death of philosophy and rise of film

8/10/2019 Death of Philosophy and Rise of Film

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THE END OF PHILOSOPHY AND THE RISE OF FILMS

Michael Bischof

INTRODUCTION

Philosophy is at its e! a! "o#ies a$e $eplaci% it&

It see"e! help'(l to sta$t )ith a %ee$ali*e! o#e$#ie) o' "y p$o+ect a! sp$ea! o(t'$o" the$e&

I )ill (se the philosophe$ Ma$ti Hei!e%%e$,s s-etch o' the e! o' philosophy. a!

the /l""a-e$ 0i" 0e!e$s as a e1a"ple o' ho) "o#ies a$e $eplaci% philosophy&

To t$a#el this $o(te. I )ill (se a ei%ht2'ol! path&

This it$o!(ctio&

It$o!(ce Ma$ti Hei!e%%e$&

It$o!(ce 0i" 0e!e$s&

Ite$t)ie Hei!e%%e$ a! 0e!e$s&

De/e Metaphysics&

O#e$co"e Metaphysics&


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The Tas- o' !)elli%&

The capa3ility o' /l"s to e"3o!yi% this !)elli%

0e spe! "(ch o' o($ li#es s($$o(!e! 3y "o#i% photo%$aphic i"a%es& 0e a$e

s($$o(!e! 3y a a(!io2#is(al 'o$" )hich /$st too- shape i the cie"a a!

3eca"e the co""o c($$ecy o' "o!e$ tele#isio& Both "ate$ially a! "etally

they ha#e a shapi% i"pact o o($ li#es& et 'e) people "a-e a efo$t to $e4ect

3ac- o /l". thi-i% o' "o#ies solely as pop(la$ ete$tai"et& My tas- is to ta-e

/l"s se$io(sly as tho(%ht a! a$t& I )at to thi- a3o(t ho) )e thi- a3o(t /l"s&

I )at to e1plo$e ho) /l"s ha#e the capacity to a!!$ess so"e o' the -ey iss(es

)hich aca!e"ic philosophy has 3ee %$appli% )ith 'o$ cet($ies. a! opes these

5(estios (p i e) )ays to the 3illios o' people )ho a$e e1pose! to this

techolo%y&

As a e1a"ple o' the capacity o' /l" to !o philosophy. I )ill loo- at 0i" 0e!e$,s

0i%s o' Desi$e 6789:;. the sto$y o' a a%el ho#e$i% o#e$ Be$li )ho !eci!es to

3eco"e "o$tal&

The


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Cet$al i the philosophy o' Ma$ti Hei!e%%e$ is the cocept o' techolo%y& @0e

shall 3e 5(estioi% techolo%y a! i !oi% so )e sho(l! li-e to p$epa$e a '$ee

$elatioship to it& The $elatioship )ill 3e '$ee i' it opes o($ h("a e1pe$iece to

the essece o' techolo%y&@

I )at to (se Ma$ti Hei!e%%e$,s essay. @The ?(estio Coce$i% Techolo%y@ as a

)ay o' '$a"i% "y !isc(ssio a3o(t /l"& I see Hei!e%%e$,s !isc(ssio o' the

!a%e$s o' techolo%y a! the co$$espo!i% sa#i% %$ace as a "ic$ocos" o' his

philosophy as a )hole. a! the t$as'o$"atio o' tho(%ht he )ishes to ca$$y o(t&

This sectio ca also 3e see as a "ic$ocos" o' "y p$o+ect as a )hole& I )ill !e/e

ho) I a" (si% techolo%y. loo- at the !a%e$s o' techolo%y. a! /ally I )ill

e1plo$e the sa#i% %$ace )hich ca a$ise '$o" techolo%y& Late$ i the pape$. I )ill

play o(t a si"ila$ cycle o' !e/itio. !a%e$s. a! o#e$co"i% i the a$ea o'

"etaphysics. (si% 3oth Hei!e%%e$ a! 0i%s o' Desi$e to a$tic(late the p$ocess&

De/i% techolo%y

Hei!e%%e$ (ses the )o$! techolo%y i "ay )ays& Histo$ically. he is $e'e$$i% to

the "ass "echaica*atio )hich 3e%a i the ei%hteeth cet($y a! cites

coc$ete e1a"ples s(ch as hy!$oelectic po)e$ plats. $a!a$ statios. a! +et

ai$c$a'ts& This is a "atte$ o' (si% e1te$al ist$("ets as a "eas to a e!& I

a!!itio. Hei!e%%e$ (ses techolo%y to !e/e a "o!e o' thi-i%. a! a )ay o'

$e#eali%& This !e/itio o' techolo%y is ot li"ite! to e1te$al "achies )e (se.

3(t has $oots i a )ay o' thi-i% )hich %oes 3ac- to the aciet


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Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. techolo%y is a "etho! 'o$ calli% 'o$th a! t$as'o$"i% the stoc-

o' $eality acco$!i% to o($ )ill& Techolo%y 'acilitates a cot$ol o#e$ $eality. $athe$

tha opeess to e1pe$ieci% it&

Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. techolo%y i its essece is a e1tesio o' "etaphysics 22 a! is

%$o(!e! i the histo$y o' "etaphysics as a "o!e o' $e#eali%&

My (se o' /l" as techolo%y

Fil" is oe o' the "ost po)e$'(l a! p$e#alet techolo%ies o' o($ cet($y 22 a!

oe o' the "ost techolo%ical o' pop(la$ a$t 'o$"s& I the "e!i(" o' /l" the a$tistic

a! the techolo%ical "eet. a! this co'$otatiocoope$atio sp$i%s 'o$th a

'asciati% $elatio )hich I )at to e1plo$e&

Hei!e%%e$,s oly speci/c $e'e$ece to the "e!i(" o' /l" i @The ?(estio

Coce$i% Techolo%y@ is $elati% to its !a%e$ a! e%ati#e i"pact& It is a )a$i%

a%aist the ("3i% i"pact the p$oli'e$atio o' i"a%es i )hich )e li#e ca ha#e o

(s& Hei!e%%e$ )a$s that @)e !o ot yet hea$. )e )hose hea$i% a! seei% a$e

pe$ishi% th$o(%h $a!io a! /l" (!e$ the $(le o' techolo%y&@ This p$oli'e$atio o'

i"a%es a! so(!s. )hich has "(ltiplie! ("e$o(s ti"es i the 'o$ty2/#e yea$s

sice Hei!e%%e$ )$ote the essay. "a-es it #e$y easy 'o$ oe to lose oesel' i

p(3licess a! i!le tal-& Cose5(etly. the i!i#i!(al 'ails to hea$ o$ see he$ o)

sel' a"o%st the chatte$ o' the they2sel'& A"o%st a 3a$$a%e o' CNN. To" C$(ise.a! i'o"e$cials. it is easy to lose si%ht o' oesel'&

Da%e$ i techolo%y

Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. this !a%e$ is ot li"ite! to the p$oli'e$atio o' i"a%es. 3(t i the

(se o' all techolo%y )itho(t a!e5(ate 5(estioi% its i"pact& @0e a$e !eli#e$e!

o#e$ to it i the )o$st possi3le )ay )he )e $e%a$! it as so"ethi% e(t$al> 'o$ this

coceptio o' it. to )hich to!ay )e pa$tic(la$ly li-e to !o ho"a%e. "a-es (s (tte$ly

3li! to the essece o' techolo%y&@

The !a%e$ 'ollo)s '$o" the 'act that people a$e o lo%e$ "e$ely p$eocc(pie! )ith

the tool2)o$l! i o$!e$ to p$o#i!e the 3asic ecessities o' li'e. to%ethe$ )ith a

"o!est s(pply o' l(1($ies& 0e a$e te"pte! to 3eco"e eti$ely a3so$3e! a!

'asciate! 3y the #e$y !e"a!i% (i#e$se o' o3+ects st(!ie! a! "aip(late! 3y

techolo%ies& I this a%e o' )hat Hei!e%%e$ calls.


