Quote:Hitler admired Schopenhauer. Doesn't change my opinion of Schopenhauer. Why would it change my opinion of Obama?
-Jester
Kind of different. Obama is a leader of a country and so is Fidel, or was. This is different from Fidel liking a phylosopher, artist or actor as they are both of the same profession.
As to Schopenhauer:
"The highest civilization and culture, apart from the ancient Hindus and Egyptians, are found exclusively among the white races; and even with many dark peoples, the ruling caste or race is fairer in colour than the rest and has, therefore, evidently immigrated, for example, the Brahmans, the Incas, and the rulers of the South Sea Islands.
Schopenhauer additionally maintained a marked metaphysical and political anti-Judaism. Schopenhauer argued that Christianity constituted a revolt against the materialistic basis of Judaism, exhibiting an Indian-influenced ethics reflecting the Aryan-Vedic theme of spiritual "self-conquest." This he saw as opposed to what he held to be the ignorant drive toward earthly utopianism and superficiality of a worldly Jewish spirit:
While all other religions endeavor to explain to the people by symbols the metaphysical significance of life, the religion of the Jews is entirely immanent and furnishes nothing but a mere war-cry in the struggle with other nations.
In another context, Schopenhauer reiterated his antidemocratic-eugenic thesis: "If you want Utopian plans, I would say: the only solution to the problem is the despotism of the wise and noble members of a genuine aristocracy, a genuine nobility, achieved by mating the most magnanimous men with the cleverest and most gifted women. This proposal constitutes my Utopia and my Platonic Republic"
These are snippets from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Schopenhauer
Gee, I wonder if that was the reason Hitler liked him? Naaaah, can't be.
BTW, is that why you like him also?