The last century was typically characterized by widespread regional and international aggressions coupled with both fundamental beliefs and practices as well as mixed revolutions. As a stimulus towards these emerging trends, a more confusing cluster of multi-cultural beliefs came into being and attempted to counteract any form of persuasion. Wide arrays of notable writers drawn from the literary and political divide have relentlessly tried to address the subject of the crisis of belief albeit with diverging views. This essay attempts to clarify and assess the diverging views by different authors on how the crisis of belief elicits mixed reactions.
In the “Topics for the consideration-A crisis of belief,” there is a clear-cut analysis of the status of the world in the twentieth century; a world that was ravaged by two major wars between antagonizing powers. Terry Eagleton expounds that modernism is the true mirror of the extent of the rapture of what we call civilization. Nonetheless, one wonders if civilization is a threat to human progress, while we all aspire to be civilized. However, Pascal’s Penses responds by asserting that the crisis which faced the world during the last century was responded to in a bad way; through death and despair. B.F Skinner, in his unique perspective, unveils the concept of individualism which he firmly emphasizes will often result in death. The writer points out some religious settings which have prioritized death more than anything else but Karl Marx winds up by elaborating the revolutionary aspect of the Communist manifesto which had intriguing conceptual applications.
In “Individual in the Chains of Illusion” by Erich Fromm, the writer begins by affirming the fact that it may be cumbersome for people born during different circumstances to share the same experience bearing in mind that each one of them has a different encounter. The writer is very categorical on the particular historical times of reference he uses in this piece of work. In particular, Fromm tends to confirm that ” it is difficult for the generation born after 1914 to appreciate to what extent the war-shattered the foundations of western civilization”. The writer continues to lament that the outbreak of the First World War was not within the wish of anybody. He however lay blame on small influential groups which instigated the war to full scale. Besides, the persuasion of Germany to engage in the war, according to the writer, was a misconception; they were lured into the war on the pretext of fighting or defending their freedom. Although most men were against the war, they were compelled to continue with the “slaughter” lest they face dire consequences. At this point, the author feels that those countries which actively participated in the war had no focus. He engages the “hope” notion by commenting that despite the devastating war, there was still some light at the end of the tunnel. Nonetheless, one is left to wonder whether hope is a strategy in a world ravaged by war. The writer is more adamant when he asserts that it is the “principle of hope” which peacefully ran the western civilization for about two centuries.
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus opens the article with a grabber introduction of some gods who were not impressed by the habit of one Sisyphus. The story is mythical as it illustrates a more mortal than live being. The most disgusting phenomenon according to the mythical introduction is to perform useless work. Specifically, the author talks of a “futile laborer” which sounds more or less rhetoric. How can one labor in futility? I mean any work done is equated to full labor and therefore useless labor may as well be a paradox.
As the story of Sisyphus develops, the writer comments that the latter “rashly wanted to test his wife’s love” when he was approaching his death bed. Sisyphus commanded his wife to lay open his body which had not been buried. This was to be done at a public place. To his surprise, Sisyphus found himself to the world below the surface. He was not happy with this occurrence and pleaded with the gods to bring him back on the surface of the earth. His wishes were not granted.
Later in the article, the author makes an “absurd” comment that if the myth is a tragedy on its own, then “that is because its hero is conscious”.
“Death of God” and “0uermann’ by Friedrich Nietzsche depict a story of a madman who lit a lamp and took to his heels to the market center screaming to the top of his voice searching for God. This is the opening paragraph of the article. The writer attempts to bring out the concept of atheism when he draws the attention of his readership by the comment “As many of those who do not believe in God were standing around just then, he provoked much laughter”. This was laughter from those who had no faith in God. The madman happened to visit quite a number of churches on the very day and sung a death song for God purporting that he (God) was dead.
Later in the article, the author deliberates on yet another subject of European Nihilism. He describes nihilism as the likely cause of all social ills like corruption, stress, or mental instabilities. He, however, sharply deviates from the earlier assertion and instead remarks that nihilism should not be blamed for all these social downturns. Furthermore, Christianity, according to the writer, has been devastated by void morals. The author animates these morals by commenting that the latter “turns against the Christian God”. Besides, those who doubt or have any skeptical attitude towards moral well-being have the decisive ability. The writer seems to create a contrasting idea from the norm to generate debate over the same.
Existentialism by Jean-Paul Satre has the opening sentence of the article depicting man as a function or constituent of his actions. This, according to the writer, is an important principle applied in existentialism. Despite how much we are angered by circumstances, the author notes that we cannot afford to remain mum. The writer classifies this type of fury as simple and that anyone can get over it. On the question about the social code of ethics, “it is essential that certain values be taken seriously and that they will be considered”. The writer further comments on despair. The author notes down when we need a particular thing, we often have to think of all possible ways of getting it. In addition, he elaborates that anguish becomes more open and noticeable when we attempt to hide it. It is an emotional outfit that forms part and parcel of human existence.
Civilization and Its Contents by Sigmund Freud sets the stage by introducing the type of study called psychoanalysis. The author observes that the neurotic type of people cannot endure certain difficulties and challenges associated with a sexual lifestyle. When cultural hampered developments are decisively dealt with, new positions can be developed. The writer relates civilization and sexual life in a manner that will leave the audience not only informed but also enriched with a sense of humor. After engaging the audience on the intrigues of modern civilization, the author reflects the kind of love we can extend to neighbors; some of whom may be enemies and do not deserve any form of love. After metaphorically criticizing both past and present systems of governance, the writer retires and asserts “I have no concern with any economic criticism…”
Revolutionary politics in a world at war by Vladimir Lenin is worthy to inquire such questions as to how does socialism and war operate in the same system. Do they contrast each other and therefore cannot exist as harmonized entities? Vladimir attempts to investigate social-democratic political organizations’ intervention to stop the world Wars to no avail. The author remarks that “Socialists have always condemned wars between nations as barbarous and brutal” the author feels that socialists have a softer attitude towards war. However, this may not be reality judging from history where the so-called socialist states have equally engaged themselves in war or war-like activities. Moreover, socialists may have a softer stand but the end line of action remains to be the same similar to the position taken by imperial powers.
As can be observed from the above article critiques, each of the authors has a different position regarding their area of literature review. In some cases, authors sound and write rhetorically as a way of overstating the norm which has been ignored or assumed as not significant. In retrospect, however, matters of global political history continue to elicit mixed reactions in regard to the varying viewpoints by different authors.