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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 8:43:36 GMT -5
This freethinker had a huge influence on mankind, and liked listening to classical music and walks in the mountains, very much a radio 3 type
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 9:18:25 GMT -5
In 1936, Theodor Adorno, one of the founders of the Frankfurt School of Philosophy, wrote an article about jazz music, " Über Jazz", although it should be noted that during the 'thirties, jazz was frequently used to refer to all popular music. Adorno launched a polemic against the blooming entertainment industry, arguing that popular culture was a system by which society was controlled through a top-down creation of standardised culture that intensified the commodification of artistic expression. In the post-war period, the Frankfurt School's argument, that most of culture helps to keep its audience compliant with capitalism, had an explosive impact. Adorno saw the culture industry as an arena in which critical tendencies or potentialities were eliminated. He argued that the culture industry, which produced and circulated cultural commodities through the mass media, manipulated the population. Popular culture was identified as a reason why people become passive; the easy pleasures available through consumption of popular culture made people docile and content, no matter how terrible their economic circumstances. The differences among cultural goods make them appear different, but they are in fact just variations on the same theme. Adorno's analysis allowed for a critique of mass culture from the left which balanced the critique of popular culture from the right. From both perspectives — left and right — the nature of cultural production was felt to be at the root of social and moral problems resulting from the consumption of culture. However, while the critique from the right emphasised moral degeneracy ascribed to sexual and racial influences within popular culture, Adorno located the problem not with the content, but with the objective realities of the production of mass culture and its effects. Arguably, it remains influential today. From a sociological point of view, I think that there is a sense in which the emergence of popular culture generated Friedrich Nietzsche in opposition to that popular culture. Much as I admire the Frankfurt School's analysis, I do not agree with Adorno's take on jazz, pop music or the consumer society in general. Friedrich Nietzsche was to philosophy what Søren Kierkegaard was to theology. Both were pioneers of existentialism. "Christianity resolved to find that the world was bad and ugly," declared Nietzsche, "and has made it bad and ugly." He was an intellectual, revolted at the rise of mass literacy, and of mass culture in general. Much as I admire Nietzsche's arguments, Jason ought to go and live in Naples, on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. If I may quote Friedrich Nietzsche directly:
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 9:37:22 GMT -5
Although Heidegger's initial analysis of humans as Dasein makes them sound rather like zombie-like beings moulded by society and culture and merely reacting to events, he then introduced the concept of authenticity. He made a sharp distinction between farmers and rural workers, whom he considered to have an instinctive grasp of their own humanity, and city dwellers, who he described as leading inauthentic lives, out of touch with their own individuality, which in turn causes anxiety. This anxiety is our response to the apparently arbitrary cultural rules under which we, as Dasein, become accustomed to living out our lives, and Heidegger says that there are two responses we can choose: we can flee the anxiety by conforming even more closely to the rules (inauthenticity); or face up to it, carrying on with daily life, but, crucially, without any expectation of any deep final meaning (authenticity). The latter approach allows us to respond to unique situations in an individual way (although still within the confines of social norms), and this was Heidegger's idea of how one should live. For Heidegger, this acceptance of how things are in the real world, however limiting it may be, is itself liberating.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 9:41:15 GMT -5
Yet why are there beings at all, Jason, instead of nothing?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 9:52:24 GMT -5
Questions on life ? Why not buy a course on philosophy or let the religion of your choice offer some solutions, for a price, we are prepared to waffle. philosophynow.org/festival
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 10:12:41 GMT -5
"come to the free event, get into it, buy a course later" - philosophers
"come in, chat, join the community and then pay for a wedding, funeral, christening later, oh and do leave us some cash in yer will eh" - religion
"mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 10:53:10 GMT -5
Out of interest, Jason, have you ever read ' The Golden Bough'? Beware! Sir James Frazer's masterpiece describes our ancestors' primitive methods of worship, sexual practices, strange rituals and festivals. Disproving the popular thought that primitive life was simple, this monumental survey shows that savage man was enmeshed in a tangle of magic, taboos and superstitions. Sir James begins thus: Tate - Lake Nemi c.1827-8
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 12:19:09 GMT -5
sounds interesting, have you read it ?
I thought no real account existed of pre-christian religion in europe ?
The druids died out, they say, without leaving a record though I do believe the later witch burnings were, actually, burnings of pagan witches and not 'innocent ladies' as some say.
Interestingly enough, the natives of australia were very religious, spending most of their time on such things, which could explain why they never developed much.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 12:50:15 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 13:06:47 GMT -5
I enjoy reading about the romantics and it is true that people went to church a lot so religion was a major factor in their life. A conflict has always existed between religious leaders, merchants and the aristocracy, but it would seem that this conflict helps balance things out. I talked to my local vicar, tom, about a few issues sometime ago and helped him with his local social enterprise kinda things, nice chap, it does make sense to have a local religous leader and that be a strong part of the community. ... that head of wonga is in league with the devil... The queen should chop his head off You know, Ruskin was destined for the church, by his parents, his only relief from reading the bible was reading byron, hugely dangerous ! www.ruskinmuseum.com/ruskin.htmI am toying with a small press publication idea called 'ruskin times' which will mix his writings with others, plan would be that advertising would make it profitable and would be delivered to homes in Kent and then spread from there. I shall talk with the enterprise agency in Kent about this at some point, laser printers have got cheap.... technology makes things viable and yes, ruskin is now, i believe, out of copyright.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 13:40:21 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 14:16:58 GMT -5
Ruskin inspired william morris and arts and crafts are alive in all countrified parts of the nation, and in towns and cities.
Ruskin lived in London for sometime.
Books are dangerous, they spread ideas, and last, over time, the written word is DANGEROUS.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 15:22:34 GMT -5
Red House was once in Kent, but technically speaking, I suspect that it is now in Greater London (Bexleyheath). The only house commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts & Crafts movement, Red House is a building of extraordinary architectural and social significance. When it was completed in 1860, it was described by Edward Burne-Jones as 'the beautifullest place on earth'. Only recently acquired by the Trust, the rooms at Red House give a unique view of William Morris’ earliest designs and decorative schemes. The original features and furniture by Morris and Philip Webb, stained glass and paintings by Burne-Jones, the bold architecture and a garden designed to 'clothe the house', add up to a fascinating and rewarding place to visit. National Trust - Red HouseUpon reflection, William Morris, rather than John Ruskin, might be a better bet for publication. ' Red House' is a naturally radical title! Out of interest, is your new Kentish home red, Jason?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 19:46:19 GMT -5
. . . have you ever read ' The Golden Bough'? Beware! . . . How imposing your post is kleines c!
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