final paper

   Keisha Ballard

  5/23/2015

  Studies in philosophy, theory and abstract thinking, LEH 355

                                                      Nihilism in Germany

The events and destruction of World War Such as World War I, also know as the Great War can be depicted through the arts. Paintings, film, and music are just a few forms of art that represents the effects of nihilism in world war.

Nihilism is the non acceptance of laws and institutions. This lack of acceptance allows political and social disorder in the absence of government control. The idea of nihilism and living in a nihilistic society objects all moral reasoning, beliefs and values thus leaving all with the free will to do what it takes to get what is wanted. Studying nihilism in Germany, I was able to see how nihilism in government lead to the use of threats, intimidation and violence to gain power.

" In late June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia, " ( History.com staff, "world war I History", History.com, 2009, 20 May 2015. " an escalation of threats and mobilization orders followed the incident, leading by mid-August to the outbreak of World War I which pitted Germany, Austria Hungary,and the Ottoman Empire ( Central Powers ) against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Japan ( Allied Powers ). The war was therefore initiated after the killing of Franz Ferdinand. Germany merged with other countries and became powerful. Germany wanted to gain power so Europe formed alliances in preparation for war. Germany won some battles but weren't able to push pass the western front. Mean while on the East front a revolution was on the verge of breaking out in Russia. "Austria-Hungary, like many in countries around the world, blamed the Serbian government for the attack and hoped to use the incident as justification for settling the question of Slavic nationalism once and for all. As Russia supported Serbia, Austria-Hungary waited to declare war until its leaders received assurances from German leader Kaiser Wihelm II that Germany would support their cause in the event of a Russian intervention, which would likely involve Russia’s ally, France, and possibly Great Britain as well, " ( History.com staff, " World War One History"). Germany declared support of Austria and a revolution broke out in Russia.
"On July 5, Kaiser Wilhelm secretly pledged his support, giving Austria-Hungary a so-called carte blanche or “blank check” assurance of Germany’s backing in the case of war. The Dual Monarchy then sent an ultimatum to Serbia, with such harsh terms as to make it almost impossible to accept. Convinced that Vienna was readying for war, the Serbian government ordered the Serbian army to mobilize, and appealed to Russia for assistance. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the tenuous peace between Europe’s great powers collapsed. Within a week, Russia, Belgium, France, Great Britain and Serbia had lined up against Austria-Hungary and Germany, and World War I had begun, " (history.com staff, " World War I History" ).The United States later joined the allies after German submarines destroyed vulnerable ships. "It was Germany’s policy of unchecked submarine aggression against shipping interests headed to Great Britain that helped bring the United States into World War I in 1917. Widespread protest over the sinking by U-boat of the British ocean liner Lusitania in May 1915 helped turn the tide of American public opinion steadfastly against Germany, and in February 1917 Congress passed a $250 million arms appropriations bill intended to make the United States ready for war. Germany sunk four more U.S. merchant ships the following month and on April 2 President Woodrow Wilson appeared before Congress and called for a declaration of war against Germany, " (history.com Staff, "World War I History ). The Central Powers gave up and this ended the war in which the allies won and defeated them. " The support of the United States gave the allies the resources and revolve they needed to win the war." "In the fall of 1918,the central Powers surrendered, " ( Neiberg, Micheal. S. "World Book I." World Book Student, World Book, 2015.Web. 20 May 2015). The great War caused terrible destruction. Million of lives were lost, the economy suffered and societies was strained by hardship.
Eventually a peace treaty was established called The Treaty of Versailles which stipulated no future military action be imposed upon Germany.  This treaty made Germany surrender
all its territory and military resources. It made Germany fully responsible for the financial impact of the cost of war. " The Treaty of Versailles officially
ended military actions against Germany." " The Treaties that officially ended World War I stripped the central Powers of territory and arms. The treaties also required the defeated powers to pay steep reparations. Germany blamed Russia's mobilization for starting the war. However, the allies forced Germany to accept sole responsibility, " ( Neiberg, Micheal. S. "World War I." World Book Student, World Book, 2015. Web. 20 May 2015). The war cost billions of dollars. In order to pay it off, governments took several measures to try and pay off the cost. Taxes were raised, money was borrowed thus creating more debt, and money was printed to help meet the needs. These measures resulted in inflation and contributed to The Great Depression. It is during and after these events that artistic measures came into play by exposing and depicting the nihilistic actions and destruction of the societies through paintings, film and music.

