The Ruthless Philosophy of Eren Jaeger (Attack on Titan / Shingeki no Kyojin Eren's Motives)

Name: The Ruthless Philosophy of Eren Jaeger (Attack on Titan / Shingeki no Kyojin Eren's Motives)
Uploaded: 2019-09-20T15:06:41.000Z
Duration: 40 min 48 s

Introduction to Eren's Philosophy

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of Eren Yeager's philosophy and character progression in Attack on Titan. The speaker aims to debunk the notion that Eren is now the villain of the series and argues that his philosophy is more complex than it appears.

Eren's Character Progression

Eren has undergone significant character progression throughout the series.

Many anime-only fans underestimate Eren as a character due to not having seen his full development.

Some online posts label Eren as a monster or villain, gaining traction in the fandom.

The speaker aims to explain why Eren is still considered the hero of Attack on Titan.

Recap of Aaron's Actions after Time Skip

This section provides a recap of Aaron's actions after the time skip in Attack on Titan, leading up to his current philosophy.

Aaron's Allegiance with Zeke

Initially, it was believed that Aaron was working with Zeke and supporting his plan.

Zeke planned to use the Founding Titan's power to make all Eldians infertile, leading to their eventual extinction.

Zeke believed this would bring peace by ending Eldians' suffering and conflicts caused by their Titan powers.

Aaron's Unique Philosophy

This section explores Aaron's unique philosophy and how it differs from Zeke's plan.

Armin's Hunch about Aaron

Armin suspected that Aaron was not truly aligned with Zeke but only pretending to be.

Chapter 120 confirmed that Aaron opposes Zeke's plan and has his own distinct philosophy.

Machiavellian Philosophy

Aaron's philosophy can be described as Machiavellian, named after Nicolo Machiavelli.

Machiavelli's ideas are often misunderstood as being sneaky and immoral.

However, Machiavelli was a critic of conventional morality and advocated for a different kind of morality.

Understanding Machiavelli's Philosophy

This section delves into the philosophy of Nicolo Machiavelli and its relevance to Aaron's character.

Machiavelli's Advice to Rulers

Machiavelli advised rulers on how to govern their states or kingdoms.

He suggested that rulers should prioritize stability over conventional morality.

The ends justify the means when it comes to preserving the stability of the state.

Misunderstanding of Machiavellianism

In modern times, "Machiavellian" is often associated with immorality and deceit.

However, this is a misinterpretation of Machiavelli's philosophy.

He did not advocate for immorality but rather criticized the prevailing morality of his time.

Conclusion

Eren Yeager's character progression in Attack on Titan has led to confusion among fans. While some consider him a villain, his philosophy is more complex than it appears. Drawing inspiration from Nicolo Machiavelli, Eren's ruthless approach aligns with the brutal world depicted in Attack on Titan. His actions may be controversial, but they are driven by his unique philosophy rather than pure villainy.

Machiavelli's Historical Context

This section provides an overview of the historical context in which Machiavelli lived and wrote.

Italy's Divided States

Italy was divided into separate states with their own interests and agendas.

Constant warring among Italian city-states led to Italians killing each other.

Foreign kingdoms, such as France and Spain, occupied parts of Italy.

Parallels with Attack on Titan

The chaos, war, and suffering in Machiavelli's time parallel the LD ends' situation in Attack on Titan.

Like 15th-century Italians, the LD ends are divided, oppressed, and governed by rulers who don't care about their people.

Machiavelli's Desire for Change

Machiavelli wanted to stop the constant war, infighting, and suffering in his homeland.

He rejected conventional morality influenced by Christian and civic humanist traditions.

Conventional principles emphasized being good Christians or always treating others with kindness and respect.

Machiavelli's New Morality

Machiavelli believed that defending and unifying his homeland should be achieved by any means necessary.

He prioritized the greater good of his country over individualistic morality.

Killing or stealing could be justified if it served the goal of defending and uniting Italy.

Ruler's Morality According to Machiavelli

This section explores Machiavelli's perspective on a ruler's morality.

