If we must “speak well of the dead or say nothing at all,” in this case it is preferable to observe a respectful silence rather than obscure the social significance of the deceased by a flood of unctuous praise devoid of meaning. Thus they knew, according to the words of the brilliant satirist, that “it was not fitting for a noble to occupy himself with commerce, to have a profession, and to blow his nose without the assistance of a handkerchief, but that it was not inappropriate to gamble an entire village at a game of cards or to trade young Arichka for a hunting dog; that it wasn’t proper for a peasant to shave his beard, to drink tea, and to wear boots, but it wasn’t improper to exchange a thousand versts of land for a letter of Matriona Ivanovna to Avdotia Vassilievna in which Matriona Ivanovna wishes her friend a good holiday and announces that thanks to God she feels fine” (Satiry v prose)[13]. In L. TROTSKY, Sotchiniénia. [10], “In these words,” says Alois Riehl[11], “we hear the voice of a sick man who transformed suffering into a means of education of the will.”. It waited for its apostle and found it in the person of Nietzsche. From Juanpebooks (Hollywood, FL, U.S.A.) Here are some examples: Nietzsche rejects contemporary morality, but principally those of its aspects (pity, charity, etc.) Lastly, on Saturday a floral offering was deposted in front of the tomb that holds the remains of Trotsky and his wife Natalia Sedova, with the presence of Estaban Volkov, grandson of Trotsky. This is the criterion for the evaluation of the past, the present, and the future. The “gravest sin” according to Zarathustra, the most horrible of misfortunes, is pity. Obviously all of the adventurers of finance don’t have the breadth of Zola’s celebrated hero. Djanchiev (1851-1900), historian and liberal publicist, author of a book on the history of reforms during the reign of Alexander II: Iz Epokha velikikh Reform (The era of great reforms). Even though he revaluated all values this revolutionary of morality considers the traditions of the privileged classes with much respect and takes pride in descending from a Count Nietzky, a pedigree which is in any case highly doubtful. As the representative of the type we have just outlined we can cite the hero of Zola’s novel “L'Argent, Saccar. 2. Nietzsche himself writes that in his research into the moralities that dominated in the past and dominate today he encountered two fundamental tendencies: the master’s morality and the slave’s morality. Moskovskye Vedomosti (Moscow News): A reactionary newspaper, founded in 1756. Since the beginning of the War of 1914, Vorwärts, as the organ of the majority of the Social Democratic Party, supported the German war effort. It almost sounds like Nietzsche's Ubermensch (especially since Nietzsche thought Goethe was the closest to achieving Ubermenschism) but I know, and share, some of the critiques of Trotsky on Nietzsche. He only takes from Nietzsche what corresponds to his social position. Trotsky thought much the same, opining that socialism would create “a higher social-biologic type.” Lenin always resisted the importation of Nietzsche’s ideas into Bolshevism. This new Roman Caesar will be an aristocrat, “handsome, strong, cruel, and passionate” (the quotations from D'Annunzio are taken from Ukraina’s article in Jizn, no. Mamontov was one of the leading industrialists in Russia and was head of the Moscow-Yaroslaval-Archangelsk Railway. When it grows excessive it turns on itself and actually hates greatness. Spencer does not in the least want to exempt the bourgeoisie of the “labor” of domination, and the superior type for him is not the man of unfettered instincts. Kilander (1849-1888): Norwegian writer, representative of the realist movement in Norwegian literature. (Russian Editor’s note), 7. that regulate (only formally, it is true) attitudes towards those “who are too numerous.” On the other hand, the supermen, in their reciprocal relations, are in no way freed from moral objections. Driven from the social circuit they have their own reasons to be discontented with the contemporary social system, its democratic tendencies, its laws, its morality. The newspaper had a conservative position. Leon Trotsky 0 In inner-party politics, these methods lead, as we shall yet see, to this: the party organization substitutes itself for the party, the central committee substitutes itself for the organization, and, finally, a ''dictator'' substitutes himself for the central committee. But the resemblance – which is formal – ends here. Shakesphare - Othello 6. (Satires in prose.) (Russian Editor’s note), 14. An adventurer unaware of his lineage can totally ignore the Nietzschean respect for aristocratic traditions. On the basis of this metaphysical construct he defended extremely reactionary positions. He was the first to pen the term “survival of the fittest.” His bastardization of Darwin’s theory of evolution caught on with a wide audience in the late 19th century, especially