As studied in class, One form of painting that depicts nihilistic actions and destruction are expressionist paintings. " (Art Movements) (sometimes capital) an artistic and literary movement originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century, which sought to express emotions rather than to represent external reality: characterized by the use of symbolism and of exaggeration and distortion," ( The free dictionary.com/expressionism, web. 20 May 2015 ). Expressionist represented their feelings through their works. Some expressionist paintings show Germany as an extension to the war fronts. Below is an expressionist painting called The Explosion by George Grosz. George was from Berlin. He temporarily participated in World War I. " In January 1917, Grosz, who up to then had been convalescing, was recalled to his unit. The following day he was hospitalised and shortly afterwards, owing to the seriousness of his depression and the nervous disorders which affected him, he was interned in an institution for the mentally ill. He experienced repeated attacks accompanied by nightmarish hallucinations. In April, the painter was declared unfit for further service. Explosion was painted shortly afterwards, not as the memory of the fighting, but rather as an allegory of the destruction: a town is razed and catches fire in a bombardment and cannot escape the destructive fury that had taken hold of Europe," ( Art of the First World War, Web. 20 May 2015 ).

                 
This painting depicts a state of pure disaster. The coloring and actions represent together very well. The red coloring gives of a background of flames while the blacks give off smoke rising to the sky. The red also allows one to visualize bloodshed around the fallen bodies which depict deaths and wounded individuals. The formation and angles of the buildings along with the broken windows make them appear to be falling. The Blues give off a sense of sadness, a sense of being in a very low and extremely tragic time. Looking at this painting gives off a clear picture of the harshness and negative affects the World War had on societies.

Film is another form of artwork which we studied that depicts nihilistic actions and destruction. In relation to World War One The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari depicts how when someone wants or desires to have power over another the extremes they will go through to have it regardless of the negative impact it will have on others. In the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,the film focuses the attention on the cruel and senseless power. Dr. Caligari represents the German war government, and Cesare is illustrative of the ordinary man conditioned, like soldiers, to kill. In one scene Somnambulist under the control of Caligari going into the bedroom of the daughter in an attempt to kill her but then pauses as he falls under self control to his attraction. Instead of him stabbing her with the knife, he reaches down with his hand to touch her face in an affectionate and admiring way. The woman panics in fear and rage trying to fight him away and off her. Still under control of his own desire he flees with her from the room. The woman is scared but along the run with her in Somnambulist arms, while trying to get away from the chase of several men trying to rescue her, Somnambulist falls weak and die due to the lack of energy and nutrients required to survive because during the scene when the authorities came to Caligari's to investigate the murders his feeding was cut short by the interruption. Later the woman reveals it was Cesare. Francis is astonished and in disbelief of this news because he is under the illusion that Cesare was in his coffin the entire time he kept watch over Caligari's place and that the man the police had in custody was the murderer. The coffin is then searched only to find that who Francis thought was Cesare was in fact a mannequin. You see power, gloom, gory, fear, and deception in this film which relates to Nihilistic themes. Expressionism in this film reveals the internal emotions of the characters through motions and facial expressions of the actors, the gloom through the lighting and dark colors and clothing, gory through the sneaking, creeping, make up and killing motion, and suspense, and deception through non actual events being portrayed as actual.