Being Cunning and Fierce as a Ruler

A ruler may need to be cunning like a fox and fierce like a lion when necessary.

Sometimes a ruler needs to be feared rather than loved.

Committing acts considered immoral or sinful may be required for preserving stability.

The Greater Good of the Homeland

Allowing the state to fall into war and chaos for personal reputation is the biggest sin.

Refusing to kill one person, if it leads to chaos and suffering for the entire country, is a greater sin.

Machiavelli prioritized the well-being of his homeland over individual morality.

Eren Yeager's Philosophy in Attack on Titan

This section discusses Eren Yeager's philosophy in Attack on Titan.

Context of Eren's Actions

Eren is concerned with this generation of LD UNS who are paying for their ancestors' sins.

Some view Eren as a villain due to his encouragement of stealing the founding Titan power from Frida, including killing the royal family.

King Fritz's Abandonment and Repression

King Fritz abandoned LD ins on the continent and retreated to the island of paradise.

Memories were erased, creating unawareness among LD ins about their own history and oppression.

The royal family established a repressive police state, torturing and murdering those who questioned or challenged them.

Justification for Eren's Actions

Like Machiavelli, context matters when evaluating Eren's decisions.

King Fritz and his successors believed that all LD ins deserved to die due to their ancestors' actions.

Eren seeks to protect his people from oppression by any means necessary.

The summary has been organized chronologically based on the transcript. Each section contains relevant bullet points with timestamps provided.

Aaron's Philosophy and Motivation

This section explores Aaron's perspective on killing and his motivation to save lives by sacrificing the royal family.

Aaron's Beliefs and Actions

Aaron believes that he should never kill another human being, but he decides to sacrifice the lives of the royal family to obtain the founding titan power in order to save hundreds of thousands of alien lives.

He doesn't enjoy killing or want to be evil, but he can no longer stand by and do nothing while people suffer. His own mother was killed in front of him, along with many friends and comrades. He believes a change is necessary to stop the suffering.

Despite considering it wrong to kill even a single person, Aaron believes that not taking the founding titan from the royal family would result in more injustice as thousands of LD ins continue to die.

Parallels with Machiavelli

Aaron's philosophy aligns with Machiavelli's ideas. In Chapter 121, Aaron emphasizes his desire for freedom and is willing to take away others' freedom if they threaten his own. This mirrors Machiavelli's concern for stability and establishing republics rather than authoritarian rule.

Machiavelli believed that sacrifices were necessary before a true Republic could be created. If an authoritarian leader like Cesare Borgia united Italy temporarily, it was acceptable as long as they eventually established republican institutions for long-term stability.

Brutus and Liberty

Machiavelli references Lucius Junius Brutus, who overthrew Rome's royal family and established the Roman Republic around 509 BC. When Brutus' sons conspired against him with the royal family, Brutus allowed their execution to preserve the liberty of the newly formed Republic.

Machiavelli argues that anyone who sets up a tyranny and does not kill those who love liberty cannot expect to survive for long. Similarly, Aaron's decision to kill the royal family is driven by the need to preserve liberty and save LD ins from King Carl Fritz's ideology.

Aaron's Complex Philosophy

This section delves into the complexity of Aaron's actions and philosophy, challenging the notion that he is simply a villain.

Rational Philosophy

Aaron's actions were driven by a complex and rational philosophy rooted in preserving liberty and saving LD ins. He believes his immoral acts serve a higher morality.

The world of Attack on Titan has always challenged simplistic views, forcing us to think beyond black and white distinctions. Whether we support or oppose Aaron's decision, it is important to recognize the complexity of his motivations.

Rejecting Villain Label

It is incorrect to label Aaron as a villain based on his actions alone. He made difficult choices for what he believed was best for future generations and the LDN people as a whole.

The video encourages viewers to drop the idea that Aaron is now a villain, emphasizing that Attack on Titan presents a nuanced world where decisions are not easily categorized as good or bad.

Further Exploration

This section provides additional resources for exploring Aaron's philosophy and Machiavelli's writings.