MIDTERM ESSAYS B

 

#1

 

All throughout the novel The Brothers Karamazov, it is evident that the ideas of Zosima, which are made manifest through the actions of Alyosha, are an implied critique on Ivan?s rebellion. In terms of ethics, ontology and faith, Zosima?s ideas effectively refute and provide a better alternative in thinking about our world than Ivan?s do.

Zosima?s ethics effectively come down to the idea that each and every person is accountable for both the good and bad actions of every other person, at least to some extent. This idea contrasts with Ivan?s system of ethics which states what without God, there is no moral limit to the behavior of the individual. It is obvious that Zosima?s worldview puts a great deal of responsibility on the individual while Ivan?s puts no responsibility on the individual. The function of the plot of the book is to reveal that Zosima?s view has far superior practical results. Alyosha is a subscriber to Zosima?s system of ethics and Smerdyakov is an analogous believer in Ivan?s system. While Alyosha is the hero of the novel and helps bring many of the character on to the path to salvation, Smerdyakov is a committer of patricide and agonizingly decides to end his own life to stop his misery. It is not hard to see which outcome is more desirable. Alyosha?s noble respect and positive influence help show that taking responsibility is a far superior way to live one?s life than to reject all responsibility.

In terms of ontology, Zosima?s beliefs are again far superior to those of Ivan and serve as a critique to Ivan?s beliefs. Zosima believes that people are created by God and given freedom; Christ, the son of God, came to the Earth to bear the burden of sin for humanity who had gone astray because of their freedom. He believes that mankind is interconnected and that life on Earth is ultimately a good thing, a celebration of God?s creation in a sense. Ivan hardly even has a set system of beliefs for a good deal of the novel. He doubts the existence of God, or supposes that he is an unjust God at times, and at other times he simply claims that God exists in a Christian capacity but that he had glaring lack of foresight in giving human beings freedom. Ivan?s ontology is arguably just confusion and cynical doubt. The one thing he is sure of is that existence is misery and life is suffering. Zosima?s thoughts here simply critique Ivan?s by looking at a similar situation in different perspectives. It seems as though Ivan overcomes his doubt because the Grand Inquisitor supposes a Christian framework. Ivan looks at man?s situation and sees is as pitiable and bad while Zosima, with his faith in God, looks at the very same situation and sees opportunity and beauty.

It terms of faith, Zosima?s abundant faith contrasts with Ivan?s total lack of faith markedly. Zosima meets the end of his life with open arms hugging the Earth in gratitude. Ivan is eventually driven insane by his lack of faith and confusion resulting from it. Zosima?s faith empowers him to overcome fear and doubt so that he can meet his end with dignity and grace, whereas Ivan?s lack of faith is such a disability that he cannot even go on living his life and goes mad trying to reconcile his disjointed ideas and overpowering sense of guilt. If Ivan did not believe in God, he would not have felt guilt over his partial responsibility for his father?s murder (according to his own theory of moral limits). However, since he does feel guilt, it is evident he does believe in God, but simply has no faith in the redemptive power of Christ. Thus, once again, Zosima?s method critiques Ivan?s and makes it evident that having faith is better than not having faith.

All in all, Dostoevsky uses the conflict between Zosima?s ideas and Ivan?s to work out many of the problems that confront the human situation. Clearly, Dostoevsky makes it apparent that Zosima?s faithful Christian approach is much preferred to the skeptical and cynical secular view of Ivan in living in this life.

 

#2

 

Many of the major ideas in "The Brothers Karamazov" are presented in Ivan
Karamazov`s ideas and internal conflicts. Through Ivan, a rationalist
intellectual who rejects the goodness of God, and the controversy surrounding
Ivan`s beliefs, Dostoevsky presents philosophical arguments. Ivan bases his
life on the concrete physical world he experiences. This prevents him from
believing in God`s goodness. According to Ivan if a truly just God exists there
would not be suffering innocents in the world. Through a narrative poem called "The Grand Inquisitor," Ivan argues that if God really desires to save humanity, Jesus
Christ would have preformed more miracles, would have ended hunger, and would
have conquered the world through military force. The world is not perfect from
Ivan`s rationalist perspective and therefore he feels God is unjust. Ivan`s
rebellion against God also leads him to reject morality, since morality is
based on the conscience and the existence of conscience requires a good God.
According to Ivan, because God burdened humanity with free will instead of
accepting the weakness of humanity and simply providing worldly comfort, God is
unjust and people should rebel and live immoral lives based on selfish and
temporal desires.
Within "The Brothers Karamazov" Dostoevsky responds to Ivan`s pessimistic
spiritual views through the beliefs and actions of Zosima the Holy Man. The
philosophical counterpoint to Ivan`s rebellion is most evident when Zosima
instructs a woman who is struggling with her faith, "Try to love your
neighbors, love them actively and unceasingly. And as you learn to love them
more and more, you will become more and more convinced of the existence of God
and the immortality of your soul." Zosima rejects Ivan`s selfish mentality and
argues that sin and guilt are shared throughout the world. People are not
isolated entities, but rather, everybody shares in the world`s brokenness.
Morality does exist and it is manifested through human conscience. Zosima is
not concerned with logical reasoning; he knows God is good because he sees
God`s work through the love in the world. He feels that life must be lived for
one to experience God, so he sends Alyosha Karamazov out of the monastery and
into society. Dostoevsky suggests that love is superior to rational pessimism
through Alyosha and Ivan`s relative happiness. Living as a Christian and loving
humanity Alysosha finds joy, despite some hardship, while Ivan`s doubt and
negativity bring mental torment. Zosima can`t explain God`s ways, but the
existence of mystery and the necessity of faith do not disprove God`s goodness.
Ultimately, for Zosima, to prove God`s goodness one must "love life more than
the meaning of life." Ivan rationalism leads nowhere, but faith and love can
achieve the redemption of the world.

