Biography of Nietzsche Frederick. Interesting facts, works, quotes

Often the cause of outstanding achievements in philosophy and art is a difficult biography. Nietzsche Friedrich, one of the most important philosophers of the second half of the 19th century, passed a difficult short but very fruitful way of life. Let's talk about the milestones of the biography, about the most significant works and views of the thinker.

Childhood and origin

October 15, 1844 in East Germany, in a small town Rekken born future great thinker. Every biography, Nietzsche Friedrich is no exception, begins with ancestors. And with this in the history of the philosopher, everything is not clear. There are versions that he comes from a Polish noble family named Nitsky, this was confirmed by Friedrich himself. But there are researchers who argue that the philosopher's family had German roots and names. They suggest that Nietzsche simply invented the "Polish version" in order to give himself an aura of exclusivity and unusualness. It is precisely known that two generations of his ancestors were associated with the priesthood, on the part of both parents Friedrich's grandfathers were Lutheran priests, as well as his father. When Nietzsche was 5 years old, his father died of a serious mental illness, and the mother was educating the boy. To his mother, he had tender affection, and with his sister he had close and very complex relationships that played a big role in his life. Already in his early childhood, Frederick showed a desire to be different, and was ready for various extravagant deeds.

Education

At the age of 14 Friedrich Nietzsche, whose philosophy had not even begun to emerge, was sent to the famous Pforta Gymnasium, where they taught classical languages, ancient history and literature, as well as general educational subjects. In the languages of Nietzsche was diligent, but with mathematics he was very bad. It is in school that Friedrich has a strong interest in music, philosophy, and ancient literature. He tries himself on a writer's path, reads a lot of German writers. After school, in 1862 Nietzsche went to study at the University of Bonn at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. From school, he felt a strong craving for religious activities and even dreamed of how his father would become a pastor. But in his student years his views changed greatly, and he became a militant atheist. In Bonn, Nietzsche did not have a relationship with his classmates, and he transferred to Leipzig. Here he was expected to make great strides, while still studying while he was invited to work as a professor of Greek literature. Under the influence of his beloved teacher, the German philologist F. Richley, he agreed to this work. Nietzsche easily passed the exam for the title of doctor of philosophy and went to teach in Basel. But Friedrich did not feel satisfaction from his studies, the philological environment began to weigh him.

Youthful hobbies

In his youth Friedrich Nietzsche, whose philosophy had just begun to form, experienced two powerful influences, even shocks. In 1868 he met with R. Wagner. The music of the composer Friedrich was fascinated even earlier, and his acquaintance made a strong impression on him. Two extraordinary personalities found a lot in common: both loved ancient Greek literature, both hated the social bondage that stifled the spirit. For three years, friendly relations were established between Nietzsche and Wagner, but later they cooled down and stopped completely after the philosopher published the book "Human, Too Human". The composer found in it obvious signs of the author's mental illness.

The second shock was connected with A. Schopenhauer's book "The World as Will and Representation". She turned Nietzsche's views on the world. The thinker highly appreciated Schopenhauer's ability to tell the truth to his contemporaries, for his readiness to go against the generally accepted notions. It was his work that prompted Nietzsche to write philosophical works and to change his occupation - now he decided to become a philosopher.

During the Franco-Prussian War, he worked as a medic, and all the horrors from the battlefields, strangely enough, only strengthened him in the thought of the benefits and health-improving effect of such events on society.

Health

Since my childhood I was not very healthy, I was very short-sighted and weak physically, perhaps this was the reason for his biography. Nietzsche Frederick had a bad heredity and a weak nervous system. At the age of 18 he began to have attacks of severe headache, nausea, insomnia, he experienced long periods of reduced tone and depressed mood. Later, neurosyphilis was added to this, picked up from communication with a prostitute. At the age of 30, he began a sharp decline in health, he was almost blind, experienced exhausting attacks of headache. He began to be treated with opiates, which led to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. In 1879, Nietzsche retired for health reasons, the university paid him a grant. And he began a permanent fight against disease. But it was at this time that the teaching of Friedrich Nietzsche was formed and his philosophical productivity was growing significantly.

Personal life

The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whose ideas changed the culture of the 20th century, was unhappy in the relationship. According to him, there were 4 women in his life, but only 2 of them (prostitutes) made him at least a little happy. He had an early sexual relationship with his sister Elizabeth, he even wanted to marry her. At age 15, Friedrich was sexually assaulted by an adult woman. All this radically influenced the thinker's attitude toward women and on his life. He always wanted in a woman to see first of all the interlocutor. Intellect for him was more important than sexuality. At one time he was in love with Wagner's wife. Later, he was fascinated by the psychotherapist Lou Salome, who also was in love with his friend, the writer Paul Rey. For a while they even lived together in the same apartment. It is under the influence of friendship with Lou he will write the first part of his famous work "So Spoke Zarathustra." Twice in his life, Frederick made offers of the hand and heart, and both times he was refused.

