Raskolnikov's Ordinary/Extraordinary Man Theory
             Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov, the main character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, believes that there are two types of men in the world: ordinary and extraordinary. This philosophy is the basis of Raskolnikov's life. All of his decisions are based on this belief, such as his decision to murder the pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna. Raskolnikov felt that he was above the law at that point in the novel. He saw himself as an extraordinary man in the beginning of the book, yet, towards the end, viewed himself as only ordinary. Raskolnikov's thinking was similar to Dostoevsky's in some regards and different in others. The ordinary man vs. extraordinary man theory is not a new one, however, as many philosophers have developed similar theories.
             The ordinary man/extraordinary man theory is a simple one. Raskolnikov reasons that, since he is an extraordinary man, it is acceptable for him to murder the pawnbroker. His logic is that she is a harmful member of society who is doing no good, so therefore he is doing a favor to the society. Extraordinary men may commit any crime or contravene the law simply because they are a superior race of men. According to Raskolnikov's theory, these are the men who change civilization. It is the duty of the extraordinary man to help the ordinary man. The ordinary man is ordinary because he is inferior and cannot transgress the law. He can only reproduce ordinary offspring. Raskolnikov's theory was based primarily on two other philosopher's theories. Hegel, a German philosopher, developed the idea of a "superman" first. Hegel's view was that the superman's actions were justifiable if the end result was for the benefit of society. (http:/members.aol.com/pantheism0/hegel.htm). The other relevant theory to Raskolnikov's theory is Nietzschean's theory of the extraordi...