‘Resident Evil’ And Post Apocalyptic Nihilism

Part four of a five part series. A film series based on the renowned video game franchise, this essay aims to explore the representation of “passive nihilism” within Resident Evil. 

This spine-tingling horror series has spanned almost 12 years, soon to welcome the franchises sixth installment in 2015. Set in a post-apocalyptic “Racoon City,” Resident Evil follows a story of salvation through the key character of Alice; the epitome of a “Martyr” within the post-modern condition. She opposes Nietzsche’s view to live a life based on impulse by instead existentially choosing to make amends for the chaos she feels she has created.

RESIDENT EVIL (2002)

*Main character Alice as female “Ubermensch” with near-impossible combat skills. Feminist perspective indicates she is somewhat objectified, as red dress connotes seduction and lust. (1:40)

*Genetically mutated beasts as represented evil, referred to as ‘Lickers’ on account of their lengthly, outstretched tongues. (1:50)

*Metallic typeface connotes a sharp, edgy, clinical feel, derivative of destination ‘The Hive;’ an underground laboratory/“empty vessel serving as a vehicle for the desires of the sacrificer.” (30, 2 minutes)

*‘The Red Queen’ assumes control of the facility through technological advancements. Computer has been humanized; modelled on the daughter of an ‘Umbrella’ scientist. (2:05)

With its release, Resident Evil offered the audience genetically enhanced mutants through metaphysical means. Humans were developed as weapons-in-themselves with Alice, a rather Croft-like figure, becoming the exception to the rule as she successfully overcomes her newly found “superhuman” capabilities. As former head of security at totalitarian establishment “The Hive,” Alice represents Locke’s “blank slate” as she attempts to regain control; battling against modern humanized technology. “A human being, like a god, could be strongly or weakly charged, depending on how perilous, how respected he or she was.” (24) In Heideggerian terms, humankind attempts to overcome all in a battle against the rise of science and technology, even in death.

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE. 

The Representation Of Nihilism Within "Bioshock"

The first of a twelve part series. This essay will explore the conflicting viewpoints of both Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger in regards to nihilism. 

Since its launch in 2007, BioShock has bought a rather aesthetic feel to the gaming world that is near impossible to miss. Philosophical themes are evidently placed on a destructive path throughout the underwater city of 'Rapture' as the gamer has little choice but to become immersed in the abstract longing for a postmodern world. Players are free to alter their characters own biological structure with so called 'Plasmids' or 'Vigors' controlled by their own 'will to power' and are further encouraged to existentially determine their own good or bad ending. Amidst it all breathes the death of an Idealistic society, erupted in chaos due to its severely nihilistic outlook. 

According to the Collins Pocket English Dictionary, 'Nihilism' is the rejection of an established authority or institution. Friedrich Nietzsche, born in 1844 and a strong atheist, believed that Christianity was the root of all illustrious values that should be overcome by humankind being 'born again' Biblical references have been constructed throughout the video game, for example in "Eve's Garden" with its apple logo derivative of the forbidden fruit. But according to Nietzsche, Christianity isn't based on reason and therefore shouldn't reflect these kinds of values. 

*WRITTEN AS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER'S PHILOSOPHY MAGAZINE. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE HERE.

L3: "Existentialism; Right vs. Left"

NIETZSCHE, HEIDEGGER, SARTRE.

FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE. (1844-1900)

Phrase "God is Dead" sparked the end of certainty (no Popper and 'Verification Principle'). Lead the way for freedom of thought; introduction of different aims and different morals which the State decides (oppose Locke and Natural Rights).

The "Ubermensch" (Superman) as Antithesis; the end goal in which we assert our own "Will to Live/"Will to Power" (Schopenhauer) through our freedom of choice/action (Existentialism).

MARTIN HEIDEGGER. (1889-1976) 

"Being and Time" (1927); Right wing view on what it means to exist (the nature of being) which Heidegger labelled "Dasein". He believed that the mind and body together makes understanding impossible. The Anti-Cartesian problem that "we are our minds" and therefore are unable to understand anything beyond it. Berkeley and Hume believed that we can never know.

The concept of "Dasein" refers to the interaction with an external form, such as Creative Writing or Journalism. According to Heidegger, dualism (mind and matter) cannot be possible if "Dasein" exists as this interaction is necessary for acquiring knowledge. For Sartre, "Dasein" is like living as the 'inauthentic self'; denying your own 'will to live' and therefore living in "bad faith". You are merely a social construction instead of living on the basis of choice.

Heidegger described this social construction as 'Facticity'; "we are thrown into the world." We are born at a certain time, in a certain place and therefore, the element of choice can sometimes be eradicated. This agrees with Locke's concept of a "blank slate"; as we already have a past, it is our future that defines us (Existentialism).

L2: "Logic and Mathematics"

FREGE AND RUSSELL.

'Natural Numbers' - Words used to count. Created from Abstract Categories or Groups. "Plural" - Combination of Numbers/Words - Small Numbers different function to Large Numbers (logically reach up to 6/7 before start to count).

-(8545)- Basic Symbols Organised According to Syntax (inferred system of rules). Can be Analysed Through Division, etc. Addition and Multiplication as "Plurals of Plurals". Technology as innate part of Neurological Syntax. [CHOMSKY] A Basic Logical Language containing Limited Human Intelligence (predictive text, etc). 

Three attitudes towards numbers:

1) They are natural and empirical/observed. [RUSSELL]
2) They are intuitive [PYTHAGORAS/PLATO] - Numbers are from a different world. "Supernatural".
3) They are abstract objects [FREGE] that modify meaning. Not something we learn so must be innate [CHOMSKY]

Apes able to distinguish Simple Plurality. 0 (the absence of a thing/"one thing"), 1 (one/enough/"more than one thing") and 2 (a lot/unlimited/more than one/"many things") - All are strong natural numbers.

L1: "Phenomenology and Existentialism"

Existentialism. The rejection of DESCARTES. "I am, therefore I think" - We exist. There is no need for proof. [Anti-POPPER].

KANT and "The Critique of Pure Reason" [1781] Existence has no purpose, it is just necessary; a pre-condition of consciousness. As we exist, we constantly change and mutate. Our consciousness is subjective (based on the moods of the moment) and aposteriori in nature. 

HUSSERL and Phenomenology (consciousness without reference to external). "Psychology from an Empirical Standpoint" [1874] The metaphysical view that our essence is embodied. Abolition of mind and matter. Instead, mind over matter. Phenomena is presented to us through consciousness as a "thing in itself" (independent).

HEIDEGGER - "Being and Time" [1927] saw the end of the metaphysical outlook. He disagreed with HUSSERL - objects are not independent from mind, instead, they are a refection of consciousness. Objects exist only in the mind. Therefore, there can be no "absolute truth" DESCARTES - No difference between dream and reality.

DASEIN: "way of being"/"being there" (German) Reflective of the perceiver's mood. HEIDEGGERS PROJECT - to live subjectively; an 'authentic life'. Rejection of all philosophy since SOCRATES. ROUSSEAU - to break free from industrial chains.