Friedrich Nietzsche said

[wildwood]

Is Man one of God’s blunders, or is God one of Man's?

[Buenchico]

Given that he also said the following, I think I know which of those options Nietzsce favoured ;-)

"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything"

and

"God is a thought who makes crooked all that is straight"

However I'm happy to go along with this:
"There cannot be a God because if there were one, I could not believe that I was not He" ;-)

Chris

[mibn2cweus]

If I were God, the last thing I would want is for anyone to know it . . .

[naomi24]

God is man's biggest blunder. His story is the biggest lie ever told.

[sandyRoe]

Are the words of a man who died of a 'social disease' to be taken seriously?

[naomi24]

He didn't make a statement there Sandy - he asked a question - and a very good one at that - so yes, why not?

[wildwood]

sandy, you're confusing morality with intellect. Beside that, what a funny thing to say for a christian.

[Buenchico]

It's not only an odd (and somewhat disturbing) thing for a Christian to say, it's not even accurate.

According to Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche's biography (which is supported by other sources), Friedrich Nietzsche died after suffering a stroke while battling against pneumonia.

[naomi24]

Seems the debate is ongoing.

http://mindhacks.com/...s-insanity-and-death/

[sandyRoe]

Ever since i read his famous words: " That which does not kill us makes us stronger." I was of the opinion that he was either, mad or bad. I see no reason to change my view.

[naomi24]

I've worked on that one, but I can't in all honesty rationalise it.

[Buenchico]

In France, where Philosophy is part of every school's curriculum, Nietzsche is rightly admired for the genius which he undoubtedly was. With such wonderful observations as "Morality is the herd-instinct in the individual" he was never afraid to challenge the norms of society.

[sandyRoe]

Would it not be possible to exhume what's left of him and settle this once and for all?

[naomi24]

Doubt it Sandy.

I like the idea of challenging the norms of society, Chris. Norms need challenging sometimes. Good for him.

[naomi24]

Blimey Wyz, your post wasn't there when I posted mine - and oops, I'm usually one of them. I'll get my coat. (Scurries off cackling insanely........ hee hee hee). :o)

[Buenchico]

The borderline between genius and madness is an indistinct line but I find that the vast majority of Nietzsche's writings not only make sense to me but they also provide me with a clarity of vision which I didn't have previously.

For example, one only has to look at the collective madness of anyone who believes in any form of god, to see the truth of this:
"Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule".

Chris

[sandyRoe]

I wouldn't want to cross swords with him, but my take on morality is: Morality is the cement that holds society together.

[Buenchico]

As a nihilist, SandyRoe, I have no belief whatsoever in any form of universal morality.

Moral codes are defined within individual societies and thus vary throughout eras and across geographical boundaries. (For example, sexual morality in ancient Rome was very different from that in modern western Europe which, in turn, is very different from that in many Islamic countries). To assume that the moral code of the society in which you live is necessarily the only valid code (or even the 'right' one) smacks of unquestioning arrogance.

[naomi24]

I would ask whose version of morality we comply with? What yardstick do we use?