Definition of Apollonian and Dionysian

For many artists and philosophers, Greek mythology has been a permanent source of inspiration. In this sense, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) took the gods Apollo and Dionysus as a symbolic reference to present his vision of Western art and culture. The first mention of both gods appeared in his work "The Birth of Tragedy".

The Apollonian and the Dionysian

For Nietzsche these two adjectives serve to qualify the different artistic manifestations. The Apollonian expresses the finished and beautiful forms that are manifested in the figurative arts, while the Dionysian refers to those artistic manifestations based on rhythm and passion. Therefore, it is about two creative forces or two types of Energy that the artist uses as a way of expression to express their wishes and concerns.

The god Apollo serves as a symbol to explain the art that seeks perfection in forms and conceptual clarity, as is the case with the architecture classical, figurative painting or poetry with a conventional meter. These artistic manifestations are apolines because they are based on a longing for wisdom and aesthetic serenity.

The god Dionysus represents the drives and primary instincts. Thus, in art it stands out for its passion component, as shown in some dances, in the music primitive and, ultimately, in any artistic expression that seeks to connect with the deepest human instincts.

Two symbols that complement each other

For Nietzsche they are not totally antagonistic symbols, since in all art there are Apollonian and Dionysian components. The philosopher comes to say that force The inspiration of the god Apollo carries Dionysus within it and, conversely, any Dionysian manifestation hides an Apollonian component.

In the educational field

Nietzsche's reflections on both concepts can serve as valid references for the education. Thus, any educational model should include both creative forces. The Apollonian is present in the conceptual clarity and in the formal aspects of the teaching process.learning, while the Dionysian beats in the emotions more primary of the individual. In other words, we learn with the reason symbolized in the god Apollo and with the passion of Dionysian inspiration.

Nietzsche's vision connects with Freud's approach

For Freud, individual mental schemes are divided into three dimensions: the id, the super-ego and the ego.

- The id is the primary part of our psyche and seeks the satisfaction of the most basic pleasures and for this reason this dimension of the individual presents a Dionysian force.

- The super ego is the part of our psyche where the moral norms that govern the whole of society are incorporated and in some way this dimension would be associated with the Apollonian.

- The id and the superego meet in a permanent conflict (what we want to do and what we must do) and between the two would be the third mental structure, the self.

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