Customer Reviews

Might Is Right

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"Might is Right - the Survival of the Fittest", by Ragnar Redbeard, is a case for Social Darwinism. It is not a philosophical treatise in the strict sense, but more of a "manifesto" for racism, sexism, the worship of strength and the virtues of war, such as unbridled rapine, extreme unscrupulousness, joy in risk and contempt of danger. The author makes it clear that he is a foe to weakness, servility, Christianity and "turning the other cheek." Impassioned, and at times, quite inspiring, it is characterised by its enamelled nineteenth century prose, its rhetorical splendours and thunderous declamations. Redbeard's message -- that "you can go further with a handful of might than a bagful of right" -- is repeated with very little variation throughout his treatise, to the effect of monotony. Most of his precepts are fairly commonsensical, or else mined from already extant literature. When he raves, however, Redbeard is truly original. His utterances, in a large measure, contain no sense at all, not even nonsense. At times, the style comes close to self-mockery and the arguments are riddled with contradictions. He makes it very plain that he is opposed to woman's emancipation: - "Woe unto the Race if ever these lovable creatures should break loose from mastership, and become the rulers or equals of Man." It is this section in particular, that shows Redbeard at his silliest and most self-contradictory. At one point, he declares: "It has been said of Mahomet that he said that 'Woman hath no soul'." Redbeard concurs enthusiastically with this view, only to add, about two lines later: - "It is a proven fact that woman has no soul (and neither has man, for that matter) but in woman's case, one has greater grounds for doubting the existence of her soul even less." What kind of brain-shattered nonsense is this? Most of the work is childish, and filled with arguments that range far beyond the area of rational examination or refutation. For a more coherent and more logical presentation of similar views, I would recommend Max Stirner's "The Ego and Its Own" -- a testament of philosophical anarchism.

"an evil spirit hath innoculated our race with the hideous gospel of submissiveness and degeneracy;- "Resist not evil" it whines and "If a man smite thee on one cheek, turn to him the other also". But I say unto you: - 'If a man smite you on one cheek, smash HIM on the "other". Resist every evil! Be as a lion in the path! Be "dangerous", even in defeat! Courage, I say! Courage! And evermore Courage! Even the stars in their courses are fight for the bold."

It's a strong and sometimes hateful book, but nonetheless EXTREMELY interesting if you can make it through the endless ranting. There was always something missing from my education about the way the world really was in it's sobering and ruthless truth. The ying and the yang baby. If you want to know the evil side that is integrated into nature, then you will love Might Is Right. But get ready, it may take you months to get over it.

The author makes it clear that "rights" can only exist when people have the power to claim them.

Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, deliberately points out that there exists a world external of yourself. This book explains the reality of this external world, composed of uncaring atoms swirling about: Might is Right.

The author's guns are aimed at the slave morality of the masses. Religious philosophies, and their secular equivilents, demand that men have "empathy" for the people he or she happens to share this world with.

I'm sure everyone has faked a smile, or faked a laugh, because you are afraid of offending another person's sentimentalities. Imagine what you could accomplish if you didn't feel compelled to appeal to weaklings and good-for-nothing people.

This book points out two things: that the atoms in the vacuum of space don't care about your misery. That morality and ethical codes today keep men subservient.

Ayn Rand said it best: "Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed". Look around you. How many people get angry at the most trivial things? How many people consider their thoughts and ideas as components of their Self, instead of tools in the mind like the shovel is to the gardener. Truth, especially moral truth, is just one model of reality, and models come and go with time. Rational consistency is not sacred: mathematics exists only in the minds of the human animal. It is a tool. Everything must be kept in context. Don't worry about problems that do not personally pertain to you. Use the best "tool" for the current obstacle to be overcome. Be your own "God".

FAILURE IS FOR FAILURES.

True understanding of this book's message will empower you with a bottomless well of ambition, energy, and vitality. It teaches you that everything that we as men and women get, we get through decisive action, not getting upset at things beyond our control. The sand is slipping away, and death is the end for us. Fight for glory. Fight for material things. Fight for pleasure. Fight, struggle, and win!

As far as the world is concerned, everything is always as it should be.

Have courage! Every organism, every human being, must conquer or serve. This is an ultimatum. Nil Desperandum!

This book is an excellent, captivating read. There is no reason that an intelligent & open mind cannot gleam so great information from this book even if they do not agree with everything. There are a lot of racial viewpoints expressed in this book, but it is not so much hatred of non-nordics but pride of in nordic race and history. There is so much to be learned, it has literally changed my waltanschauung (worldview) and has helped and will continue to help me achieve the very goals that I am so willing and ready to accomplish now. All the reviews are helpful given so far. It really does feel as if this is a holy book. BUY IT NOW!

