“The Prophet and the Dandy” observes two theories. The theories concern philosophy as a way of life. This means that philosophy is practiced in real life by the believer of the philosophy. Several philosophers viewed philosophy from different perspectives. In the analysis of the prophet and the dandy, two philosophers are considered. Nietzsche and Foucault are considered as philosophers who viewed philosophy as a way of life rather than pure theory. Several differences are observed in the lives and perspectives of the philosophers.
Nietzsche lived in the nineteenth century while Foucault lived in the twentieth century. The philosophy of the prophet, which is much associated with Nietzsche advocates for a life where one is conscious of afterlife. This means that one lives with a consideration of what might happen in afterlife.
This philosophy dictates that there is a life after every period of life, such that life is a recurring cycle possibly with some difference in every cycle. In addition, the prophet’s philosophy observes that the present life could have a profound effect in the afterlife. In this essence life has a certain norms and logic that should be observed for one to get the most out of life.
Thus Nietzsche considered himself a prophet, and his philosophy a prophecy that is bound to happen sometime later in a person’s life. Nietzsche said that there is no single God but there are many gods. He further explained that every living person has the nature of eternal recurrence in himself or herself. In this regard, one must have some conscience of eternal existence while going about life.
However, Nietzsche does not advocate for conformity to the existing social structure. The societal norms and the social structure represent tyranny according to him. For example, he faulted the divinity in which most religions are based on. Such divinity as proposed by Christianity suppresses freedom beyond reasonable level.
Thus, although there is need to observe some philosophical guidance while living, it is not productive to observe norms such as those laid down by religion and the society. In addition, the divinity that is insinuated by Nietzsche’s philosophy is far much more than the concept of spiritualism of good and evil.
On the other hand, Foucault observed philosophy as a way of life in a more liberal manner. He did not believe in afterlife or existence of supernatural power. In this essence, he advocated for a life where one is aware that there is no other life other than the present. In that case all actions in life are not bound by any rules or norms. For Foucault there is no particular war of going about life. One should optimize the freedom that there is to the extreme scale.
The philosophy put forward by Foucault disputed the presence of any morals at all. According to his philosophy, morals are a false creation and an impediment to realising a better way of living. This makes the philosopher earn the name “dandy.” The article observes that sages of ancient times such as Neogenes practised their freedom to the extreme.
They did not observe any morals that seemed to impede on their freedom. Similarly, to Foucault, there are no morals because the essence of the correct practices is relative and depends on each individual. Good and evil do not exist according to Foucault and everything depends on the immediate environment.