Walter Benjamin "Theses on the Philosophy of History"

"One reason why Fascism has a chance is that in the name of progress its opponents treat it as a historical norm. The current amazement that the things we are experiencing are "still" possible in the twentieth century is not philosophical. This amazement is not the beginning of knowledge- unless it is the knowledge that the view of history that giveth rise to it is untenable." Walter Benjamin, page 257, thesis 9

What Benjamin is trying to express here is that the citizens of Germany are living in an oppressed situation and is primary because they chose to stand by and do nothing about the struggle. He wants the people to bring about the state of emergency because indeed though the lens of history they are experiencing a period of great disaster and has been repeatedly over the course of history. His theory also alludes that this shift will aid in the struggle against Fascism which is the case while he is writing in the sense of Nazism. He claims which can be agreed, that the illusion of progress which the politicians sell to the volks has be the bait that has trapped the people in an continual oppressive situation from past history coming up. I guess he is substituting the word amazement for shock that the people have not realize the trap after so long of time being fooled by the same trick, especially now in a time of what seems to be enlightenment, progress and modernization. I think he is really saying because of what is happening in Germany, that this is a period of folly not wisdom or knowledge among the people (which is ironic because German produce great minds of that century, though they eventually were forced to flee Germany do to this same "amazement") because history has seem to become indefensible. Indefensible because no one has realize the state of emergency because they are hypnotized by the illusion and promise of progress which will forever oppress not only the people but history.
I chose this quote because it is simply the truth. Though Benjamin did not live to see the awakening in Germany concerning his writing, I find that his theory is still applicable in some areas of world history and American history now in the twentieth century. Its like you just want to scream sometimes do anyone care to change this process which only produce the same bad result. We even see this every four years around election time all the politicians come with their illusive promises on progresses we fall into it and then complain how we are still struggling and suffering. I would have to agree with Benjamin and Nietzsche that the outcomes of history seems to be leading towards getting worst instead of better. I also chose this quote because, this read I found it a bit difficult and that was one of the lines that caught my attention and kept me interested.

Walter Benjamin: "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"

"The film responds to the shriveling of the aura with an artificial build-up of the 'personality' outside the studio. The cult of the movie star, fostered by the money of the film industry, preserves not the unique aura of the person but the 'spell of the personality,' the phony spell of a commodity" (p. 231)


What Walter Benjamin is expressing here is that their is no longer aura in acting. In theater actors interacted with the audience but in movies actors interacts with the camera. So then what is viewed by the movie watchers is not present in time or authentic. Also that movies gives a personality that is based on movie role not the individual. Then people become memorized by the movie start persona and the commodities surrounding movies. 


I chose this quote because he is expressing the very problem we seem to be caught in but its because of this delusional aura we have so many magazines and paparazzi. I just wanted to add to this that movies change the Aura of the actors as well because of the money associated with the industry. Its tragic that this artificial build up will not seize or diminish no time to come.


1. What is the difference between cult value and exhibition value in art? How does Benjamin see these values in relation to politics?
the cult value of art supports social order by making it seem mystical tended to dominate, but reproduction of art in ever greater numbers has caused this to shift so much, that the defining quality of art now tends to emphasize exhibition value over cult value. The cult value refers to its status in magic and rituals; exhibition value refers to the content or the "information" contained within the piece, literally by showing or exhibiting it. They expose the contradictions within the economic and social system not by statistical arguments but by depicting human suffering, and to give expression to groups and individuals who normally would not be able to express themselves 


2. What is the difference between Erfahrung and Erlebnisse? How does it relate to art?

Eefahrung means the integrated experience and Erlebnisse is the isolated experience, they relate to art because Benjamin calls them the two experience one can have with art. Integrated experience establishes a continuity or connection between experiences, while isolated experience sees no connection between one experience and another.

3. Explain some of the positive and negative effects of the destruction of the "aura" in art.

the destruction of aura cause celeberityhood and an artificial personality is build up around the actor. destruction of aura lessens the bond between artist and audience. It creates a new look or study of movement and issues facing humanity.

4. How would you judge or evaluate the impact of forms of mass culture like film in contemporary life? Have they changed human perception? Are they are important part of creating political consciousness in the public?

I feel like mass culture was a very and still is a very important way of how people interact and the human experience. I is a model though not always positive but it has be through films and photography people mimic how they dress and behave, what they want and what they would like to change. The human perception has defiantly change and mass culture will continue to mold peoples perception of the world around them. It is most defiantly an important part of creating political consciousness in the public because people are visual learners whren the see something they are more likely to be compelled to action in contrast to hearing about something.

Ernst Junger- On Pain

"A sense of deep mistrust he has also placed here: the feeling of being demoralized by malicious ploys, whether in relation to economics, intellectual, moral, or racial matters. This feeling pours out into a state of general indictment- into the literature of the blind, who are constantly in search of those responsible." Junger pg 14

So in this quote Junger is talking about the pain of the soul and how it is now being studied by this new science called psychology. He believes that psychology confirms his theories on pain; that pain has the influence on one that makes them bitter, also that it causes on to become calcified as in they become unwilling to do anything, the become unwilling to take the risk and sacrifice. He also express in this quote that pain causes mistrust I figure that is why one would not be willing to make sacrifices. And not only does that that it keeps the individual reminded of the injustices that made them feel demoralized or inferior. Then because of pain the person is constantly in a state of the victim role or feeling like a victim. And as Junger writes in his essay that history is the oldest man that will ever live his age precedes mankind and it proceeds mankind. Not only that but it will continue to be the literature of reference people turn to for a sort of justification or blame.

1.How would you judge Jünger's thesis that pain is the central experience of life?

A quick answer would be yes that I sound very true because of the attributes he provide as evidence for his theory but I would say no. I don't believe pain the the central experience of life. As mentioned in the lecture "he does not really confront pain at all but instead runs away from it, by preaching  a kind of "emotional suicide" which frees the individual from pain but only by making them dead on the inside". From a nihilistic point of view I understand why he would call pain the central experience but on the more liberal side I would say love is the central experience of life because once someone decided to love another person the accept the fact that they have made them self vulnerable to hurt and pain. 

2. What does "post-liberal" refer to and how does it relate to the idea of progress?

According to Junger post liberal refers to a period of time after world war one where it is assumed that liberalism is dead. From my understanding it relates to the idea of progress because once upon a time it liberalism stood by the idea that if technology and material increase social problems would decrease and that international conflicts would be resolved, unfortunately the opposite occurred. So he says that the post -liberal is to define that period where the ideas of liberalism is refuted. 

3. Why is photography the "evil eye" according to Jünger?

Photography is the evil eye because it is not sensitive towards human emotions it captures images just as it is. Also it excites the mind to be envious and practice such polices like imperialism and colonization. It, like Junger express it is an instrument of our own particular nature, it evokes in  a man the lust of the eye and the pride of life.

4. What is the relationship between specialized education and the "worker type."

The worker type is the type that submits to totalitarianism rule, they are a greater advantage to avoid pain according to Junger. whereas specialized education impact the advancement that Junger deems the problem started bring pain into the lives of men. 

 5. How does submission to totalitarian authorities protect an individual from pain?

Because there is no advancement. With advancement of technology so do the dehumanization of human life. 

NAZISM: Reflection and Questions

"They were also against both communism and capitalism, blaming them both on Jews, even though that seems like a contradiction. They promised to resolve the struggles between business and labor, and originally tried to portray themselves as a non-communist alternative for the working classes. In a sense they were not lying since their strategy was to substitute racial struggle for class struggle."

I would say from the end of the 19th century the changes of the German people have been a prominent theme. This I would say is one of the major topics we are learning in this class. The idea of nihilism destroying the traditional views and ways of the system that seems to be unfulfilled to the people. Here comes Adolf Hitler as an exemplary of Max Weber "politician" character. He promised the solution for all those who wants to see change in German government and society. Can he really deliver? I say no. His party called the Nazi are a group of extremist who believes that communism, capitalism and the Jews are the problem and they take inhumane bitter-sweet measures to execute a difference, at least they think its going to bring difference.

I chose this quote because it was the lie that the Germans bought, that would cause a undo able change in the history of the nation. Lets start with communism, the Nazi were supposedly against Communism and  promise to eradicate it. Did they? No the continued it in another way because as the quote says they substitute the racial struggle for the class struggle, so no really solution was met by that. Two, Capitalism Nazi German played a big part in capitalism because manufacturing monopolies were build around war supplies and the motor industries did not always hire paid labors because they had aid from slave laborers and corporations and monopolies such as the banks and motor companies made German a capitalistic society. And three the genocide among the Jews was nothing common, natural or humane. It did not purge the race as Hitler anticipated to accomplish, and was not beneficial to Germany in no way.

1. What were some of the major reasons that led to the rise of Nazi Germany?
The people wanted a direction and a hope due to the great depression and the war. Also they identified with the lower classes of people, the promises to eradicate communism and capitalism and the breed of a true German race.

2. How did Nazis resolve conflicts between workers and owners and why was this an attractive model for business executives?
Well with the war there was a rise in war production and even motor production and with the rise of the Nazi rule there was a decrease in unemployment. So laborers were getting jobs due to industrialization and owners paid the workers less. Other employers used this same strategy and though it to be genius.

3. What is the significance of the phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei?"
"Work bring freedom" is a significant phrase to meaningful in that the initial phase of anti-Semitism was more about confiscating Jewish property and forcing them out of high positions in banks, government, universities, etc.

4. What is state capitalism and how does it relate to Nazi Germany?
State capitalism is the idea that power motive is more important than profit motive. It relates to Nazi Germany because it alludes that though the companies profiting in the production of war materials that is controlled by the interest of the state in hopes of expanding national power.

5. How would you evaluate the psychological causes of anti-semitism in the context of German society?
Totally Irrational and paranoid. Damaging and tainting to the families and survivors of the Holocaust their history will never be the same.

Max Weber: Politics as a Vocation- Reflection

"This is the decisive psychological quality of the politician: his ability to let realities work upon him with inner concentration and calmness. Hence his distance to things and men. ‘Lack of distance’ per se is one of the deadly sins of every politician. It is one of those qualities the breeding of which will condemn the progeny of our intellectuals to political incapacity. For the problem is simply how can warm passion and a cool sense of proportion be forged together in one and the same soul? Politics is made with the head, not with other parts of the body or soul. And yet devotion to politics, if it is not to be frivolous intellectual play but rather genuinely human conduct, can be born and nourished from passion alone. " (p. 115)

Max Weber makes it clear all thought his speech that being a politician is a calling as one would traditionally have to a god or a faith. The character of a politician from this point of view is very nihilistic because it not only strips the politician from a traditional honor as a professional but also his commonality of his manhood. I suppose that's what makes it a vocation, it calls that individual to be set apart.
I chose this passage because it gives a great example of the nihilistic theme. Here Weber explains that basically the profession is imbeded in the individual from his creation because he is psychologically made up to accommodate his vocation. The politician has certain characteristics such as isolation from others even parts of his own self, such as his soul. All he does is think, utilizing his inner concentration and calmness not necessary humility or happiness being the source.

Weimar Constitution

Article 14Reich laws are executed by state authorities, inasfar Reich laws do not specify otherwise.

This law simply sums up the whole constitution that in fact the laws of the Reich governs all the states of the nation making it united, being subjected to one common constitution. From other articles one will notice that from almost every aspect of Germany from the states to international affairs there are articles to serve as direction and guide lines for execution. This article also gives state authorities the authority to up hold Reich laws, with no respect to any other power. I chose this Article because it showed commonalities with the US governmental and constitutional system.

Article 115Every German's home is an asylum and inviolable. Exceptions are admissible only if based on a law.

This means that the home of a person is in a way their safe haven and not to be subjected to violation. But there are exceptions when the law allows. This was interesting because the Nazi looted and raided Jewish homes though they were German citizen, their home was no asylum for themselves or their families. I chose this Article because all do agree that Nazi Germany was a violation of human rights and even its own constitutional rights made for the citizens. I wonder how many Jewish lawyers at the time self bitter due to the nullification of such a right.

1) What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of proportional representation?

Proportional representation means that legislative seats are given based on the number of votes won by voters. this type of voting lets the election less dependent and responsive to local votes but it also eliminate the idea of wasted votes. Also this method of voting allots for multiple political parties running and increases the chance of a minority group winning.

2) What were the leading causes of the decline of the Weimar Republic?

The lack of support, inflation and the great depression.

3) What is hyperinflation?

Hyperinflation is extreme price increase due to the decrease in monetary value.

4) How would you judge the Weimar Constitution as compared to the American Constitution?

I would say overall they are similar, they had the people in mind though the laws seem to control all lot and there is all lot more articles than the american constitution. One thing is that the German constitution is very specific whereas the American constitution is very broad.

The Junius Pamphlet- Reflection

“They were competing in their expansion toward the non-capitalist countries and zones of the world. As early as the eighties a strong tendency toward colonial expansion became apparent.”

                                                                                           - "The Junius Pamphlet " Rosa Luxemburg

This quote is taken from chapter three of Rosa Luxemburg essay. And she expressed this to give basic information as to how capitalism and imperialism is become a house hold name to super powers at the time; also how Germany is a big fan too of these capitalistic and imperialistic ideals. Luxemburg sees this trend as a problem between capitalistic powers over territory in there annexes. What it means to me is that capitalism and imperialism start problems between nations because it causes power struggles between greater nations. Then the problems escalades to wars.