Aphorisms, metaphors, quotes. Nietzsche. For those who want to do everything. Aphorisms, metaphors, quotes Did Nietzsche have a family?

(1844 - 1900) - one of the most famous and influential philosophers of the 19th century. The criteria of his concept called into question the basic principles of morality, religion and culture, and the key work “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” is quoted even by those who know about it only by hearsay.

Unlike books, the biography of the philosopher cannot be called bright and unusual, but it still contained several interesting facts. We decided to remember them.

Became a professor at 24 (and retired at 36)

In 1862, the young philosopher entered the University of Bonn, but student life disappointed him. He later followed his teacher, the German philologist Friedrich Ritschl, to Leipzig and then to Basel. He did not find satisfaction in doing science, but he surprised many scientists with his talent. At 24, Friedrich Nietzsche became a professor of classical philology at the University of Basel. This was a unique case for the European education system.

Unfortunately, the philosopher’s health began to fail early. The headaches he suffered from at the age of 18 and insomnia led to tragic consequences:

“...at thirty-six years old I had sunk to the lowest limit of my vitality - I was still living, but I could not see three steps ahead of me. At that time - it was in 1879 - I left the professorship in Basel, lived the summer like a shadow in St. Moritz, and spent the next winter, the sun-poor winter of my life, like a shadow in Naumburg. This was my minimum: “The Wanderer and His Shadow” arose in the meantime.”

However, retirement due to illness and blindness marked a new, most fruitful stage in the philosopher’s work.

Quarreled with a friend after he converted to Christianity

Of course, in the relationship between Friedrich Nietzsche and Richard Wagner, everything was much more complicated than the adoption of one religion or another. Scientists are still trying to understand what it was. In 2013, at an international conference in Naumburg, as many as 41 reports were devoted to the friendship-hate relationship of two outstanding people.

For some time, Nietzsche was practically a member of the famous musician’s family; they were united by many ideas, but since 1872, relations began to cool. The young philosopher did not accept the changes that he saw in his older friend, accused him of pandering to the public and was completely disappointed after he converted to Christianity. In his essay “The Wagner Case,” he speaks of his former friend's music as a reflection of cultural decline (“decadence”) and explains why Bizet's work compares favorably with everything Wagner had written to date.

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Wrote music for a poem by Alexander Pushkin

It must be said that Friedrich Nietzsche himself was a good composer. He began studying music at the age of 6, and at 10 he already tried to compose short plays. Among his works is the symphonic poem “Ermanarich”, accompaniment for poems by S. Petőfi, F. Rückert, K. Grot and other poets. The years 1862-1865 are considered to be the peak of Nietzsche’s musical activity, during which time he, among other things, wrote a melody for the poem “Spell” by Pushkin.

The philosopher stopped composing after criticism from the German pianist and teacher Hans von Bülow, who spoke negatively about his piano duet “Manfred. Meditation".

Unwittingly, he became one of the main philosophers of Nazism

In short, the intersection of Nietzsche's philosophy with the ideology of Nazism is very weak. Hitler and his minions took the basic concepts of Nietzscheanism and reinterpreted them in their own way. Thus, the “superman”, who, according to the philosopher’s plan, was supposed to become the pinnacle of creation, an intellectual and moral ideal, among the Nazis turned into a maniac with a pistol and a baton, to whom everything is permitted.

The thinker’s sister, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, who is often called the philosopher’s literary executor, is to blame for this state of affairs. The wife of an anti-Semitic propagandist, she herself preached similar views. After her brother's death, Elizabeth published his books only in her own edition. In the 1930s, she joined the Nazi party and ensured that Hitler personally visited the Friedrich Nietzsche Museum.

A number of Friedrich Nietzsche's works were published without distortion only in 1967

Since Elizabeth mercilessly erased everything that she did not like in her brother’s works, we still do not always know what is true in Nietzsche’s later works and what was edited by her suspicious sister. It was she who prepared the 20-volume collected works of the philosopher, which was the standard for many decades. And only in 1967, Italian scientists published several works without distortion.

Questions this book answers

WAS NIETZSCHE A “SUPERVERTER” AS A CHILD?

Young Fritz (as he was called in the family) stood out not only for his talent, but also for his diligence, and tried to adhere to the rules. Although studying at Pfort, a school where almost barracks-like discipline reigned, was not easy for him. See Chapter I

WHO DID NIETZSCHE STUDY FROM?

At first Nietzsche wanted to become a theologian, then he became interested in philology. Later he was attracted to philosophy, but he did not transfer to the philosophy department. I was also interested in chemistry. Before graduating from university, he became a philology teacher. See Chapter II

WHAT DID NIETZSCHE VIEW ABOUT MUSIC?

Friedrich Nietzsche is known not only as a philosopher, but also as a composer. The role of music in his life is so significant that a separate chapter is devoted to it. See Chapter III

DID NIETZSCHE SERVE IN THE ARMY?