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icl(!i% "a hi"sel'. 3eco"es "ate$ial 'o$ a p$ocess o' p$o!(ctio. a i"positio

o' h("a )ill o thi%s $e%a$!less o' thei$ o) essetial at($es&


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@E#e$y '(c-i% telly is the cete$ o' the )o$l!& The cete$ has 3eco"e a pathetic

otio. a! so has the i"a%e o' the )o$l! 3eco"e a pathetic i!ea. the "o$e

tele#isios the$e a$e i the )o$l!& Do) )ith tele#isio&@

@A"e$ica tele#isio )as that ic$e!i3ly oisy. tasteless. calc(late!.

cote"pt(o(s 3eha#io$ o' this syste" o' i"a%es )hich I )atche! at /$st )ith

'$i%htee! 'asciatio. a! the I %$a!(ally 3eca"e its p$ey& I )as li-e a ai"al

pa$aly*e! 3y 'ea$. o a $oa! at i%ht. sta$i% ito the ca$ hea!li%hts& That,s ho) I

sta$e! ito that 4ic-e$i% li%ht&@

The "ass o' i"a%es )hich a$e p$o!(ce! se$#e )hat 0e!e$s sees as @the A"e$ica

state philosophy Ete$tai"et&@

The sa#i% %$ace

B(t )he$e the$e is !a%e$. the$e %$o)s )hat sa#es& Sal#atio "(st co"e '$o"

)he$e the !a%e$ is 22 o$ it is ia(thetic& Fo$ Hei!e%%e$ 3e%is )ith this

ac-o)le!%"et a! the sa#i% %$ace @icl(!es hol!i% al)ays 3e'o$e o($ eyes the

e1t$e"e !a%e$&@

E#e$ythi% !epe!s (po this that )e po!e$ this a$isi% a! that )e. $ecollecti%.

)atch o#e$ it&&& So lo% as )e $ep$eset techolo%y as a ist$("et. )e $e"ai

t$as/1e! i the )ill to "aste$ it& 0e p$ess o past the essece o' techolo%y&

I o($ cet($y. poets a! techicias co'$ot each othe$ as atithetical /%($es.

a! Hei!e%%e$,s thi-i% $e#ol#es a$o(! thei$ co'$otatio& Ce$taily poets a!

techicias a$e ot "(t(ally e1cl(si#e 3ei%s. 3(t they a$e %ee$ali*e! to $ep$eset

a la$%e$ tesio )ithi society o' the poetic a! the techolo%ical i o($ tho(%ht

a! actio&

The poet )al-i% i the )oo!s loses hi"sel' i the $apt($e o' its p$esece> the

techicia calc(lates 3(ll!o*e$s that )ill 3e ee!e! to le#el it& 0e see i the poet

the i!eal o' 3ehol!i% the 3ea(ty> i the techicia. the !$i#e to po)e$&


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Is the sa#i% %$ace i the poetic techolo%y I the $ecociliatio o' poet$y a!

techolo%y

0he Hei!e%%e$,s i!eas a$e applie! to i"a%es a! techolo%y. the sa#i% %$ace is

i pe$soali*atio a! poetici*i% o' the %ee$ic "ass o' i"a%es )ith )hich )e a$e

3a$$a%e!& I a selectio a! app$op$iatio '$o" the i!istict "asses. the

techolo%y 3eco"es h("ae a! si%i/cat. ot +(st a tool o' "aip(latio& The

sa#i% %$ace i techolo%ical co""(icatio is to ta-e the "e!i(" 3eyo! the

$e%(late!2$e%(lati% ist$("et o' i'o$"atio a! co""e$cialis" it ca so easily

3eco"e&

0hat is ee!e! i the 'ace o' the !a%e$ o' techolo%y is ot e) techolo%ies to

/1 the ol! oes. o$ e#e a shelte$ to hi!e '$o" e1isti% techolo%ies. 3(t to

h("ai*e the oes )hich )e li#e a"o%st> "a-i% the 'o$" "eai%'(l. si%i/cat.

h("ae a! $esoati%& I a" ofe$i% the /l""a-e$ 0i" 0e!e$s a! his /l".

0i%s o' Desi$e as a e1a"ple o' )hat is possi3le )ith the h("ai*atio o' the

techolo%y o' /l"&

0ith a hei%htee! attetio. /l" ca $esc(e i"a%es '$o" the %ee$ic "ass a!

p$oli'e$atio o' si%hts a! so(!s& By 'oste$i% a 5(ietess )hich "a-es it possi3le

to liste to the thi%s the"sel#es. the /l" ca let the i"a%e spea-. a! let thi%s

appea$&

?UESTIONIN< STORIES 6It$o!(ci% 0i" 0e!e$s;

As I a" (si% 0e!e$s as a e1a"ple o' this sa#i% %$ace. it see"s %oo! to s-etch

the $elatio 0e!e$s has to the $est o' the /l" )o$l!& 0hat is the coectio

3et)ee the t)o. a! ho) $ep$esetati#e is 0e!e$s o' othe$ /l""a-e$s

0i" 0e!e$s 3e%a "a-i% /l"s i the ea$ly 78:Gs as pa$t o' a "o#e"et calle!

the Ne)


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p$i"e e1a"ple o' the $e%(late!. ($e4e1i#e. co""o!it*atio o' techolo%y )hich

Hei!e%%e$ )a$e! o'&

O' pop(la$ A"e$ica cie"a 0e!e$s e1plais the li"itatios it has 3$o(%ht (po

itsel'.

They,#e %i#e (p e1pe$ieci% thi%s 2li'e2 o(tsi!e the cie"a a! as a $es(lt they

a$e (a3le to %et aythi% o' that ito thei$ /l"s& I $ea! a #e$y '$a- ite$#ie) )ith

Ste#e Speil3e$%& He sai! he tho(%ht it )as a %$eat loss to hi"sel' that his eti$e

e1pe$iece. his )o$l!. cosiste! eti$ely o' his chil!hoo! cie"a e1pe$iece& It is a

astoishi% a!"issio. 3(t I thi- he,ll ca$$y o $e%a$!less& I !o,t 3elie#e he )ill

e#e$ !o aythi% !ife$etly& The atte"pt 0e!e$s "a!e )as to 3e%a /l""a-i%

a%ai.

o(tsi!e o' the co""e$cial "achie& @The Ne)


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INTERT0ININ< 0ENDERS AND HEIDE


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philosophy ito a e1p$essio '$o" isi!e Bei%. $athe$ tha o(tsi!e a! a3o#e

Bei%&

0o$l!20i!e Ho"esic-ess

The $easo that 3oth Hei!e%%e$ a! 0e!e$s 'eel the ee! 'o$ this t$as'o$"atio

ito Bei% is to a!!$ess a (p$oote! coscio(sess )hich they see a! 'eel i the

cote"po$a$y )o$l! a$o(! the"& This lac- o' $oote!ess is the "oti#atio )hich

p$o"pts the t$as'o$"atios each )ishes to "a-e& I a" loo-i% at thei$ c$eatios

a! e1p$essios ofe$e! to the )o$l!. 3oth i )$iti% a! /l". as a atte"pt at

!eali% )ith a p$o'o(! lac- o' coectio )ith )o$l! a! Bei% p$e#alet i o($

techolo%ical ti"e&

0e ca see this ho"elessess "ost coc$etely i the sit(atio 3oth "e a$ise '$o"i post20o$l! 0a$ II


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Both see a alieatio a! !espai$ i thei$ $especti#e. o#e$lappi% cote"po$a$y

ti"es )hich is a $es(lt o' a !e/iti#e (!e$lyi% "etaphysics a! )o$l!2#ie)& Both

also see a ee! to o#e$co"e this li"itatio& This is the p$o"pt )hich lo%s 'o$ a!

calls a3o(t !)elli%&

0e!e$s

I 0e!e$,s 789J /l". The State o' Thi%s. a3o(t the "a-i% o' a i!epe!et

/l". the @/ctioal@ !i$ecto$ o' the /l" )ithi the /l". F$ie!$ich. a$tic(lates the

'eeli% o' all o' 0e!e$s, ea$lie$ /l"s a! co'esses. @I," ot at ho"e ay)he$e&@

Fo$ 0e!e$s. so"e)he$e. the +oy has %oe ast$ay. 3(t it is ot o(t o' si%ht. o$

"e"o$y& @0he the chil! )as a chil!. it !i!,t -o) it )as a chil!. e#e$ythi% )as

'(ll o' li'e a! all li'e )as oe@

0e!e$s sees thi%s as '$a%"ets o). o$ as so"e )o(l! say. he is c($se! )ith a

@post2"o!e$ sesi3ility.@ yet he has a lo%i% to piece these '$a%"ets to%ethe$ i

a )hole. to collect the" i a sto$y. a! to e1pe$iece $esoaces&

All o' 0e!e$,s /l"s p$io$ to 0i%s o' Desi$e )e$e $oa!2"o#ies& The cha$acte$s %o

o a! o. )itho(t ay pa$tic(la$ !estiatio i "i!& It is ot i"po$tat 'o$ the" to

a$$i#e ay)he$e i pa$tic(la$& The sto$ies a$e !o"iate! 3y !islocate! "ales

sea$chi% 'o$ the sa#i% %$ace. yet e#e$ satiate!& I 0e!e$,s /$st !o*e /l"s he

ac-o)le!%es a! !esc$i3es his #ie) o' the '$a%"ete! at($e o' the cote"po$a$y

so(l a! c(lt($e& Not (til 0i%s o' Desi$e !i! he $espo! to that ho"esic-ess. o$

!i! he ofe$ a t$as'o$"atio 3eyo! that '$a%"etatio&

As 0i%s o' Desi$e )as /l"e! i 789=. +(st a co(ple o' yea$s p$io$ to the 'all o' the

Be$li 0all a! a !i#i!e! Be$li. a%els a! the ca"e$a -eep $et($i% to the )all.