Last but not least, music through lyrics express again how the world is subject to nihilism and nihilistic themes. Below are two songs I studied in class that give explanation about the emotions and views of societies and how they view government. It's All a Swindle and The Lavender Song.
It's All a Swindle ( English Translation )
Politicians
Are magicians
Who make swindles disappear
The bribes they are taking
The deals they are making
Never reach the public ear
The left betrays, the right dismays
The country's broke and guess who pays
But tax each swindle in the making
Profits will be record breaking
Everyone swindles some
So vote for who will steal for you.
( German translation )
Burger Schwindelt
Staatsman, was die zeitung schreibt
Moral und sitte
Rechs, links und mitte
Ehrlich ist, was ubrig bleibtq
Alless sucht sich zu betrugen
Na, sonst mubt'ich wirklich lugen
Bins das kan ich glatt beteuern
Konnt den schwindel man besteuern
Hatt der staat nicht sorgen mehr
Den Dann war er millionar
Alles schwindel, alles schwindel usw

I made a connection to this song with a son by the artist J.Cole called Kenny lofton
( Lyrics )
They only care about a nigga
When he telling a joke or when he selling his dope
They tell the reverend man
I rather get to heaven with coke, than live in hell and be broke
Shout out to the black man who beat the odds
By yelling for hope
Today he ask if I could Twitter yall
And tell you to vote
My nigga, how can I knowing what I know
It's a game of charades
Masquerades for the dow
Read the tele prompter
Theses niggas is actors on the low
Yeah I voted for the nigga cause he got the best show
( my interpretation )
Our government appears to be just one big scam. The only ones who profit from it are the superiors and leaders who run and manipulate the system and the people to support them in their schemes by promising to give or fight for something you desire even if it means being dishonest and going against what is just. In doing this there is a lot of underhanded activities that take place which is more beneficial to the man in power who due to his own desire will sub come to his own desires by taking or making bribes to get what he/she wants. When it all comes to a head it is the little people who pay the price in the end and suffer the most. From the politicians down to the people all is guilty of swindling to some degree even if it is voting for the one that swindles for you.

The Lavender Song
( English translation )
What makes them think they have the right to say what God considers vice
What makes them think they have the right to keep us out of paradise
They make our lives hell here on earth
Poisoning us with guilt and shame
If we resist, prison awaits so our loves dares not speak its name
The crime is when the love must hide
From now on we'll love with pride
( German translation )
Was will man nur? Lst das kultur
De jeder mensch verpont ist
Der klug und glut, medics mit blut
Von Eigner art durchstromt ist
Da grade die kategorie
Vor dem gesetz verbannt ist
Die Im gefuhl bei lust und speil
Und in der art verwandt ist
Und dennoch Sind die meisten stolz
Da sie von anderm  holz
( My interpretatio )
This is just one case where the less superior individual feel judged and forced to seclude oneself or conform to the ways of  the majority. It is questioned here to those believers of God, how can they dictate what God sees as acceptable and how do they decide who enters paradise and who doesn? It shows that when one doesn't follow the norm, they suffer and are slowly murdered by the ideas and views of others. The others who are in control and use power to take another mans freedom and punish him for submitting to their desires, or who they are by nature or who they become by nurture. It is questioned why in this case the act of homosexuality the crime and not the forceful band of it. The closing of this verse is saying the less superior will stand for what they believe in. The world will be forced to accept their standard. When this type of stand happens, it creates conflict and in nihilism one or the other will deny the other existence by various means of  destruction until one gives in or accepts the other.  This leads me to paragraph 175 which I found ironic that it related to the Lavender song. Paragraph 175 show the  ew law implemented on homosexuality which by no means was accepted in any fashion. It was a total crime to be sexually involved on any level with the same sex and more unacceptable to be be unnaturally sexually involved. The first was punishment by imprisonment and the second by imprisonment and possibly the loss of civil rights. Here you can clearly see how far we have come as far as change but you can also see how one was controlled and destroyed by the power of others. It is a daily way of life to be against someone's belief, way, etc. it is said do what's best or what works for you. Well what happens when your best or what works for you men's violating another to get what you want. Laws and rules are try,y required to keep some type of peace and balance in my opinion in this world. Although it is world destruction when some chose not to follow them, imagine if we all on some extreme level had no morals, values, beliefs or laws to adhere to. We will never have a truly fair and balanced society because no one philosophy will run the world and therefore there will always be a fight for what is right or what is deserved, one must hope which ever fight is the winning fight will work in their favor.

