The Epicurean and Leviathan: The Practical Ethics of Ernst Jünger

Authors

  • Anton V. Karabykov V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 4, pr. Akademika Vernadskogo, Simferopol, 295007, Russian Federatio https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9675-5429

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu17.2024.304

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to explore the fundamentals of practical ethics which was developed by the famous German intellectual and fiction writer Ernst Jünger (1895–1998) and reflected in his autobiographical prose. The analysis focuses on the period of his life and work marked by intense moral reflection – the tragic decade that began before the Second World War and ended with the occupation of West Germany by the victorious states. It is proved that the form of ethics that Jünger cultivated throughout his earthly journey most corresponds to the Epicurean scheme. This is evidenced by its general vector aimed at achieving the serenity and quiet joy bestowed by life as well as the main issues which are solved in it. These issues include the reasonable ordering and control of sensual desires and fears. In connection with the general direction of Jünger’s ethics, the concept of inner emigration turned by the thinker into a consciously Epicurean way of life is discussed. The main attention is paid to the innovations that Jünger brought to this scheme. Their predominantly Christian character is substantiated. Instead of conceptual analysis and along with autogenic training (both are the core of the Epicurean “healing of the soul”), the thinker practiced Christian asceticism in relation to desires and belief in immortality against the fear of possible destruction. The conflict between Epicurean (“Live unnoticed”) and predominantly Christian (“Live with dignity”) moral attitudes that is manifest in Jünger’s life and thoughts at that dramatic time is also considered. It is shown that he resolved this conflict in favor of the second attitude – even if not always in practice, but invariably at the level of beliefs.

Keywords:

Epicureanism, healing of the soul, self-care, asceticism, fear of death, totalitarianism, the Third Reich

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References

Литература

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Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Философия и конфликтология

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Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Karabykov, A. V. (2024). The Epicurean and Leviathan: The Practical Ethics of Ernst Jünger. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Philosophy and Conflict Studies, 40(3), 404–415. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu17.2024.304

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 3 (2024): Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Philosophy and Conflict Studies

Section

Philosophy

License

Articles of "Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Philosophy and Conflict Studies" are open access distributed under the terms of the License Agreement with Saint Petersburg State University, which permits to the authors unrestricted distribution and self-archiving free of charge.