Brave New World Not-So Brave Research Proposal

John the Savage manifests the kind of high, independent spirituality spoken of in "Beyond Good and Evil." However, while John seeks a more conventional, common good Nietzsche spurns any predetermined moral systems at all, and advocates an independent, emotional, and irrational wilfulness. Nietzsche's system, unlike Epictetus, is not based upon acceptance of the limits of the human condition, but seeks deeper happiness (not pleasure) in resistance.

But both Epictetus and Nietzsche seek happiness, not pleasure, as well as truth, and that is what is so vital, life-sustaining, and human about their philosophy. They advocate the need for freedom and choice, and resisting easy solutions and obedience to conventional norms. While Bentham might have found a utilitarian home in Brave New World, he would not have found happiness, much less truth. Happiness is different from pleasure, it is based upon choice and engagement in the world, and necessitates some internal self-willed change, whether rational like Epictetus suggests, or irrational like Nietzsche.Ironically, both Epictetus and Nietzsche manifest wonder at the human condition and the awesome responsibilities of choice in search of understanding, even though John the Savage exclaims "O Brave New World! " when he first encounters the inhabitants of Huxley's modern civilization, although it is a civilization incapable of experiencing any emotion as complex as wonder.

Works Cited

Bentham, Jeremy. "An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation." 1781.

30 Oct 2008. http://www.utilitarianism.com/jeremy-bentham/index.html#four

Epictetus. "The Enchiridion." Translated by Elizabeth Carter. 135 a.C.E.

30 Oct 2008. http://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html

Nietzsche, Frederick. Beyond Good and Evil. 30 Oct 2008. http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/Nietzsche/beyondgoodandevil5.htm.....