Philosopher of the Week

Philosopher of the Week

By Anita

Friedrich Nietzsche, a German philosopher, was born on October 15, 1844, in Röcken, Prussia which is now a part of Germany.

He is popular for the quote, " God is dead", which is largely misunderstood and misrepresented as atheistic, but in fact, Nietzsche was referring to how the enlightenment had contributed to the erosion of religious beliefs, which had long served as a foundational belief system for much of the world. 

He is also famous for the concept of the "Übermensch" or "Overman," which is often translated as the "Superman" or "Overhuman." It explores the potential for individuals to transcend societal norms and create their own values.

Nietzsche's work, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" is considered one of his most influential works. It presents his philosophical ideas in a poetic and allegorical style. Nietzsche's philosophy challenged traditional morality and religion. He famously declared that "God is dead," meaning that belief in God had lost its cultural significance.

Despite his profound influence on philosophy, Nietzsche's later years were marked by mental health struggles. He suffered a mental breakdown in 1889 and spent the last years of his life in relative obscurity, cared for by his sister.

His philosophical ideas have been interpreted and applied in various ways, including existentialism and postmodernism.