In conclusion when you think in terms of government, nihilism will always be existent. Countries will always have different views, one country will always have more power or resources over another, war and terrorism will always be a factor to some degree or another. Although as countries we will grow and get better, there will always be conflict in the bush and the world will continue to go round dealing with societal affairs. .

5/9 The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction

 One might generalize by saying: the technique of reproduction detaches the reproduced object from the domain of tradition. By making many reproductions it substitutes a plurality of copies for a unique existence. And in permitting the reproduction to meet the beholder or listener in his own particular situation, it reactivates the object reproduced. These two processes lead to a tremendous shattering of tradition which is the obverse of the contemporary crisis and renewal of mankind. Both processes are intimately connected with the contemporary mass movements. Their most powerful agent is the film. Its social significance, particularly in its most positive form, is inconceivable without its destructive, cathartic aspect, that is, the liquidation of the traditional value of the cultural heritage (p. 221).

Film is a form of mechanical reproduction. It is one way our culture, Beliefs and lives are impacted. The method of recreating events through film allow truth to be turned into half truths. It is allowing fiction to explain non fiction. The more and more something is reproduced/ substituted, the less and less real or realistic it becomes. When reproduction is left in the eyes and ears of the beholder, that person then gets to decide what is truth and then attempts to restore the effectiveness of the already reproduced product. This type of reproduction destroys beliefs and therefore breaks down the cultural value system thus leaving societies blinded, thus leaving them to fall subject to false judgement and bad decision making thus leaving them to self destruction. " T.V tells lies to your vision." 

I chose this passage because I often question film's based on true stories, and how much they sincerely represent the accuracy of the true and original story. When reproduction is substituted by multiple copies, it takes/chips away from the original production.

4/18 Nazism

How is the Nazi Regime to be interpreted within German history?

Nazi regime can be interpreted as a selfish, manipulative, destructive time within the German history. Hitler stepped up during a vulnerable time in Germany. The Germans were suffering from the effects of the great depression. They were desperate. Hitler did what many do. He sold hisself to the people and they bought the bait. It was a really low time and Hitler once in control attempted to eliminate everyone and everything that wasn't German. Many died by his orders. This put Germany in a much worse state than prior to con Hitler's control.

4/25 On Pain

Pain’s disregard for our system of values greatly increases its hold on life...Our children’s tales close with passages about heroes who, after having overcome many dangers, live out their lives in peace and happiness. We hear such assurances with pleasure, for it is comforting for us to learn about a place removed from pain. Yet, in truth, life is without any such satisfying end... (p. 4). 

This is saying that pain pays no attention to all the interdependent components that make up our body of values as a hold; therefore it multiplies it's grip on life. The belief that dangers will be overcome and that peace and happiness is destined are implanted in us from youth through fairy tales. As a people are delighted with the happy endings because it gives us hope through our pain, hardship, and struggles that there is an opportunity and a place for us to be with pleasure absent from pain. The truth in the matter is that although life can be without pain just for a moment,it will never be completely free from pain. There is no happily ever after.

I picked this passage because it points out a truth that we as a human race must understand. We will never be completely happy. One thing or another will cause us pain.  There is no room for perfection in this world with so many laws broken and not broken to an extent. There are too many people in power with too many differences of opinion. There is no fairness across the entire world. Although we are equal, we are not equal. We are not one people, we are multiple people. We are many values, many cultures, and many philosophies. 

Max Weber: Politics as a Vication

Within the ranks of political leadership, Weber sees a division between the technical leader and the emotional leader. The emotional leader is the king or the president, the one who commands the emotional loyalty of the following. The technical leader is the one deals with the day to day affairs of government, and is the one who has to deal with different government agencies and parties, the one who gets his or her “hands dirty”. The prestige of the emotional leader is preserved because they are insulated from having to boss people around in order to get results, the technical leader takes on this task. The Grand Vizier played this role for the sultan, as did the German chancellor in the empire and the republic, or the prime minister in England and the queen (emotional leader). Today’s modern American president has two officials that play this role, the chief of staff, and the vice-president.

