Assignment # 13 Walter Benjamin "Theses on the Philosophy of History"

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Secure at first food and clothing, and the kingdom of God will come to you of itself. – Hegel, 1807


The class struggle, which always remains in view for a historian schooled in Marx, is a struggle for the rough and material things, without which there is nothing fine and spiritual. Nevertheless these latter are present in the class struggle as something other than mere booty, which falls to the victor. They are present as confidence, as courage, as humor, as cunning, as steadfastness in this struggle, and they reach far back into the mists of time. They will, ever and anon, call every victory which has ever been won by the rulers into question. Just as flowers turn their heads towards the sun, so too does that which has been turn, by virtue of a secret kind of heliotropism, towards the sun which is dawning in the sky of history. To this most inconspicuous of all transformations the historical materialist must pay heed. 

Walter Benjamin - 1940


The need for food and clothing as survival necessities are greatly highlighted in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It is believe that when an individual's basic needs are met; he/she is able to work towards achieving spiritual fulfillment.

     Granted that the existence of class struggle have affected man both positively and negatively, it is usually the negative issue that are reflected on. Although most beneficial the positive influences are often viewed as necessary changes within society. Some of positive changes include: new ideas and practices, increased awareness of control over one's destiny, increased social enviornment, adoptation of new values, acknowledgement of injustice and inequality, new technology, individual rights and freedom.
     On the other hand some of the negative aspects include: primary focus on the economy with no attention to culture or religion, destruction of old values, expansion of state power, increased demand for limited supplies, increased poverty rate and opression of the under priviledged. Class struggle has affected the lives of past generations and will continue to do so into the future. Each individual's experience will remain different from his neighbor as what is important to one person is not always important to others. All  accomplishments like all victories in a war are critiqued and measured.
     For the fear that modern day change will result in generational loss of history and values; I still believe a strong nation is one that focuses on the past, present, and future. Yes, the economic welfare of all country is vital to its day to day progress but, so are issues concerning religion, culture, and science. A nation with a unified foundation is one that focuses on all social issues. Like a flower to the sunlight individuals will continue to gravitate to winners and trend setters believing they are more influential.


History and Nihilism have both lead to changes in the world. Nihilism forces people to address the meaning and value of a believe or an idea. It represent emptiness, objects with no significant meaning, it challenges society to change old practices and ways of doing things while history represent the past, old values and the foundation for the future. In our modern day society history is used to overcome nihilism through reflection. During the Nazi era "nihilism represented emptiness, meaninlessness, and intenses longing. It was the breeding ground for Nazism and all forms of totalitarianism rule. It was used to justify brutality and cruelty to human beings".

Walter Benjamin - 1940

Frankfurt School: On the Concept of history by Walter Benjamin http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/benjamin/1940/history.htm

Assignment # 12 Walter Benjamin

     Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be. This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence. This includes the changes which it may have suffered in physical condition over the years as well as the various changes in its ownership. The traces of the first can be revealed only by chemical or physical analyses which it is impossible to perform on a reproduction; changes of ownership are subject to a tradition which must be traced from the situation of the original.

     Granted that Walter Benjamin was a reknown radical intellect makes his writing interesting. Art is used to describe and explain things in simple symbolic form while depicting social and political issues. Benjamin believed every piece of art, even the most perfect lacked presence in time and space and unique existence of the place of occurence. Change he believe alters originality and ownership, that can never be recaptured. This I believe represents the fact that modern replicas of ancient art will change the way they were once viewed by society and the fact that modern technology is responsible for changes in lifestyle and culture.

Source: UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television;

Transcribed: by Andy Blunden 1998; proofed and corrected Feb. 2005.

1. Why does Benjamin argue for the similar effects of Dadaism and Chaplin films?
Benjamin believed art was used as social consciouness to depict social and political problems in simple forms, similarly to Chaplin using comedy to relate to life.

2. Explain some of the positive and negative effects of the destruction of the "aura" in art.
Some positive effects are the fact that aura is immeasurable, aura is unique and reproducible while some negative effects are the fact that aura changes the experience of a subject and alters the configurations of time and space by which previous generations had perceived them.  

3.  How would you judge or evaluate the impact of mass culture in contemporay life today?
Mass culture is responsible for several changes within our contemporary life, it is responsible for social changes, cultural and political changes. Mass media also provide a realistic view of the world while increasing our abilities to communicate with others.

Assignment # 11 On Pain

" Pain’s disregard for our system of values greatly increases its hold on life...Our children’s tales close with passages about heroes who, after having overcome many dangers, live out their lives in peace and happiness. We hear such assurances with pleasure, for it is comforting for us to learn about a place removed from pain. Yet, in truth, life is without any such satisfying end... (p. 4).      

     In the hope that everyone will understand pain and the effects it has on human beings Ernst Junger highlights it as the central experience in life and most influential aspect of behavior based on individual and societal perception. The existence of pain has been known to have both positive and negative effects on society; it forces some citizens to ignore values and rules while promoting compliance among others. When inflicted pain and suffering can become dominant and take control of a society and its citizens. Junger writes that pain often become stories among family members, especially children and tales of heroes. Often heroes are injured post war soldiers who are left to live their remaining days in peace. War stories entail triumphs and victory for the winners who often reminisce on what they have overcome and the changes they helped to achieve while the loosing country is left with damaged property, wounded and dead soldiers, a weak and unstable economy, and the pain of rebuilding. One such example was Germany after Hitler's reign of terror. I believe the existence of pain builds character and foundation, it makes us stronger while preparing us for good and bad days. Their is no life without pain.   Ernst Junger, On Pain.

1. Is pain the most important experience in life?


Pain according to Junger is the most central experience in life, it builds character and tolerance to accept the unacceptable. It teaches discipline, understanding, empathy, and sensitivity. Pain makes each individual aware of the other person and can have a positive or negative outcome. Pain is subjective, and is often what the other person says it is. 

2. What does "post-liberal" mean?

Post liberal means the period after World War I, it depicts countries that were able to tolerate pain and suffering, death of soldiers, loss of economy, destruction of property and changes to society and laws. Access to new and modern technology that would enhance and improve life.  

3. How does obedience to the state protect the person from pain?

Through the learned behavior of detachment and objectification human being's have become tolerable of pain. The introduction of new and modern technology has also resulted in changes of information and procedures. Juger writes that the elimination of torture and the slave trade, the discovery of electricity, vaccination against measles, narcosis, the system of insurance, and a whole world of technical and political conveniences has lead to protection from pain. Protection is also seen through citizens enjoying an abundance of goods and pleasures as a sign of prosperity. There are grand cafes, citizens are in a dream-like state,while ease fills the air like a narcotic. Poverty is rarely seen and obedient citizens enjoy the conveniences of education, career choice of preference, free market of labor, the contractual character of almost all social ties and the unrestricted freedom of movement. The potential for conflict is also reduced (pp.12-13).
Ernst Junger, On Pain.