Nietzsche on Nihilism, Mill on Liberty

Nietzsche's Philosophical Concepts

Nihilism and the Three Transformations

Nihilism is a radical and absolute negation. In Nietzsche's philosophy, nihilism appears in the stages of transformation, a process reflected in the theoretical development starting with humans as camels, carrying the weight of tradition and religion in life. This transforms into the lion, which manages to destroy traditional morality.

At this stage appears nihilism, when humanity, in its evolution, reaches a stage of absolute denial regarding religion. This concept is introduced in the book The Gay Science, published in 1882, announcing the death of God, a theme that recurs throughout Nietzsche's works. This is when there is a risk of losing ideals; one discovers that previous ideals were false, and there is a risk of finding existence meaningless. An example is the last man, who has lost motivation and purpose.

The Superman

Thus, Nietzsche prophesied the coming of the Superman, contrasting with the last man. The Superman embodies anti-nihilism, surviving the disappearance of God and living beyond traditional religious constraints. Not being bound by it, the Superman manages to find new ideals, a new sense of life that offers freedom from the oppression of traditional religion and morality.

Nietzsche characterizes the Superman as a free spirit who will not yield to anything but who, in this new state, possesses a certain spontaneity and innocence.

John Stuart Mill's Philosophy

Principle of Liberty

This section discusses John Stuart Mill's Principle of Liberty, also known as the Harm Principle. The state is only justified in forbidding an action if it causes harm to others.

This principle is linked to the principle of utility, as Mill places great value on individual freedom. Thus, the state should not legislate on matters that concern only the individual. Mill viewed the state as a necessary evil because it inherently limits freedom.

Democracy and Ethnocentrism

Mill was a staunch defender of democracy, seeing it as the political system that best contributes to collective happiness, not necessarily the 'best' in theory, but the most suitable in practice. He cautioned against understanding democracy as merely the dictatorship of the majority.

He addressed ethnocentrism, which involves judging other cultures based on the parameters of one's own. Ethnocentrism assumes one's own culture is superior. Mill advocated for living in a cosmopolitan society, arguing that laws should be based on utility, independent of religion or ideology, and ideally informed by empirical understanding.

Mill's position aimed to overcome ethnocentric bias, emphasizing respect for minorities and opposing the imposition of a culture or viewpoint simply because it is held by a majority.

Mill's philosophy is more universal than simply advocating for whatever the majority desires.