Friedrich Nietzsche was a man of many contradictions. He was a philosopher, a poet, a cultural critic, and a composer.
He was a classical scholar who turned to philosophy, and he became one of the most influential thinkers of modern times. Nietzsche’s writing spanned a wide range of topics, from art and music to religion and science.
He developed influential concepts such as the Übermensch and eternal return, and his work has had a profound impact on 20th- and early 21st-century thinkers across philosophy, art, literature, politics, and popular culture.
But what was Nietzsche like as a person? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the man behind the philosophy, exploring his personality, his struggles with mental and physical health, and his relationships with others.
What Was Nietzsche Like As A Person
Nietzsche was a man of great complexity, with a personality that was both fascinating and challenging. He was known for his sharp intellect, his wit, and his ability to engage in deep philosophical discussions.
However, Nietzsche also struggled with mental and physical health issues throughout his life. He suffered from migraines, vision problems, and various other ailments that often left him bedridden for days at a time.
In addition to his physical health struggles, Nietzsche also experienced mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. He wrote extensively about his struggles with these conditions, often using his own experiences as a way to explore the human condition more broadly.
Despite these challenges, Nietzsche was known for his intense passion for life. He believed in living fully and embracing the world around him, even in the face of adversity. He was deeply interested in art, music, and literature, and he often drew inspiration from these fields in his philosophical work.
Nietzsche was also known for his unconventional views on morality and religion. He rejected traditional Christian morality and instead championed a philosophy of individualism and self-expression. He believed that people should be free to live as they choose, without being constrained by societal norms or expectations.
Nietzsche’s Early Life And Education
Nietzsche was born into a family with a strong Lutheran background. His paternal grandfather was a defender of Protestantism and held a high ecclesiastical position, while his maternal grandfather was a country parson. Nietzsche’s father, Carl Ludwig Nietzsche, was appointed pastor at Röcken by order of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia, after whom Nietzsche was named.
However, tragedy struck the family when Nietzsche’s father died before his fifth birthday, leaving him to be raised by his mother, younger sister, maternal grandmother, and two aunts. The family moved to Naumburg on the Saale River in 1850, where Nietzsche attended a private preparatory school called the Domgymnasium.
In 1858, Nietzsche was admitted to Schulpforta, which was Germany’s leading Protestant boarding school. He excelled academically and received an outstanding classical education there. After graduating in 1864, he went to the University of Bonn to study theology and classical philology. However, his time at Bonn was marred by acrimonious quarrels between his two leading classics professors, which led to a lack of success in social life.
Nietzsche then transferred to the University of Leipzig in 1865 to study under Friedrich Wilhelm Ritschl. It was here that Nietzsche began to prosper under Ritschl’s tutelage, becoming the only student ever to publish in Ritschl’s journal, Rheinisches Museum (“Rhenish Museum”). During his time in Leipzig, Nietzsche also discovered Arthur Schopenhauer’s philosophy and met the great operatic composer Richard Wagner.
In October 1867, Nietzsche began military service in the cavalry company of an artillery regiment but sustained a serious chest injury while mounting a horse in March 1868. He resumed his studies in Leipzig in October 1868 while on extended sick leave from the military.
Nietzsche’s Personal Struggles
Nietzsche’s personal struggles were an integral part of his life and work. He experienced physical and mental health issues that deeply impacted his daily life. Nietzsche’s physical health struggles included migraines, vision problems, and other ailments that often left him bedridden for days at a time. These physical challenges were compounded by his mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety.
Nietzsche’s struggles with mental health were particularly significant, as he often drew on these experiences in his philosophical work. He believed that his own experiences of suffering and despair gave him unique insight into the human condition. Nietzsche’s writings on the nature of existence, morality, and the meaning of life were often deeply personal, reflecting his own struggles with these issues.
Despite these challenges, Nietzsche remained fiercely passionate about life. He believed in living fully and embracing the world around him, even in the face of adversity. Nietzsche’s passion for art, music, and literature was a source of inspiration throughout his life. He often drew on these fields in his philosophical work, using them as a way to explore the human experience more deeply.
Nietzsche’s rejection of traditional Christian morality was also influenced by his personal struggles. He believed that people should be free to live as they choose, without being constrained by societal norms or expectations. Nietzsche’s philosophy of individualism and self-expression was born out of his own experiences of suffering and despair.
