Mature epochs that have the right to be proud of their humanity are still so full of fear, so full of superstitious fear of the “cruel and wild beast” (although the pride these more humane ages feel is actually caused by their mastery of this beast), that even obvious truths remain unspoken for centuries, as if by agreement, because they have the appearance of helping bring the wild beast back to life after it had finally been killed off. Perhaps I am taking a risk in allowing a truth like this to escape: let other people recapture it and make it drink the “milk of pious reflection” until it
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Very insightful!!!
Nietzsche is proposing quest for knowledge as a form of cruelty one proposes on onseself
CHATGPT
In this passage, Nietzsche is exploring the theme of cruelty, its deep roots in human nature, and its relationship with higher culture, knowledge, and art. Here's a summary of the main points:
1. **Unspoken Truth about Cruelty**: Nietzsche asserts that humanity, even in its more enlightened stages, fears and suppresses acknowledgment of its inherent cruel tendencies. This cruelty, Nietzsche suggests, is not only ever-present but has been instrumental in shaping what we understand as "higher culture."
2. **Cruelty in Tragedy**: He posits that the essence of tragedy, which is often regarded as one of the highest forms of art, is deeply intertwined with cruelty. The intense emotions, the tragic pity, and the sublime feelings evoked by such art are, in Nietzsche's view, pleasurable because of the element of cruelty present in them.
3. **Cruelty in Historical and Cultural Events**: Nietzsche references various historical and cultural scenarios—from the Roman gladiatorial games to the crucifixion of Christ, from the Spanish bullfights to the Wagnerian operas—as illustrations of humanity's fascination with cruelty and suffering. He suggests that in each of these scenarios, the participants and observers find a deep-seated pleasure in witnessing or experiencing cruelty.
4. **Reinterpretation of Cruelty's Origin**: Nietzsche challenges the conventional understanding of cruelty as being solely derived from witnessing the suffering of others. He suggests that there's also pleasure in self-inflicted suffering, in self-denial, and even in intense self-reflection.
5. **The Knower and Cruelty**: The "knower," or the seeker of knowledge, is portrayed by Nietzsche as an "artist of cruelty." This is because the pursuit of deep knowledge, according to Nietzsche, involves a certain violation or breaking away from surface understandings and comfort zones. This process of pushing beyond superficial understandings can be seen as a form of cruelty.
In essence, Nietzsche is encouraging readers to re-evaluate their understanding of cruelty, recognizing its pervasive presence in many revered cultural, artistic, and intellectual pursuits. He suggests that rather than denying this element of human nature, we should acknowledge and understand its profound influence on our culture and psychology.
