These are two spiritual principles put forward by Nietzsche, a modern western philosopher.
"Dionysian spirit" refers to a spiritual expression that expresses one's inner feelings without external material or rational constraints. This was discovered by Nietzsche when he studied the history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. At that time, the popular "Dionysian sacrifice" was a kind of sacrifice behavior driven by instinctive natural forces, which released all emotional needs such as desire, emotion and imagination in people's hearts. Nietzsche himself embodies this "Dionysian spirit".
The antithesis of Dionysian spirit is Apollo spirit. It also comes from the myth of ancient Greece. Apollo, representing the sun god of light, brought light to the world, but also brought clear boundaries to everything, and brought restraint, calmness and serenity to people. Therefore, this "Apollo spirit" is just the opposite of the "Dionysian spirit", not the indulgence of personal feelings, but the detached mentality and existence under calm restraint. This is actually what we usually call "self-discipline".
In fact, in the face of these two different spiritual expressions, every philosopher has his own choice. Nietzsche is a typical representative of drunkenness. He wants to break the taboo and think about how philosophy transcends rationality, that is, transcends rationalism established by ancient western philosophy. Choosing the spiritual life of "leading a drunken life and dreaming of death" means living according to one's own will. This kind of life is often changeable and full of vitality, and it often makes people fall into madness and contradiction.
Kant is the representative of Apollo spirit. Kant's walking time is fixed every day, and the residents of the town can even correct the clock at home according to his walking time. His life is stable and self-disciplined, which can also be seen in his philosophical thoughts. He emphasized the moral law and defined a range for reason. He wants this line to be clear and clear, so as to leave room for God and faith. Presumably, we have all heard his famous saying: "What scares me most is the starry sky above my head and the moral law in my heart".
So is the history of China's philosophy. In my opinion, the Seven Sages of Bamboo Forest in Wei and Jin Dynasties are a representative of Dionysian spirit. They "teach more and let nature take its course" and pursue romance and freedom. On the contrary, Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties may even be the representative of "Sun-God Spirit", and they demand that "teachers" should preserve righteousness and destroy human desires ..... From this perspective, not only can there be various ways to see the world, but also the lifestyle chosen by individuals can vary widely. Knowing all the life and expressions will make life more inclusive.
As far as Dionysian spirit and Apollo spirit are concerned, I wonder which one do you prefer?