Abstracts

Hovav Rashelbach (Bio)

Nietzsche, Art and Ethics: Populism and the Philosophical “Golden Path”

Heidegger asks, “What is Most thought-provoking?” (Heidegger, “What is Called Thinking?”). Following Nietzsche, he critiques the discourse of the obvious, arguing that it leads to a cultural desert by stifling Critical Thinking. According to Heidegger, such discourse is mere “chatter” (Gerede), characterized by determinism, representational speech, and pure rationality. It is quite clear, this “wilderness” as he contends, is evident in contemporary Israeli politics.

Reflecting on my recent visit to Rome, I explored 'the scandal of aesthetic event' and it's tie to the work of art. Through selected artworks, I argue that Heidegger’s insights on thinking foster growth through provocative encounters, often scandalous. These moments provoke thought, enabling retrospective understanding, but require positive nihilism—as an intermediary between the obvious and critical interpretation. Positive nihilism emerges in encounters with ‘radical otherness,’ which catalyze shifts in consciousness, embodied across quality art in the interplay of Meaning and Jouissance.

As I understand it Dror Pimentel’s “Aesth-ethics” frames positive nihilism akin to the maxim of “the Rav”, suggesting that its value lies in treating our era as a “contemporary baroque.” This perspective reveals a dialectical movement, even if its personal cost remains uncertain. Art, in this framework, becomes a tool for navigating such historical tension, offering lessons that bridge 'the scandal of aesthetic event' with deeper philosophical understanding.