one more thing

I wanted to add one more note on why the question about the nature of aesthetic and moral acts is important. Traditionally, to be sure, there has been an overwhelming bias for moral acts. Hitherto, moral acts have been considered to be the paradigmatic acts (that are indicative)of a moral agent. Indeed, it's this very bias that Nietzsche's criticisms and revaluations are directed, and he is certainly right to question this historical bias.

At any rate, why do moral acts have such an elevated status--especially over aesthetic acts? Aesthetic acts have usually been rendered as preferential acts--something that, in no way, any moral agent is obligated to do (when have you heard any moralist tell you that aesthetic acts ore obligatory?). Aesthetic acts have been considered to be a kind of ab extra or "acts of fancy"--they are certainly not necessary, but "rather nice if fancy doing them." I certainly think this bias is mistaken; and it is especially mistaken if aesthetic and moral acts are one and the same.

As you all know, I find any kind of preference or bias given to any kind of activity over aesthetics activities detestable and confused. Maybe I'm wrong? What do you all think? I want to say that the aesthetic person, the aesthetic life, is the highest form and realm of existence; the aesthetic life is the most meaningful kind of existence, the highest participation in the "Good"--which, of course, is also inevitably a (or: the--) moral life.

Aesthetic and Moral Acts

I've been thinking about the nature of aesthetic acts and moral acts. And, naturally, a lot of interesting questions begin to surface when you think of the relation and difference between the two. For instance, do all moral acts have aesthetic qualities or properties? Or, conversely, do all aeshetic acts have a kind of moral quality?

In the Birth of Tragedy, Neitzsche says that utimately the higher kind of acts will be aesthetic acts. He also says that the world and existence (of all kinds) are justified by aesthetics and not morality. I'm not sure if Nietzsche is right here (surprising, I know)--that is, after thinking about Plato's conception of the "Good", I'm beginning to think that aesthetic and moral acts are one and the same. Here's what I mean by this. Let's suppose that Plato is right (and maybe this won't set well with you all): That is, the highest kinds of acts are going to be those that are grounded in , or manifest, the "Good." But the "Good"--as you all know--is 1) intrinsically good, 2) the form that makes all other good things good insofar as those things manifest or instantiate the "Good", and 3), the most interesting part found in Plato's Symposium, the "Good" is beautiful—-and anything that is good for Plato and Aristotle, intrinsically good, is also beautiful, and true.

So, what does this mean? I am proposing that, strictly speaking, aesthetic and moral acts are one and the same thing. Someone might then ask: Is the “Good” good qua the “Good” or qua beautiful. The answer, I should think, is that it is both—-for they’re the same.

At any rate, what do you all think? I can’t remember if any of you are anti-Platonists or not. If you’re an anti-Platonist, then you need not respond here because obviously your opinion is severely misguided for several reasons (see below*); but, if you aren’t an anti-Platonist or any nonsense of that sort, then lets have some dialogue and let everyone here know what you think!

Lastly, if aesthetic and moral acts are one and the same, then this is kind of problematic for me because that would mean Nietzsche is a bit off. But, wait! Dear readers! Don’t go off worrying quite yet! I’ve been thinking of why Nietzsche made such a distinction, and I think—-after some research and conversations with my Uber-Nietzschean friend—-I’m beginning to understand why Nietzsche had to make that distinction. In all seriousness, obviously he wouldn’t make such a blundering mistake like that! Come on! It’s fucking Nietzsche!


* 1) Your opinion is misguided because it doesn't manifest the "Good".
2) Plato says that opinions are in the metaphysical realm of shit because it is not true knowledge--opinions don't really count for much.
...and no, 1) and 2) do not beg the question against anti-Platonists.


what?

A little (kind of serious) poem I wrote today

Not Yet Titled
by Sara Congdon

God contemplates shitting or getting off the pot.
Boxers and jeans around His knees,
He falls asleep.

A few observations about the Eug

- Everyone wears homemade pants. The same pair. Every day. Their general appearance ranges from a modified burlap sack to a modified burlap sack attacked by raccoons smeared with fecal matter.

- This was unexpected: I turned on the radio and heard the disgruntled whine of none other than Rush Limbaugh. He was talking about how scientists may have found a gene that determines your political affiliation. Rushy boy went on to postulate that, since all scientists are obviously liberal scum, they would eventually find a way to eliminate all conservative-gened babies. Rush apparently didn't see the irony of the fact that, assuming the report is accurate, his gene's made him make such a dumbass remark. And then I understood why even Eugene listens to him: dumbasses are hilarious.

