Nietzsche and Freud: Philosophy and Critique of Religion
Nietzsche’s Philosophy
His Philosophical Tenets
- Superman: The man in full, unfettered, master of himself and passing on his philosophy.
- Death of God: God is to be demolished and removed, allowing the Superman to be totally free to live and have their own morality.
- A New Morality: The morality of the gentlemen whose values are cunning, courage, strength, independence, power, against a morality of slaves and cowards (obedience, poverty, compassion, suffering, weakness).
His Critique of Religion and the Response to Religion
1) Religion is an invention of weak, fearful, and powerless men. They have tried to seek shelter, inventing religion’s weaknesses to support them and allow them to continue forward.
Answer
- One might ask Nietzsche that if religion were only for weak, fearful, and powerless men, how is it that most of the great men of our history have been immersed believers, such as Leonardo da Vinci, John Paul II, Gandhi?
- Jesus and his teachings are brave, not exactly those of the weak and fearful: he confronted religious authorities and the culture of his time (talking to a woman, touching a leper).
Contribution
We must be careful not to make religion a haven for those moments of weakness.
2) “God is dead, everything is permitted.”
Answer
- One might ask Nietzsche: Is your God dead for most of the world, which is religious and believes in God?
- The God of Jesus Christ is a living God, and he says: “I am life, and I have come to bring you life.”
Contribution
- Indeed, God is one of the guarantors of morality in the world of yesterday and today.
- If God disappeared, the world would have less morality.
3) Christian morality is a morality of slaves and cowards and proposes negative values.
Answer
- Nietzsche is wrong to consider that compassion, solidarity, obedience, and realizing the other are negative values. These are human and Christian behaviors.
- The morality of Lords, if he intends, can harm man through domination, power, and strength.
Contribution
The importance of human behavior for moral and Christian values.
Sigmund Freud’s Thought
His Philosophical Thought
- The Unconscious: The “place” where our repressed fantasies, instincts, and desires influence our behavior.
- Sexuality: It is the key explanation for understanding human behavior and mental illness.
- Psychoanalysis: A method that facilitates and encourages the person to bring to light their subconscious and can thus be cured.
His Critique of Religion
1) Religion is an invention of “repressed” and “unsafe” men seeking solace.
Answer
- Previous responses on the idea that religion is an invention of men are valid.
- With respect to the “repressed” and “unsafe,” we should remind ourselves that most believers have faith freely and responsibly.
Contribution
Religion should not become a haven for insecure and repressed individuals.
2) Religion has a repressor function in the world of the senses and desires of man.
Answer
- It is necessary that man has some instances that educate and channel their feelings and desires for the good of the individual and society.
- The religious figure of the Father not only has a function of “judge” (Judgment Day) but also of a good Father who loves and forgives (Prodigal Son).
Contribution
- We must not make religion a “repressive” force of man’s desires but an educator.
- We must present the Christian religion with the vision of Jesus of Nazareth.
3) Religion is a collective neurosis.
Answer
Religion does not make you sick, but you are looking for happiness and full fulfillment.
Contribution
It is true that psychological elements come into religious experience, as in any human experience.