among the new class of robber barons in the United States whose motto became, “The richest American is the fittest American.” Spencer’s arguments were put to use in throughout Europe and North America to oppose attempts at unionization and social welfare legislation. Russia recently buried G.A Djanchiev[1] and V.S. Christopher Hitchens discussing the revolutionary, Leon Trotsky on the BBC Radio 4 show "Great Lives", hosted by Matthew Parris. Here are some examples: Nietzsche rejects contemporary morality, but principally those of its aspects (pity, charity, etc.) Mikailovsky’s[4] expression. It is not very probable that Liebknecht would have been satisfied with the praise of Moskovskye Viedomosti[5] or Novo Vremia[6], just as Nietzsche would not have appreciated that of Vorwärts! More than once humanity has felt the need for a fundamental revision of its ethics, and many thinkers have accomplished this work in more radical and profound a fashion than Nietzsche. 13. In general there are so many characters of this type in contemporary literature that we don’t know which one to concentrate on. A bourgeois superman does not at all act like this: he grasps, he takes, he pillages, he eats everything down to the bone and he adds: “There’s nothing more to be said. Samuel Smiles (1812-1904): English writer and moralist. Pseudonym of the literary critic Yevgeny Soloviev, (1866-1905). In 1891 it passed into the hands of former employees of Otiétchestvennye Zapiski (Annals of the Fatherland.) These dregs also rejected the theses of utilitarian morality based on strictly rationalist principles preached by Bentham,[21] the spiritual leader of the healthy” British grande bourgeoisie, scrupulous and honest (in the commercial sense of the term, of course). Finding itself in an unstable social position, one day at the heights of prosperity, the next risking finding itself among the accused, the pernicious dregs of bourgeois society was bound to find Nietzsche’s ideas on a life full of adventures more appropriate than that of a philistine like Smiles,[20] who preaches a vulgar petit-bourgeois moderation and punctuality that renders all of existence flat (Smiles is the godfather of the petit-bourgeoisie that was beginning to develop). After several years of emigration he made contact with Marx and Engels in London and became their disciple. (not available in English. Thanks to the efforts of the writer Emile Zola, French Socialist leader Jean Jaures and other activists, Dreyfus was returned to Paris in 1899 and given a new trial, although he was not to be fully exonerated of all wrong-doing and restored to his rank in the military until 1906. A Review of Lu Xun and Trotsky: ‘Literature and Revolution’ in China by Nagahori Yūzō. This later part also helps illustrate his point: Even the landlords during the time of serfdom, who knew little about this subject, knew that there exist people who have blue blood and others who don’t[12] and that what is necessary for one group is reprehensible in the others. Marxism is perhaps the most uncertain ideology in the Marxist school, precisely because we are still reading Marx – and thus also keep interpreting Marx. But the resemblance – which is formal – ends here. Happiness doesn’t interest him, but rather the excitement procured by risk. During the revolution of 1905 it played an extreme right wing role, demanding strong action against the revolutionaries and the striking workers. G.A. Leon Trotsky on China: a complete collection of Trotskyˇs writings on China covering the years 1925 through 1940 ... Nietzsche, Croce, and neo-Kantiansim. Most of them probably are even unaware of Nietzsche’s existence insofar as they concentrate their intellectual activity on an entirely different sphere; on the other hand, each of them is a Nietzschean despite himself. It is clear to the reader, we hope, that we find sterile such a literary and textual attitude towards the writings rich in paradoxes of the recently deceased German thinker, whose aphorisms are often contradictory and in general allow for dozens of interpretations. (Russian Editor’s note), 25. Déclassé, they pay as little attention to noble traditions as any plebian. Corpses themselves, they bury their corpses. You want to annihilate suffering as much as possible and we, it appears, want to increase it, make it stronger than it was. This is the criterion for the evaluation of the past, the present, and the future. These reflections have led us to dedicate a few words to the philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, recently deceased, and in particular to the aspects of his doctrine that concern his concepts concerning and judgments of society, his sympathies and antipathies, his social criticism, and his societal ideal. He converted to Zionism and along with Theodore Herzl, helped found the Zionist movement in which he participated for the remainder of his life. Trotsky’s contribution to historical materialism has been subject to two broadly defined critical assessments. 