I entirely disagree with Friedrich Nietzsche's response to my letter. In general, his response is rife with an objectionable and dominant white masculinity. It justifies brutality through the ages, an idea that is completely contrary to my message to him. It is a myth to assert that human nature is inherently violent, as he assumes and states.
If the law of the strongest indeed defines whatever we take human nature to be, then the world would have ceased to exist a long time ago. Rather, the history of humanity is more so defined by cooperation and collaboration, when seen over the long term. Violence and war have always captured the human imagination in disproportionate ways. Why? What interests does it serve? Not those of the general survival of the species, that's for sure.
Dialogue is an essential tool of understanding. It is essential to the sociality of human beings. It is key to resolve conflict without violence. I fully condemn Nietzsche's assertion that "dialogue is the refuge of those who no longer have the strength to command". As I underline that dialogue must always be civilized.
The exclamation he makes by saying "How British!" is unacceptable. Such a comment can easily be construed as a deep seated form of prejudice. It has no place in my way of seeing the world.
He says that "the death of an old god is always the birth of a new freedom". It is a very limited view of history and I cannot endorse it. The death of an old order can give way to greater tyranny and repression. This seems to be the current trend and I have shown I am very worried as I see such a trend become a reality in some parts of the world.
Optimism is not "a drink for the weak". It is the only way forward in a creative process that is profoundly needed.
I have imagined what could be the responses from a non-Eurocentric and supremacist view. I will publish in separate post two imaginary letters: one from Mahatma Gandhi and another one from Lao Zi, born in China in 571 a.C. and founder of Taoism religious philosophy.
They bring in views that demolish Nietzsche's.