 

#3

 

Zosima and Ivan have contrasting worldviews. Zosima perceives the beauty in everything and everyone that he encounters and acts out of a spirit of love. Ivan, on the other hand, is pessimistic and relies on his intellect rather than his heart. These perspectives manifest themselves in each man?s faith, or lack thereof, in God.

Ivan struggles with the existence of God and in a conversation with Alyosha he reveals that while he has not rejected God in his heart, his reason does not allow him to accept the idea of an almighty, benevolent God. Ivan?s skepticism results from his perception of suffering and injustice in the world. The fact that God allows suffering in the world, especially among children, indicates to Ivan that God is essentially a torturer rather than a loving father. The Grand Inquisitor further explicates Ivan?s rebellion. The Grand Inquisitor asserts that free will is the root of the world?s problems; he believes that Christ should have submitted to Satan?s temptations thus making mankind a subservient, but happy, race. Christ provided an example of exercising free will to reject Satan?s temptations, but according to the Grand Inquisitor, all other men are weak and do not have enough faith to live up to this example. Thus the Grand Inquisitor / Ivan concludes that God either does not exist, or the God that exists is unjust.

While Zosima never directly addresses the rebellion of Ivan or the Grand Inquisitor, his character foils the arguments. Zosima?s principles revolve around active love, forgiveness, honesty and the beauty of God?s creation. Active love provides the first critique of Ivan and his poem. When Zosima sees evil, he tries to alleviate the suffering of those involved, as opposed to Ivan who dwells on the question of why evil occurs. The actions taken by Zosima accomplish much more than Ivan?s intellectual pursuits, thus showing the futility of searching for an answer to the problem of evil when one could actively work to overcome the evil.

Zosima also believes in forgiveness. He does not seek to blame anyone or anything for the existence of evil in the world, but rather leaves judgment up to God. This outlook allows him to love all people individually despite their failings. Ivan cannot look past the sins of others to see the beauty of humanity in each person and thus he cannot love or respect individual people. Zosima provides an example of love that Ivan does not think is possible.

Additionally, Zosima stresses honesty. He tells the Karamazovs that they must stop lying to themselves because their true selves as beautiful creations of God are hidden by their dishonesty. According to Zosima, dishonesty leads one to skepticism and distrust because one becomes swamped in the lies and loses the ability to discern truth, including the truth of God?s existence. If one cannot trust others, he/she cannot love or respect them. This reasoning provides an explanation for Ivan?s struggles with loving individuals. Ivan admits that God resides in his heart, but his mind denies the truth in his heart. This dichotomy plunges Ivan into doubt and he loses sight of the truth as he tries to develop his own truth. God feeds Zosima?s soul and thus he believes in God. Zosima?s honesty allows him to believe in God, while Ivan?s dishonesty leads him to ruin.

Finally, Zosima?s faith manifest through his words, but primarily his actions, refute the Grand Inquisitor?s claim that no man can live up to Christ?s example. The Grand Inquisitor dwells on the suffering inflicted by man?s free will and loses hope in mankind?s ability to exercise free will for the good of humanity. Zosima, however, has a faith so strong that it inspires great faith in many he deals with. His faith in God and humanity sustain the love which inspires his actions. The good that results from Zosima?s faith and actions show that mankind need not sacrifice free will to achieve happiness; it is possible for people have faith in love and its power to improve the world.

While Zosima is an exceptional man, his principles are simple. Honesty opens one to the truth which allows one to love. If one learns to act out of love, he/she can cease to dwell on the evil in the world and learn to cherish all of creation as a gift from God. The final critique of Ivan and the Grand Inquisitor?s rebellion is manifest in the relationship between Zosima?s bow before Dimitry and the kiss the Grand Inquisitor receives from Christ. Faith and love triumph over intellectuality as the bow and the kiss show that words, that which comes from the mind, are not always sufficient. Rather, a supreme act of humility or love without words may be the only way to express truth.