28. The motto ‘Nothing is true, all is permitted’ corresponds to his way of life like no other. Kinda funny considering how frequently Trotsky ended up using the term 'superman' in his writings. (Note of Trotsky), 18. Translated from the French at http://marxists.org/francais/trotsky/livres/litterature/nietzsche.htm; 1. I seem to recall that Trotsky didn't like Nietzsche much, I believe he referred to his philosophy as "toxic.". One of the least critical critics of Nietzsche recognizes that “if we remove from his ideas the paradoxical and poetic form in which they are incarnated in his writings they are often much less novel than they appear on first sight.” (Lichtenberg, Die Philosophie F. Nietzsche). According to Nietzsche, humanity will raise itself to the superman when it will have rejected the current hierarchy of values and, above all, Christian and democratic ideals. He returned to Germany in 1862 and was from that time until his death the leading representative within the working class of the Marxist current, even before the founding of the Social Democratic Party. These are the bourgeoisie, the proletariat, and intellectual workers.” It is not the same with the group that Gorky makes himself the bard of and the apologist for. His name was associated with scandalous revelations of abuses in the major Italian banks. But an enemy, if he is sincere or not, living or dead, remains an enemy, in particular an enemy who lives in his works even after his death. (Russian Editor’s note). Novoye Vremya (New Times): Petersburg daily, published since 1876 and edited by Souvarine. Such is the destiny Zarathustra offers ordinary mortals in his ideal society, whose number is too great"(den Vielvuzielen). But Nazism wanted a strong Middle Class, whereas Communism wants no Middle Class – and this is … As concerns the “chosen,” the supermen,” freed of all social and moral obligations they lead a life full of adventure, happiness, and joy: “Given that I live, “ says Nietzsche, “ I want life to overflow, that it be in me and outside me as prodigal, as luxurious as possible.”, It is a question, above, of the cult of suffering – meaning physical suffering – which no devotion on the part of the slaves can spare the superman. Although he started his political life on the Left, he later announced his conversion to Monarchism. Leon Trotsky Archive | Lu Xun was a giant of modern Chinese literature and a fellow-traveller of the Chinese Communists, to whom he saw no alternative at a time of rampant fascism and the threat of war. Trotsky ends Their Morals and Ours with a dedication to his son Leon Sedov who was killed by a Stalinist agent while Trotsky was writing the text. Alois Riehl (1844-1924), German philosopher of the neo-Kantian school, author of the book: Der Kritizismus Philosophy (Theory of science and metaphysics from the perspective of philosophical criticism). Nicolas K. Mikhailovsky (1842-1904), journalist, sociologist and critic, was one of the leading theorists of populism. Spencer does not in the least want to exempt the bourgeoisie of the “labor” of domination, and the superior type for him is not the man of unfettered instincts. It differed from other reactionary newspapers by being more consistent and more virulent. Matters are not made any easier because when we approach Marxism as an ideology, there is a certain quest for purity – a ‘pure’ Marxist view (which is, obvious to most academics, not really possible). Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky 8. Jenny Marx Longuet (1844-1883) < 5 Fought for Irish independence from England. (Note of Trotsky. [24] They don’t seize power with the goal of reorganizing society, which they consider in a negative fashion, but simply to enjoy public wealth. Many, and even the majority, find themselves in a situation which is not at all the result of their defeat in the cruel social struggle which caused them to leave the straight and narrow. that regulate (only formally, it is true) attitudes towards those “who are too numerous.” On the other hand, the supermen, in their reciprocal relations, are in no way freed from moral objections. If he protests against assistance for the weak it is precisely because he fears the unleashing of these weak on the social order so dear to his heart and, at the same time, on his peaceful office so well protected by the order in question. If he feels anything for the unfortunate, if he is touched at the sight of sorrow, his destiny has come to an end: he is vanquished, his name must be crossed from the list of the caste of “masters.” “Everywhere, Zarathustra says, “there resounds the voice of those to whom it is indispensable that death be preached, or eternal life, [he says with an honest cynicism]; which of them is if of no importance to me as long as they disappear (dahinfahren) as quickly as possible.”