The most productive period of life

With retirement, despite the painful illness, the philosopher enters the most productive era of his life. Nietzsche Friedrich, whose best books became the classics of world philosophy, for 10 years wrote 11 of his main works. For 4 years he wrote and published the most famous of his work "So Spoke Zarathustra." The book not only contained vivid, unusual ideas, but also formally it was not typical for philosophical works. In it intertwined reflections, myology, poetry. For two years after the publication of the first parts, Nietzsche becomes a popular thinker of Europe. Work on the last book "The Will to Power" lasted several years, it included reflections of an earlier period. The work was published after the death of the philosopher thanks to the efforts of his sister.

last years of life

In early 1898, a sharply aggravated disease led to the conclusion of a philosophical biography. Nietzsche Frederick on the street saw a scene of beating a horse, and this provoked him a fit of insanity. The doctors did not find the exact reasons for his illness. Most likely, a set of premises played a role here. The doctor could not offer medical treatment and sent Nietzsche to a psychiatric hospital in Basel. There he was kept in a room upholstered in a soft cloth so that he could not hurt himself. Doctors could bring the patient to a stable state, that is, without fits of violence and allowed to take him home. Mother nursed her son, trying to make his suffering as easy as possible. But she died in a few months, and Friedrich had an apoplectic stroke, which completely immobilized him and deprived him of the opportunity to speak. Last time the philosopher was courted by his sister. On August 25, 1900, after another blow, Nietzsche passed away. He was only 55 years old, buried the philosopher in a cemetery in his native city near his relatives.

Philosophical views of Nietzsche

The philosopher Nietzsche is known throughout the world for his nihilistic and radical views. He very sharply criticized the modern European societies, especially its Christian foundations. The Thinker believed that since the days of Ancient Greece, which he regards as an ideal of civilization, the Old World culture decays and degrades. He formulates his own concept, later called The Philosophy of Life. This direction believes that human life is unique and unique. Each individual is valuable for his experience. And the main property of life is not his mind or feelings, but his will. Mankind is in constant struggle and only the strongest are worthy of life. Hence the idea of the Superman grows - one of the central in the doctrine of Nietzsche. Meditating on Friedrich Nietzsche about love, the meaning of life, truth, the role of religion and science.

Major works

The heritage of the philosopher is small. His last work was published by a sister who did not hesitate to edit the texts in accordance with her worldview. But these works were enough that Friedrich Nietzsche, whose works are included in the compulsory program on the history of philosophy in any university in the world, became a real classic of world thought. The list of his best books includes, besides those already mentioned, the works Beyond Good and Evil, Antichrist, The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music, and The Genealogy of Morals.

The search for the meaning of life

Reflections on the meaning of life and the purpose of history are the basic themes of European philosophy, could not stand aside from them and Friedrich Nietzsche. He speaks of the meaning of life in several of his works, completely denying it. He argues that Christianity imposes on people imaginary meanings and goals, in fact, deceiving people. Life is only in this world and it is not fair to promise some reward in the other world for moral behavior. Thus, Nietzsche says, religion manipulates man, makes him live for those purposes that are inorganic to human nature. In a world where "God is dead", man himself is responsible for his moral appearance and humanity. And this is the greatness of man, that he can "become a man" or remain an animal. Also, the thinker saw the meaning of life in the will to power, man (man) must strive for victory, otherwise his existence is meaningless. Nietzsche saw the meaning of history in the education of the Superman, he is not yet there and the social evolution must lead to his appearance.

The concept of the superman

In his central work "So Spoke Zarathustra," Nietzsche formulates the idea of the Superman. This ideal man destroys all norms and foundations, he bravely achieves power over the world and other people, alien false sentiments and illusions are alien to him. The antipode of this supreme being is the "last man" who, instead of boldly fighting stereotypes, chose the path of a comfortable, animal existence. According to Nietzsche, the modern world is planted with such "last", therefore he saw in wars the blessing, purification and the opportunity for rebirth. The Superman concept was positively evaluated by A. Hitler and adopted as an ideological basis of fascism. Although the philosopher himself about anything this and did not think. Because of this work and the name of Nietzsche were categorically banned in the USSR.

Quotes

The philosopher Nietzsche, whose quotations spread throughout the world, knew how to speak capacitively and aphoristically. Therefore, many of his sayings are so fond of bringing different speakers on any occasion. The most famous quotations of the philosopher about love were the words: "People who are not capable of true love or strong friendship, always rely on marriage," "There is always a little madness in love ... but in insanity there is always a little mind . About the opposite field, he spoke very bitingly: "You go to a woman - take a whip." His personal motto was the words: "Everything that does not kill me - makes me stronger."

The importance of Nietzsche's philosophy for culture

Today Friedrich Nietzsche, quotes from the works of which can be found in many works of contemporary philosophers, no longer causes such furious controversy and criticism as at the beginning of the 20th century. Then his theory became revolutionary and gave rise to many directions that existed in the dialogue with Nietzsche. With him one could agree or argue, but one could not ignore it. The ideas of the philosopher had a strong influence on culture and art. Impressed by Nietzsche's work, for example, T. Mann wrote his "Doctor Faustus." His direction "philosophy of life" gave the world such outstanding philosophers as V. Dilthey, A. Bergson, O. Spengler.

Interesting Facts

Bright people always cause people's curiosity, did not escape this and Friedrich Nietzsche. Interesting facts of his biography are sought by researchers, they are read with pleasure by people. What was unusual about the life of a philosopher? For example, he was fond of music all his life, was a good pianist. And even when he lost his mind, he created musical opuses and improvised in the hospital hall. In 1869, he renounced Prussian citizenship and lived the rest of his life, not belonging to any state.