%i#i% (s oe o' the st$o%est "o!e$ i"a%es )e ha#e to !esc$i3e the !i#i!e!

6


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@No othe$ co(t$y i the )o$l! has sol! itsel' so "(ch a! set its i"a%es. its SELF

i"a%es )ith s(ch po)e$ ito e#e$y co$e$ o' the )o$l!&@

@A"e$ica. la! o' i"a%es La! "a!e o' i"a%es La! 'o$ i"a%es& E#e )$iti% has

3eco"e picto$ial he$e li-e o)he$e else&@

This is 0e!e$,s speci/c p$o"pt 'o$ his p$o+ect the $eco#e$y o' #isio& Pa(l Ce*ae

ph$ases 0e!e$,s !esi$e& @Thi%s a$e loo-i% 3a!& o( ha#e to h($$y i' yo( )at to

see aythi%& E#e$ythi% is !isappea$i%&@

I 0e!e$,s t$a#el2!ia$y. To-yo2


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I the 'ace o' the essetial ho"elessess o' "a. the$e is a st$(%%le 'o$ a ho"e. 'o$

a %$o(!i%& Hei!e%%e$ sees this ho"elessess as. "ost '(!a"etally. the

sy"pto" o' "a,s o3li#io to the 5(estio o' Bei%& The t$(th o' Bei% $e"ais

(tho(%ht a! )e ha#e close! o($sel#es of to the "eai%'(less o' the 5(estio&

@This ho"elessess is speci/cally e#o-e! '$o" the !estiy o' Bei% i the 'o$" o'

"etaphysics a! th$o(%h "etaphysics is si"(ltaeo(sly et$eche! a! co#e$e!(p as s(ch&@

Di#i!e! so(ls a! c(lt($e& @The ti"e $e"ais !estit(te ot oly 3eca(se


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also coceals& The $easo )hich cla$i/es also o3sc($es& Nothi% "ay 3e ill("iate!

)itho(t sha!o)s 3ei% cast& The #al(es )hich 0este$ ci#ili*atio ha! !$a) i

o$!e$ to !e/e "a a! to %i#e "eai% a! !i$ectio to h("a li'e ha#e 3ee

(lli/e!& @This is the !a$-ei% o' the )o$l!&@ 0e see the li%hts i the cie"a ha#e

'alle& 0e still a)ait the 4ic-e$i% li%ht co"i% '$o" the p$o+ecto$ to e%a%e (s& The

)o$l! a)aits a so($ce o' ee$%y to ill("iate the sc$ee&

@The t$a!itio o' the t$(th a3o(t 3ei%s )hich %oes (!e$ the title o' ,"eta,

!e#elops ito a pile o' !isto$tios. o lo%e$ $eco%i*i% itsel'. co#e$i% (p the

p$i"o$!ial essece o' Bei%& He$ei lies the ecessity o' the ,!est$(ctio, o' this

!isto$tio. )he a thi-i% o' the t$(th o' Bei% 3eco"es ecessa$y& B(t this

!est$(ctio. li-e ,pheo"eolo%y, a! all he$"ee(tical t$asce!etal 5(estios

has ot yet tho(%ht i te$"s o' the histo$y o' Bei%s&@

By @philosophy@ i these essays. Hei!e%%e$ "eas philosophy as a @"atte$ o'

$easo&@ 0he )e loo- ito the histo$y o' "etaphysics. )e /! philosophy,s 'aith i

$easo a! its 'aith i the (lti"ate $atioality o' the )o$l!& 0e /! a )o$l! )hich is

itelli%i3le )ithi e1isti% cate%o$ies. co'o$"s to the la)s o' lo%ic. a! is (lti"ately

e1plaia3le&

Acco$!i% to Hei!e%%e$. o "etaphysics. )hethe$ i!ealistic. "ate$ialistic. o$

Ch$istia. ca @%et a hol!@ o Bei% o its o) te$"s o$ i acco$! )ith its essece&

O the cot$a$y. "etaphysics is the (!e$lyi% st$(ct($e o' p$es(ppositios )hich

shelte$s (s '$o" Bei%& @E#e$y !ete$"iatio o' the essece o' "a )hich al$ea!y

p$es(pposes a ite$p$etatio )ith 3ei% )itho(t as-i% a3o(t the t$(th o' Bei%.

)hethe$ -o)i% o$ ot. is "etaphysical&@

Tho(%h Hei!e%%e$ !$a)s ispi$atio '$o" He$aclit(s. Pa$"ei!es. a! Aa1i"a!e$.

)ho p$ece!e! Soc$ates. Hei!e%%e$ is $e'e$$i% to the t$a!itio )hich 3e%is "ost

!istictly )ith Soc$ates. a! is passe! to Plato a! A$istotle. a! '$o" the". to the

s(3se5(et )este$ t$a!itio& I this (se. philosophy is ite$cha%ea3le )ith

0este$ @$atioality@ o$ )hat Hei!e%%e$ calls @"etaphysics&@ It is a "atte$ o's(pplyi% $easos a! a$%("etatio. o' ete$i% the 'o$(" o' $atioal !e3ate&

Soc$ates is the pa$a!i%" 'o$ a philosophe$ i this sese& Soc$ates sea$che! 'o$ clea$

a! )ell 'o$"(late! !e/itios. a! 'o$ the a$%("ets )hich s(staie! the"& He

)ate! to %i#e a @$atioal acco(t@ o' the #i$t(es. ot oe )hich $este! solely o

the a(tho$ity o' the poets& As I )ill e1plo$e late$. Hei!e%%e$ coscio(sly t$ies to

!e#iate '$o" this i!ea& Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. @thi-i%@ is ot p$i"a$ily coce$e! )ith


15/32

!e/itios a! a$%("ets> it !)ells 22 !espite Soc$ates,s )a$i% 22 i a iti"ate

$elatio )ith the poets a! poet$y& This thi-i% is oly possi3le i' oe "a-es the

leap 3eyo! the ecessity to p$o#i!e $easos 'o$ e#e$y p$opositio. i' oe

o#e$co"es "etaphysics&

The 3e%ii% o' philosophy is the 3e%ii% o' the $(le o' $easo& To!ay i the a%e

o' $easo a! the a%e o' techolo%y. the ie$"ost teachi%s o' philosophical

$easo a$e 3ei% )o$-e! o(t& I this cet($y. philosophy has ('ol!e! ito the 'o$"

o' the @pa$tic(la$ scieces&@ The appea$ace o' psycholo%y. sociolo%y. ath$opolo%y

22 o' all the at($al a! h("aistic scieces 22 !oes ot $ep$eset the !issol(tio o'

philosophy. 3(t its co"pletio. its /al !e#elop"et& Philosophy i the 'o$" o'

"etaphysics %i#es 3i$th to philosophy i the 'o$" o' the pa$tic(la$ scieces& The

!e"a!i% o' sciece to @%i#e $easos@ has as its iss(e the $atioal a! the

techical scieces o' the "o!e$ a%e& Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. the co"pletio o' philosophy

"eas the 3e%ii% o' the )o$l! ci#ili*atio 3ase! (po 0este$ $atioal thi-i%&No). the $atioal syste"s )o$-e! o(t i the "i! o' A$istotle a! othe$

philosophe$s a$e acte! o(t i the co"p(te$i*e! la!scape ac$oss all o' the

cotiets. efecti% the li#es o' all h("as. ot +(st select itellect(als )ho ca

$ea! a! thi- alo% )ith A$istotle&

0e a$e so /lle! )ith ,lo%ic, that aythi% that !ist($3s the ha3it(al so"olece o'

p$e#aili% opiio is a(to"atically $e%iste$e! as a !espica3le cot$a!ictio& 0e

pitch e#e$ythi% that !oes ot stay close to the 'a"ilia$ a! 3elo#e! positio ito

the p$e#io(sly e1ca#ate! pit o' p($e e%atio )hich e%ates e#e$ythi%. e!s iothi%. a! so cos(""ates ihilis"& Follo)i% this lo%ical co#e$se )e let

e#e$ythi% e1pi$e i a ihilis" )e i#ete! 'o$ o($sel#es )ith the ai! o' lo%ic&@

@By coti(ally appeali% to the lo%ical. oe co+($es (p the ill(sio that he is

ete$i% st$ai%ht 'o$)a$! ito thi-i%. )he i 'act he has !isa#o)e! it&@

0e!e$s 6a%els i the "etaphysical sectio;