In Germany, universal conscription was introduced, and at the age of 22, Nietzsche was drafted into the army (in the horse field artillery) - not even his myopia became an obstacle to this. The second time he went to war voluntarily, he was a nurse. See Chapter IV

WHICH COUNTRY WAS NIETZSCHE A CITIZEN?

Nietzsche renounced his German citizenship. He also did not intend to accept Swiss or any other money and forever remained a person without citizenship. See Chapter IV

WHY IS NIETZSCHE'S PHILOSOPHY LINKED TO NAZISM?

Having received the rights to her brother’s works, Nietzsche’s sister Elisabeth could correct their text, introducing her husband’s thoughts about the greatness of everything German, about the Germans as a master race, etc., which was later taken by the Nazis for their ideology. See Chapter V

WAS NIETZSCHE A NATIONALIST?

Refusing to attend the wedding of his sister Elisabeth with Förster, a propagandist for the cleansing of Germany from foreigners, Nietzsche wrote to her: “‘Germany’ evokes little enthusiasm, but I have even less desire to care about the purity of this ‘magnificent race’.” See Chapter V

WHO IS ZARATHUSTRA?

Initially, Zarathustra (Zoroaster) was a prophet, God's messenger, who gave the ancient Persians doctrine and religion - Zoroastrianism, fragments of which have survived to this day in the form of religious communities in some countries. See Chapter VI

WHAT MAKES A SUPERMAN DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PEOPLE?

The Superman, the central figure of Nietzsche's philosophy, is the one who has overcome the far-fetched limitations of prejudices and callous customs, a great genius capable of creating history of his own free will, without regard to the opinions of the crowd. See Chapter VI

DID NIETZSCHE HAVE A FAMILY?

Suffering from loneliness, Nietzsche intended to marry several times, but was refused. He never managed to create his own family. See Chapter VIII

WHAT IS THE “TURIN INCIDENT”?

In 1888, in Turin, Nietzsche saw a cab driver beating a horse (or so it seemed to him). The experience led Nietzsche to a darkened state of mind from which he never recovered. See Chapter IX

Perhaps yes. And it is better to do this before becoming acquainted with the works of Nietzschewologists, so as not to fall under the influence of other people’s speculations, but to form your own idea. Nietzsche himself wrote: “I must confess that I am more pleased by those who do not read me, who have never heard either my name or the word ‘philosophy’.” See Chapter X

Have you heard anything about Nietzsche?

There are names that are periodically mentioned in one or another “intellectual conversation.” They are referred to, they are quoted (and not always accurately), their authority is used to support their own judgments. Try to argue with your interlocutor when recognized luminaries of science and culture are on his side! However, the knowledge of those who casually juggle the names of the great is often superficial: if you dig deeper, it turns out that the speaker is only approximately familiar with the thoughts and merits of “the best minds of humanity.”

But in order to dig, you need to understand the issue yourself. And, unfortunately, it is beyond the power of even a fully literate person, competent, as a rule, in one or two areas, to know everything. What remains is the so-called cultural minimum - a set of general ideas about various spheres: art, science, religion, society, philosophy, and so on. Who and what to include in this list is an open question, but the name and views of the person to whom this book is dedicated are undoubtedly mandatory subjects.

You've probably heard about him more than once, because Friedrich Nietzsche has never ceased to excite people's minds for almost a century and a half.

What is this name usually associated with? “The author of the theory of the superman”, “the basis of the philosophy of fascism”, “a militant anti-Christian”, “a misanthrope who ended his life in a madhouse” - most likely, these are the images that appear in the mind. Such cliches do not completely fail to reflect the true face of Nietzsche and his philosophy, but they still simplify and flatten the phenomenon to the point of losing content and meaning.

Another feature (however, not so rare) of this philosophy: it is impossible to understand without understanding the fate of the philosopher himself. Of course, not everything and not always in a person’s thoughts is directly determined by his life circumstances, but it would be a mistake not to take them into account at all. Often, if not the key, then the first step to comprehending any teaching is becoming familiar with the biography of its author.

MAIN WORKS OF F. NIETZSCHE

✓ “Human, all too human” (1878)

✓ “Thus Spake Zarathustra” (1883–1887)

✓ “Beyond Good and Evil” (1886)

✓ "Twilight of the Idols" (1888)

✓ "Ecce Homo" (1888)

Like other iconic figures in history, much has been written about Friedrich Nietzsche, although the opinions of his biographers are sometimes contradictory and not free from ideological and emotional biases. If you decide to study Nietzsche's life and work in more depth than they are reflected in this almost textbook edition, then there is no shortage of literature. And here you will find that “extended minimum” that will allow you to get a sufficient understanding for a non-specialist. And it definitely won’t be superfluous.

“An obligation to know something does not make you obligated to like it.”

