Unpacking Friedrich Nietzsche

Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge 

Friedrich Nietzsche is considered an existential philosopher primarily because he shifted the focus of philosophy from abstract metaphysics to the lived experience of the individual and the urgent problem of finding meaning in an indifferent universe. He is a radical philosopher because he sought to systematically dismantle the most fundamental pillars of Western civilization—including its religion, morality, and concepts of truth.

Nietzsche asserted that facts do not exist independently; rather, they are shaped by interpretations -(Nietzsche stated that there are no facts, only interpretations). He proposed a cultural philosophy that stands in contrast to the concept of nature, arguing that human beings lack inherent values. In his view, humans are akin to predatory animals, and he dismissed the notion that suffering holds any intrinsic value or meaning. For Nietzsche, strength represented the highest virtue, and he expressed admiration for figures like Wagner, celebrated ideals of masculinity, and explored the concept of the "will to power."

Nietzsche's approach to philosophy was marked by a provocative and destructive style, often described as "philosophizing with a hammer." His writings contain elements of racism, antisemitism, cruelty, and misogyny, yet his influence on Western thought remains undeniable. There are no universally accepted interpretations of his work; instead, it is characterized by contradictory and paradoxical ideas that challenge conventional understanding.

In many ways, Friedrich Nietzsche can be accurately described as a poet-philosopher. He used artistic, musical, and metaphorical language. Nietzsche used oxymorons and paradoxes intentionally to mirror his belief that reality is not a fixed, logical system, but a fluid and contradictory process of "becoming". Nietzsche wanted to "be understood by being misunderstood.

Friedrich Nietzsche did serve as a medical orderly during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871) and witnessed traumatic events; there is no clinical evidence that he suffered from "war neurosis." However, the war trauma transformed him, and his later focus on Power was not a glorification of military dominance but a psychological reaction to the weakness he witnessed in both the victims and the victors of war.

Power is central to Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy because he viewed the "Will to Power" as the fundamental driving force of all existence. It is a metaphysical and psychological description of life itself. He believed that life is not merely a struggle for survival but a proactive effort to grow, expand, and discharge strength. For Nietzsche, the highest form of power was internally directed rather than the political domination of others.

Nietzsche was born into a devout family, and his initial affection for Christianity was profound. However, the premature deaths of his father and brother prompted him to adopt a more critical perspective on the faith. This psychological upheaval catalyzed his transformation into what he later termed an anti-Christ. In subsequent years, he emerged as a formidable critic of Christianity and metaphysics alike, embracing the title "anti-Christ" as a badge of honor.

Friedrich Nietzsche's proclamation that "God is dead" remains one of the most significant yet frequently misinterpreted statements in Western philosophy. By the statement "God is dead," Nietzsche meant that the cultural and psychological authority of the Christian God had become "unbelievable" and obsolete in the modern era. He argued that God—the traditional anchor for absolute truth, morality, and purpose—had lost its power to command the modern mind. It's the loss of metaphysical authority over humans.

Nietzsche contended that Christianity represented a religion of subjugation, particularly for the Jews during the Roman Empire, who found themselves powerless against their oppressors. In response to their suffering, Christianity offered the promise of an afterlife filled with joy and liberation. However, Nietzsche criticized this notion as a deceptive form of consolation that ultimately hindered individuals from confronting and transforming their present hardships. He believed that such a false hope for a better existence beyond death discouraged meaningful action to alleviate their current struggles. 

Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of herd morality is defined as a collective value system based on common social norms, societal standards, and the desire for conformity. Nietzsche viewed traditional morality not as a set of helpful rules, but as a "danger of dangers"—a systematic impediment that stifles human excellence and prevents the emergence of the "higher type" of human being. Nietzsche argued that people stick to "herd morality" not because it is true or right, but because it provides vital psychological and survival benefits for the "weak" majority. Nietzsche posited that humanity exists within the realm of nature rather than under the influence of a divine or celestial order.

Friedrich Nietzsche believed humans were blind to natural selection, not divine selection, and were destined for extinction. Nietzsche’s view is that all religious and divine values are human constructs. Moral laws are human creations that have no transcendent value.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy is called life-affirming because its ultimate goal is to move beyond the despair of meaninglessness (nihilism) and "say yes" to life exactly as it is—including its suffering, chaos, and cruelty.

Nietzsche categorized nihilism into three distinct types: passive, active, and complete. The passive nihilist acknowledges the demise of traditional values, such as God and objective morality, yet responds with a sense of weary resignation to the apparent void of meaning in life. In contrast, the active nihilist reacts with anger and resentment, aggressively dismantling outdated beliefs but ultimately fails to establish new values. The complete nihilist, on the other hand, fully comprehends that the highest values, including God, universal morality, and objective truth, have lost their significance.

Nietzsche's overman is a radical psychological and creative transformation. The overman transcends rigid doctrines, undergoing a process of self-transformation. Unaffected by external values or influences, he achieves significant and meaningful accomplishments. Some philosophers often compare Nietzsche’s overman to the Buddhist "spiritually awakened man". Both philosophies are primarily human-centric and serve as radical "therapies" for the crisis of human suffering and the collapse of traditional meaning.

Friedrich Nietzsche's work is widely recognized not only as philosophy but as a powerful form of therapy and psychological inquiry. His approach focuses on individual transformation and the affirmation of life rather than clinical "repair. Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy is recognized as having deep roots in Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy, particularly regarding the role of meaning in human endurance

Nietzsche remains arguably the most influential philosopher of the modern era because he diagnosed the psychological and cultural crises that continue to define the 21st century. Nietzsche gave us the courage to question our convictions. He was the neo-Socrates, rather the neo-Socrates of subjectivity. We can say that Nietzsche was the son of Charles Darwin and the brother of Bismarck.