Friedrich Nietzsche

By Miguel Santiago

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was a renowned German philosopher, cultural critic, and scholar who profoundly influenced Western philosophy and intellectual thought. Born in Röcken, Prussia, Nietzsche demonstrated exceptional academic abilities early on. He pursued classical studies and philosophy at the University of Bonn and later at the University of Leipzig, where he studied under influential philosophers such as Friedrich Wilhelm Ritschl and Arthur Schopenhauer.

Nietzsche’s philosophical ideas were wide-ranging and multifaceted. He embarked on a mission to challenge traditional moral, religious, and philosophical perspectives in Western society. Nietzsche critiqued the prevailing views of morality, questioning the nature of truth and emphasising the significance of individualism and personal growth.

Throughout his career, Nietzsche’s work delved into numerous areas, including ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and the psychology of power. His notable works include “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” “Beyond Good and Evil,” and “On the Genealogy of Morality.” Nietzsche’s writing style was often aphoristic and poetic, characterised by profound insights, striking metaphors, and provocative challenges to conventional thinking.

Nietzsche developed a philosophical concept known as the “will to power,” suggesting that all beings possess an inherent driving force to assert their influence and attain a position of power in various aspects of life. He explored the idea that morality…