@I 'eel so !etache! to!ay. I !o,t -o). o@ Poi Do% Po!e$i%. @It,s ot that Si"ple@

The "o#ie. Hi""el U3e$ Be$li is tol! th$o(%h the eyes a! ea$s o' a%els i Be$li&

The a%els ca ot oly see e#e$ythi% physical. 3(t ca also o#e$2hea$ people,s

sec$et tho(%hts a! %li!e i a! o(t o' ay p$i#ate co#e$satio o$ "oolo%(e&


16/32

E#e lies ca 3e !etecte! 3y otici% the !ispa$ity 3et)ee tho(%ht a!

e1p$essio& They see 3eyo! the p$eset !ay also. ito the past )hich li%e$s

(coscio(sly 3ehi! the p$eset& The $(is a! $(33le o' 0o$l! 0a$ II Be$li

ite$t)ie )ith to!ay,s i"a%es o' "o!e$ 3(il!(p a! !ecay& The a%els a$e

co!e"e! to 3e )itesses. 'o$ e#e$ othi% 3(t oloo-e$s& They a$e oly

"a$%ially %(a$!ia2a%els. layi% a (!e$sta!i% ha! o people passi% 3y.3(t ot al)ays s(ccess'(l i thei$ i4(ece& They a$e (a3le to !o so "(ch as "o#e

a %$ai o' sa!& They a$e i#isi3le to "a. 3(t the"sel#es all2seei%&

They si"ply )a!e$ a$o(! Be$li& Each a%el has his o) a$ea )hich he )al-s. a!

his people. )hich he %$o)s 'o! o' )atchi%. a! )hose p$o%$ess he 'ollo)s )ith

special attetio& Mo$tals a$e (a)a$e o' thei$ p$esece& Oly the "ost ai#e

chil!$e ca catch %li"pses o' the". 3(t they soo 'o$%et thei$ #isios. !is"isse! i

the @$ealistic@ )o$l! o' %$o)2(ps& Most "o$tals a$e shelte$e! '$o" the e1pe$iece

o' a%els 3y thei$ o) the closi% o' thei$ "i! a! hea$t& I a o#e$coce$ )iththe techolo%ical "aa%e"et )hich co"es )ith @a!(lthoo!@ a! @se$io(sess@

oe loses the a3ility to see a%els& I 0e!e$,s Be$li. "ay o' the citi*es ha#e

e#e lost the a3ility to t$(ly see othe$ h("a 3ei%s& A loely ta1i !$i#e$ i the

"o#ie thi-s to hi"sel' that each citi*e is a @sepa$ate atio state@ )hich ca oly

3e ete$e! )ith the co$$ect pass)o$!. o'te (-o) to ayoe& 0e each 3(il! o($

o) )alls a! 3a$$ie$s. "(ch hi%he$ tha the Be$li 0all to p$otect o($sel#es '$o"

a%els a! othe$ s(spicio(s. "a%ical c$eat($es&

Altho(%h the a%els ca )itess e#e$ythi% '$o" a3o#e. the$e a$e "ay thi%s they!o,t (!e$sta!& They lac- e"otios. taste. to(ch. a! all the pec(lia$ities )hich

co"e )ith li#i% i the ses(o(s. passi% )o$l!& F$o" the a%el,s eyes. the

/l"6)o$l!; is i a tite! 3lac- a! )hite. s(%%esti% a "etal )ith a little l(st$e o'

ol! cois o$ ta$ishe! sil#e$)a$e $e"aii% as a $e"i!e$ o' the possi3ilities o'

colo$& As 0e!e$s !esc$i3es his o) a%els i p$epa$ato$y otes 'o$ the /l". @They

a$e p($e CONSCIOUSNESS. '(lle$ a! "o$e co"p$ehe!i% tha "a-i!. 3(t also

poo$e$& The physical a! ses(al )o$l! is $ese$#e! 'o$ h("a 3ei%s& It is the

p$i#ile%e o' "o$tality. a! !eath is its p$ice&@

The !etache! li'e o' 0e!e$,s a%els. )ho app$op$iately li#e a! co%$e%ate i a

la$%e Be$li li3$a$y. $ese"3les the aalytic li'e o' the aca!e"ic itellect(al> ho#e$i%

'o$e#e$ a3o#e& They a$e a cliche -i! o' itellect(als i thei$ apa$tess a! !ist$ess

o#e$ the spi$it(al e"ptiess o' people& The a%els tas-. as is the aca!e"ics. is to

@asse"3le. testi'y. a! p$ese$#e&@ Thei$ spi$it at($e is 3oth a !eli%ht a! a 3($!e

to the"> they li#e i a a"3i#alet lo'tiess& The a%els ca easily 3e see as

aspects o' o($sel#es. ot +(st a3st$act theolo%ical tapest$ies& 0ithi each oe o' (s


17/32

a !etache!. oloo-i% a%el is lo%i% to lea#e the lo'tiess a! ete$ ito the

st$ea" o' li'e&

@I a" )al-i% )ith "y a$"s s)i%i%& I )at the st$ea" to 3e a $i#e$. the $i#e$ to 3e

a to$$et. a! this p(!!le to 3e the sea&@

OERCOMIN< METAPH SICS

@E#e$y3o!y,s t$yi% to /%($e it o(t E#e$y3o!y,s t$yi% to )o$- it o o(t B(t it,s ot

that si"ple it,s ot that si"ple&@ 6Poi Do% Po!e$i%. @It,s ot that si"ple@;

@Past the scieti/c !a$-ess&&& to a a%el 3e!i% !o) to )$ap yo( i he$

)a$"est coat&@ 6oh Hiatt. @Th$o(%h yo($ Ha!s@;

Hei!e%%e$

The !o"iat 5(estio Hei!e%%e$ "(st 'ace is. o) )hat Ca the clos($e o'

"etaphysics 3e o#e$co"e Ca the !isco($se so"eho) 3e $e2opee! Ca )e ,e!,

"etaphysics 3y thi-i% the 5(estio o' Bei% i a )ay that $eopes it 22 a!

$eopes (s to its $each a! $a%e Hei!e%%e$ )ats to e! "etaphysics. ot to e!

the 5(estio o' Bei%. 3(t p$ecisely i o$!e$ to let o($sel#es 3e opee! (p 3y it&

@B(t )ith the e! o' philosophy. thi-i% is ot at its e!. 3(t i t$asitio to

aothe$ 3e%ii%&@ At the sa"e ti"e that Hei!e%%e$ a$%(es 'o$ the !est$(ctio o'

that )hich p$esetly $(les i o($ 0este$ t$a!itio. he also isists o a $et($ to the

t$a!itio. a! a $et$ie#al o' its coceale! )is!o"& 0e "(st $ecollect. $e"e"3e$.

a! $ec$eate the 3e%ii% o' the 3e%ii% o' the 5(estio o' Bei%> 'o$ i the

3e%ii% o' the 5(estioi% the tas- is st$o%est a! 3$i%htest& I the 3e%ie$,s

"i! the "yste$y is clea$est&

Thi-i% 6De-e; is !ife$etiate! '$o" @philosophy&@ Tho(%ht ca 3e $esto$e!. at

philosophy,s e!& The e! is o "e$e stoppi%. 3(t the co"pletio o' philosophy.

)hich "a-es $oo" 'o$ a e) 3e%ii%& @Thi-i% 3e%is oly )he )e ha#e co"e

to -o) that $easo. %lo$i/e! 'o$ cet($ies is the "ost stif2ec-e! a!#e$sa$y o'

tho(%ht&@


18/32

Philosophy "(st cease to 3e a "atte$ o' @!eci!i% iss(es@ a! @settli% !isp(tes@ at

all& I' the as)e$ ca 3e %i#e. it )ill cosist i a t$as'o$"ati#e thi-i%. ot i a

p$opositioal state"et a3o(t a "atte$ at sta-e&

@It is ti"e to )ea o($sel#es o' the ha3it o' o#e$esti"ati% philosophy a! the$e'o$e

!e"a!i% too "(ch o' it& 0hat is ecessa$y i the p$eset ti"e o' )o$l! ee! is

less philosophy 3(t "o$e o' the atteti#eess o' tho(%ht&&& The thi-i% o' the

'(t($e is o lo%e$ philosophy. 3eca(se it thi-s "o$e o$i%ially tha "etaphysics.

