In her album Stronger, Kelly Clarkson wrote the song “What Doesn’t Kill You,” featuring the
striking phrase, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” At first glance, an everyday music listener might perceive this phrase as having its arbitrary meaning, serving only for a rhythmic purpose. However, what makes this phrase genuinely fascinating is its connection to Friedrich Nietzsche, who over a century ago sprung the phrase “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” into the world in his book “Aus der Kriegsschule des Lebens. —Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker,” which can be translated as “Out of life’s school of war—what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher, cultural critic, and writer who lived from 1844 to 1900. Born in Röcken, Prussia (now part of Germany), Nietzsche grew up in a period of significant political, economic, and intellectual changes in Europe, the 19th century Enlightenment and Romanticism era. This era witnessed the rise of scientific discoveries, industrialization, nationalism, and the questioning of traditional religious and moral values. With this in the background of the upcoming revolutionary philosopher, Nietzsche’s life’s work was, and is, considered some of the most influential and controversial topics of discussion. Nietzsche’s ideas primarily challenged his time’s prevailing philosophical and cultural norms, fundamentally reshaping the world’s ideological concepts to those we know today. Criticizing traditional morality, religion, and philosophy as ideals uprooted from outdated metaphysical assumptions, Nietzsche was in denial of the existence of absolute truths. Instead, he believed in the individual’s subjective experience, authenticity, and self-overcoming: the idea that in order to become who you are, you must first overcome who you are. Niezsche’s critique of traditional morality and religion gave rise to the concept of Übermensch, an ideal human being who transcends the limitations of conventional morality and embraces their own “will to power.” He portrayed these individuals with the ability to create their own values and live authentically, liberated from the constraints of societal norms. The notion of Übermensch transcended prevailing ideas and advocated individuality and its connection to virtues such as greatness and uniqueness. One of the most influential concepts in our day of age is the idea of the “will to power,” a concept sprouted by Nietzsche. He argued that the innate desire for power, achievement, and self-realization drives life. According to Nietzsche, traditional morality subdues this drive for power, which results in a weakened and resentful society. Along with the deafening power of traditional morality on society, Nietzsche also scrutinized Christianity and its moral framework. He believed that this religious ideology hindered human potential and vitality. Nietzsche famously proclaimed ‘God’s death’ and argued that the decline of religious beliefs would lead to a profound crisis in values and the meaning of life. He sought the revaluation of all values and advocated for the emergence of a new life form that affirmed morality while embracing the creative potential inherent in each individual. Nietzsche’s ideas were deeply intertwined with his time’s intellect and cultural context; his works, such as ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ and ‘Beyond Good and Evil,’ boldly challenged traditional assumptions of his era, causing a shift in the trajectory of philosophical discourse. ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ delves into themes such as the death of God, the eternal recurrence, the will to power, and the concept of Übermensch. Nietzsche effectively introduced and clarified his ideas using vivid imagery and poetic language. This book, in particular, has influenced writers and thinkers, leaving a mark on existentialist works by writers such as Martin Heidegger and Rainer Maria Rilke. Nietzsche’s book Beyond Good and Evil takes a nonconventional stance against traditional values. Consequently, this book, along with others by Nietzsche, follows a similar pattern of critiquing the foundations of Western philosophy. In ‘Beyond Good and Evil,’ Nietzsche questions the idea of objectivity and its truth while advocating for the reevaluation of all traditional values as they continue oppressed individuality. Throughout this book, Nietzsche utilizes the aphoristic style, a compact and concise writing style, as it presents provocative statements that challenge its readers to evaluate their beliefs, which this book is particularly known for. Philosophical thinkers, notably Michel Foucault and Filles Deleuze, have drawn inspiration from Nietzsche’s critique of power structures and the construct of knowledge depicted in his texts. However, due to his advocacy for such drastic implications and implementations, alongside his controversial stances, Nietszche’s ideas were initially rejected and met with skepticism and were often misinterpreted. Philosophers, literary scholars, and cultural critics misappropriated Nietszche’s ideas with nationalist and fascist ideologies, connecting his ideas to the ideas of Nazi Germany. These misinterpretations led to his tarnished reputation and the misinterpretation of his philosophy during the early 20th century. It was not until the late 20th century that his work began to gain significant influence. Although he could not witness the profound effect of his work on society, his writings became the foundation for existentialism, postmodernism, and various philosophical, literary, and artistic movements. His emphasis on individuality, freedom, authenticity, and the critique of established traditional ideals, has and continues to inspire thinkers, artists, and scholars.
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