Author Topic: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life  (Read 2649 times)

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Nation of One

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Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« on: December 17, 2015, 06:09:12 pm »
I don't know why this was such a relief to read.  In Cartwright's Schopenhauer biography, on the top of page 32, "Trying to secure a Hamburg prebend was an act of 'fatherly love' that put his son's well-being before everything else.  He did so, Arthur thought, because his father viewed poverty as inseparable from scholarly life.  Arthur, however, was oblivious to his father's specific attitude toward his son.  He might have been receptive to the idea that his son possessed intellectual abilities far greater than those useful to a merchant, but his attitudes also implied that Arthur's abilities were not sufficient to earn him a good life."

The reason this resonates with me has to do with things I go over in The Tyranny of Pubic Opinion.

A person brought up in Smalltown, USA finds himself from early youth surrounded by hostility to everything that is necessary for mental excellence.

Evidently, it is not just an American phenomenon.  One who pursues scholarly, intellectual, or artistic interests has to understand that these interests will not bring financial security.  A scholar has more of a chance ending up in a prison or mental hospital than owning a house, cars, and travelling the world staying in hotels while dining at restaurants. 

This is interesting, isn't it?  I mean, isn't this a fascinating social reality? Consider the scholar Mumia Abu Jamal.  I don't know if you have ever heard the man speak, but his intellect is powerful.  He's been accused of killing a police officer.   Then there is Leonard Peltier in prison for over 30 years, I think.  He is accused of killing an FBI agent who was shooting at him.  And one thinks, wow, can we even write about such things without being targeted as a radical?   

In a behavioral health facility I mentioned that one reason someone might be hesitant to injest prescribed psychiatric medications could have something to do with the fact that the pharmaceutical industry is suspect, and psychiatry as a medical profession has far too much authority in our society.   The representative laughed this off as "one of those conspiracy theories."

So, we are in a strange world where the truth is brushed off as conspiracy theory and we might hesitate to mention certain political prisoners so as not to draw attention to ourselves.  Great.  It's all about "being happy" and "working on yourself".  Never mind the big picture, just stay calm and stay out of trouble.

I sympathize with Schopenhauer's situation.  He had an inheritance in the bank that he was living off of to support his scholarly life.  He did not want to see anarchy in the streets.  He did not want riots.  The world frightened him, for sure.  Wars?  I can't see him being turned into a soldier.  Is it true that it is impossible to think while one is marching?

What if one can't be compartmentalized?

What does it mean to be an intellectual?   It certainly does not imply one is destined to be able to earn a living.  Maybe this is why Schopenhauer had such disdain for professors of philosophy in universities.  There must be a great deal of deference to authority to acquire such a position. 

 Hermann Hesse relates this phenomenon when the Steppenwolf states, "We intellectuals, instead of rendering obedience to the Logos, the Word, are all dreaming of a speech without words that utters the inexpressible and gives form to the formless.  The German intellectual has always rebelled against the word and against reason.  None of us intellectuals is at home in reality.  We are strange to it, we are hostile to it.  The generals and captains of industry were quite right.  There was nothing to be made of us intellectuals.  We were an irresponsible lot for whom reality had no meaning."

Like Harry Haller in Hermann Hesse's "autobiographical fiction," Raskolnikov, in Dostoyevsky's Crime & Punishment, was such a wayward scholar.

It is one of the great ironies in literate societies throughout the ages that scholars are associated with monks or a generally impoverished existence.  It's the only life for me.  Still, there is such great insult to our collective psyche when the ambitious power-hungry authority worshippers, the industrialists, the business executives, the politicians, the military, the professional athletes, etc. are generally anti-intellectual cultures.

They respect the technology, the math, the languages, that help one "win" or "succeed" - acquire wealth ... but scholars can expect to live a very humble life.

This is fine by me, especially since "wealth" is relative.

I have boots, warm socks, a cot + blanket + pillows, long underwear, all the books I could want from the few writers who interest me, blank notebooks, pens, computer ...

If I were to become homeless, I would want to rent a small storage space to keep my few precious possessions.  If I were to "lose everything", I would have to start over, but with humble demands.  The worse fate would be to be incarcerated, but I would just have to reach deep within me and become some kind of scholar-monk-prisoner.

I think remaining out of confinement is my main priority, but it is paradoxically the times I spent in captivity which enable me to genuinely appreciate the things that are most important to me.

Even if all I end up doing with my time on earth is being a "Schopenhauer scholar", this is enough for me.  I would like to reach a point where I have no hatred for the gorts, but pity them for making their life mission putting things into their purse rather than into their heads.

If we can be indifferent to the values of our society, we've got this meritocracy licked.

If someone wants to defy the artificial authority of the "professional class", meditating on Schopenhauer's philosophy may open up a realm of transcendental delight ... 

To choose to be a scholar and a thinker, and to shun the life of the merchant, is a choice that has consequences, but we know what we're doing.  Failing to thrive in a corporate capacity can be viewed as a successful resistance to values we find base, vulgar, and downright stupid.

Just reflect upon a cheering audience receiving $500 gifts from a talk show host ... the screaming with glee ... There is no need to hate the gorts.  Indifference is actually more liberating.

By the way, has the term "intellectual" been politicized to simply imply a Marxist leftist ideologist?  If only we could transcend the little compartments waiting anyone who dares to refuse to "keep our eyes on the ball", the parade, the new blockbuster, the big game, etc., ...

[PUKE]

The first couple sentences in that biography mention that Schopenhauer considered himself homeless his entire life.   Maybe some of us are just homeless in the world.  We are homesick for nothingness.  We are tired.  We just don't fall for any of the hype.