Equality is a lie. Altruism is a lie. Decency toward your fellow man is a trap. This is the message of Ragnar Redbeard's late nineteenth century screed against religeon, authority and pretty much everyone who isn't you. Redbeard takes a good hard look at all of the factors that supposedly drive the world and then ridicules them until the reader is forced to feel emberassed that one could ever think that there is more to life than competition to the death. Arnold's great line from "Conan the Barbarian" comes to mind: "Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and... hear the lamentations of their women". So beware. I mean, it's a helluva read, loaded with all sorts of quotable passages and Redbeard's own Darwinist poetry (and even some latin - 19th century, y'know), but as philosophies for life go, it's the sort of thing that could get you into trouble with the law if you take it too seriously. Highly reccomended for high school outcasts.

"Might Is Right" was originally published in 1896 by an author using the pseudonym `Ragnar Redbeard. The actual identity of the author is debated even today, with claims ranging from Arthur Desmond to Jack London.

Regardless of who actually authored Might Is Right, and although it was written over 100 years ago, this book is most applicable for (and perhaps greatly needed by) men today.

Might Is Right teaches courage, and it teaches strength. Might Is Right teaches us to:

BE AS A LION IN THE PATH
Hate For Hate - And Ruth For Ruth,
Eye For Eye - And Tooth For Tooth.
Scorn For Scorn - And Smile For Smile,
Love For Love - And Guile For Guile.
War For War - And Woe For Woe,
Blood For Blood - And Blow For Blow.

Thou has listened full oft, to the diabolic philosophy of the `Divine Creepling!' "Love your enemies and bless them that hate you and despitefully use you."

But I say unto you: - Love thy kindred, love thy friends, love thyself, and hate thine enemies with your whole heart.

Be a foe to your friend's foe - a friend to your friend's friend, and above all things permit no wrong, done unto thee or thine to pass unchallenged, un-redressed, or un-avenged.

An Evil Spirit hath inoculated our race with the hideous gospel of submissiveness, of degeneracy: - "Resist not evil" it whines and "If a man smith thee on one cheek, turn the other to him and the other also."

But I say unto you: - "If a man smites you on one cheek, smash him on the other."

Resist every Evil! Be as a lion in the path!

Be dangerous even in defeat!

Courage I say! Courage and evermore Courage! Even the stars in their courses fight for the bold.

This is the counsel and the tone of Might Is Right. A strong many may be inspired by this book. A weak man may grow strong by heeding its counsel. Yet the effeminate and the degenerate will almost certainly be offended by what is written herein.

Highly Recommended for those strong enough to grasp its meaning - Might Is Right!

Survival..not for your hand but for your head. Certainly if more people operated like this there would a whole lot less trouble in the world today. This is the way our Ancestors thought and they certainly didn't do badly. Its an Attitude Adjustment between covers...Read it!

This book is about extreme Social Darwinism. The problem with this is that Ragnar's understanding of Darwin was flawed and of it's time - What is wrong with Ragnar's understanding of Darwin is the meaning of "survival of the fittest". What Darwin meant was that in any environment one species over another will "fit" [or survive] better. I prefer cool climates so I live in the North - I do not do so well in hot climates, so even avoid them on holidays - that is what "survival of the fittest" means. The term is not an [..] to be a sociopathic Social Darwinist - or - "a lion on the path". The fact that some people after reading this book view themselves as "a lion on the path' only supports the 1906 advertising which stated "this book is not for the immature", and is no doubt the reason the book has been on and off the banned list since it was first published.

There is another fundamental flaw with Ragnar's view: He reasons but apparently does not realize it.
In "The Selfish Gene" Richard Dawkins states that the only purpose of a [human] organism is to act as a dna carrier - it is through the [human] organism that dna replicates and survives. However, Dawkins notes that of all dna carriers humans alone have an inate ability to reason. He calls this "Conscious Foresight" and states that it is this that allows us to not participate in the most extreme behaviours [ie. violent social darwinism to the max]. Ragnar overlooks the fact that he reasons, the fact that it is a part of our Nature to reason, and the fact that "reason" or "conscious foresight" because they exist, are naturally a part of Nature. Nature, according to Ragnar, is "Right" [so this oversight on Ragnar's part makes him "wrong"].

For me this oversight was a major blunder in his reasoning and his understanding of Nature and made the final part of the book tedious [The final third of the book is mostly Ragnar ranting!]

So why did I give it 5 stars?
1.
The editor of this edition has done an excellent job of researching obscure and colloquial terms and has provided helpful notes throughout the book. It saved me a lot of time reaching for the dictionary. However, effort is still required to read this book as it is over 100 years old. It's not for the "immature" or "more-ons".
2.
Ragnar has the ability to be liberating. I found myself challenged on many occassions - and often found myself re-evaluating long held assumptions and conditionings.
3.
Ragnar understood the fundamental rule of Nature: "Let a tribe of human animals live a rational life. Nature will smile upon them; but let them attempt to organize an unnatural mode of existence....and they will be punished even to the point of extermination"
4.
On what basis should these viewpoints not be read or discussed?

Potentially transformational - read it and think for your-self.

This book throws Social Darwinism right through your picture window and laughs at your possible injuries. Definitely not for the faint of mind, as well as heart.