Friedrich Nietzsche was a towering figure in the world of philosophy, known for his radical ideas and profound influence on contemporary thought. But how tall was he, really?
In this article, we’ll explore the physical stature of this legendary thinker and delve into the details of his life and work. From his early career as a classical philologist to his later years grappling with illness and dementia, Nietzsche’s story is one of intellectual curiosity and creative passion.
So join us as we uncover the truth about Nietzsche’s height and discover the man behind the myth.
How Tall Was Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche’s height has been a topic of much speculation and debate over the years. According to various sources, he was said to be around 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is equivalent to approximately 173 cm.
While this may not seem particularly noteworthy, it’s worth noting that Nietzsche’s physical appearance was often commented on by those who knew him. Some described him as having a slight build, with a thin face and piercing eyes that seemed to reflect his intense intellect.
Despite his relatively average height, Nietzsche’s presence was said to be commanding and magnetic, drawing people in with his charisma and force of personality. He was known for his sharp wit and incisive commentary on a wide range of topics, from religion and morality to art and culture.
Early Life And Education
Nietzsche was born into a family of Lutheran piety, with his paternal grandfather being a defender of Protestantism and his father appointed pastor by the King of Prussia. Unfortunately, Nietzsche’s father passed away before his fifth birthday, leaving him to be raised by his mother, younger sister, maternal grandmother, and two aunts. He attended a private preparatory school before being admitted to Germany’s leading Protestant boarding school, where he excelled academically and received an outstanding classical education.
After graduating in 1864, Nietzsche went to the University of Bonn to study theology and classical philology. However, he struggled to fit in socially and eventually transferred to the University of Leipzig in 1865. It was here that he discovered Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy and began his lifelong friendship with fellow classicist Erwin Rohde.
In 1869, Nietzsche received an offer to become a professor of classical philology at the University of Basel in Switzerland, despite not having completed his doctorate or received a teaching certificate. He accepted the offer and renounced his Prussian citizenship before moving to Basel. During this time, he served in the Prussian forces during the Franco-Prussian War and observed the establishment of the German Empire with skepticism.
In 1872, Nietzsche published his first book, The Birth of Tragedy, which was met with little enthusiasm from his colleagues within his field. Despite feeling isolated within the philological community, Nietzsche continued to write and publish throughout his life, becoming one of the most influential philosophers of the modern era.
Nietzsche’s Career As A Philosopher
Friedrich Nietzsche began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest person ever to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in 1869 at the age of 24. Nietzsche’s early work focused on the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature, with a particular emphasis on the tragic poets. He was deeply influenced by the works of Arthur Schopenhauer, whose philosophy of pessimism and rejection of traditional morality had a profound impact on Nietzsche’s own thinking.
In his later years, Nietzsche developed a radical critique of truth in favor of perspectivism, which holds that all knowledge is subjective and dependent on the perspective of the observer. He also developed a genealogical critique of religion and Christian morality, arguing that they were born out of a will to power rather than any objective truth. Nietzsche’s philosophy is characterized by his rejection of traditional values and his embrace of life-affirming values, such as creativity, self-realization, and the pursuit of individual excellence.
Throughout his career, Nietzsche wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including art, philology, history, music, religion, tragedy, culture, and science. His writing style was characterized by a fondness for aphorism and irony and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. Nietzsche’s work has had a profound impact on contemporary philosophy and intellectual history, influencing major thinkers and writers of the 20th century. Despite his relatively short career, Nietzsche remains one of the most influential philosophers in modern history.
Nietzsche’s Physical Appearance
Nietzsche’s physical appearance was often described as unremarkable, with some sources suggesting that he had a slight build and a thin face. However, his piercing eyes were said to reflect his intense intellect and gave him a commanding presence. Despite being of average height, Nietzsche was known for his magnetic personality and charisma, which drew people in and made him a captivating figure. His sharp wit and incisive commentary on a wide range of topics only added to his allure, making him an influential figure in philosophy and beyond.
The Controversy Surrounding Nietzsche’s Height
Despite the general consensus on Nietzsche’s height being around 5 feet 8 inches, there have been some who have questioned this measurement. Some have suggested that he may have been slightly taller or shorter than this estimate, while others have argued that his height is irrelevant to his philosophical contributions and should not be a topic of discussion.
One factor that may contribute to the controversy surrounding Nietzsche’s height is the fact that he suffered from health problems throughout his life, including migraines, vision problems, and eventually a complete loss of his mental faculties. It’s possible that these health issues could have affected his posture or physical stature in some way.
Another factor is the tendency for people to mythologize historical figures, often attributing larger-than-life qualities to them. It’s possible that some of the stories and descriptions of Nietzsche’s physical appearance may be exaggerated or distorted over time.
Ultimately, while the exact height of Friedrich Nietzsche may never be definitively determined, it’s clear that his impact on philosophy and culture has far surpassed any physical measurements.
Examining The Evidence: What Do We Know About Nietzsche’s Height?
So what evidence do we have to support these claims about Nietzsche’s height? Unfortunately, there are no surviving records or photographs that definitively confirm his height. However, there are a few pieces of evidence that can help us make an educated guess.
Firstly, we know that Nietzsche was relatively young when he began his academic career, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel at the age of 24. This suggests that he was likely physically mature and fully grown at this point, which would have been around 1869.
Secondly, we have descriptions of Nietzsche’s physical appearance from people who knew him personally. While these descriptions are subjective and may not be entirely accurate, they do provide some insight into how Nietzsche was perceived by those around him.
Finally, we can look at other historical figures who lived around the same time as Nietzsche and compare their reported heights to his. For example, Napoleon Bonaparte was famously short at around 5 feet 6 inches tall, while Abraham Lincoln was reported to be around 6 feet 4 inches tall. By comparing Nietzsche’s reported height to these figures, we can get a sense of whether he was considered tall, short, or average for his time.
Nietzsche’s Illness And Decline
While Nietzsche’s intellectual and philosophical contributions have been widely celebrated, his physical decline and illness have also been a subject of much interest and speculation. Nietzsche suffered from severe migraines since childhood, which continued to afflict him throughout his life. In the later years of his life, he also suffered from a psychiatric illness marked by depression.
At the age of 44, Nietzsche experienced a complete mental breakdown that left him with paralysis and likely vascular dementia. He was cared for by his mother until her death in 1897, after which he lived with his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. Nietzsche’s cognitive decline continued to worsen, and he experienced multiple strokes before ultimately passing away from pneumonia in 1900.
The cause of Nietzsche’s illness has long been a topic of debate. While it was initially attributed to a neurosyphilitic infection, recent research has suggested that this diagnosis may not be accurate. Instead, some scholars have proposed that Nietzsche’s symptoms are consistent with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). This condition is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and stroke-like symptoms, which aligns with Nietzsche’s medical history.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding Nietzsche’s illness, there is no denying the impact it had on his life and work. His decline marked a tragic end to a brilliant career, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and challenge philosophers, scholars, and readers around the world.
