An Introduction to the Political Philosophy of Nikos Kazantzakis. James Franklin Lea Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1973 The olitP ics of Salvation: an Introduction to the Political Philosophy of Nikos Kazantzakis. James Franklin Lea Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Lea, James Franklin, "The oP litics of Salvation: an Introduction to the Political Philosophy of Nikos Kazantzakis." (1973). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 2477. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/2477 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Xerox University Microfilms 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 74-7239 LEA, James Franklin, 1945- THE POLITICS OF SALVATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF NIROS KAZANTZAKIS. The Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Ph.D., 1973 Political Science, general University Microfilms, A XEROX Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan THIS DISSERTATION HAS BEEN MICROFILMED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED. The Politics of Salvation: An Introduction to the Political Philosophy of Nikos Kazantzakis A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Political Science by James Franklin Lea B .A ., Southeastern Louisiana College, 19 69 M.Ao, Louisiana State University, 1971 August, 1973 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My intellectual debts are many, therefore, I acknowledge only the most impor tant. To Dr. Cecil L. Eubanks, who directed this dissertation, is owed more than can be repaid. Beginning with my in itial graduate studies and continuing to the present he has combined the roles of teacher, scholar, and—if I may—friend, to provide vital, compassionate intellectual stimulation. Further, he has been unsparing of time and energy in both substantive criticism of the ideas expressed within and editorial suggestions as to the manner of their presentation. My special thanks are due to Dr. James J. Bolner who gave a most helpful reading of the text. I should also like to extend my appreciation to Professor Rene de Visme Williamson whose courses in the History of Political Philosophy enhanced greatly whatever merit this exercise may have, and to my wife, Cynthia, and my son, Christopher, who underwent travail and hardship in my behalf. I am grateful to Livingston State University and the United States Office of Education for financial support of my endeavor during the period this project was in progress. As is customary and correct, I wish to absolve all those mentioned from blame for flaws, errors, misinterpretations, etc., for these are my own contributions. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 C hapter I. NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS 7 H istorical-Political Environment Decisive Steps: Twentieth Century Masks The Cretan Glance: Transubstantiation and the General Concepts of Kazantzakis* Philosophy I I . WORDS: WEAPONS IN THE BATHE Radical Vitalism The Responsibility of Means Mature Idealism III. POETRY, PROPHECY, AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ....... 9 0 Transitional Age: A Philosophy of History Science As Deliverance A rt As D eliv eran ce IV. ORDER FROM CHAOS ...................... ........ ^ Saving God: A Political Metaphysics The Human Condition and the Classical View Christianity: Criteria of the Spirit V. A POLITICS OF FREEDOM AND HOPE ................................... ^ Freedom: The Essence of Man Odysseus: A Higher Truth Political Theory and the Hope of the Present BIBLIOGRAPHY...................... 226 i i i ABSTRACT Nikos Kazantzakis is one of the most Intriguing figures in twentieth cent ury art and thought. He displayed in his writings and in his life an intense, unwavering concern for bettering the lot of man. The political, philosophical, and religious culmination of this concern was his doctrine of "saving God." This study of Kazantzakis* politics entails: (1) a brief examination of Kazant zakis in the context of his age and culture, with particular attention to the influence of the dominant ideas current in his lifetim e, and of his basic philo sophical viewpoint—the Cretan glance; (2) a general explication of the logical development of his social and political thought which will include an analysis of the interrelationality of his desire for both objective literary excellence and political involvement with his view of means and ends in politics; ( 3 ) an exploration of his philosophy of history, his diagnosis of the contemporary human predicament, and his theory of the relation of art to politics in history; (4) an inquiry into the empirical import of his prognosis for improving the human condition, i.e ., into his "new decalogue," based on the insights of Christianity, Hellenism, and Marxism; (5) judgemental evaluation of the validity and meaningfulness of his views for our time with special examinations of his concept of freedom and the importance of hope and despair in his politics and in the political philosophy of the modern era. Since Kazantzakis* mysticism, pantheism, or other interests are not our con cern in this study those writings which are oriented to an expression of his political theory are most extensively utilized. This includes selections from iv his letters, essays, newspaper articles, verse, plays, and--most Importantly— navels. This approach will include an analysis of the role and function of Kazantzakis* major literary characters. All are expressive, to varying degrees, of his religious, mystical, philosophic, literary, political, and moral ideas. One of the major results of this study is the demonstration that Kazantzakis is an important but neglected figure in twentieth century political thought. This neglect stems partially from Kazantzakis' place, as a Greek whose personal and intellectual origins are traceable to Africa, Asia, and the Orient as well as to the West, outside the main channel of Anglo-American/European thought. It derives also from Kazantzakis' undeserved reputation as an apolitical individual concerned primarily with self-salvation in a literary and religious sense. Another factor mitigating against the legitimate recognition of Kazantzakis' rightful stature as a political theorist of some magnitude is the emphasis on his literature as art rather than as depicting a provocative and creative political philosophy. In his prolific writings this man of letters levelled invaluable criticism at his age and proferred remedies for the excessive materialism, despiritualization, despair, murderous violence, and societal and governmental wrongs of his day. His themes are instilled with knowledge attained through study of the major figures of world art and thought and reverberate with increasing intensity down to our complex times. When Kazantzakis' politics are evaluated in the contemporary framework one sees a shining alternative to ideology and a basis for a politics of freedom and hope beyond illusory scientific faith and destructive nihilistic d e s p a ir. v INTRODUCTION Nikos Kazantzakis is certainly one of the most intriguing and contro versial figures in the twentieth century* His social and political ideas entail some of the most unique and provocative concepts to be found in modern thought. These concepts and