Fallout: New Vegas - The Philosophy of Caesar

Tyrannical fascist or justifiable leader? In this video we are taking a closer look at Fallout New Vegas’ Caesar and how he was able to justify his brutal atrocities.

Photo of Caesar in thumbnail by dragbody

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#fallout #bethesda #falloutnewvegas

[NukaEle]

*sees Fallout vid*
*clicks immediately*

[courier]

“You were a Follower of the Apocalypse?”
Caesar: Oh yes, raised in that tradition. And the teaching stuck. I was taught it was my responsibility to bring the torch of knowledge to the wastes… I may have taken the torch part more literally than they intended.

[lordofPockets]

I do love that more that 10 years later New Vegas is still in the media as an amazing game full of concepts to see itself inside or outside depending of a person grow.

[pacefactor]

As an interesting side note - "The History of the Decline and Fall of Roman Empire" is possibly one of the most influential books of the 20th century. So many writers, thinkers, artists and likewise were directly impacted by this book.

[SzaposJogdan]

Never realized the connection between Edward Sallow/Caesar and Kurtz. Great stuff 👍

[Deka-]

I always liked Caesar because he was interesting to talk with, and he challenged me intellectually at the time. I think he was the first philosophy lesson I ever had.

[educatedlaziness]

KotoR 2 deals with the Hegalian Dialectic as well through Kreia, one of her more notable quotes, though not among the most popular attributed to her is "if you are to believe in anything, then you should seek out that belief's opposite, and study it, so that you might identify any flaws in your own views and correct them"

[ryanm]

Regarding synthesis, The Legion does use guns - Caesar just doesn't want to over-rely on them. In no way does the Legion expect to win the Second Battle of Hoover Dam with lances. The Legion comes up with many strategies to counter NCR snipers for the Second battle of Hoover Dam, without the Courier joining the NCR - the Legion's new tactics include: Sewers entry to flank NCR snipers, Fiend chem-users sneak attack on McCarren, Monorail bombed, Omertas on the Strip using Chemical weapons, Great Khans from the North, they even tried to buy energy weapons from the Van Graffs. And if the courier helps the legion you additionally get (Boomers Artillery/Bombing Run, Repaired Howitzer bombing NCR snipers, Enclave Vertibird and Power Armor drop, Radio Sabotage, Militant Brotherhood of Steel harassing NCR, The Kings/Freeside aid Legion.
Legion is cunning and devious and will use almost anything to their advantage (except the Securitrons.)

Lastly, A female legion-courier is recruited for her exceptional skill and after the victory honored with a gold coin minted with her face distributed amongst the wasteland, pretty sure that will have a dramatic effect on widening the rights of women given their hero is a woman. This shows that Caesar values "Ability to Serve the Legion" over current Legion views like "All women are slaves." At the very least, Caesar is willing to place his short term needs above long term principles. My bet is after Legion wins, they will synthesize the GunRunners factory and incorporate their new tech similar to how the Legion's White Legs tribes adopted tommy guns after locating a large stash in Honest Hearts.

The biggest issue is that after Cesar dies, I don’t think Legate Lanius cares very much for Hegelian Dialectics as he literally crucifies Arcade Gannon. The Cult of Mars will persist but the dream of synthesis is dead. Would love to see your take on Mr. House, .

[RoleCrow]

I find it incredible interesting that despite the fact of New Vegas having so many interesting factions and lore, people gravitate to analyze more the one that had less time development and a lot of cut content and with the most (superficial) moral compass, is like accidentaly obsidian made them the most interesting faction because it requires the player to fill holes with their imagination.

[quagmoe]

Actually the Legion has changed. They do use firearms more often despite Caesar’s wishes. The NCR has changed as well to become much more imperialistic, and militarized in response to the threat the Legion poses to them. So it looks like the process Caesar referred to is already taking place. No matter which ending occurs we see that things change, mostly for the better.

[samcostello]

I find that some of the most compelling villains in fiction are the ones that represent everything that is wrong with the setting in which the story takes place. Caesar is essentially the worst kind of character that a person existing in this universe could become. As someone who was given the rare opportunity to learn about the old world that existed before the land was ravaged by a nuclear disaster, Caesar could have used his knowledge for good. Instead, he used it to amass a savage horde of murderers, marauders, and slavers.

[nobodyyouknow]

“I don’t care what Mr. House had in that bunker I’m camped right on top of, just destroy it and never mention it to me again. Thaaaanks!” - Caesar (Basically)

[maylabrown]

Just putting this early, Caesar's Legion utterly demolishes The NCR without Courier Intervention, that's a fact.

[_spacegoat_]

I'm not familiar with all the characters you talk about in your videos (outside of Fallout, that is), but regardless, I feel I always benefit from your insights. You've got a great channel, and a real gift for communicating difficult concepts, Max. Keep it up.

[shloopydoopersontheloreguy]

During the first battle of Hoover Dam. Caesars Legion utilized ranged weapons and explosives. It wasnt the lack thereof that lost them the battle. It was Joshuas advance into Boulder city.

[graye]

18:20 I don't think that's why they say they lost. While the NCR does probably have the advantage there, Caesars legion will use long-range weapons. You see many legion npc's use them, and they even use howitzers and planes if you get the boomers to help you. They lost because by the admission of many characters, even Mr. House, the NCR had a better battle plan. More specifically, to lure the legion into Boulder city and blow it up with them in it, then push back.

[CaesarSonOfMars]

You kinda left out the part where the Legion attempts to acquire energy weapons, repair the artillery piece at the Fort as well as Caesar seeking an alliance with the Boomers all of which gives the Legion the same long-range tactical flexibility of the NCR. Caesar learned from his mistakes he didn't double down at all.

[jesterfrombeyond]

Fallout New Vegas is legit the most underrated game of all time, great to see it covered by max.
For anyone who hasnt played it and has a spare the 5 bucks buy and play this game you will have the time of your life.

[davidbrami]

You recently asked something in the lines of what games would be good games to be academically taught. With that kind of ell grounded in depth analysis, I believe this would be a perfect course to be taught and reflected upon as is. I really see this ending with a "now, which public figure would fit this structure of thought in your opinion, and why. Paper due in two weeks". Fallout : New Vegas indeed has a lot to think about, and I'm glad you're spending time circling that out for us !
Thanks Max, Loved it !

[silentobserver]

My mans DONT MISS! Always on point with peak content!