)hich is a a"e 'o$ the sa"e thi%&@ I Hei!e%%e$,s late$ )$iti%s. he s($$e!e$s the

la3els o' philosophy a! "etaphysics alto%ethe$& F$o" )ithi "etaphysics he )as

(a3le to /! ay )ay o(t&

@ et a $e%a$! 'o$ "etaphysics still p$e#ails e#e i the itetio to o#e$co"e

"etaphysics& The$e'o$e. o($ tas- is to cease all o#e$co"i% a! lea#e "etaphysics

to itsel'&@ The 5(estio p$opose! i the p$e#io(s sectio o' this pape$. !e/i%

"etaphysics is p$es("a3ly ot as-e! at all i the late$ sta%es o' Hei!e%%e$,s

o#e$co"i%. 'o$ to ha#e that coce$ is to ha#e a $e%a$! 'o$ "etaphysics. )hich

!ist$acts '$o" the e) tas- o' thi-i%&

0e!e$s

I 0i%s o' Desi$e. oe !ay the a%el Da"iel has the e1t$ao$!ia$y otio o' %i#i%

(p his a%elic. "etaphysical e1istece 'o$ h("a li'e&

I," %oi% to ta-e the pl(%e. a ol! h("a e1p$essio. o'te hea$!. that I oly

(!e$sta! to!ay& No) o$ e#e$> the "o"et o' the 'o$!& The$e is o othe$ 3a-&

The$e is oly the $i#e$& Ito the 'o$! o' ti"e. the 'o$! o' !eath& Do) '$o" o($ loo-2

o(t o' the (3o$& O3se$#i% '$o" a3o#e is ot li-e seei% at eye2le#el& Fi$st I,ll ha#e

a 3ath&

The "etaphysics )hich 0e!e$s o#e$co"es. as the a%el ete$s "o$tality is the

"etaphysics o' a%els a! !i#iities )hich is '(lly sepa$ate a! !istict '$o" this

"o$tal e1istece& Di#iity is o lo%e$ a $e)a$! to 3e hope! 'o$ a'te$ li'e passes i a

!istat hea#e. 3(t !i#iity is a acti#e ee$%y )hich ite$plays )ith this #e$y

"o"et. a! ee! ot 3e )aite! (po& The a%els a! the !i#ie ete$ ito this

li'e. i' )e ope (p to the possi3ility a! lea#e o($ "etaphysical shelte$s 22 as the

iocet chil!$e i 0i%s o' Desi$e !o& The i!ea o' %$ace a! !i#iity as


19/32

eccesa$ily othe$ is o#e$t($e!& A%els a$e e#e$y)he$e& E#e Col("3o is a a%el&

Hea#e is o#e$t($e! a! the a%els )at to ete$ ito the "essiess o' li'e&

To sho) the o#e$co"i% o' a3st$actio '$o" li'e. the o$i%ial !etach"et "(st /$st

3e sho) a! li#e! th$o(%h& 0i%s o' Desi$e opes 6a! closes; as a poe" )$itte

ito a pe$soal +o($al& F$o" these !etache! )o$!s. li#i% is 3o$& (st as al"ost all

"o#ies 3e%i as )o$!s o a sc$ipt a! oly late$ co"e to li'e i si%hts a! so(!s

o the sc$ee& The path oe 'ollo)s i lea#i% the 4at )o$l! o' pape$ 'o$ the '(ll

e1pe$iece o' li'e is t$a#ele! th$o(%h& @The pa$a!o1ical thi% is that /l"s 3e%i )ith

)o$!s. a! that )o$!s !ete$"ie )hethe$ the i"a%es a$e allo)e! to 3e 3o$& The

)o$!s a$e li-e the hea!la! that a /l" has to stee$ $o(! to $each the i"a%e&@

I "ay )ays. 0i%s o' Desi$e is oe o' the "ost itellect(al a! a3st$act "o#ies

e#e$ "a!e& It is '(ll o' telli% a! philosophical si!e2)i!e$s )hich a3st$act the

coc$ete a! ta-e o($ 'oc(s a)ay '$o" the physical )o$l!& The "o#ie is '(ll o'

thi%s Hei!e%%e$ )ats to %et past 6$ep$esetati#e. calc(lati#e. liea$ thi-i%;&

0i%s o' Desi$e is ot all a 3lisse!2o(t. Hei!e%%a$ia "ea!e$i%& The '(ll cycle is

sho). %oi% '$o" a3st$act itellect(al !etach"et to the si"ple pleas($e o'

c(ppi% oes ha!s a$o(! a )a$" c(p o' cofee o a )ite$ !ay& The '(ll cycle is

ee!e! to sho) the t$as'o$"atio a! o#e$co"i%& Beyo! that. a'te$ )e ha#e

%oe th$o(%h Hei!e%%e$,s t$as'o$"atio a! 3e%i li#i% 6thi-i%;6'eeli%; ae).

)hat is $et($e! to a'te$ the o#e$co"i% "i%ht 3e the sa"e philosophic

!e#elop"et a! a3st$actio )hich )as 3ei% o#e$co"e& 0e "i%ht ha#e a cycle o'

the liea$. a! a $et($ to the o$i%is o'


20/32

@So )hate#e$ yo($ ha!s /! yo( "(st !o )ith all yo($ hea$t& The$e a$e tho(%hts

eo(%h to 3lo) "e,s "i!s a! tea$ %$eat )o$l!s apa$t& The$e,s a heali% to(ch

that /!s yo( o the 3$oa! hi%h)ay so"e)he$e& To li't yo( hi%h as "(sic 4ies ito

the a%el,s ha!s&@ 6oh Hiatt. @Th$o(%h yo($ Ha!s&@;

Hei!e%%e$ a$tic(lates the p$o3le" )hich he has c$eate! i !isco(ti% "etaphysics

a! philosophy i his 3oo-. The E! o' Philosophy

The "e$e tho(%ht o' s(ch a tas- o' thi-i% "(st so(! st$a%e to (s& A thi-i%

)hich ca 3e eithe$ "etaphysics. o$ sciece A tas- )hich has coceale! itsel'

'$o" philosophy sice its #e$y 3e%ii%. e#e i #i$t(e o' that 3e%ii%. a! th(s

has )ith!$a) itsel' coti(ally a! ic$easi%ly i the ti"e to co"e A tas- o'

thi-i% )hich 2so it see"s2 icl(!es the asse$tio that philosophy has ot 3ee (p

to the "atte$ o' thi-i% a! has th(s 3eco"e a @histo$y o' a "e$e !eclie@

That o(tlies Hei!e%%e$,s challe%e o' cost$(ctio& It is "(ch easie$ to cyically

a! $ec-lessly tea$ !o) a 'alse cost$(ct tha to 3(il! a '$esh place o' !)elli%&

Hei!e%%e$ "a-es this tas- o' 3(il!i% e#e "o$e !ic(lt 3y ta-i% a)ay the "ai

tools )hich the ol! )o$-e$ 6philosophy; (se! to asse"3le its "oolith& 0he$e is

oe,s path o' thi-i% to sta$t )itho(t the tools o' $easo a! "etaphysics

Hei!e%%e$ as)e$s this i p$i"a$ily "etapho$ic la%(a%e $athe$ tha i the

techical la%(a%e o' philosophy. i his essays cotaie! i Poet$y La%(a%e

Tho(%ht&

Fo($'ol! o' ea$th. s-y. "o$tal. !i#iity

Essetial to Hei!e%%e$,s !)elli% is the i!ea o' the 'o($'ol!& I this otio.

Hei!e%%e$ also co"es closest to !i$ectly pa$$alleli% the play 3et)ee a%els a!

"o$tals i 0i%s o' Desi$e& Th$o(%ho(t Poet$y. La%(a%e. Tho(%ht. Hei!e%%e$

spea-s o' the $i't 3et)ee appa$et opposites )e e1pe$iece i o($ tho(%ht a!

li#es& I a ti"e )hich has lost cotact )ith Bei% a! is o3sesse! )ith techolo%ical

"aa%"et. "o$tals a! !i#iities. ea$th a! s-y. a$e tho(%ht a! 'elt as sepa$ate.

!istict 3ei%s&


21/32

The sa#i% %$ace is i the %athe$i% o' the 'o($'ol!& 0hat (ites opposites is the $i't.

the pai o' the th$eshol! )hich +ois the opposites& Ho) the )o$l! /ts to%ethe$. the

app$op$iati% o' "o$tals to !i#iities. ea$th to s-y. thi%s to place a! '(ctio 22

ho) all this /ts to%ethe$ 22 ca 3e !ete$"ie! oly 3y the (p)a$! %lace that spas

the opposites. ea$th a! s-y& I this %lace the$e is a "i$$o$2play o' ea$th a! s-y.

