ernst jünger in cyberspace

mailing list archive - RE: Juenger's thought about Max Stirner


Greetings,

Yes, I would agree that Juenger ideally constructed much of the Anarch after 
Stirner's "The Only One and His Own" (1845). Incidentally, you are also 
correct by identifying that Nietzsche does not mention his own indebtedness 
to Stirner. Most probably because of Stirner's devout faith? It may be 
arguable that Nietzsche did in fact avow Stirnian philosophy indirectly 
through his inward and private naturalism and direct confrontation with 
religion, nature, and the self; then popular with German Romantic sentiment 
also to be found for example in Holderlin, Rilke, George, Goethe, et cetera. 
Hence Juenger's unique private heroism of the Anarch -the hardened romantic 
whom uses passive observation but whom also simultaneously possesses the 
capability to use active force when necessary is much a unique combination 
of Stirner's the Only One and Nietzsche's Ubermensch.

Fascinating. Paging through my notes.

Juenger refers to Stirner as "Saint Max" and quotes him frequently.
Stirner's axiomatic system only consists of the following, as quoted by 
Juenger:

1.) That is not My business
2.) Nothing is more important than I

(Eumeswil, p. 326 Marsilio: New York 1993)

Juenger acknowledges that this cannot be translated into egoism or 
solipsism, but instead claims that such is a system of empowerment through 
the use of power as self-awareness, also referred to in terms of technics 
(p. 327). Nietzschean dynamics here seem to play a part of some kind.

Juenger claims that the Only One is latent within everyone, but has been 
concealed for the greater half of history (p. 329). Also interesting to note 
is that Juenger refers to Stirner as not dealing with ideas per se, but as 
one who creates a world and divinity within himself -not serving anyone or 
anything at all (p. 331).

Perhaps at this point I am thinking the Only One is the ideal future 
proto-type of the Anarch. That is, the Only One is the transcendetal 
structure type humanity is to obtain -much like the Last Man is to obtain by 
crossing the abyss status of the Ubermensch (see Zarathustra, Hollingdale 
translation).

Later, Vigo (Heidegger's surname in Eumeswil) remarks about the comparison 
between Only One and Superman. However, it appears Juenger now claims that 
power is a burdon for the Only One but at the same time is empowering.

Are we onto something here? More ideas are welcome! This may warrant another 
seperate and entirely new essay. In any case, your comments are well 
appreciated thus far and have within me sparked much enthusiasm about this 
new project. Thank you.

Leon J. Niemoczynski
East Stroudsburg University



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