The technical leader is the leader that gets all the work done. The emotional leader is the one that dictates to the technical leader what to do and say. This is done by merely emotionally blackmailing the technical leader with the importance of their role to carry out the emotional leader's duty. The technical leader carries out all task and reap the positive or negative emotions of the people while the emotional leader is covered from the ability to direct others of what to do to gain results as apposed to being hands on. In our system of government the chief of staff and Vice President are the technical leaders while the President is the emotional leader. 

I chose this passage as it points out a very common system. This system is used world wide in many areanas. There is a chain of command and service in all things . There is always a technical and emotional leader. One example of this is working for the Department of Education. Administration is the emotional leader and the teachers are the technical leaders. The children and the parents are the people that render positive or negative responses about how and what the students are being educated. 

3/21 The Weimar Republic

Article 19Regarding constitution disputes within a state, where no court is responsible to deal with, as well as in disputes of non-private matter between various states or between a state and the Reich, the Reich state court, at the request of one party, decides in the name of the Reich, unless another Reich court is responsible. The Reich president executes decisions of the Reich state court. This article is stating that anytime a conflict within a state regarding the constitution or any public disputes between more than one state or between a state and the Reich, if there isn't a Reich representative available to deal with said issue the Reich state court decides what action will be taken only if one of the two opposing parties request assistance with dealing with the conflict. The President then executes the decision of the Reich State Court.  This shows the power the President has as although the court has rendered a decision, it isn't official until the president finalizes it.  Article 109All Germans are equal in front of the law. In principle, men and women have the same rights and obligations. Legal privileges or disadvantages based on birth or social standing are to be abolished. Noble titles form part of the name only; noble titles may not be granted any more. Titles may only be granted, if they indicate an office or occupation; academic degrees are not affected by this regulation. The state may no more bestow orders and medals. No German may accept titles or orders from a foreign government. I interpret article 109 to be stating that as according to the "law" all Germans have the same rights and duties. If there are any advantages or disadvantages or mistreatment Taken place based upon an individual's birth or social status, it must be terminated immediately. Individuals are no longer allowed to carry noble names unless they represent an government official or nod.any special titles acquired through education may be used. Germans are limited to orders and titles within German territory. This article is similar to the equal rights of the people we have in the U.S. U.S titles are also limited to governmental office and education.

3/14/2015 assignment Spartacus uprising

Did it have to come? An event of this scope is certainly no game of chance. It must have deep and wide-reaching objective causes. These causes can, however, also lie in the errors of the leader of the proletariat, the Social Democrats, in the waning of our fighting spirit, our courage, and loyalty to our convictions. Scientific socialism has taught us to comprehend the objective laws of historical development. Men do not make history according to their own free will. But they make history nonetheless. Proletarian action is dependent upon the degree of maturity in social development. However, social development is not independent of the proletariat but is equally its driving force and cause, its effect and consequence. [Proletarian] action participates in history. And while we can as little skip a stage of historical development as escape our shadow, we can certainly accelerate or retard history.
War isn't something that just randomly takes place. It takes place mostly by purpose, intent, or goal due to something that gives uprise to action. It is sometimes provoked by the mistakes of the mistakes of the government and the decrease in the fighting spirit, bravery, and alliance of the people to their beliefs, opinions, and views. Historically, economy and class struggles has helped us to understand the purpose of the laws and development. Movements are solely based on the extent of figuring out how to respond based upon circumstances and the culture of society and life's purpose that brings about cause for action, effect and outcome. There is only one of two things to do either speed up the developmental process or slow it down by post phoning it.

This passage relates to politics today merely by the fact that countries are at war. Isis is an example. Isis didn't just happen. It is provoked by class action. In 2007 the U.S supported the alliance of Iraq Sunni tribes. AQI moved into Stria from Iraq in attempt to regain its power. Isis military expertise and brutality has allowed them to have a number of successes, conquering cities, oil fields, and swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq. Isis wants an Apocalyse (the complete and final destruction of the world on a catastrophic level, an all out world war, unimaginably destructive. Social status motivates social behavior.