche, asserts that nihilism,while fruitless in and of itself, is a necessary prerequisite tosomething higher. Harry Neumann, affirming the accuracy of nihilism,declares that both Bloom and Nietzsche reject nihilism out of ignoranceborn of weakness. All three philosophers understand that the purpose ofeducation emerges from one's position on nihilism. If nihilism is true,then it is senseless and cowardly to teach one's students that there aregrounds for moral judgments. On the other hand, if one believes thatthere is an objective higher and lower in moral matters, then one cannotat the same time consistently endorse nihilism or the atheism upon whichit rests. There is reason to believe that a consistent nihilism isimpossible and hence that the concept is bankrupt. But then something istrue, and there are grounds for moral judgment. Education must respondaccordingly. But even Bloom with his emphasis on the Great Books fallsshort of what is required. An education which aims to defeat nihilismmust, at the very least, hold out the promise that through thecultivation of reason one may indeed arrive at the truth
|
Keywords | aims (of education) Bloom (Allan) Neumann (Harry) Nietzsche nihilism relativism Schacht (Richard) |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
Reprint years | 2004 |
DOI | 10.1023/A:1005292702801 |
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
No references found.
Citations of this work BETA
A Nietzschean Re‐Evaluation of Values as a Way of Re‐Imagining Business Ethics.Payman Tajalli & Steven Segal - 2019 - Business Ethics: A European Review 28 (2):234-242.
Nietzsche Contra “Self-Reformulation”.J. Fennell - 2005 - Studies in Philosophy and Education 24 (2):85-111.
The Use of Socrates: Earl Shorris and the Quest for Political Emancipation Through the Humanities.James Scott Johnston & Timothy L. Simpson - 2006 - Educational Studies 39 (1):26-41.
Similar books and articles
Towards Adualism: Becoming and Nihilism in Nietzsche’s Philosophy.Manuel Dries - 2008 - In M. Dries (ed.), Nietzsche on Time and History. Walter de Gruyter.
Metaethics and Nihilism in Reginster's The Affirmation of Life.Nadeem J. Z. Hussain - 2012 - Journal of Nietzsche Studies 43 (1):99-117.
Nihilism and the Postmodern in Vattimo's Nietzsche.Ashley Woodward - 2002 - Minerva - An Internet Journal of Philosophy 6 (1):51-67.
Nietzsche and Buddhism: A Study in Nihilism and Ironic Affinities.Robert G. Morrison - 1997 - Oxford University Press.
Nihilism Now!: Monsters of Energy.Keith Ansell-Pearson & Diane Morgan (eds.) - 2000 - St. Martin's Press.
How Deep Are the Roots of Nihilism? : Nietzsche on the Creative Power of Nature and Morality.Jeffrey Metzger - 2009 - In Jeffrey A. Metzger (ed.), Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Philosophy of the Future. Continuum.
Nietzsche Rhetoric Nihilism : Every Name in History, Every Style, Everything Permitted? (A Political Philology of the Last Letter).Geoff Waite - 2009 - In Jeffrey A. Metzger (ed.), Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Philosophy of the Future. Continuum.
Nietzsche's Double Rhetoric : Which Nihilism.Stanley Rosen - 2009 - In Jeffrey A. Metzger (ed.), Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Philosophy of the Future. Continuum.
Nietzsche : Nihilism and Neo-Gnosticism.Stanley Corngold - 2009 - In Jeffrey A. Metzger (ed.), Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Philosophy of the Future. Continuum.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2010-09-02
Total views
55 ( #208,415 of 2,519,809 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
2 ( #270,824 of 2,519,809 )
2010-09-02
Total views
55 ( #208,415 of 2,519,809 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
2 ( #270,824 of 2,519,809 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads