Nietzsche was explicitly, spitefully against asceticism. On the Genealogy of Morals is largely about how church clerics valorized ascetic lifestyle in order to trick the public into always believing they are not doing good, when actually the church has explicitly created two moralities because the rich, powerful, and aristocratic were not expected to (and Nietzsche was not in favor of) living ascetic lives.
The whole point of this meme is that Nietzsche was a life-affirming philosopher. He absolutely did not advocate for an ascetic lifestyle because he believed the joy was the highest pursuit of human life.
Now, if you find this contradictory, well Nietzsche is an extremely contrary and frustrating writer. His writing is beautiful and prosaic, but he’s endlessly skeptical In one line he is saying something so profound and affirming, and the next line ascerbic and devastating. He flatters you, makes an airtight case for the flattery, then rips it to shreds; then he rips that to shreds and he is back to flattery. I’m sort of unconvinced that he even is a philosopher, but I love his writing and prose.
FavouriteShapes@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
Right! I’m glad to see someone thinking critically about what hedonism to fundamentslly means, rather than relying on the more pejorative usage of the term.
I realised once that, even tho I was a drug free tee totaller who didn’t party or have sex much, I was still a hedonistic at that time because I played videogames as much as possible.
cantstopthesignal@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
What would be considered hedonistic back then? Talking a walk in the woods and climbing mountains for pleasure?
sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz 2 months ago
In the text it means any choice to make that sacrifices long term benefits for instant gratification. Nietzsche was way into promoting things that give you pleasure, just not at the cost of your health and prosperity
FavouriteShapes@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
Unironically, yes maybe. If it is seen as avoiding your responsibilities, and doesn’t contribute to some area of society (but rather sees-to the “worship” of you yourself) then it is hedonistic