Untimely Reflections #15: William Kaiser - Language, Memory & Psychoanalysis
May 20, 2022
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Guest William Kaiser, a sociologist and pupil of Peter Berger, discusses the commonality between Nietzsche's and Wittgenstein's ideas on language, memory, self-identity, learning, and living an enriching life. They also explore the influence Nietzsche had on Freud and the impact of Nietzsche's ideas in a secular society. The hosts express their hope for people to experience love for life and inquire about Nietzsche's fascination with resentment.
Learning is a lifelong journey of personal development and enrichment, connecting individuals with their community and transforming their skills into unconscious mastery.
Forgetting and the unconscious play significant roles in human cognition, with memory being influenced by defense mechanisms, societal norms, and hidden motivations.
Language forms the basis of culture, enabling communication and shaping our understanding of reality, with both Nietzsche and Wittgenstein emphasizing its importance.
Deep dives
The Significance of Learning in Nietzsche and Wittgenstein
Both Nietzsche and Wittgenstein emphasize the importance of learning in one's life. For Wittgenstein, learning language is not just a cognitive process but also a way of becoming a human being and connecting with one's community. Nietzsche views learning as a lifelong journey of personal development and enrichment, where one learns to love everything, including oneself, through the process of learning. They both highlight the transformative nature of learning, where skills and knowledge become second nature, akin to unconscious mastery. Their views on learning shed light on the idea that life is an adventure filled with new possibilities, and continuous learning is essential for personal growth.
Forgetting and the Unconscious in Nietzsche and Wittgenstein
Nietzsche and Wittgenstein both recognize the significance of forgetting and the unconscious in human cognition. Wittgenstein's philosophical investigations delve into the role of forgetting in his insights about language, particularly the denial of the possibility of a private language. Nietzsche, on the other hand, observes that memory can be shaped by defense mechanisms and that we may not always remember things accurately due to our pride or the influence of societal norms. Their understanding of forgetting reveals how our past experiences and memories can be influenced by hidden motivations or repressed desires.
Language and Culture in Nietzsche and Wittgenstein
Both Nietzsche and Wittgenstein explore the relationship between language and culture. Wittgenstein considers language as a fundamental element of culture, playing a key role in how individuals become part of their communities. Nietzsche's focus on language highlights how language forms the basis of culture, enabling communication and shaping our understanding of reality. Although Wittgenstein's analysis is more centered on language itself, while Nietzsche examines broader cultural aspects, both thinkers acknowledge the integral role of language in the formation and expression of culture.
Nietzsche's Radical Secularism
Nietzsche's radical secularism and his understanding of the decline of traditional religious beliefs resonates with the contemporary secular world. His work provides a relevant perspective for individuals navigating a pluralistic and cosmopolitan society where people can construct their own beliefs and philosophies.
Recognizing the Changing Nature of Individuals and Society
One of Nietzsche's key insights is the recognition of the constant change and evolution of individuals and society. He emphasizes the importance of historic appreciation, understanding the shifting nature of oneself, others, and society over time. This recognition is essential for deeper human interactions, ethical decision-making, and a more meaningful understanding of political and cultural dynamics.
William Kaiser is a sociologist, a pupil of Peter Berger, a student of the philosophy of Wittgenstein, and an autodidact in all things Freud, Nietzsche & Kaufmann. His dissertation on the topic of Wittgenstein was entitled, "A Wittgensteinian Critique of Realism in Social Science Methodology", and to this day, Kaiser maintains his skepticism towards what he characterizes as "naive realism". He expresses the common thread he sees in many philosophers, from Nietzsche, to Rorty, to Wittgenstein himself: rejection of the idea of obtaining some sort of objective knowledge and the re-centering of our philosophical orientation on the human psyche. All these figures cut through abstruse confusions to reach concrete insights about history and the human condition. Central to this project for Wittgenstein (especially Later Wittgenstein, aka "Wittgenstein II", who was Kaiser's focus in his work) is the way in which language shapes human thought. Through this conversation, we discuss the commonality between Nietzsche's ideas and Wittgensteins, on the issues of language, on memory and forgetting, self-identity, and what it means to learn and live an enriching life. We also spend some time discussing Freud and the influence Nietzsche had on the famous Viennese psychoanalyst.
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