Bloom and His Critics: Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Aims of Education

@article{citeulike:2607660, abstract = {The central questions raised by Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind are often overlooked. Among the most important of Bloom's themes is the impact of nihilism upon education. Bloom condemns nihilism. Interestingly, we find among his critics two alternative judgments. Richard Schacht, citing Nietzsche, asserts that nihilism, while fruitless in and of itself, is a necessary prerequisite to something higher. Harry Neumann, affirming the accuracy of nihilism, declares that both Bloom and Nietzsche reject nihilism out of ignorance born of weakness. All three philosophers understand that the purpose of education emerges from one's position on nihilism. If nihilism is true, then it is senseless and cowardly to teach one's students that there are grounds for moral judgments. On the other hand, if one believes that there is an objective higher and lower in moral matters, then one cannot at the same time consistently endorse nihilism or the atheism upon which it rests. There is reason to believe that a consistent nihilism is impossible and hence that the concept is bankrupt. But then something is true, and there are grounds for moral judgment. Education must respond accordingly. But even Bloom with his emphasis on the Great Books falls short of what is required. An education which aims to defeat nihilism must, at the very least, hold out the promise that through the cultivation of reason one may indeed arrive at the truth.}, author = {Fennell, J. }, citeulike-article-id = {2607660}, keywords = {nihilism}, pages = {405--434}, posted-at = {2008-03-28 15:19:12}, priority = {2}, title = {Bloom and His Critics: Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Aims of Education}, url = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/sped/1999/00000018/00000006/00256095}, year = {1999} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2607660 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2607660 TI - Bloom and His Critics: Nietzsche, Nihilism, and the Aims of Education SP - 405 EP - 434 N2 - The central questions raised by Allan Bloom's The Closing of the American Mind are often overlooked. Among the most important of Bloom's themes is the impact of nihilism upon education. Bloom condemns nihilism. Interestingly, we find among his critics two alternative judgments. Richard Schacht, citing Nietzsche, asserts that nihilism, while fruitless in and of itself, is a necessary prerequisite to something higher. Harry Neumann, affirming the accuracy of nihilism, declares that both Bloom and Nietzsche reject nihilism out of ignorance born of weakness. All three philosophers understand that the purpose of education emerges from one's position on nihilism. If nihilism is true, then it is senseless and cowardly to teach one's students that there are grounds for moral judgments. On the other hand, if one believes that there is an objective higher and lower in moral matters, then one cannot at the same time consistently endorse nihilism or the atheism upon which it rests. There is reason to believe that a consistent nihilism is impossible and hence that the concept is bankrupt. But then something is true, and there are grounds for moral judgment. Education must respond accordingly. But even Bloom with his emphasis on the Great Books falls short of what is required. An education which aims to defeat nihilism must, at the very least, hold out the promise that through the cultivation of reason one may indeed arrive at the truth. KW - nihilism AU - Fennell, J PY - 1999/// UR - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/sped/1999/00000018/00000006/00256095 ER -