Nietzsche: Life, Works, and Philosophical Stages

Nietzsche: A Life of Contrast

The Tension Between Life and Philosophy

Friedrich Nietzsche's life and works are marked by a stark contrast, reflecting the tension between a man plagued by illness and his philosophy exalting life. This discrepancy is striking: one of the most profound thinkers of his time is also responsible for some of history's most radical irrationalism.

Early Life and Academic Career

Born in Röcken, Germany, the son of a Protestant pastor, Nietzsche excelled academically and displayed a character that set him apart from his peers. Severe headaches began in his youth, foreshadowing the mental illness that would later consume him. In 1864, he began studying theology and classical philology. Four years later, fascinated by Wagner's music, he shifted his focus to art. In 1869, he was appointed professor of Greek at the University of Basel, where he published "The Birth of Tragedy."

Declining Health and Creative Output

In 1878, Nietzsche ended his friendship with Wagner. The following year, illness forced him to leave academia. He embarked on therapeutic journeys while continuing his creative work, increasingly influenced by his mother and sister. A brief encounter with Lou Salomé in 1882 ended under his sister's influence. In 1889, he collapsed, was hospitalized, and diagnosed with progressive paralysis. His physical and mental health deteriorated, leaving him dependent on his family until his death in 1900. His sister edited his final works.

Nietzsche's Four Philosophical Stages

Nietzsche's thought can be divided into four interconnected stages, each building upon the philosophical implications of "The Birth of Tragedy":

1. The Romantic Period: The Philosophy of the Night

   During his time in Basel, influenced by Wagner and Schopenhauer, Nietzsche delved into pre-Socratic thought, critiquing Socrates. Dionysian themes emerged in his work.

2. The Enlightenment Period: The Philosophy of the Morning

   Nietzsche's travels marked a break from his earlier thought. Referencing Voltaire and other French Enlightenment figures, he criticized metaphysics, religion, and art, emphasizing the "free man."

3. Zarathustra as the New Prophet: The Philosophy of Noon

   Nietzsche's philosophy reached maturity with "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," featuring the prophet Zarathustra and the concept of the Übermensch. This period announced the "death of God."

4. The Critical Period: The Philosophy of the Evening

   Nietzsche's critique focused on Western civilization—its religion, philosophy, morality, and science. More aggressive than his second period, he denounced nihilism and Western decadence in works like "Twilight of the Idols" and "The Antichrist."

Nietzsche's Legacy: A Critical Force

Nietzsche's philosophy, a constant negation of previous thought, draws heavily from Schopenhauer while critiquing the entire philosophical tradition. His ideas—the death of God, the will to power, eternal recurrence, the transmutation of values, his critique of morality and nihilism—represent a radical challenge to Western thought. His knowledge of art and classical philology, evident in his genealogical method, further strengthened his arguments. Nietzsche's influence continues to this day, shaping discussions contrasting the modern project with its postmodern overcoming.