!i#iities a! "o$tals& Each $e4ects itsel'. i its o) )ay. ito the oeess i a$o(! !ace a! thei$ 3elo%i% to each othe$& I 0i%s o' Desi$e. Da"iel a!

Ma$io. the a%el a! the "o$tal. 3eco"e lo#e$s i the sese that they 3eco"e

cla$i/e!. e1pose!. a! $e4ecte! i each othe$s p$esece> yiel!i% a $epleishi%

a$"atio o' each othe$&

I this li%ht. 0i%s o' Desi$e ca 3e see as the %athe$i% o' Hei!e%%e$,s 'o($'ol!&

As 0e!e$s s(%%este! to i the o$i%ial title. the @S-y a3o#e Be$li@ ete$s ito the

play o' sleepy "o$tals o the %$o(!& As the a%el ete$s ito "o$tality. the s-y

ete$s the ea$th> hea#e a! ea$th !o ot see" so 'a$ a)ay& The "i$$o$i% o' thea%el a! "o$tal is $eali*e! a! they @a$e to%ethe$&@ They co"e o(t ito the ope.

to%ethe$. 3elo%i% to each othe$&

@I,ll 3e yo($ "i$$o$. $e4ect )hat yo( a$e I case yo( !o,t -o) I,ll 3e the )i!. the

$ai. a! the s(set The li%ht o yo($ !oo$ To sho) that yo( a$e ho"e&@ 6el#et

U!e$%$o(!. @I,ll 3e yo($ Mi$$o$@;

Mo$tals a$e i the 'o($'ol! 3y !)elli%& @I the %i't o' the o(tpo($i%. "o$tals a!

!i#iities each !)ell i thei$ !ife$et )ays&@ The opposites a$e (ite! ot )he all

lose i!etity a! 3eco"e oe %ee$ic "ass. 3(t )he each $eali*es his o) t$(e

at($e a! $eleases ito that at($e& The at($e o' 3ei% a h("a is "o$tality.

/it(!e. a! i this ac-o)le!%e"et a! acceptace. co"es a ha$"oy )ith the

'o($'ol!&

Mo$tals !)ell i that they iitiate thei$ o) essetial at($e 2 thei$ 3ei% capa3le o'

!eath as !eath 2 ito the (se a! p$actice o' this capacity. so that the$e "ay 3e a

%oo! !eath& To iitiate "o$tals ito the essece o' !eath i o )ay "eas to "a-e!eath. as the e"pty othi%. the %oal& No$ !oes it "ea to !a$-e !)elli% 3y

3li!ly sta$i% to)a$! the e!& I sa#i% the ea$th. i $ecei#i% the s-y. i a)aiti%

the !i#iities. i iitiati% "o$tals. !)elli% co"es to pass as the 'o($'ol!

p$ese$#atio o' the 'o($'ol!&@


22/32

Hei!e%%e$ is thi-i% al)ays o' opei% (p to the possi3ility o' a(thetic h("a

e1istece. o' a li'e i )hich "a !oes ot %o o 3li!ly. as i the techolo%ical

)o$l! #ie) o'


23/32

the t)o o' (s. the a"a*e"et a3o(t "a a! )o"a 22 oly that "a!e a h("a

3ei% o' "e&@

Fo$ Hei!e%%e$. ite$t)ii% "o$tals a! !i#iities is at the #e$y hea$t o' !)elli%&

@Ma !)ells. iso'a$ as he is "a. i the ea$ess o' %o!&@

A$e )e yet "o$tals

Beco"i% "o$tals is a !eli3e$ate !ecisio to !a$e. +(st as Ma$io a$tic(lates i he$

"oolo%(e to Da"iel )he they /$st "eet& A'te$ Da"iel has ete$e! ito "o$tality.

they /! each othe$ at a 3a$ i a (!e$%$o(! "(sic cl(3& Be'o$e Da"iel ca

spea-. Ma$io 3e%is a "oolo%(e )hich challe%es 3oth to 3eco"e t$(ly ali#e ieach othe$,s p$esece. o$ i Hei!e%%e$,s te$"s. to liste to the #oice o' Bei%& @I

!o,t -o) i' !estiy e1ists. 3(t !ecisio e1ists& Deci!e o(,$e hol!i% the %a"e i

yo($ ha!s&&& No) o$ e#e$&@

Do )e hea$ the chi$pi% o' c$ic-ets a! the "ati% calls o' the '$o%s )ith the ea$s o'

a chil! Do )e hea$ the "(sic o' Bei% at all Ho) capa3le a$e )e. each oe. o'

3eco"i% 3ei%s )itho(t shells. ope to pai. sha-e 3y e#e$y si%ht a! so(!

Mo$tals hea$ the th(!e$ o' the hea#es. the

$(stli% o' )oo!s. the %($%li% o' 'o(tais. the $i%i% o' pl(c-e! st$i%s. the

$("3li% o' "oto$s. the oise o' the city 22 oly a! oly so 'a$ as they al)ays

al$ea!y i so"e )ay 3elo% to the" a! yet !o ot 3elo% to the"&

By 3elo%i% a! !)elli%. o($ 3o!ily seses ope to echat"et> to 3elo% to

Bei%. so that )e "ay liste to it& Hei!e%%e$ is p$epa$i% 'o$ a att(e"et a!

$eleas"et ito Bei% )he$e oe patietly )aits 'o$ the #oice o' Bei%& @Thi-i% o'

Bei% is as "(ch a thi-i% !oe 3y Bei% th$o(%h oe i!i#i!(al as i!i#i!(althi-i% o' Bei%&@ This is close to the poetic sel'2s($$e!e$. a! 'o$ the philosophe$.

a s($$e!e$ o' philosophy& 0e !o ot co"e to thi-i%. thi-i% co"es to (s&

Oe ca ot e1plai the 'o($'ol! 22 to e1plai +(st !oes,t $each the 'o($'ol!& To

$e"ai i e1plaatio lea#es (s loo-i% o '$o" o(tsi!e o' Bei%& The "eai% is


24/32

'o(! i the act(al li#i% o(t o' e1istece 22 i a $a!ical opeess to the 5(estio o'

Bei%& I o$!e$ to !)ell. )e "(st %i#e o($sel#es co/!etly to ea$th,s sac$e!

$e#elatio&

Oe !oes ot 'ollo) alo% Hei!e%%e$,s path 3y lea$i% a !oct$ie o$ 3y !oi%

$esea$ch o a 3o!y o' )$iti%s& Istea!. oe "(st ha#e a e1pe$iece o' the "atte$

o' tho(%ht. o' Bei%& The ai" o' his essays is to p$epa$e (s to (!e$%o a

e1pe$iece )ith tho(%ht& Oe,s i!i#i!(al 3ei% ca $ecei#e Bei% i' oly oe

chooses to t($ to)a$! the li%ht. as the $ose t($s to the s( isticti#ely to %$o)&

This e1pe$iece is ot i o($ cot$ol. $athe$ it 3e'alls (s. st$i-es (s. co"es o#e$ (s.

o#e$)hel"s (s. a! t$as'o$"s (s& The tas- o' thi-i% is ot a @o3+ect@ o'

schola$ship a! calc(lati#e tho(%ht. 3(t the so($ce o' a e1pe$iece& It is ot )e

)ho play )ith tho(%ht. 3(t tho(%ht )hich plays )ith (s&

F$o" a "etaphysicia,s pe$specti#e. oe )o(l! )at to -o) )hat @p$oo's@ )e ha#e

'o$ Hei!e%%e$,s @thesis@ coce$i% the tas- o' thi-i%& Philosophe$s !ist$(st s(ch

isticti#e. it(iti#e $esposes. as )e a$e t$aie! to !ist$(st the". a! so"eti"es

so "(ch so that )e lose the capacity 'o$ the"& 6I thi- that last setece )as too

it(iti#ely 3ase! 'o$ a philosophy thesis; B(t oe o' )hat Hei!e%%e$ says o'

!)elli% ta-es place i the $eal" o' @asse$tios@ @a3o(t@ tho(%ht& Hei!e%%e$,s tas-

o' tho(%ht occ($s o(tsi!e the $eal" o' +(sti/catio& It ca oly 3e (!e$stoo! 3y

those )ho ha#e ha! the e1pe$iece. )ho ca sh(t of cocepts a! $ep$esetatios

a! liste to )hat tho(%ht itsel' is sayi%& Hei!e%%e$ ca"e to hol! that e#e$y

@cocept@ a! e#e$y @asse$tio@ spo-e '$o" o(tsi!e. spo-e @a3o(t@ Bei%& To 3e'aith'(l to his path he lea$e! a e) )ay o' spea-i% 22 '$o" isi!e. '$o" o(t o' the

e1pe$iece o' Bei% itsel'> o lo%e$ a ho#e$i%. !etache! a%el. 3(t a it$icate

pa$t o' the 4o) o' Bei%&

Beyo! Hei!e%%e$,s )o$!s& The )o$l! is i colo$& It s"ells&

0ithi the sto$y the$e is a a$"atio o' "o$tality a! /it(!e i the a$$ati#e o'

0i%s o' Desi$e> a +oy o' 3ei% ali#e& Upo lea#i% his a%elic sa'ety a! ste$ility.

the a%el Da"iel app$oaches Pete$ Fal-. $eali*i% he )as also oce a a%el a!