. The paper remained in the hands of the majority throughout the war. ), Gueroi i Tolpa (Heroes and the crowd), Teoria Darvin obchtchestvennaia Nauka i (The Theory of Darwin and Social Science). Subsequently Bentham reached the conviction that in politics, the only form of government consistent with utilitarianism was a democracy based on the will of the majority. Living outside society, though on its territory and at its expense, it seeks the justification of its existence in the consciousness of its superiority over the members of organized society. Until recently this higher category of parasitenproletariat had no global ideology that gave it the possibility of justifying the “higher” reasons for its rapacious actions. He also wrote literary essays – on Nietzsche, Spencer and Ibsen for an Irkutsk newspaper – as he began to develop his talent as a literary critic. All the virtues of the philistines disgust him. From early in his career he became an enthusiastic advocate of Italian irredentism, the ultra-nationalist and expansionist movement that gave expression to the desire of the new Italian bourgeoisie to take their place as a major imperialist power alongside the other European powers. There exist large groups of people who social conditions place in a situation that Nietzsche’s philosophy corresponds to like no other. Before arriving at the elaboration of his positive ideal, Nietzsche had to submit the dominant social norms in the realms of the state, law and especially morality to criticism. However high ranking military officers suppressed the evidence against Esterhazy with the result that Esterhazy was subsequently acquitted after a brief trial while new charges were lodged against Dreyfus. He contests all the norms of the society around him. A.S.), 17. "[17], The “healthy” bourgeoisie could only respond to Nietzsche’s negative attitude with an equally negative attitude. Riehl says that “until him no one had analyzed moral values; no one had criticized moral principles.” Riehl’s opinion isn’t isolated, which, it must be said, doesn’t prevent it from being perfectly superficial. View entire discussion (4 comments) More posts from the philosophy community. The cult of suffering, of great suffering: is it possible that this cult has led men to the highest summits? On this point as well, consequently, Nietzsche finds a favorable echo in them, since they free the supermen of the labor of leadership. Trotsky’s Marxist assertion that “art is a protest against reality” is based on the earlier bourgeois recognition by Kant and Hegel that art, as Geistig or Spiritual activity, seeks not to express what is, not to affirm what exists, but rather to express what ought to be, the potential and possibility for change: art is the expression of freedom. Translated: for marxists.org by Mitchell Abidor; Men who think deeply appear to be comedians in their dealings with others because they always have to feign superficiality in order to be understood. Nietzsche was big on evolution - especially of "the overman" into it's perfect form for the sake of all. In other words, Nietzsche accounts for both positions. The evidence indicated that Dreyfus frame-up was part of an attempt by Monarchists and anti-Semites inside and outside the French military to discredit the Republic. of German Socialism.” Leon Trotsky was born Lev Davidovich Bronstein to David Leontyevich Bronstein (1847-1922) and Anna Lvovna (née Zhivotovskaya, 1850-1910) on 7 November 1879, the fifth child of a Ukrainian-Jewish family of wealthy farmers in Yanovka or Yanivka, in the Kherson governorate of the Russian Empire (now Bereslavka, in Ukraine), a small village 24 kilometres (15 mi) from the nearest post office. Literally, people with black bones and people with white bones. (Russian Editor’s note), 2. (Russian Editor’s note), 22. See the following note for the references to Plevako and Mamontov. Shakesphare - Hamlet 4. The exoneration of Dreyfus became a cause celebre among the most liberal and democratic elements of French society as well as the Socialist movement. Nietzsche had to submit the dominant social norms in the realms of the state, law and especially morality to criticism. Gabriele D'Annunzio (1863-1938) was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist, dramatist, politician and daredevil. Nietzsche’s superman is not at all disposed to renounce the learning, the advantages, and the new forces humanity has acquired over a long and difficult road; on the contrary, the entire conception of the world (if we can use this term here), the entire philosophy of the Nietzscheans serves to justify the enjoyment of the goods in whose creation they played no part, not even a formal one. Liebknecht began his political activity by participating in the revolutionary movement of 1848. Bourgeois society, at least in words, respects democratic principles. Of what once placed them at the top of the adventurers of finance or vulture! With an equally negative attitude with an equally negative attitude especially of `` the overman '' it. 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