- There are, give or take, 35 people at my company. 17 have beards.

- U of O students dislike it when you replace their mascot with this picture of Donald Duck:
http://www.world-wide-art.com/art/va/printjpgs/r/sreis/oneloneliestnumber.jpg

Ah, Eugene.

Maude

(a free verse poem for general enjoyment)

Maude
by Sara Congdon

My milkshake brings all the boys
to the yard
and they're like
"It's better than yours"

Damn right

My name is Maude
I have been making milkshakes
at Denny's
for fifteen years
I'm in a waitress's union
blue apron, blue plate special

I wear orthopedic insoles
I have five cats
I am a milkshake expert

With dedication
at Denny's
behind the counter
in a glass
I could teach you
but I'd have to charge

Boggle Party, Oct 27, Friday

Mark:
The Markness: Mark Attack: ReMarkable: Question, Mark; Central Mark; X Marks the Spot; Mark the Herald Angels Sing; Lincoln Mark; Trade Mark; Stock Mark-it; Marking Ticket; The Great White Mark; Noah's Mark; Mark de Triumph; Mark of the Beast

Dylan:
Dylanieate; Dyllified; Chillin like a Dylan; License to Dyl; Dylan for Oil; Crocko-Dyl: RiDylan: Taradacdyl; What's the Dyleo; Dylan with Me: Drug Dylan; Let's make a Dyl; Dylandenburg; Dylanburger Cheese: Dylandberg baby; Dylanquint; Dyland before time; Dylicious

Collin:
Pick up the phone, I'm Collin; I've Collin and I can't get up; Collinoscopy; Pick up the phone, I'm Collin Moore Often; Total Re-Collin; Collin Ass; Shot Collin; Collindberg Baby; I can't reCollin; Free Collin; Collinder and the strained beats; Collin Sick; Collinstrumentation; Booty Collin; Semi-Collin

Yoshi:
Oh, Yoshi didn't, Yoshin's 11; Across the Yoshin; Yoshinendoa; Yoshin's 12; Yoshimpire State Building; AtrYoshious; Yosh-Raptor; Yoshimmy shimmy shake; Yoshimmity Sam; Cryoshiey: Yoshipment has arrived; Yoshit; Yoshgasm; The Yoshin Horse; The Yoshin Man; Yoshitler; Yoshiggity Yo Doubt:

Sara:
Yogi Sara; Saradactyl; Saraendipity; Saraphyllis; Sara-trooper; Sarabolic; Saracidal; the Golden Sarachute; Saraswheel; Sarabiner; Saraguay; Grow a Sara Balls; I Sarender; Saround Sound; TyranaSaras Rex; TriSaratops; Velosara Raptor

Leah:
Ghonaleah; Leah me alone; ReLeah Bitch: INfested with Fleahs; Releahve me; The Leah-Tards; Leanthropist; Leahndrothol; Leahnderer; Leactionary; Leah-ha; Osama bin Leah;

Nick:
Nick and Span; Nickaragua; Nick your nose; No Nickers; The New York Nicks; Badass Nicker; Nick of Time; Nickodamus; Nickle and Dimed, Nick Tac Toe; NIck-less; First round draft Nick; Nick Ball; Jiminy Nickit: Nickit Stubb; Scalping Nickits: That's the Nickit!; Nickity Split;

Little Known Facts About Prominent Figures in Philosophy and Literary Theory

Part One.

Friedrich Nietzsche

Although most famous for the line "God is dead" and other philosophical things, Friedrich Nietzsche was also a pop music enthusiast. In some of his lesser known journal entries, he talks ceaselessly about Britney Spears, in particular, his favorite song "(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix)." He writes:

Dear Diary,
At long last, I have discovered the pinnacle of aesthetic and Dionysian ecstasy: Britney Spears. What a luscious ass. And her words--they enchant me! The seduce me! The ravage me to the core of my existence! Might not I be crazy too? Might not I feel like I am "in too deep"? Oh, yes, I do. "Oh oh oh crazy but it feels alright": isn't that what I have been saying all along? Paradoxical imperatives! "The earth is moving but I can't feel the ground"! Pure genius! "Every time I look at you, you've got that somethin' what can I do?" Nothing! Nothing but surrender to the chaos of existence! "You drive me crazy, I just can't sleep. I'm so excited, I'm in too deep. Oh oh oh crazy but it feels alright baby thinkin' of you keeps me up all night." Damn, now I can't sleep.
(heart)xo,
Friedrich