Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and the Will to Power
Schopenhauer’s Critique of Kant
Kant argued that we can only know phenomena, not the “thing-in-itself” (noumenon). Our minds grasp reality in a way that may not correspond to what exists externally. Schopenhauer, influenced by Eastern thought, believed this “representation” was an illusion hiding the true world. Unlike Kant, he thought we could know the world-in-itself by looking within ourselves. Our bodies are phenomena, but our inner selves, driven by will and desire, connect us to the noumenal world.
The World as Will and Representation
Schopenhauer saw the world as will, manifested in the constant striving for satisfaction. This insatiable will leads to suffering, as desires are either unfulfilled or create new desires. He observed this will in nature’s constant struggle for survival. Death doesn’t end the will; it continues in new life. Living beings are mere expressions of this infinite will.
Schopenhauer’s Path to Wisdom
Schopenhauer advocated for turning away from desire and recognizing the illusory nature of mental constructs that hide the world’s harsh reality. Compassion becomes the ethical response, recognizing the shared suffering of all beings as manifestations of the same will. This contrasts with selfish individualism, which sees others as strangers.
Nietzsche’s Interpretation and Critique
Nietzsche adopted Schopenhauer’s concept of the world as will but rejected his pessimism. He affirmed the value of life, even with its struggles, and criticized Schopenhauer’s denial of desire. He saw compassion for the weak as a sign of weakness of will.
Social Darwinism and Nietzsche
Nietzsche was influenced by Darwin’s concept of survival of the fittest but didn’t equate it with capitalist mercantilism. He envisioned a “Superman” arising from this struggle, but not within the existing social order.
Key Differences between Nietzsche and Schopenhauer
- Will to Live vs. Denial of Desire: Nietzsche embraced the will to live, while Schopenhauer advocated for minimizing desire.
- Compassion vs. Strength: Nietzsche saw compassion as weakness, while Schopenhauer viewed it as an ethical response to shared suffering.
- Social Darwinism: Both were influenced by Darwin, but Nietzsche’s interpretation differed significantly from a simple endorsement of capitalist competition.