Nietzsche and Mann: Debunking False Allegations and Misconceptions

In his essay 'Nietzsche in the Light of Modern Experience', published in Commentary in 1948, Thomas Mann criticizes Nietzsche for two supposed errors in his philosophy. Mann argues that Nietzsche's views on the relationship between intellectual dominance and instinct and the opposition between life and morality are both erroneous. However, a closer examination of Nietzsche's and Mann's arguments reveals that Mann's criticisms are often based on a misunderstanding of Nietzsche's nuanced philosophical ideas.

The First Error: Power Dynamics Between Instinct and Intellect

Mann's first charge is that Nietzsche erroneously presumed a dangerous dominance of intellect over instinct. However, this is a misinterpretation. In Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future, Nietzsche argues that the intellect is far from being in control. Rather, he posits that a significant portion of conscious thought is driven by unconscious impulses. (Refer to Paragraph Three of Beyond Good and Evil.) Mann overlooks this critical distinction.

Nietzsche himself states: “man muss noch den grossen Theil des bewussten Denkens unter die Instinkt-Tathigkeiten rechnen und sogar im Falle des philosophischen Denkens … das meiste bewusste Denken eines Philosophen ist durch seine Instinkte heimlich gefuhrt und in bestimmte Bahnen gezwungen.” This is a clear indication that Nietzsche does not view the intellect as dominative over instinct, but rather as subjugated to it.

The Second Error: The Opposition Between Life and Morality

Mann's second critique is that Nietzsche's supposed dichotomy between life and morality is a false one. Mann asserts that ethics and life are deeply interconnected, and a moral individual is a valuable member of society. However, Nietzsche's philosophy is more complex. Nietzsche's work explores the relationship between life and morality, and he suggests that morality can sometimes be at odds with life.

Nietzsche observes in Daybreak, Paragraph Thirty-Eight, that concepts like hope have different meanings across different historical and cultural contexts. This insight suggests that morality is not a universal constant but is culturally and historically contingent. Mann's statement that a moral person is a useful citizen is an oversimplification and does not capture the complexity of Nietzsche's perspective.

An Assessment of Thomas Mann's Literary Works

Mann's literary works, while celebrated, can be critiqued as overly didactic. Mann often falls into the trap of narrating to the reader what they should think, rather than allowing the text to speak for itself through narrative and character development. This tendency is common in Germanic literature, but it can make for a less engaging and more preachy reading experience.

In "The Magic Mountain," while there are unforgettable passages, three-fourths of the text can be considered superfluous. This criticism points to a tendency in Mann's writing to prioritize exposition and moral teaching over the subtleties of human experience and narrative drive.

Dr. Joseph Suglia critiques Mann's work, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced and less didactic approach to literature. This critique underscores the importance of reflecting on philosophical ideas in their proper context and not oversimplifying them.

Ultimately, Mann's essays and literary works, while significant in their own right, benefit from a careful re-examination in light of the philosophers and thinkers they critique, such as Nietzsche. By doing so, readers and critics can gain a more accurate understanding of the complexities and nuances in both philosophers' works.