Often the reason for outstanding achievements in philosophy and art is a difficult biography. Nietzsche Friedrich, one of the most significant philosophers of the second half of the 19th century, passed a difficult short, but very fruitful life path. Let's talk about the milestones of the biography, about the most significant works and views of the thinker.
Childhood and origin
October 15, 1844 in East Germany, in the small town of Recken, the future great thinker was born. Each biography, Nietzsche Friedrich is no exception, begins with ancestors. And with this in the history of the philosopher, not everything is clear. There are versions that he comes from a Polish noble family by the name of Nitsky, as Frederick himself confirmed. But there are researchers who claim that the philosopher's family had German roots and names. They suggest that the "Polish version" of Nietzsche simply invented to give himself a halo of exclusivity and unusualness. It is well known that two generations of his ancestors were associated with the priesthood, on the part of both parents, Frederick's grandfathers were Lutheran priests, just like his father. When Nietzsche was 5 years old, his father died of a severe mental illness, and his mother was engaged in raising the boy. He had a tender affection for his mother, and he had close and very complex relationships with his sister, which played a big role in his life. Already in early childhood, Frederick showed a desire to be different from everyone else, and was ready for various extravagant acts.
Education
At the age of 14, Friedrich Nietzsche, whose philosophy had not even begun to emerge, was sent to the famous Pfort Gymnasium, where classical languages, ancient history and literature were taught, as well as general subjects. Nietzsche was diligent in languages, but with mathematics he was very bad. It was at school that Frederick developed a strong interest in music, philosophy, and ancient literature. He tries himself on the writing path, reads many German writers. After school, in 1862, Nietzsche went to study at the University of Bonn at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. From school, he felt a strong craving for religious activity and even dreamed that his father would become a pastor. But in his student years, his views changed greatly, and he became a militant atheist. In Bonn, relations with classmates did not work out with Nietzsche, and he transferred to Leipzig. Great successes awaited him here, while still studying, he was invited to work as a professor of Greek literature. Under the influence of his beloved teacher, the German philologist F. Richley, he agreed to this work. Nietzsche easily passed the Ph.D. exam and went to teach in Basel. But Frederick did not feel satisfaction from his studies, the philological environment began to weigh on him.
Youth hobbies
In his youth, Friedrich Nietzsche, whose philosophy was just beginning to take shape, experienced two strong influences, even shocks. In 1868 he met R. Wagner. Friedrich was fascinated by the music of the composer before, and the acquaintance made a strong impression on him. Two extraordinary personalities found a lot in common: both loved ancient Greek literature, both hated the fettering social shackles. For three years, friendly relations were established between Nietzsche and Wagner, but later began to cool and completely stopped after the philosopher published the book "Human, too human." The composer found in her obvious signs of mental illness of the author.
The second shock was associated with the book of A. Schopenhauer "The world as a will and representation." She turned Nietzsche's views on the world. The thinker highly appreciated Schopenhauer for his ability to tell the truth to his contemporaries, for his willingness to go against conventional wisdom. It was his work that prompted Nietzsche to write philosophical works and to change the occupation - now he decided to become a philosopher.
During the Franco-Prussian war he worked as a nurse, and all the horrors from the battlefields, oddly enough, only strengthened him in the thought of the benefits and healing effects of such events on society.
Health
Since childhood, he was not distinguished by good health, he was very short-sighted and physically weak, perhaps this was the reason for how his biography developed. Nietzsche Friedrich had poor heredity and a weak nervous system. At the age of 18, he began to have bouts of severe headache, nausea, insomnia, and he experienced long periods of reduced tone and depressed mood. Later, neurosyphilis, picked up from a connection with a prostitute, was added to this. At the age of 30, he began a sharp decline in health, he was almost blind, experienced exhausting headache attacks. He began to be treated with opiates, which led to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. In 1879, Nietzsche retired for health reasons, the benefit he paid the university. And he began a permanent fight against diseases. But it was precisely at this time that the teachings of Friedrich Nietzsche took shape and its philosophical productivity significantly increased.
Personal life
The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose ideas changed the culture of the 20th century, was unhappy in the relationship. According to him, in his life there were 4 women, but only 2 of them (prostitutes) made him at least a little happy. From an early age he had a sexual relationship with Elizabeth's sister, he even wanted to marry her. At age 15, Frederick was sexually abused by an adult woman. All this radically influenced the thinker's attitude towards women and his life. He always wanted in a woman to see first of all the interlocutor. Intelligence was more important to him than sexuality. At one time he was in love with Wagner's wife. He was later fascinated by the psychotherapist Lou Salome, who also had a crush on his friend, writer Paul Rey. For some time they even lived together in the same apartment. It was under the influence of friendship with Lou that he would write the first part of his famous work “So Zarathustra said.” Twice in life, Frederick made offers of marriage, and both times received a refusal.
