Philosophy For Our Times Nietzsche, the birth of tragedy, and the technology trap | Babette Babich
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May 29, 2025 
Babette Babich, a Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, dives into Nietzsche's exploration of aesthetics and tragedy. She argues that our love for suffering enriches the human experience and critiques how technology may cloud our judgment. Babich highlights Gunther Anders' notion of Promethean shame, linking our dependence on technology to a loss of personal agency. Advocating for a balanced approach to tech use, she navigates the complexities of modern life while urging listeners to engage deeply with philosophical inquiry.
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Nietzsche's Aesthetic Justification of Life
- Nietzsche saw existence as justifiable only through an aesthetic lens, not moral or epistemological.
- He envisioned life as a cosmos created by an artist, reflecting beauty beyond truth or goodness.
Beauty Explains Our Love of Tragedy
- Nietzsche's fundamental question is why tragedy and suffering are presented as beautiful artforms.
- Beauty offers a unique way to engage with painful themes without endorsing them literally.
Separating Morality from Aesthetics
- Moral repugnance and aesthetic value often conflict but must be separated in art appreciation.
- The artist's moral character doesn't determine the aesthetic worth of their work.
