Nietzsche’s Philosophy: Metaphysics, Death of God, and Nihilism

Posted on Nov 23, 2024 in Philosophy and ethics

Nietzsche challenges the traditional idea of knowledge. While traditional philosophy asserts the existence of two forms of being – essence and accidental features – and believes that concepts can correctly reflect reality, Nietzsche argues that there are no essences or permanent realities. For him, metaphor and art are better suited to capture reality than concepts and philosophy. Nietzsche rejects the objectivity of logic and reason, asserting the irrational nature of the world. He views logic and reason as human inventions, arguing that things are not subject to any regularity and that the world is a constantly changing reality, embracing contradiction. Traditional philosophy believed in objective knowledge, detached from subjective elements. Nietzsche, however, believes that knowledge is relative, subjective, and dependent on individual perspectives, a concept he terms perspectivism. He criticizes the idea of the world as a cosmos with intrinsic rationality, arguing that metaphysical concepts are human inventions to find stability in a chaotic world. He also points to language and grammar as sources of metaphysical misinterpretations of reality.



The Death of God

The phrase “death of God” symbolizes the decline of belief in absolute entities. Nietzsche argues that God did not create man, but man created God. Belief in God served to alleviate the misery and suffering of those unable to accept the world’s tragic dimension. Nietzsche refers not only to the Christian God but to any absolute reality, including Nature, Progress, and Science. The “death of God” signifies a state of disorientation, where humanity no longer has an ultimate horizon. This allows for living without the Absolute, in the “innocence of becoming,” paving the way for the Superman.

Nihilism

Nihilism, for Nietzsche, can be an expression of decline. Cultures that believe in absolute realities and objective values are nihilistic because they direct their passions towards nonexistent things, neglecting the reality of the world. Passive nihilism, a consequence of the “death of God,” arises from the realization that life lacks external meaning, leading to despair and inaction. Active nihilism, on the other hand, involves the destruction of existing values and their replacement with new ones. Nietzsche embraces this form of nihilism as a necessary stage for the emergence of a new era, a new morality, and the Superman.