The most productive period of life
With retirement, despite a painful illness, the philosopher enters the most productive era of his life. Nietzsche Friedrich, whose best books have become classics of world philosophy, has written 11 of his major works in 10 years. For 4 years he wrote and published his most famous work, “So Said Zarathustra.” The book not only contained bright, unusual ideas, but formally it was not typical of philosophical works. Reflections, myology, poetry intertwined in it. Two years after the publication of the first parts, Nietzsche became a popular thinker in Europe. Work on the last book, “The Will to Power, ” continued for several years; it included reflections from an earlier period. The work was published after the death of the philosopher thanks to the efforts of his sister.
last years of life
In early 1898, a sharply aggravated disease led to the completion of a philosophical biography. Nietzsche Friedrich on the street saw a scene of a horse beating, and this provoked a fit of madness in him. Doctors have not found the exact causes of his illness. Most likely, a set of premises played a role here. They could not offer the doctor’s treatment and sent Nietzsche to a psychiatric hospital in Basel. There he was kept in a room upholstered with soft cloth so that he could not harm himself. Doctors were able to bring the patient to a stable state, that is, without fits of violence and allowed to take him home. Mother looked after her son, trying to ease his torment as much as possible. But she died a few months later, and Friedrich suffered an apoplexy blow that completely immobilized him and made it impossible to speak. Recently, a philosopher was cared for by a sister. On August 25, 1900, after another blow, Nietzsche died. He was only 55 years old, the philosopher was buried in a cemetery in his hometown next to his relatives.
Nietzsche's philosophical views
The philosopher Nietzsche is known throughout the world for his nihilist and radical views. He very sharply criticized modern European societies, especially its Christian foundations. The Thinker believed that since the time of Ancient Greece, which he sees as a certain ideal of civilization, the collapse and degradation of the culture of the Old World are taking place. He formulates his own concept, later called the Philosophy of Life. This direction believes that human life is unique and unique. Each individual is valuable in his experience. And the main property of life, he considers not reason or feelings, but will. Humanity is in constant struggle and only the fittest are worthy of life. This is where the idea of the Superman comes from - one of the central ones in Nietzsche’s doctrine. Reflects Friedrich Nietzsche about love, the meaning of life, truth, the role of religion and science.
Main works
The legacy of the philosopher is small. His last works were published by a sister who did not hesitate to edit the texts in accordance with her worldview. But these works were enough for Friedrich Nietzsche, whose works are included in the compulsory program on the history of philosophy in any university in the world, to become a real classic of world thought. The list of his best books includes, in addition to those already mentioned, the works “On the Other Side of Good and Evil”, “Antichrist”, “The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music”, “Towards the Genealogy of Morality”.
Search for the meaning of life
Reflections on the meaning of life and the purpose of history are the basic topics of European philosophy, and Friedrich Nietzsche could not stand aside from them. He speaks about the meaning of life in several of his works, completely denying it. He argues that Christianity imposes imaginary meanings and goals on people, essentially deceiving people. Life is only in this world and it is unfair to promise some kind of reward in the other world for moral behavior. So, says Nietzsche, religion manipulates a person, makes him live for those goals that are inorganic to human nature. In a world where "God is dead, " man himself is responsible for his moral character and humanity. And this is the greatness of man, that he can "become a man" or remain an animal. Also, the thinker saw the meaning of life in the will to power, a man (man) should strive for victory, otherwise his existence is meaningless. Nietzsche saw the meaning of history in the upbringing of the Superman, it is not there yet and social evolution should lead to its appearance.
Superman concept
In his central work, “So Said Zarathustra, ” Nietzsche formulates the idea of the Superman. This ideal person destroys all norms and foundations, he boldly seeks power over the world and other people, false sentiments and illusions are alien to him. The antipode of this higher being is the “last man”, who, instead of a bold struggle with stereotypes, has chosen the path of a comfortable, animal existence. According to Nietzsche, the modern world was planted with such "last", so he saw in wars the blessing, purification and the opportunity for rebirth. The concept of the Superman was positively assessed by A. Hitler and accepted as the ideological justification of fascism. Although the philosopher himself did not even think of anything like this. Because of this work, Nietzsche’s name was categorically banned in the USSR.
Quotes
The philosopher Nietzsche, whose quotes dispersed throughout the world, was able to speak succinctly and aphoristically. Therefore, many of his statements are so fond of bringing various speakers on any occasion. The most famous quotes of the philosopher about love were the words: “People who are not capable of either true love or strong friendship, always rely on marriage”, “In love there is always a little madness … but there is always a little reason in madness. He spoke very viciously about the opposite field: "If you go to a woman, take a whip." His personal motto was the words: "Everything that does not kill me makes me stronger."
The Importance of Nietzsche's Philosophy for Culture
Today, Friedrich Nietzsche, quotes from whose works can be found in many works of modern philosophers, no longer causes such fierce debate and criticism as in the beginning of the 20th century. Then his theory became revolutionary and gave rise to many directions that existed in dialogue with Nietzsche. One could agree or argue with him, but one could no longer ignore it. The ideas of the philosopher had a strong influence on culture and art. Impressed by the works of Nietzsche, for example, T. Mann wrote his "Doctor Faustus." His direction “philosophy of life” gave the world such outstanding philosophers as V. Dilthey, A. Bergson, O. Spengler.
