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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Interesting from an historical point of view. And essential to understand the grounds of nazi's technology.
Anyway, you will find Spengler at his worst.
Anyway, you will find Spengler at his worst.
The pace of discovery grows fantastic, and nevertheless – it must be repeated – human labour is not saved thereby. The number of necessary hands grows with the number of machines, because technical luxury enhances every other type of luxury, and because the artificial life becomes more and more artificial.
-p68
In the early 20th century, German philosopher Oswald Spengler wrote this cynical but wide-eyed and (I think) realistic assessment of humanity.
He quickly summarizes all of anthropology and its consequences for his thesis in a few short chapters. We are carnivores. Our hands are so unique, we developed tools, and then when we could plan together about 5,000 years ago, that was the beginning of our end. We got together in cities, we sucked up the resources of Nature, and thereby increased our dependence on Nature but also our destruction of it. Eventually, he predicts humanity will lose in this dynamic.
The main areas of interest to modern readers are the final two chapters. He predicted in the 1930s that the beginning of the end was upon our species. He makes no firm predictions about when or in what circumstances, only that the above details make it inevitable. Our way of life and impoverishment of the natural world are accelerating. Our way of doing things (what he calls “technics”, distinct from tools, but rather how we use them) is part of our identity, and can’t be shaken off. We are what we are.
So while it’s vague and pessimistic, the work is also engaging and includes much reference to other provocative philosophical work. I wish I had a few more lifetimes to look into them all. And any worldview that includes the fatalism of a doomed humanity necessarily implies that the planet will live on, which has always heartened me.
The fight against Nature is hopeless and yet – it will be fought out to the bitter end.
-p46
3.5 stars
-p68
In the early 20th century, German philosopher Oswald Spengler wrote this cynical but wide-eyed and (I think) realistic assessment of humanity.
He quickly summarizes all of anthropology and its consequences for his thesis in a few short chapters. We are carnivores. Our hands are so unique, we developed tools, and then when we could plan together about 5,000 years ago, that was the beginning of our end. We got together in cities, we sucked up the resources of Nature, and thereby increased our dependence on Nature but also our destruction of it. Eventually, he predicts humanity will lose in this dynamic.
The main areas of interest to modern readers are the final two chapters. He predicted in the 1930s that the beginning of the end was upon our species. He makes no firm predictions about when or in what circumstances, only that the above details make it inevitable. Our way of life and impoverishment of the natural world are accelerating. Our way of doing things (what he calls “technics”, distinct from tools, but rather how we use them) is part of our identity, and can’t be shaken off. We are what we are.
So while it’s vague and pessimistic, the work is also engaging and includes much reference to other provocative philosophical work. I wish I had a few more lifetimes to look into them all. And any worldview that includes the fatalism of a doomed humanity necessarily implies that the planet will live on, which has always heartened me.
The fight against Nature is hopeless and yet – it will be fought out to the bitter end.
-p46
3.5 stars
informative
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
"We are born into this time and must bravely follow the path to the destined end. There is no other way. Our duty is to hold on to the lost position, without hope, without rescue, like that Roman soldier whose bones were found in front of a door in Pompeii, who, during the eruption of Vesuvius, died at his post because they forgot to relieve him. That is greatness. That is what it means to be a thoroughbred. The honorable end is the one thing that can not be taken from a man."
"Dreptul uman este întotdeauna dreptul celui mai puternic, căruia cel slab trebuie să i se supună, iar acest drept, în contextul relațiilor dintre triburi și gândit în perspectivă, este pacea."
"Our duty is to hold on to the lost position, without hope, without rescue, like that Roman soldier whose bones were found in front of a door in Pompeii, who, during the eruption of Vesuvius, died at his post because they forgot to relieve him. That is greatness. That is what it means to have race."
It's gotta be said the Germans know how to conclude things. Whether it's coming back against Holland in the World Cup final, Kraffwerk reaching their crescendo, or Spengler here, you have to wait till the end to appreciate.
Take or leave his questionable biological claims, this guy was a powerful prophet.
It's gotta be said the Germans know how to conclude things. Whether it's coming back against Holland in the World Cup final, Kraffwerk reaching their crescendo, or Spengler here, you have to wait till the end to appreciate.
Take or leave his questionable biological claims, this guy was a powerful prophet.
This is not Spengler's most famous work. The Decline of the West is. His major work was written before the Great War and this work Man and technics in the early 1930's. It's still amazingly current and full of food for thoughts.