19n lec notes
Mirror Writing
Linda Williams notes that Nietzsche reflects more upon the self than merely discusses his own life.
Existentialism
The concept of existentialism is highlighted:
Form's Nature: Existentialism suggests that form is not static; it is dynamic, shapes, and shifts instead of a one-size-fits-all paradigm.
Radical Freedom: The notion of radical freedom is emphasized as being more individualistic.
Responsibility: Each individual must take responsibility for their own life. This entails figuring life out for oneself and following one's unique path.
Nietzsche and Nazism
Discussion on the association of Nietzsche with the Nazis:
Some argue it's an unfair assessment of his work and philosophy.
Germany: Soldiers in Germany cited "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" akin to a bible substantiating nationalism, which runs counter to the ethos of individualism.
Judaism: Nietzsche opposed Judaism, but he abhorred antisemitism, making his stance complex.
Arian Superiority: The concept of the Übermensch, or "super men," is discussed. This concept asserts that true power lies in self-mastery rather than domination over others.
Elizabeth Forster-Nietzsche: Discusses her role in shaping Nietzsche’s legacy; she edited and manipulated his writings to align with Nazi ideologies, contributing to his misassociation with fascism. It was only in the 1970s that scholars recognized the alterations, allowing Nietzsche's work to be reinstated to its true form.
Background
Birth: October 15, 1844, in Leibnitz, Germany.
Family:
Father: Carl Ludwig Nietzsche, a Lutheran pastor.
Mother: Franziska Nietzsche, a school teacher.
Sister: Elisabeth Nietzsche.
Brother: Joseph Nietzsche (died at age 2-3).
Family Tragedy: At age 5, his father died, followed by the death of his younger brother a year later, leading to family instability with his mother bringing in two unmarried aunts and a grandmother. Nietzsche grew up surrounded by five women.
Childhood
Nietzsche is characterized as a serious child:
Health issues including migraines.
Involved in activities such as writing Christmas plays.
Displayed interests in arts and music.
Education
Studied at Bonn College specializing in Philology:
Focus on languages, spending part of his time in social activities (drinking and partying), which he later deemed counterproductive.
Age 20, was deeply engrossed in Philology, focusing on ancient and classical literature specifically from Greek and Roman periods, which is akin to modern-day Classics studies.
Major Influences
Nietzsche encountered significant influences that later became adversities:
Arthur Schopenhauer (The Pessimistic Philosopher):
The concept of the “will” as the underlying principle of existence was pivotal for Nietzsche. Nietzsche later developed his own concept of the "Will to Power," which he saw as the fundamental driving force in humans and nature—not merely survival or pleasure, but an impulse to overcome, grow, and exert strength.
At age 21, exposure to Eastern philosophies, particularly the Upanishads indicating that life is suffering, led to the contemplation on free will:
Quote: "Man can do what he wills; but he cannot will what he wills.”
The implication here is that while humans can exert their will, their desires and wants are beyond their control.
Richard Wagner:
Nietzsche expressed admiration for Wagner, stating, "I could not have endured my youth without Wagner’s music."
He frequented Wagner’s residence and was profoundly influenced by Wagner's compositional style, notably works like "The Ring Cycle" and "Tristan und Isolde."
Wagner revolutionized opera by integrating music, poetry, visual spectacle, and drama, culminating in the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, built by King Ludwig II for Wagner's performances.
Eventually, by the time Nietzsche was 32, he rejected the influences of Christianity, Schopenhauer, and Wagner.
Christianity:
Nietzsche’s view on Christianity evolved over his lifetime, leading to his eventual repudiation of its doctrines. He critiqued Christian morality as a "slave morality"—a system of values (humility, pity, charity) that inverted the natural "master morality" (pride, strength, nobility) of the ancient world. He argued that it weakened humanity by promoting ascetic ideals and denying earthly existence in favor of a transcendent afterlife.
Nietzsche’s Illness
At age 23, Nietzsche joined the military, serving as a medical officer and endured a riding accident that curtailed his military tenure.
By age 35, he relinquished his teaching position at Basel due to health problems.
His illness was debated to be:
Chronic dysentery, possibly contracted while serving as a medic.
Syphilis, allegedly contracted from a sex worker.
Chronic dementia (Frontotemporal Dementia - FTD).
Brain cancer.
Symptoms included headaches, stomach cramps, and episodes of blindness.
Notably, two significant epiphanies materialized from this illness:
The concept of eternal recurrence, which posits that all events in the universe will recur, in the same sequence, an infinite number of times. Nietzsche presented this as a thought experiment: if one were to live their life again and again, would they affirm it joyfully? This concept serves as an ultimate test of a person's affirmation of life.
An important near-death experience in 1881.
It is posited that his health issues compelled him to write in aphorisms, perhaps due to an inability to maintain sustained philosophical thought.
Nietzsche suffered a mental breakdown, leading to insanity between 1889-1900.
Publications
Reception of Nietzsche’s first book, "The Birth of Tragedy" (1872).
In 1878, Nietzsche published "Human, All Too Human," representing a radical shift from traditional philosophical discourse due to its aphoristic structure rather than a continuous philosophical argument.
Examined psychological subconscious themes, marking a significant shift in how philosophical treatises were composed.
Notable Quotes
From "The Gay Science":
“Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound, strive for obscurity.”
The concept of "God is dead" was initially introduced in "The Gay Science" but gained monumental status in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra." This declaration signified not a literal death of God, but Nietzsche's observation that the belief in the Judeo-Christian God and the absolute moral framework derived from it was no longer credible or foundational in modern culture. This left humanity with a profound vacuum of meaning and values, necessitating the creation of new ones.
Additionally, he asserts, “So long as men praise you, you can only be sure that you are not yet on your own true path, but on someone else’s.”
Nietzsche’s Insanity
At age 44, on January 3, 1889, in Turin, Nietzsche witnessed a disturbing scene involving a horse; he rushed to the animal's aid, collapsing thereafter.
He spent the remainder of his life living with his sister, reflecting on lost potential, saying, “Didn’t I use to write great books?”
Nietzsche died on August 25, 1900, at the age of 55 due to pneumonia and complications from a stroke.