The Prophet of Decline - Ben Lewis | Maiden Mother Matriarch 37
Oct 29, 2023
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Dr Ben Lewis, a Leverhulme Research Fellow at Leeds University specializing in German intellectual history, discusses Oswald Spengler and his predictions for the 20th and 21st century. They explore Spengler's support for a civilisational cycles model, his misunderstood connections to Hitler, and the evolution of cultural forms. They also delve into the focus on Rome in the study of classical history.
Oswald Spengler proposed a cyclical model of history, challenging the progressive idea of linear development.
Each civilization goes through cycles of birth, blossoming, decay, and death, emphasizing the importance of cultural uniqueness.
Spengler believed in the irreversible decline of Western civilization, characterized by formlessness and loss of creative vitality.
Deep dives
Spengler's Biography and Early Life
Oswald Spengler, a German intellectual, had an interesting and challenging childhood, escaping his troubled family life through reading and imagination. He attended university and became a teacher, blending philosophy and mathematics in his studies. He later wrote a dissertation on the role of the eye in various animals. Spengler had an intense personal struggle and suffered from anxiety and panic attacks. He had a complicated relationship with nationalism and German politics, navigating the turbulent period of World War I and the rise of the Nazi regime. Spengler's personal experiences and background influenced his thoughts on society, culture, and historical cycles.
Spengler's Book: 'The Decline of the West'
'The Decline of the West' was Spengler's famous book, in which he presented his cyclical model of history. He argued against the progressive idea of history and the linear view of civilization's development. Instead, he proposed that civilizations go through cycles of birth, blossoming, decay, and death. He claimed that historical events are not solely based on individual factors or causality but are fundamentally shaped by a civilization's underlying cultural symbols and ideas. Spengler emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural uniqueness and life cycle of each civilization.
Spengler's Civilizational Cycles
Spengler identified eight culture cycles, each with its own life cycle. He used analogies like spring, summer, autumn, and winter to describe the different phases of civilizations. He argued that each culture goes through a period of birth, blossoming, decay, and winter, which he referred to as 'civilizational sunset'. Spengler believed that the West was in its winter phase, characterized by a loss of creative vitality and formlessness. He argued that in this phase, there is a decline in genuine cultural production and an increase in materialism and money-focused thinking. This cyclical view of history challenged prevailing linear models of progress.
Influence and Reception of Spengler's Ideas
Spengler's ideas had a significant impact on intellectuals and thinkers of his time. Although his book did not have widespread readership, it influenced a range of individuals across the political spectrum. Both conservative and left-wing figures found elements of Spengler's thinking persuasive. Spengler's ideas were seen as challenging and thought-provoking, questioning the prevailing notions of progress and offering insights into the cyclical nature of civilizations. Although some of his predictions proved accurate, Spengler's association with the rise of Nazi Germany and his controversial views on race and culture have complicated his legacy.
Spengler's Views on the Future and Decline
Spengler's view on the future was pessimistic, emphasizing the irreversible decline of Western civilization. He believed that cultures cannot prevent their decline or revert back to an earlier phase. However, he argued that there is still agency in this winter phase to shape the direction and impact of the decline. Spengler believed that Germany had a unique role to play in this decline and that a strong leader was needed to oversee it. He saw this decline as inevitable and characterized by a sense of formlessness and loss of creative vitality. Spengler's ideas on the future and decline were influenced by his belief in the cyclical nature of civilizations and his analysis of cultural symbols and metaphysical forces.
My guest today is Dr Ben Lewis, a Leverhulme Research Fellow at Leeds University who specialises in German intellectual history. On the podcast we talk about Ben’s book Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline - once an influential thinker who is now having a renaissance. We also discuss Spengler’s support for a civilisational cycles model of history as oppose to the progressive model of history and some of Spengler’s predictions for the 20th and 21st century which have been largely vindicated. In the extended version of the episode we look at Spengler's relevance to politics today. You can find extended episodes, bonus episodes and the MMM chat community at louiseperry.substack.com
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