"a!e the sa"e !escet '$o" a%el to "o$tal. a! that he is ot aloe&

@ o( )ate! to tell "e "o$e& I )at to -o) e#e$ythi%@ Da"iel @That yo( ha#e to

/! o(t yo($sel'& That,s the '( o' it&@ Pete$ Fal-


25/32

This is the essece o' !)elli% )hich is !ic(lt to !e$i#e '$o" the se$io(s )o$l! o'

Hei!e%%e$ play& The +oy'(l cele3$atio o' 3ei% ali#e )hich yiel!s !isco#e$y opes

(s (p to the e1pe$iece o' Bei% )hich a "etaphysical e1plaatio ca co#e$ (p&

Poetically !)elli%

Altho(%h the$e a$e "ay si"ila$ities. I see the play'(l. acti#e !)elli% )hich

0e!e$s %i#es to (s as 5(ite !istict '$o" the !)elli% )hich Hei!e%%e$ calls (s to&

0e!e$s sho)s (s a !)elli% th$o(%h e1plo$atio o' the physical a! e"otioal

)o$l! i actio. istea! o' the "e!itati#e thi-i% Hei!e%%e$ spea-s o'& Hei!e%%e$

$e"ais a spectato$& Hei!e%%e$ li#es i i!eas o' Bei%s a! ca ot tea$ his %a*e

a)ay '$o" the". o$ ot 'o$ too lo%& The$e is a itellect(al passio i his )$iti%s.

3(t ot "(ch sesiti#ity to the act(al occasios o' o($ h("a histo$y a! thei$

i"plicatios& @To thi- is to co/e oesel' to a si%le tho(%ht that oe !ay sta!s

still li-e a sta$ i the )o$l!,s s-y&@ Hei!e%%e$ has o3ly !e#ote! his li'e to oe

tho(%ht. a! the $est o' the )o$l! has 'alle a)ay& Hei!e%%e$,s o#e$co"i% o'

"etaphysics is a atte"pt at p($e thi-i%. o' 3lissi% o(t. is a p$ocess o' $e4ectio

ot i the se$#ice o' !oi% o$ "a-i%& Hei!e%%e$,s call to thi-i% $e"ais i the

3lisse!2o(t "e!itatio )hich is e"3o!ie! i the /$st ho($ o' 0i%s o' Desi$e& As the

a%els 4oat i a! o(t o' the city. they a$e '(lly a)a$e. yet !etache!& The a%els a$e

listei% to )hat Hei!e%%e$ is loo-i% 'o$. i&e&. a atteti#eess to the "($"($ o'

tho(%hts $isi% '$o" Bei%& The a%els a$e listei% ca$e'(lly a! co"passioately

to the !eep tho(%hts a$isi% '$o" the Bei% ito Be$li. ito the silet passe%e$s

o the s(3)ay. 3eeath e1p$essio a! e#e the coscio(sess o' the i!i#i!(als&

I cot$ast. Da""iel i 0i%s o' Desi$e 3lisses o(t i the (tte$ e#e$y!ayess o'

physical e1istece& 0i%s o' Desi$e poits to a !)elli% 3eyo! )o$!s. i the

a"eless )hich Hei!e%%e$ oly tho(%ht a3o(t. a! e1p$esse! i )o$!s& 0i%s o'

Desi$e as)e$s Hei!e%%e$,s challe%e o' !)elli% a! is (i5(ely s(ite! to !o so 3y

its "e!i("& It is i"possi3le 'o$ a lect($e to lite$ally !)ell i the a"eless&

Hei!e%%e$. o$ aothe$ )$ite$. "ay p$epa$e (s 'o$ this e1pe$iece. 3(t the "eas o'

co""(icatio is li"ite! to )o$!s& 0e!e$,s ca"e$a %$ace'(lly allo)s (s to ete$

ito si%hts. so(!s. a! thi%s )hich Hei!e%%e$ spo-e a3o(t. a! allo)s the" to

spea- 'o$ the"sel#es )itho(t the ite$"e!ia$y o' )o$!s& It is 5(ite t$(e that this

la%(a%e o' /l" )hich 0e!e$s sha$es )ith (s has its li"its a! 3o(!a$ies +(st asthe )$itte )o$! !oes. a! the$e is "(ch a3o(t a /$st ha! e1pe$iece o' the )o$l!

)hich a "o#ie ca e#e$ capt($e> the +oy is i the o#e$4o)i% o' p$e#io(s

co/e"ets a! the '$esh )o$l! )hich o($ attetio co$$espo!i%ly opes (p&


26/32

0e!e$s has o#e$co"e Hei!e%%e$,s o#e$co"i%& He has sha$e! )hat it "eas to

!)ell i this (cay )o$l! i a )ay )hich Hei!e%%e$ !i!,t. a! a!!e! a e1t$a

!i"esio to the 5(estio a! challe%e& He has !isco#e$e! ete$ity i the

"o"et. i %i#i% oesel' o#e$ to the "yste$y& This is the a%e2ol! sto$y o' the 3i$th

o' the ete$al ito the te"po$al. p($e coscio(sess 3eco"es 4esh& B(t o)

hea#e is o#e$t($e!& The a%els a$e !iscotet )ith the li'e a3o#e a! 3eyo! the3i$th a! !eath "e$$y2%o2$o(!& 0hat is sac$e! to 0e!e$s is the sto$y itsel'. a!

th$o(%h it )e "ay ete$ ito the !i#ie& The sto$y has heali% po)e$s&

Telli% sto$ies o /l" ai"s at $eco%itio '$o" the spectato$ )hile the 'o$" t$ies to

p$o!(ce o$!e$ o(t o' a chaos o' i"p$essios& E#e$ sice Ho"e$. "a-i! has

ee!e! sto$ies to lea$ that cohe$ece is possi3le& The$e is a ee! 'o$ coectios.

3eca(se h("a 3ei%s !o,t e1pe$iece "(ch cohe$ece& That,s )hat sto$ies !o&

They co/$" yo($ a3ility to !ete$"ie the "eai% o' li'e&@

That is )hat ete$i% the !etache! )o$l! o' philosophy a! the lea#i% it ca !o 22

a)a-e (s to the (cay +oy o' 3ei% ali#e )hich ca ot 3e 'o(! i ay syste"

o' "etaphysics& (st as Da""iel !isco#e$e! the "a%ic o' colo$s. s"ells. a!

to(ches he co(l! ot 'eel as he )as !etache! '$o" li'e> so the )o$l! s($ely hol!s a

e1pase o' colo$s 3eyo! the oes I ca see o)& A i/ite ("3e$ o' laye$s o'

colo$ a! !isco#e$y lie )aiti% 'o$ o($ attetio a! )o!e$ to a)a-e the"&

Pe$haps. i' o($ 3ea$i% ca 3eco"e "o$e tho(%ht'(l. o($ )al-i% "o$e ope to

'eeli% the s(ppo$t o' the ea$th a! ta-i% its "eas($e i o($ st$i!e. )e "ay 3e

3lesse! )ith as)e$s that oly o($ pheo"eal 3o!y "o#e! 3y its aciet a!

i$$ep$essi3le !$ea" to "a-e e#e$y si%le "o"et a cele3$atio o' Bei%. co(l! e#e$

(!e$sta!& Tho(%h yo( a$%(e 'o$ a optio. tho(%h yo( st$(%%le i yo($ lo%ic.

tho(%h I "i%ht lose "ysel' i the a3st$actio o' a seio$ philosophy thesis. it )ill

co"e th$o(%h yo($ ha!s&

@I oly ee! to $aise "y eyes. a! oce a%ai I 3eco"e the )o$l!&@ 6Ma$io i 0i%s

o' Desi$e;

D0ELLIN< IN THE SENSES> philosophy th$o(%h the eyes o' /l"


27/32

@A! yo( as-. )hat a" I ot !oi% o($ #oice ca ot co""a!& Isi!e yo( )ill

"o#e "o(tais. a! it )ill co"e th$o(%h yo($ ha!s&@ 6oh Hiatt. @Th$o(%h yo($

Ha!s@;

