Friedrich Nietzsche: Philosophy of the Overman and Will to Power
The Values of the New Civilization
a) The Transmutation of All Values
Nietzsche rejects the supernatural and exalts all things earthly. He posits that the soul does not exist; rather, man is one body, which Nietzsche refers to as "great reason."
b) The Will to Power
The Will to Power is the rebellion of the instinct of life against the rule of reason. It is fundamentally the will to create.
c) The Eternal Return and Amor Fati
Post-metaphysical nihilism arises from values that undermine life. Nietzsche’s doctrine of eternal recurrence expresses the destiny of human beings and the world. This "terrible truth" requires a strong individual to endure it. It includes the concept of amor fati—the acceptance of destiny—which frees human beings from the burden of the past.
The Overman (Übermensch)
The Overman is the final stage of creation. He lives like an innocent child, remains faithful to the earth, and exists beyond the distinction between good and evil. The Overman loves life and replaces old values with his own volition. Key features include:
- Freedom of spirit
- The reduction of deception
- The full realization of human potential
Context: The Life of Nietzsche
Born in Röcken to a Lutheran pastor, Nietzsche initially pursued theology to please his mother. However, upon entering the University of Bonn, he shifted his focus to Latin and Greek. He earned a degree in classical philology at 24 and accepted a professorship at the University of Basel.
After the publication of The Birth of Tragedy, he was sidelined by the academic community. At 34, he retired due to ill health, a period during which he wrote most of his work. He died on August 25, 1900. Notable works include:
- Human, All Too Human
- Thus Spoke Zarathustra
- Twilight of the Idols
Influences and Roots of Thought
1. The Influence of Schopenhauer
Nietzsche rejects traditional intellectual knowledge, favoring the perspective of the artist. He argues that art reveals the essence of reality. The artist exists outside of space and time, acting as a universal viewer. Through aesthetic intuition, the genius truly understands the essence of existence.