Introduction to Friedrich Nietzsche

 Life and Background

Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher born on October 15, 1844, in Röcken, Saxony (modern-day Germany). His father and grandfathers were Lutheran ministers, but Nietzsche would later reject Christianity completely. He studied classical literature and philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Leipzig and became a professor at the University of Basel in Switzerland at just 24 years old.

Nietzsche was influenced by the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, who believed that life is filled with pain and suffering. However, Nietzsche disagreed with Schopenhauer’s pessimism and instead focused on how humans could embrace life and become stronger.

Nietzsche’s Main Ideas

(a) "God is Dead" – A Challenge to Religion

One of Nietzsche’s most famous ideas is "God is dead." He wrote about this in his book Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883-1892). By this, Nietzsche did not mean that God was literally dead, but rather that people no longer truly believed in God the way they once did. Religion, especially Christianity, was losing its importance in society, and Nietzsche believed that without religion, people needed a new way to find meaning in life.

He argued that Christianity made people weak because it focused on humility, obedience, and life after death instead of strength, creativity, and living fully in the present. He believed that morality based on religion stopped great individuals from reaching their full potential.

(b) The "Will to Power" – The Drive for Greatness

Nietzsche believed that the most basic human instinct is the "will to power"—a deep desire for strength, achievement, and control over one's own destiny.

He saw life as a struggle, where people either take control of their lives or become weak followers. He criticized traditional morality, which encouraged people to be passive and obedient. Instead, he believed that people should embrace their passions and use them creatively to become stronger individuals.

(c) The Superman (Übermensch) – The Ideal Human

Nietzsche introduced the concept of the "Superman" (Übermensch)—a superior individual who rises above the ordinary masses. The Superman is someone who:

• Creates his/her own values, rather than following traditional religious or moral beliefs.
• Lives life boldly, without fear of suffering or struggle.
• Uses creativity and intelligence to shape the world.

Nietzsche saw the Superman as a leader and innovator—a person who is not limited by society’s rules but instead creates new paths for human progress.

(d) Beyond Good and Evil – The Problem with Morality

In his books Beyond Good and Evil (1886) and On the Genealogy of Morals (1887), Nietzsche argued that morality was not something absolute or universal. Instead, it was something created by societies to control people.

He said that in ancient times, strong and powerful people created their own values. But later, religion and morality were used to suppress strength and greatness. The idea of being humble, kind, and self-sacrificing became the standard for "good", while being powerful and independent was seen as "evil."

Nietzsche rejected this idea and encouraged people to go beyond traditional ideas of good and evil to find their own moral path.

His Later Life and Death

In 1889, Nietzsche suffered a mental breakdown and was found hugging a horse in the streets of Turin, Italy, after seeing it being whipped. His mental health deteriorated, and he spent the rest of his life in an asylum. Some believe his insanity was caused by syphilis, while others suggest it was a neurological disorder.

Nietzsche died on August 25, 1900, at the age of 56.