Exploring Nietzsche's Politics of Isolation from an Epi-eugenic Framework: A New Perspective on the Marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne as “Ariadne AI”

Authors

  • Thomas Steinbuch Zhejiang University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33182/agon.v18i1.3334

Keywords:

AI-driven Cultural Selection, Nietzsche’s Revealing Analysis of Evolutionary Stasis, Nietzsche’s Critique of Darwin’s Gradualism

Abstract

Following the texts of Ecce Homo, the case can be made that Nietzsche was retelling the myth of the Marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne as a story of brother/sister incest in a co-regency, bringing it into line with the divine descent of Pharaonic rulers of Egypt, as reflected in the myth of Isis and Osiris. Nietzsche would seem to be creating a new myth that combines elements we see in the iconography of the Marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne and in the Triumph of Dionysus in which Ariadne is present, but not necessarily as sharing in his triumph, and that he has left behind what is depicted in the iconography to make a philosophical presentation. Ariadne is co-regent with Dionysus in an image of the triumphant development of Dionysian will to power against its denial by an opposing psychology of vengefulness. The psychology of vengefulness seeks to destabilize self awareness in others of the will to power as a self-strengthening force at work in our lives, and does so because of the exactions we must endure in self-overcoming. Following the narrative of Wise § 3/final, her role as Cosima/Ariadne is one of sheltering. Ariadne's triumph, alongside Dionysus, over the reductive psychology of vengefulness against him, represents a victory in what Nietzsche refers to as his “Great Politics.” In this way, Ariadne plays a crucial role in Nietzsche's philosophical project, serving as a protector and guide for those who seek to fully realize the development of will to power in themselves and engage in the ongoing process of self-overcoming. Today, we can partially realize Nietzsche’s thought by using an AI in the role of Ariadne to isolate the pre-established disharmonia as per Nietzsche’s politics of isolation as a sheltering tactic. This use of AI in cultural selection is not to be confused with the previous linkages of Nietzsche’s philosophy to biological eugenics in the early 20th century, with their concerning  racist and ablest ideologies.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Downloads

Published

2024-06-04

How to Cite

Steinbuch, T. (2024). Exploring Nietzsche’s Politics of Isolation from an Epi-eugenic Framework: A New Perspective on the Marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne as “Ariadne AI” . The Agonist, 18(1), 19–34. https://doi.org/10.33182/agon.v18i1.3334

Issue

Section

Articles