0i%s o' Desi$e is (i5(ely s(ite! to o#e$co"e Hei!e%%e$,s !)elli% 3eca(se it is a

/l" a! ot oly )o$!s& I /l" it is possi3le to ete$ ito the a"eless a!

co""(icate that e1pe$iece& 0e!e$s (ses a "e!i(" )hich ca 3ypass la%(a%e

to co""(icate !i$ectly )ith the seses th$o(%h "o#i% photo%$aphic i"a%es o'

$eality acco"paie! )ith the a($al&

Hei!e%%e$ (-o)i%ly hits at the a!#ata%es this "i%ht p$o#i!e& @As soo as )e

ha#e the thi% 3e'o$e o($ eyes. a! i o($ hea$ts a ea$ 'o$ the )o$!. thi-i%

p$ospe$s&@ A e!o$se"et 'o$ (si% the "e!i(" o' /l" 'o$ philosophy I a" 'ai$ly

ce$tai that Hei!e%%e$ e#e$ s(%%este! (si% the "e!i(" o' /l" to a!!$ess this

tas- o' thi-i%. 3(t I thi- he has set (p the sta%e icely 'o$ the possi3ility&

@Fil"s a$e the a$t o' seei%. "y 'athe$ (se! to say&@ Ki%s o' the Roa!

Fil" as a!!$essi% pop(la$ philosophy

0e a$e all philosophe$s i so "(ch as )e ha#e a %ee$al #ie) o' the )o$l!& Fil"

%oe$s $e%(la$ly acco"plish )hat "ay philosophical theo$ies )$estle )ith a! a$e

!e'eate! 3y a! this $ehea$sal o' thei$ po)e$s is a so($ce o' %$eat pleas($e> the

h("a capacity to "o!el the )o$l! a! to play at "o!elli% possi3le )o$l!s&

P$o'essioal philosophe$s ca ot help 3ei% 'asciate! 3y the spectacle o' o$!ia$y

people play'(lly acco"plishi% )hat the philosophe$s theo$i*e a3o(t& The play is

#ol(ta$y a! '(&

A e) -i! o' $eality is c$eate!. a! 3$i%s o($ "i! ito a p$e#io(s. co"ple1 state.

)he$e the o(te$ )o$l! is )o#e ito o($ "i!s a! shape! ot 3y its o) la)s. 3(t

3y the acts o' o($ attetio 22 a ease o' "o#e"et 3ac- a! 'o$th 6pastp$eset.

!istatclose; '(se! )o$l!. as i o($ coscio(sess& O#e$co"i% space. ti"e. a!

ca(sality a! a!+(sti% the e#ets to the 'o$"s o' the ie$ )o$l! o' attetio.

"e"o$y. i"a%iatio. a! e"otio&


28/32

Mo#ies '(l/ll o($ aciet yea$i% to)a$! the )o$l! o' !$ea"s i a techolo%ically

o3sesse! a%e& Fo$ "o$e tha t$i#ial ete$tai"et. the cie"a ca sp($ o($

t$as'o$"atio a! a$chetypical isi%hts& I the theate$,s !a$-ess the

!isc$i"iati% $atioal e%o is l(lle!. so that )e allo) o($sel#es to 3e ta-e o#e$ 3y a

spell. as $eal a! potet as the t$ace o' the p$i"iti#e& Cie"a is o($ sh$ie. o($

ho(se o' )o$ship. o($ p$aye$ $oo". a t$i3al $allyi% hall& 0atchi% cie"a is aco""(al. sha$e! e1pe$iece&

It,s oly a "o#ie

Ma is 3oth acto$ a! spectato$& Ha#e a %oo! ti"e. its oly a "o#ie& E1pe$iece the

"o#ie& PLA &

Ha#i% ass("e! less p$e2cocei#e! "etaphysical li"its o' e1pe$iece. the chil!

e1pe$ieces a +oy that "ost a!(lts ha#e lost 'o$e#e$& D)elli% is the p$ocess o'

$et$ie#i%. o$ i!ee!. !isco#e$i% 'o$ the /$st ti"e. this sese o' +oy&

Ca )e /! )ithi o($sel#es a chil! o' +oy

Ca )e 3e%i to see a! liste to the )o$l! )ith a sese i to(ch )ith that +oy Ca)e see a%ai )ith the chil!,s sese o' 3elo%i%

Let the "yste$y 3e. e#e )ithi this techolo%ical )o$l!. )e ca $elease o($ ill(sio

o' cot$ol o#e$ the )o$l! a! 3elo% to the )o$l!&

Lo#e the 5(estios a! pe$haps yo( )ill li#e yo($ )ay ito the as)e$s&

@B(t !o )e -o) )hat 3ei%s "ea 0e )o(l! oly co"e close$ to the "atte$ i' )e

)e$e to cocei#e o($sel#es )ith the ose. the eyes. a! )ith hea$i%&@


29/32

The Be$li )all )hich )as the 3ac-!$op 'o$ "(ch o' the !i#isio i 0i%s o' Desi$e

o' so(l a! 3o!y. East a! 0est. is o lo%e$ the$e&

Loo- a! $eali*e )ith the efo$tlessess o' seei%& Ma-e o efo$ts '$o" )ith!$a)al

'$o" the )o$l!& Li#e& All is the (lti"ate $eality. a! it ca 3e (!e$stoo! '$o" the

"otio o' a /%e$ as )ell as '$o" the e1pe$iece o' ay e#e$y!ay $it(al& Da"iel is

ot 3o$ ito a e) -i! o' "o$tality& It is the sa"e oe )e 3elo% to& It has 3ee

the$e all alo%& All that is ee!e! is the !isco#e$y a! a)a-ei%&

@0e ha#e e"3a$-e!&@ The last spo-e )o$!s o' 0i%s o' Desi$e&

To 3e coti(e!&&&&

@&&& a! sice I ca,t sta! a$%("ets. I )o(l! say to he$. ,I%$i!. it,s oly a "o#ie,@

Al'$e! Hitchcoc- i F$acois T$ofa(t,s /l". Hitchcoc-

E!otes

Bi3lio%$aphy

P$it So($ces

Bach. Richa$!& Ill(sios& Delaco$te P$ess. Ne) o$-& 78::&

Be+a"i. 0alte$& Ill("iatios& Stoc-e Boo-s. Ne) o$-& 78=8&

Bi$o. #ette& P$o'ae Mytholo%y The sa#a%e "i! o' the cie"a& I!iaa Ui#e$sity

P$ess. Bloo"i%to& 789J&


30/32

Ca#ell. Staley& The 0o$l! ie)e! Re4ectios o the Otolo%y o' Fil"& i-i%. N &

789&


31/32

M(ste$3e$%. H(%o& The photoplay A psycholo%ical St(!y& N . D& Appleto. N & 78G9&

O%. 0alte$& O$ality a! Techolo%y The techolo%i*i% o' the 0o$!& Pe%(i P$ess.

Ne) o$-& 789J&

Plato& The Rep(3lic& No$to. Ne) o$-& 789&

Ril-e. Raie$& D(io Ele%ies& T$as& Da#i! o(%& No$to. Ne) o$-& 78:9&

Sta"3a(%h. oa& The Real is ot the Ratioal& State Ui#e$sity o' Ne) o$- P$ess.

Al3ay& 789=&

0e!e$s. 0i"& E"otio Pict($es& t$&Sea 0hitesi!e& Fa3e$ a! Fa3e$ Li"ite!.

Lo!o& 7898&

0e!e$s. 0i"& Lo%ic o' I"a%es& Fa3e$ a! Fa3e$ Li"ite!. Lo!o& 7887&

0hit"a. 0alt& Lea#es o'


32/32

State o' Thi%s& Di$& 0i" 0e!e$s& Paci/c A$ts i!eo. 789J&

To-yo2%a& Di$& 0i" 0e!e$s& Paci/c A$ts i!eo& 789&

Hi""el (3e$ Be$li 0i%s o' Desi$e& Di$& 0i" 0e!e$s& Roa! Mo#iesS(h$-a"p.

789:&

A(!io So($ces

Hiatt. oh& Stole Mo"ets& 7887&

Poi Do% Po!e$i%& 0ishi% Li-e a Mo(tai. Thi-i% Li-e the Sea& 7887&

el#et U!e$%$o(!& The el#et U!e$%$o(! a! Nico& 78=:&

@I the e! )e shall ha#e ha! eo(%h o' cyicis" a! scepticis" a! h("3(% a!

)e shall )at to li#e "o$e "(sically&@ icet a

death of philosophy and rise of film

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