Freedom and Responsibility
In Dostoevsky's work, the Inquisitor presents his case with many wordy arguments. He cleverly discusses the issue of Catholicism, the freedom inherent in oppression and the joy and peace of submission to the iron will of another. The Inquisitor speaks from the position of a dictator; an entity with absolute power. As a person involved with an absolutely powerful institution at the time, the Church, he is obviously not willing to relinquish such power. Hence he attempts to justify his arguments with a focus upon the happiness of those under him. On the other hand, the Inquisitor may believe his case to be sincere. Being indoctrinated since birth with the opinions he holds as truth, it is hardly surprising that he believes people can only be happy when their freedom of thought is taken away. Indeed, he claims this removal of freedom to be the choice of the oppressed themselves. The Inquisition is then used as a tool to demonstrate to those who are oppressed what would happen if they would dare to disagree with what they are told by authority figures. This returns to the issue of power and oppression. The Church, having ultimate power, wishes to retain it. As an emissary of the Church, the Inquisitor wishes to do so as we
In the case of the text, he does not defend his position either; he feels not need to justify the freedom given by his religion, nor does he indicate that the Inquisitor is wrong to take away the freedom of others. He thoroughly thinks through his responses, if he does respond at all. Then I would ask the Inquisitor if he was happy himself, and what it is that leads to his particular emotional state at the time. He appears completely calm and unconcerned as he listens to the Inquisitor. Finally, I would turn the focus to myself. In this, the Inquisitor speaks from the belief that human beings are like sheep, who enjoy life most when mindlessly following a leader. I would discuss the issue of freedom with him, and whether he believes he is free. I would begin this by focusing first on the Inquisitor and his paradigms rather than my own. I believe that the most important reason for Jesus' silence is his nature as both man and God. He indulges the Inquisitor by simply listening without attempting to oppose him. It was difficult and often fatal to disagree. The responsibility of decision making, for example, lies with me and nobody else, as I take my own decisions. From this I would move on and address the issue of the souls being tortured and burned for the name of God. He says nothing except to acknowledge that his claim to God as father was true. Understanding this, the Inquisitor sends Jesus away.
Common topics in this essay:
Church Inquisitor,
God Jesus,
Dostoevsky's Inquisitor,
Son God,
Inquisitor Furthermore,
God Frequently,
jesus' silence,
Understanding Inquisitor,
reason jesus' silence,
issue power,
reason jesus',
defend position,
love compassion,
own decisions,
son god,
freedom choice,
peaceful society,
inquisitor speaks,
|
Acceptance Essays
