Although its easy to pass this off as typical
Narcissistic, sociopathic Dennis--beneath
the layer of pop-psychology this line draws
parallels with one of the most significant
philosophical propositions in recorded history, and
in many ways, encapsulates the theme that
drives this entire series.
The proposition that
“God is dead”.
This idea came from the mind of German Philsosopher
Friedrich Nietzsche.
It first appeared in his book, “The gay
science” in 1882.
Much like Dennis, Nietzsches intent was not
to criticize religion- it was to point out
that the progression of western civilization
and its advancements in modern science had
effectively killed the Christian value system.
He believed that this degradation of values
would spiral into the outright rejection of
any sort of objective or universal ,moral
law.
"Dennis: It's not about whether something is true
or based in fact or reality or
the laws of physics or nature or even
basic common sense. Its about whether we're dumb enough to believe in it."
An idea that the gang acts as a vessel for,
as they constantly reject any notions of an
objective right or wrong when its convenient
or conducive to personal gain.
All in favor of going back to the old system
of organized chaos, where emotion trumps reason
every single time, and we just yell at each other to get the shit that we want, raise your hands. "
From the outside looking in, watching the
gang carry out all of their schemes and attempts
at personal fulfillment, makes it easy to
throw around words like narcissistic or morally
reprehensible.
But there’s something authentic and honest
about these characters.
German Philosopher Martin Heidegger, one of
the most significant philosophers of the 20th
century, published a large body of work that
offers a less condemning perspective on characters
like these.
Heidegger, who was heavily influenced by Nietszche
and even wrote a book on him, promoted the
idea of an authentic self.
He described the authentic self as- seeing
beyond the the archaic preconceptions of reality,
the provincialism cultivated by academic and
economic systems.
He considered the psychological, biological,
and philosophical reductions of the human
experience as false truths, an obstacle to
becoming ones authentic self.
The gang mocks preconceptions of reality throughout
the show and might be why its lasted as long as it has.
"Dee: What is the point of this stupid dumb-ass experiment anyways?
Mac: Yeah, like was he smart or not? I don't even get it.
Charlie: I don't think so. Was I smart sir?
Doctor: No, again if you could let us finish the lecture.
Mac: Ya stupid science bitches couldn't even make my friend more smarter.
Charlie: Hey, you're right, stupid science bitch couldn't even make guy more smart. Alright lets get outta here man."
The value systems present in American culture
are constantly changing and disappearing,
while the gang remains constant- all of them
only ever focused on their own personal happiness,
acting as a vessel to question and mock any
idea of objective truth or morality.
"Charlie: Look hey, do what you want to do in life.
And there's nothing wrong with that.
Dennis: Oh, what I wanna do.  Thats what I want to do."
In many ways the characters in Its always
sunny in philadelphia, act as modern day iconoclasts,
by questioning the social institutions that
fuel a capitalist economic system and by subverting
common morality.
"Dee: Are you actually going to throw away all of your convictions to get laid?
Dennis:  I don't really have any convictions."
These characters are the farthest thing from
insane and the closest to being their authentic
selves.
I think part of the reason they’re so interesting
to watch, is because they exaggerate and surface
many of the uncomfortable thoughts and behaviors
that every human being engages in.
They put a dark but honest mirror to western
culture.
"Dee: Whatever.  I feel good. I don't want to talk about it.
Dennis: No I don't want to talk about my thing.
Do you want to talk about your thing?  Charlie: Nooo.
Dennis: You know what we should do? Lets just
get drunk, not talk about trauma. Lets just have a good time and get drunk.
Frank: Stuff it down with some brown.
Calling them morally reprehensible and psychologically
disturbed degenerates seems unfair to me.
It was Famous writer and political activist
James Baldwin who once said,
“One cannot deny the humanity of another
without diminishing ones own.”
If there is an objective good and bad, then
we’re all guilty of imperfection.
So, if theres one thing to take from Its always
sunny in Philadelphia, its to fearlessly reject
any ideological guidelines for
a fulfilling life, and to always remember-happiness
is subjective.
(Charlie sings song about loving Paddys Pub)