Chapter I
Childhood and youth: even here there is no unity among biographers

I learned to walk; Since then I have been allowing myself to run.

I learned to fly; Since then I haven't been waiting for a push,

to move from place.

Friedrich Nietzsche "Thus Spake Zarathustra"

All biographies begin at birth. It's rare that this event is anything special to anyone other than the parents. And the biographies of the great, willingly or unwillingly, have to begin with a presentation of ordinary everyday things. This edition will be no exception.

Birth

October 15, 1844, German Confederation, Röcken - a town near the Prussian-Saxon border (there is no united Germany yet). A common Prussian holiday - the birthday of King Frederick William IV. In the family of the Lutheran pastor Carl Ludwig Nietzsche and his wife Franziska Nietzsche (Ehler), they also celebrate the birthday of Friedrich Wilhelm - only not the monarch, but their first-born, named after him - and in the future, according to many, the king of philosophy and master of minds of the 20th century.

Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Hohenzollern (1795–1861) – King of Prussia (from 7 June 1840), the last German pre-imperial monarch

Little Fritz Nietzsche is surrounded by a religious atmosphere: his father is a priest, his mother is from a priest’s family. They live in a house owned by the church. Subsequently, this will give rise to some biographers to see in this situation the origins of the “nihilistic” views of Nietzsche, “overfed with religion” in childhood, and to others to see the features of a new religion in the philosophical constructs of Nietzscheanism. But for now this is only Fritz’s familiar and natural world.

ROYAL PASTOR

His father received his parish in Röcken, where Nietzsche was born, by personal order of the Prussian king

In two years his sister Elizabeth will be born. She will live a long life (89 years) and will play a significant role in the fate of her famous brother and his legacy. But more on that later.

“Remain faithful to the earth and do not believe those who tell you about supermundane hopes!”

(“Thus Spake Zarathustra”)

Father's death

Historical events will also have a significant influence on Nietzsche’s life; it is very difficult to resist the temptation to connect them with facts from the philosopher’s life.

The series of revolutions of 1848 in various European countries did not escape Germany. It is believed that news of the horrors of the revolution served as an impetus for a sharp aggravation of the insanity of Nietzsche’s father and led to his death in 1849. By this time, the youngest child was born in the family, Ludwig Joseph, but he was not destined to live even a year.

The revolution of 1848–1849 in Germany is one of several European revolutions of these years. Its main results: the unification of Germany, the adoption of a constitution by the king, the abolition of censorship

At the same time, Fritz experienced his first prophetic nightmare: he saw a dead father taking a baby to the grave. Not even a day had passed before my brother died of a nervous attack.

Much later, Nietzsche wrote about his father: “He was a fragile, kind and painful creature who was destined to pass without a trace - he was more a kind memory of life than life itself.” In general, young Friedrich apparently retained quite early memories, which is partly reflected in the autobiography “From My Life” written by him when he was less than fourteen years old.

“Whoever fights monsters should be careful not to become a monster himself. And if you look into the abyss for a long time, then the abyss also looks into you.”

("Beyond Good and Evil")

This somewhat strange (in its approach and topic: how many teenagers write their biographies seriously?) essay indirectly confirms the opinion of researchers that Nietzsche from childhood attached increased importance to his own personality. There is no doubt that this was the case in my mature years.

Nietzsche Friedrich Wilhelm was born in 1844 near Leipzig. His father was a Lutheran church pastor and died when Frederick was five years old. His mother raised him and her youngest daughter alone.

From 1858 he studied at the Pforta gymnasium, studied texts from ancient times, was interested in philosophy and tried to write. In 1862 he entered the University of Bonn, studying theology and philology. His mentor was Friedrich Ritschl, who moved to Leipzig. Nietzsche followed him. As a student, Nietzsche became professor of classical philology at the University of Basel.

He demonstratively renounced Prussian citizenship, which is why he could only serve as an orderly in the Franco-Prussian War. The thinker's health was poor, so contact with the wounded led to damage to the gastrointestinal tract and diphtheria. In 1889, the philosopher suffered from a clouding of his mind, and later he was struck by paralysis. Friedrich Nietzsche died in 1900.

Philosophical ideas

Nietzsche's acquaintance with Wagner in 1868 opened up a new world for him: friends were interested in ancient Greek culture and the ideas of Schopenhauer. Later, Nietzsche breaks with Wagner, after which the phase of the philosopher’s passion for history, mathematics, chemistry, and economics begins.

Friendship with Lou Salome inspires Nietzsche to create his most significant work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, in which the philosopher reveals the idea of ​​the superman. Nietzsche's other most important ideas are the death of God as an expression of moral crisis and eternal return as a way of gaining existence.

In 1886-1888. The Will to Power is published, a book compiled from Nietzsche’s notes. The philosopher considered this concept to be the engine of human activity.

Many books were published under the control of the thinker's sister Elisabeth, and in 1895 Nietzsche's works became her property.