Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher of the Hammer

Friedrich Nietzsche was one of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the 19th century.

His works, characterized by an aphoristic and provocative style, have sparked debates and contrasting interpretations to this day.

The Übermensch and the Death of God

One of Nietzsche’s most renowned concepts is that of the Übermensch. This is not a divine being but rather an individual who transcends the limitations of humanity, frees himself from traditional morality, and is capable of creating new values. The Übermensch embodies the will to power, the innate drive that propels every living being toward self-affirmation.

Another fundamental concept in Nietzsche’s philosophy is the “death of God.” With this expression, Nietzsche does not claim that God does not exist but rather that belief in God, as the foundation of morality and values, is no longer tenable. The death of God marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one, where humans must create new values and give meaning to their existence.

The Will to Power

The will to power is the driving force behind all existence, from the smallest atom to humans. It is the innate impulse that pushes every living being toward self-affirmation and growth. The will to power is not necessarily negative or destructive; it can also be a creative and constructive force.

The Eternal Recurrence

The eternal recurrence of the same is another key concept in Nietzsche’s philosophy. According to this idea, every event repeats infinitely in an eternal cycle. Accepting eternal recurrence involves the ability to live each moment as if it were unique, imbuing life with profound meaning.

Man as the Creator of Values

For Nietzsche, man is not a passive being but an active creator of his own values. Traditional morality, based on concepts like good and evil, is for him a human construction, an invention meant to dominate others. The man of the future must break free from these chains and create new values better suited to his nature.

Nietzsche’s Influence

Nietzsche’s ideas profoundly influenced 20th-century culture and philosophy. His thought inspired movements such as existentialism, nihilism, and postmodernism. However, his works have often been misunderstood and misused by extremist political ideologies.

Key concepts to remember:

• Übermensch: An individual who transcends human limitations and creates new values.
• Death of God: The end of belief in God as the foundation of morality.
• Will to Power: The innate drive for self-affirmation and growth.
• Eternal Recurrence: The infinite repetition of all events.
• Creation of Values: Man as the architect of his own morality.

Nietzsche’s Interpretation of Nihilism

Nihilism in Nietzsche’s philosophy is not merely the negation of all values but rather an acknowledgment of their precariousness and human origin. It is the awareness that traditional values, such as religious and moral ones, no longer have an objective and absolute foundation.

• Passive Nihilism: The recognition of God’s death and the collapse of traditional values without any constructive reaction.
• Active Nihilism: The determination to overcome passive nihilism by creating new values and meanings. The Übermensch represents the pinnacle of this active nihilism, as he is the one who, faced with the void of meaning, succeeds in creating a new order of values.

Why Does Nietzsche Address Nihilism?

• Critique of Metaphysics: Nietzsche criticizes traditional metaphysics for seeking an ultimate and absolute foundation for values.
• Death of God: The loss of faith in a transcendent God undermines the basis of traditional morality.
• Relativity of Values: Nietzsche argues that values are human creations, thus relative to a specific historical and cultural context.

Nietzsche and Western Philosophy

Nietzsche stands in opposition to the Western philosophical tradition.

• Critique of Philosophy: Nietzsche criticizes past philosophers, from Socrates to Kant, accusing them of creating a world of abstract ideas disconnected from the reality of life.
• Return to Greek Tragedy: Nietzsche finds inspiration in Greek tragedy, particularly the dualism of Apollo and Dionysus, to overcome the rationalism of Western philosophy.
• Influence of Schopenhauer: Schopenhauer influenced Nietzsche’s conception of the will as the fundamental force of the universe.

Key differences between Nietzsche and his predecessors:

• Centrality of the Will: Unlike many philosophers, Nietzsche places the will to power, an irrational and creative force, at the heart of his philosophy.
• Relativity of Values: Nietzsche rejects the idea of universal and absolute values, arguing that they are always tied to a historical and cultural context.
• Transcendence of Metaphysics: Nietzsche critiques traditional metaphysics, seeking to move beyond the dichotomy between the sensible and the intelligible world.