Nietzsche’s Philosophy: Critique of Tradition and Will to Power
Introduction
In the late 19th century, Friedrich Nietzsche emerged as a radical critic of established culture, focusing on the affirmation of life. His “philosophy of life” (vitalism) argues that life’s realities resist purely mechanical explanations. Life becomes the fundamental value, shaping all other priorities.
Nietzsche’s Genealogical Method
Nietzsche, a master of hermeneutics, used interpretation to uncover deception and illusions rather than determining truth or falsehood. His genealogical method decodes concepts by examining their historical origins, revealing hidden meanings and the “source value and origin of values.”
Critique of Socratic-Platonic Tradition
Focus on Language
Nietzsche shifted philosophical focus from knowledge to language. He criticized the rational worldview initiated by Socrates and Plato, who prioritized reason over vital instincts. Plato’s division of the world into “sensible” and “supersensible” realms was seen as a symptom of decadence, opposing life’s inherent values.
Critique of Metaphysics
Nietzsche challenged Western metaphysics, epitomized by Platonism, for sacrificing life to a dehumanizing reason. He argued that metaphysical concepts are linguistic constructs, reflecting a “will to nothingness” and a rejection of sensory experience.
Deceptions of Language
Metaphysical concepts are seen as grammatical or linguistic tricks. Humans mistake metaphorical concepts for accurate representations of reality. Nietzsche also criticized the mathematization of reality and the absolute value of truth, favoring art as a life-affirming expression.
Moral Critique and Resentment
Nietzsche attacked Western morality as unnatural and contrainstintiva, imposed against life’s primary instincts. Traditional morality aims to create docile individuals, reflecting slave morality driven by resentment.
Nihilism and the Death of God
Nihilism, the loss of faith in traditional values, is the culmination of Western culture’s decline. The “death of God” signifies the demise of absolute values and the liberation from transcendent ideals. Nietzsche distinguishes between passive nihilism (decline) and active nihilism (a step towards the superman).
Nietzsche’s New Theory of Reality
Beyond critique, Nietzsche proposed a constructive project: transmuting moral values and overcoming nihilism. This is achieved through the will to power, the superman, and the eternal return, forming the pillars of his new reality.