Nietzsche and the 19th Century Crisis of Reason

Friedrich Nietzsche: The second half of the nineteenth century was characterized by radical alterations in both the structure of society and the world of ideas. Nietzsche developed his model in this era of industrial capitalism, which was also characterized by a profound crisis of reason. People began to value the teachings of irrationalist philosophers. Nietzsche's thinking abounds in this crisis of rationality and the exaltation of life, typical of irrationalism.

The Impact of Industrial Capitalism and Political Shifts

After the failure of revolutionary uprisings in Europe in 1848, the bourgeoisie and its liberal principles settled with firmness. This political stability in the Western world led to impressive scientific and technical development since 1870. However, optimism began to falter; reason and progress were in troubled waters. France and Prussia entered into war. Political instability was reflected in bankruptcies and declines that announced the beginning of economic instability toward the end of the century.

The Decline of Scientific Optimism

Also, confidence in science, which until then seemed crisis-free, was shaken. Aspects regulated by precise, immutable laws now contained uncertainties and relativism: Einstein and his theory of relativity or Darwin with the evolution of species are examples that disturbed the confidence in reason. Thus, rationalism and positivism began to be questioned. Finally, wars, the threat of worker uprisings, and scientific doubt sowed distrust of the reason and progress that positivism had concentrated on.

The Reaction Against Hegelian Idealism

So, from a philosophical standpoint, we note the decline of large systems. Hegel's absolute idealism is considered the last of the great systems of thought. Facing him, we find a number of authors and movements reacting very differently:

• Marxism
• Kierkegaard
• Schopenhauer
• Dilthey's historicism
• Nietzsche's vitalism

In all these movements, there are a series of coincidences: criticism of religion, acceptance of evolution, and interest in the analysis of human interiority.

The Core Principles of Philosophies of Life

These systems react violently against the existence of absolute, eternal truths, and immutable goodness. In short, the common character of the so-called "philosophies of life" is the defense of irrationalism and the appreciation of life and reality in its radical human form. Reason and discursive power are inadequate to capture true reality. Rational discourse is something that has to be eliminated, at least as a way to capture reality. Philosophically speaking, reason must die.