(Credit to Mike Jones-Inspiring philosophy. He did most of the research. I simplified it by writing and sprinkling my own commentary, for lovers of reading.)
Wisdom of the past versus new philosophies:
Let’s turn to Saruman who embodies abandoning the wisdom of the past in favour of new philosophies: the wizard who eventually turns to evil. He becomes the servant of Sauron in a ploy to be the actual ruler of Middle Earth. He says to Gandalf, “a new power is rising against the old…” A new way where the end justifies the means; and no humility. Starts with the intention to bring knowledge and order (good intentions) but when one sets out to dominate, the world, the desire for power becomes too tempting and overtakes us.
Seizing power to do it ourselves instead of waiting for Divine providence ends up consuming. Scholars have noted that Sauron embodies the modernist philosophy of Nietzsche, the rejection of traditional religion and the will to power.
Frederick Nietzsche believed that a new era had arisen where we don’t believe in God and we could no longer derive morality from God. This led to moral and existential nihilism in which there’s no objective good or evil and no objective purpose for our lives.That we all must rise up to become an UBERMENSH- a super man who could rise above the traditional christian ethics to create their own values and purpose. “We must become gods in His place. God is dead. God remains dead and we have killed him…the murderers of all murderers…must we all become gods simply to appear worthy of it?” For him, this was a glorious realization.
What do you think: Is God dead?
However, for Tolkien it was a nightmare. He is not directly responding to Nietzsche but Sauron is crafted as an ubermench figure who rejects his place in the song of creation and attempts to rise up and turn himself into a god-king: dominate all life and bend it to his will and purpose.
According to Nietzsche, goodness is everything that heightened the feeling of power and badness is everything born of weakness. This didn’t necessarily mean you would become ‘Sauron’ as self realization and expression in the arts was a better way to gain power. Being kind and helping others to gain power because others will be indebted to you i.e., many people will be willing to come to your aid. For Tolkien this philosophy would slowly corrupt (start good but the will of power and dominating others) one to turn into a dark lord, a ‘Sauron’.
Peter Kreeft, “the ring is not a means to any further end. It is Nietzsche’s ‘will to power’ and itself the end.”
The way to defeat evil is not by seizing power to overcome the enemy, but by rejecting power, choosing love and playing your part in the song of creation. (Tolkien).
*I heard that the philosophy of LOTR is the opposite of Song of Ice of Fire, Arya Stark- more in line to Nietzsche’s ubermench, she rejects her traditional place in society and becomes something better, she rejects love and choses power. She couldn’t fit in Middle Earth.
Let’s take a peek in GOT and make a contrast.
One may wrongly compare Arya with Aowin of Rohan; who disguises herself as a man and rides to battle and ends up killing the with-king; Aowin doesn’t ride for power, she rides for love. After Aragon rejects her love, she wishes to die. She’s hurt and almost dies until Aragon comes and revives her. She then falls in love with Faramir and this allows her to fall into her rightful place and became happy. Aowin is the opposite of Arya as she’s driven by love. Rejection of her love drives her to do something she’s not supposed to and only love saves her from death. The theme of Divine providence uses her actions to bring about a good, defeat of the witch-king.
I truly think love is the most powerful force in the universe. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Past wisdom or new philosophies? Do you agree/disagree with the philosophy of Tolkien?