Reconciling Nietzche with Socrates through Iqbal

This write up is inspired by the youtube clip attached here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC732I5len8

It’s a complex topic that I shall try to reconcile how I understood myself. Nietzche seems to have a strong opposition to Socrates and the Socratic method. He proposes that only the weak, argue. The way of argument and rationalization to arrive at a conclusion is the way of the weak. The powerful do what they can to achieve their ends. He justifies this assertion by quoting nature and how survival of the fittest reigns supreme. Nietzche also proposes instinct as the primary driver for action and that rationalization and argumentation is a way of the weak.

Clearly, the danger of this belief is apparent from its ramifications on society.

In this debate I find myself disagreeing with Nietzche. There are ways to reconcile what he is asserting. Human beings can rise above instinct and the analogies of nature. I propose that Iqbal has a way of reconciling this concept through his concept of “Khudi”. Yes, human beings should work towards increasing their self-esteem through work and accomplishments.

Mastery over self and one’s abilities is a sure-shot way of raising self-esteem. But does one let one’s power reign supreme over them? Is this not weakness too? When you let your power and instinct control you, who is in the driver's seat.

The famous couplet by Iqbal seems to offer me a way forward.

“Khudi kou kar buland itna key har taqdeer sey pehlay khuda banday sey yeh khud poochay, bata teri raza kya hai”

Here’s what I understand from it. One should work towards raising their self-esteem through accomplishments and hard work to get to a point where one can dream the unimaginable. To the point where even God helps you write your destiny. This is a dangerous line to tread. What is that line? Cross that line and one falls into the trap of narcissism. Treading that line means balancing the act of submission to God’s will and his commands while also having the courage to dream big and live life to its fullest.

Yes, I do believe rationalization and argumentation is used by the weak to get their way. However, rational thinking is also useful in strategizing and defining a path for yourself. The secret key is to use the power of rational thought, combine it with hard work and boundless enthusiasm, and cap it off with submission to the will of the Maker and here you have the most powerful and wisest combination towards living life.

This one is still a bit jumbled up in my head but I have given a shot towards putting pen to paper.