Nietzche and Nuns
House isn't the only one name-dropping famous thinkers. In "Fidelity," Chase and Foreman mention Nietzche while tending to a patient, which brings the philologist into light. Some interesting parallels also arise with Nietzche's thoughts and comments made in "Damned If You Do," a slightly earlier episode from the first season.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844--1900) was a bit broader on his theories compared to Freud, who typically focused on the negative. German-born Nietzche explored cultural, theological, and social avenues along his road of philosophical fame. Foreman noted one of his most quotable observations: "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger."
"There are no facts," warns Nietzche in Nachlass, "only interpretations."
Segway into "Damned If You Do." The episode with the afflicted nun brought up the argument of experience-vs.-faith, which is almost just as prevalent as the age-old nature-vs.-nurture battle. Does the environment shape us, or is there some unseen, innate element that ultimately defines who we are the decisions we make?
House, the archetypal control freak, obviously shuns the religious notion. In "House vs. God," he rambles off a fervent monologue to Wilson saying how faith gives people an excuse to lament about their holes that they've dug for themselves. "Climb out of your holes!" he calls out.
Wilson, later, makes an astute point regarding House and his lack of belief:
"...That's why religious belief annoys you. Because if the universe operates by abstract rules you can learn them, you can protect yourself. If a supreme being exists He can squash you anytime He wants."
Regardless, House keeps his stance against a higher order. Ultimately, if faith can't be trusted, confidence is turned inward at oneself in the realm of control.
In fact, House would probably coincide with Nietzche's point that he makes in his work Daybreak: "Just beyond experience!-- Even great spirits have only their five fingers breadth of experience - just beyond it their thinking ceases and their endless empty space and stupidity begins."
Ah, yes, and we're back to "everybody lies," patients are stupid, and you can only trust your experiences.
Of course, why drop in subtle relationships between great thinkers when you can blatantly mention great writers? "Damned If You Do" does a decent job at the latter, particularly in the opening scene.
So, up next time: An in-depth look at what exactly House and Wilson were griping about when they compared clinic charting to being "condemned to useless labor."
House: "Writing down what we already know to be read by nobody. Pretty sure Dante would agree that qualifies as useless."
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844--1900) was a bit broader on his theories compared to Freud, who typically focused on the negative. German-born Nietzche explored cultural, theological, and social avenues along his road of philosophical fame. Foreman noted one of his most quotable observations: "That which doesn't kill me makes me stronger."
"There are no facts," warns Nietzche in Nachlass, "only interpretations."
Segway into "Damned If You Do." The episode with the afflicted nun brought up the argument of experience-vs.-faith, which is almost just as prevalent as the age-old nature-vs.-nurture battle. Does the environment shape us, or is there some unseen, innate element that ultimately defines who we are the decisions we make?
House, the archetypal control freak, obviously shuns the religious notion. In "House vs. God," he rambles off a fervent monologue to Wilson saying how faith gives people an excuse to lament about their holes that they've dug for themselves. "Climb out of your holes!" he calls out.
Wilson, later, makes an astute point regarding House and his lack of belief:
"...That's why religious belief annoys you. Because if the universe operates by abstract rules you can learn them, you can protect yourself. If a supreme being exists He can squash you anytime He wants."
Regardless, House keeps his stance against a higher order. Ultimately, if faith can't be trusted, confidence is turned inward at oneself in the realm of control.
In fact, House would probably coincide with Nietzche's point that he makes in his work Daybreak: "Just beyond experience!-- Even great spirits have only their five fingers breadth of experience - just beyond it their thinking ceases and their endless empty space and stupidity begins."
Ah, yes, and we're back to "everybody lies," patients are stupid, and you can only trust your experiences.
Of course, why drop in subtle relationships between great thinkers when you can blatantly mention great writers? "Damned If You Do" does a decent job at the latter, particularly in the opening scene.
So, up next time: An in-depth look at what exactly House and Wilson were griping about when they compared clinic charting to being "condemned to useless labor."
House: "Writing down what we already know to be read by nobody. Pretty sure Dante would agree that qualifies as useless."
1 Comments:
aargh..*eyes hurt* it´s Nietzsche..with S
anyway..you did a great job and elaborated insightful observations!
Post a Comment
<< Home