Friedrich Nietzsche By: Emma Stacey, Taylor Johnson, Caitlyn Going, Jacob Elmer, and Jacob Tyndall

Biographical Information Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was born on October 15, 1844 at approximately 10:00 a.m. Fun Fact: Nietzsche's birthday coincided with the Prussian King, Friedrich Wilhelm IV, in whom he was named after. Many members of his family were Lutheran ministers, such as his uncle and grandfather's. Grandparents on both sides were from the Province of Saxony. Nietzsche’s father died from a brain ailment when he was 5 years old. The death of his two year old brother followed six months later. From the ages of 14-19 he attended a first-rate boarding school, Schulpforta. After graduating from Schulpforta, he entered the university of Bonn as a theology and philology student. Nearly a year later he attended the University of Leipzig to advance in the study of philology. Later graduated in 1866.

Nietzsche’s View on Religion and Spirituality Nietzsche was an anti-Christian philosopher Believed “God is Dead” Claimed traditional values that Christianity represented were powerless in people's lives (and new values needed to be created) Believed Perfection was achievable (contrasts Christian views) Some people were created better than others “Supermen” (combined strength, intellect, and creativity to improve future) No Heaven or Hell “Eternal Recurrence” (life is the only reality; Supermen embrace life and would re-live it if given the chance) Encouraged living as a work of art No gods, but people who could serve as models for the way to live (“overmen”) (EX- Jesus, Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare) Non-rational forces were the basis of creativity (and these were best represented with music)

Nietzsche’s Existentialism POV “God is dead”, but “without god, life is meaningless.” Did not believe in values or truth Convinced that a person only lives once and then they exist no longer so they must be aggressive in living the short life they have. We are here only to make an impact on others, but once we’re dead we’re gone forever. There is no afterlife. Believed that good and evil kept the world as it was, kept it stable. Personal power was essential

Nietzsche’s Ethical POV “Will to Power”- an individual’s fundamental drive for power Comes through dominance and independence Can appear as violence, physical dominance, or the desire to master one’s own self The Overman Desire to control others Desire for self-mastery (lacking in animals) Struggles without complaining Humanity is a transition into becoming the overman Change Constant and must be accepted Flexible mind

Philosopher that influenced Nietzsche Nietzsche found and read Arthur Schopenhauer’s work Called “World as will and Ideas. Schopenhauer was led to support quietism and resignation as an attitude to life. Nietzsche held Schopenhauer's views on this and other matters very high. Nietzsche’s view on the world was changed reading Schopenhauer work.

Bibliography Cline, Austin. "Friedrich Nietzsche Biography." About.com Religion & Spirituality. 2016 About,Inc, 12 June 2015. Web. 03 Oct. 2016. Conway, David. “20th WCP: Nietzsche's Revaluation of Schopenhauer as Educator.” 20th WCP: Nietzsche's Revaluation Schopenhauer as Educator, Middlesex University, http://www.bu.edu/wcp/papers/mpsy/mpsyconw.htm. "KIDS PHILOSOPHY SLAM -Philosopher of the Week." KIDS PHILOSOPHY SLAM -Philosopher of the Week. Education Digest, 2009. Web. 28 Sept. 2016. Kleinman, Paul. Philosophy 101: From Plato and Socrates to Ethics and Metaphysics, an Essential Primer on the History of Thought. Avon: F W Media, 2013. Print. Weissman, Joseph. "What Does Nietzsche Mean When He Says "God Is Dead"?" - Philosophy Stack Exchange. 2016 Stack Exchange Inc, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2016. Wicks, Robert. "Friedrich Nietzsche." Stanford University. Stanford University, 1997. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. Wilkerson, Dale. "Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Its Authors, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2016. Wyatt, C. S. "Friedrich Nietzsche Thus Spake u Radical Individual." Existential Primer: Friedrich Nietzsche. Tameri Guide for Writers, June-July 2012. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016.