AboutMichael J. Motta Expertise Existentialism, existential psychology, political philosophy; some value theory and ethics. Interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences and humanities: some background in abnormal psychology, expressionist art, and modern literature. I'd defer to other experts especially in areas such as analytic philosophy and philosophy of science.
Experience Tutor, Michigan State University, Student-Athlete Support Services, 2002-2005.
Teaching Assistant, Binghamton University, Department of Philosophy, 1995. Organizations American Civil Liberties Union
Publications The Society for Laingian Studies (giardino delle parole),
Lansing State Journal, Grand Ledge Independent, beTurtle.com, Property Investor Magazine, Grand Rapids Press, eHow.com
Education/Credentials Graduate study, Binghamton University, Department of Philosophy, 1993-95.
MA in Philosophy, Michigan State University, College of Arts and Letters, 1991. Master's thesis: "Nietzsche's 'Hothouse For Strange And Choice Plants'".
BA in Social Science, Michigan State University, James Madison College, 1989.
Study abroad: Cambridge University, Trinity College, Cambridge, England, 1988.
Awards and Honors Clifford D. Clark Fellow, Binghamton University, 1993-95.
Department of Philosophy Fellowship, Michigan State University, 1991.
National Merit Scholar, Michigan State University, 1985-1989.
Question What is the meaning of saying that the consciousness of the past weighs like a nightmare on the brain of the living?
Answer Thanks for your question Nawd.
It's difficult for me to tell exactly what the saying has in mind, since there's no author attribution and no context.
I will offer though that it sounds like guilt (or something close to guilt) is what's being referred to by "consciousness of the past" and its weighing "like a nightmare".
Now from here I think there are at least options. Are we talking about the individual's guilt for his/her own past? Or are we in the realm of a collective or social past?
I think the latter, because of the language "the living" - as if we are being discussed as inheritors rather than personal perpetrators. So, in this case I think what the phrase intends is the guilt of present generations for deeds of prior generations. The obvious examples of which I think include the Holocaust, slavery (in early America or elsewhere), and what European immigrants did to Native Americans. Living individuals (consciousnesses) can feel guilt for past acts of others.
If, by chance, the saying is referring to the individual's relationship to his/her own past acts, then it reminds me of Friedrich Nietzsche's references to the "sting of conscience" and leaving "acts in the lurch" - personal guilt. He speaks of how it poisons personal experience and he essentially recommends that we take responsibility for our actions but then "move on". Again though, I think the phrase is discussing intergenerationl guilt rather than intrapersonal guilt.