Maybe, like Schopenhauer, life just disgusts us.  Maybe more creatures share this sentiment than we realize.  Most likely, this sentiment is actually the kernel of a few religions.
« Last Edit: February 23, 2016, 12:40:38 pm by H »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

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Holden

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2015, 02:20:38 pm »
I looked up Mr Jamal & Mr Peltier.I think the words-"philosopher" and "scholar" are very crucial.
To be a philosopher like Schopenhauer..and like you.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2015, 02:22:28 pm by Holden »
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Holden

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2015, 05:49:55 am »
What I think of nature? Its red in tooth & claw,no? I hate it-for it spews forth sentient life.Like a good degenerate Schopenhauerian Scholar I sit in my room alone with my books-angst brewing inside of me,listening to a Schopenhauerian song:
« Last Edit: December 20, 2015, 05:59:52 am by Holden »
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2015, 03:46:05 pm »
Seeing how hostile the Natural World can be almost increases my sympathy for mankind's obsession with technology ... Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! 

Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2020, 04:07:11 am »


CIA + FBI + Mafia + Dope Cops ------> in cahoots

... and nobody gives a shit ?

People are so dumbed down in the USA that many are unaware that India and China are the new superpowers of the planet, and not many seem aware of the great tensions being propagandized between these two Giants as our stomachs rumble and grumble.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2020, 04:13:12 am by Sticks and Stones »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2020, 01:32:05 am »
I am finding it more and more impossible to "be myself unrestrained" in the company of so-called friends, that is, the few couples I associate with in the place I dwell.   There are moments when I feel I am being verbally abused or mentally fucked with.  Then, when inebriated, my temper flares and I feel this burning desire to state my case (make some attempt at closure, announcing some kind of vow to have nothing else to do with those who may not be worthy of my loyalty or respect) ...

Such situations would normally lead to self-blame where others can too easily blame "diagnosed bipolar disorder," "chemical imbalance," "alcoholic personality traits," or even ignorant/arrogant flinging around terms such as schizophrenia.  Even my own nephew pulled that crap on me and I have written him off as an actual enemy.  There are people I interact with who I have bestowed kindness to who do not reciprocate.

I think of Van Gogh and how Artaud says he was suicided by society.

I also witness how my mother takes great advantage of my energies, literally draining me of all my waking hours so that I must steal away hours in the middle of the night just to attend to my own interests.

People I associate with give me conflicting advice, and I am leaning strongly in the direction of justified paranoia.   I have been quite a scholar in comparison to the regular Joes of Dumbed Down USA throughout my existence, and when the **** hits the fan I am left being made to appear to be the nutcase.

It can be infuriating how a kind-hearted man can be turned into a monster by scoundrels and morally questionable run-of-the-mill sociopaths.

 ???

Another thing I have been reflecting upon and wondering about are the painful details of why people like Van Gogh have such tormented relations with the opposite sex.

What is it about the nature of human societies that make it so impossible for some of us to exist?   Clearly there are conspiracies and unconscious cruelties which, as Holden has suggested, are beyond anyone's power to be other than what they are.

As Pirsig prosposed in his Metaphysics of Morality (LILA), the sane believe they are "good," and even if they are practically morons, they all-too-easily jump on the band-wagon to condemn the man or woman "floating around an entirely different orbit."

There is no common ground and one must always be anything other than onesef in human society.   This leads to a great deal of wandering around alone like Nobody in Dead Man.



longer version:



It is just the way it is, I guess.

Some are born to endless night.

__________________________________________
"mental note" (taken 2 ways):  It might not be such a good idea to share homemade pizza pie ... when the ones you share the pie with disrespect you a day later, there may be great resentment.   ;)
« Last Edit: September 02, 2020, 02:02:17 am by Sticks and Stones »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Holden

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2020, 04:10:14 pm »
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Holden

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2020, 02:37:04 pm »
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2022, 07:33:34 am »
Greetings From Turtle Island

I am reading a few things at once,  Besides the novel about Van Gogh, Lust for Life, there is this English translation of Mad Like Artaud.

Very early on, the author gets into some heavy topics. 

Life has been getting in the way of my participating, but I do intend to catch up going over recent posts.
There is so much I still use this board for.  I will definitely want a recent copy of the entire message board for my hard drives. 

(still uncertain where life is taking me, but my feelings are mixed ... hope you each are safe and sound, but if not, well, may you survive your troubles and be made stronger by them)
« Last Edit: May 18, 2022, 07:40:34 am by Mike E. Mic :: Hyper-Retarded Nuclear-Bum »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Holden

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To Our Friend with Lapis Lazuli Eyes
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2022, 09:30:00 am »
I am glad to see a message by you. I hope your personal difficulties have mitigated, if only a little.

I am surrounded by scheming vipers and this message board is pretty much my Garden of Eden.
 
I must have read almost all the major biographies of Van Gogh and his honesty and sincerity reminds me of you.

Do try to take it easy.The best way to do so,in my view, to stay in a room not accessible to the other  just for a day or two.

Here are some  book recommendations drenched in Schopenhauer’s philosophy for you:








All three have helped me in different points of my life.

Take care.


P.S. Artaud link is dead.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2022, 09:35:17 am by Holden »
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #10 on: May 19, 2022, 06:35:01 pm »
Try this one from Library Genesis: https://3lib.net/dl/5819541/d2e8ed
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Holden

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2022, 01:07:32 pm »
Thanks.

For you:
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Nation of One

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Re: Poverty Inseparable From A Scholarly Life
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2023, 05:19:54 pm »
I am attempting to breath some scholarly research into these lonely nights.
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~