Nietzsche’s Personality Traits
Nietzsche was a complex individual with a unique personality that was both introverted and extroverted at different points in his life. In his early years, he could be considered an extravert, often attending parties and gatherings and loudly proclaiming his thoughts to whoever would listen. However, as he matured and developed his philosophy of individualism, Nietzsche became more introverted and began to value solitude.
As an INTJ personality type, Nietzsche was highly independent and deeply driven to achieve his goals. He carefully thought through plans before taking action and had a special ability to foresee what might happen in the future. He was deliberate and measured in his approach to life, but could also be cynical about the world around him.
Nietzsche was naturally curious and enjoyed delving deep into topics, particularly abstract theories. He was known for his sharp intellect, wit, and ability to engage in deep philosophical discussions. However, he could also be vulnerable, lonely, and self-pitying at times, as revealed in his letters and the accounts of his friends and acquaintances.
Despite his struggles with physical and mental health issues, Nietzsche was deeply passionate about life and believed in living fully. He drew inspiration from art, music, and literature and rejected traditional Christian morality in favor of a philosophy of individualism and self-expression.
Nietzsche’s Relationships With Family And Friends
Nietzsche’s views on friendship were heavily influenced by his study of the classics, particularly Aristotle’s ideal of friendship. He believed that true friendship should be based on mutual inspiration and a shared commitment to excellence, rather than just mutual benefit or pleasure. Nietzsche saw this type of friendship as the ideal basis for a lasting relationship, and believed that it was the same quality that made for a healthy and flourishing marriage.
However, Nietzsche also recognized that being a great friend sometimes meant being tough. He believed that there were times when you had to be cruel to be kind, and that true friends should be willing to wage war for each other. Nietzsche encouraged everyone to be better friends, and saw the qualities of supporting, encouraging, and inspiring each other as essential to any strong relationship.
Nietzsche’s relationships with his own family and friends were complex. He was close with his sister, Elisabeth, but their relationship was fraught with tension and conflict. Elisabeth later became an advocate for Nietzsche’s work and ideas, but she also edited and altered his writings after his death in ways that many scholars believe misrepresented his philosophy.
Nietzsche also had a number of close friendships throughout his life, including with Lou Andreas-Salomé and Paul Rée. These relationships were often intense and passionate, but they were also marked by periods of conflict and disagreement.
Nietzsche’s Romantic Relationships
Nietzsche had a complex relationship with romantic love. He believed that traditional romantic love was overrated and fleeting, and that the highest form of human bond was friendship. He argued that if you intend to be with someone for the rest of your life, it makes sense to marry someone you actually enjoy talking to. Nietzsche believed that conversation was the foundation of a strong relationship, and that feelings of romantic love and lust would inevitably decline over time.
Nietzsche’s views on love were shaped by his broader philosophy of individualism and rejection of societal norms. He believed that people should be free to choose their own partners based on their own values and desires, rather than conforming to traditional expectations.
Despite his unconventional views on love, Nietzsche had several romantic relationships throughout his life. However, these relationships were often fraught with difficulty and ended in heartbreak. Nietzsche struggled with feelings of loneliness and isolation, and he often found it difficult to connect with others on a deep level.
Nietzsche’s Controversial Views And Behavior
Despite his brilliance and creativity, Nietzsche’s personal and philosophical views were often controversial. He was known for his sharp critiques of morality, traditional religion, and societal norms, which earned him both admirers and detractors.
One of the most controversial aspects of Nietzsche’s philosophy was his concept of the Übermensch, or “superman.” This idea has been misinterpreted by some as a call for a master race or a justification for oppressive behavior. However, Nietzsche’s vision of the Übermensch was more about individual self-actualization and the pursuit of excellence than it was about domination or control over others.
Nietzsche’s views on women have also been the subject of controversy. Some have accused him of being a misogynist, citing passages from his work that seem to denigrate women. However, others argue that Nietzsche’s views were more nuanced than this, and that he actually had a deep respect for women as individuals.
Another controversial aspect of Nietzsche’s life was his relationship with his sister, who edited some of his work to support her own Nazi beliefs. While Nietzsche himself was vehemently opposed to anti-Semitism and nationalism, his sister’s actions have led some to associate him with these ideologies.
Despite these controversies, Nietzsche remains a fascinating figure in the history of philosophy. His ideas continue to inspire and challenge readers today, even as we grapple with the complexities of his life and work.
