3) Explain the various stages of development that Siddhartha goes through. How effective is Siddhartha's philosophy of detachment as a response to nihilism?
Like many human beings Siddartha goes through many stages of development in his life.The first stage of development in Siddartha's life was leaving the Brahman's to find the meaning of life. He leaves all of his beliefs and teachings of Hinduism behind to join the Samanas. His goal in this new religion was to become empty, empty of thirst, empty of wishing , empty of dreaming and no longer have human needs and emotions. He learned how to fast and also practiced meditation. Siddartha learned alot while being with Samanas but felt like they were no different to the Brahmans.
Like many human beings Siddartha goes through many stages of development in his life.The first stage of development in Siddartha's life was leaving the Brahman's to find the meaning of life. He leaves all of his beliefs and teachings of Hinduism behind to join the Samanas. His goal in this new religion was to become empty, empty of thirst, empty of wishing , empty of dreaming and no longer have human needs and emotions. He learned how to fast and also practiced meditation. Siddartha learned alot while being with Samanas but felt like they were no different to the Brahmans.
Siddartha and Govinda heard of Gotama the Buddha and decided to follow him even though Siddartha lost faith in teachings. Govinda stayed with the Gotama permanently and Siddartha doesn't support the Gotama. He wishes his friend Govinda the best by saying "I wish that you would go up this part to its end, that you shall find salvation!" Siddartha left because he was tired of being taught and felt that he should learn about life on his own. Siddartha had given up everything from being a Brahman , an ascetic to nothing. He thinks about going back home to his father but he refuses to go back to the past. Siddartha no longer views the world spiritually but carnally.
He meets with a rich woman called Kamala and hopes to find love from her . He also meets a rich businessman that can employ him. Siddartha ends up being rich and has a son with Kamala. Even though his lifestyle changed he still held on to most of his teachings. He decides that he's going to give up on the materialistic things in his life. His wife died his son left him .In the end Siddartha meets his friend Govinda and can also give him an explanation of what life is.
Siddartha's philosophy of detachment as a response to nihilism is that he was able to detach himself from everything and everyone in his life. His father, Kamala and his son ,the wealth and all the religions that he participated in. In Siddartha's life he kept moving foward and not going back to the past in his life. He viewed life as a learning experience. All of the stages in his life he has been through were indeed learning experiences.
References
www.online-literature.com/hesse/siddartha/5/
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