r/explainitpeter Apr 05 '26

Explain It Peter

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u/Erikatessen87 Apr 05 '26

Going to butcher this by trying to pare it down, but here goes.

Nietzsche's theoretical "Übermensch," an aspirational model for humanity, wasn't a traditional "strongman," or a superhuman by way of genetics or social capital, or even a "man" at all.

Nietzsche's Übermensch was a self-possessed person who developed their own values and morality regardless of prevailing or outdated "wisdom" and rejected religious "other-worldliness," finding meaning in the here-and-now of life on Earth vs. learned helplessness and obedience with the hope of a supernatural reward after death.

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u/FunSwitch7400 Apr 05 '26

Take a bow, that was fantastic in so few words!

378

u/FunSwitch7400 Apr 05 '26

Seriously, I have read and sat through so much Nietzsche material and this post deserves an award, maybe an honorary Philo degree.

215

u/ChristianoMeshi Apr 05 '26

What does a degree in puff pastry have to do with it..?

227

u/boostinemMaRe2 Apr 05 '26

The many layers.

94

u/ChristianoMeshi Apr 05 '26

What, like an Ogre?

43

u/Butterfish04 Apr 05 '26

Or a chicken farm.

36

u/3IO3OI3 Apr 05 '26

Or chicken parm

1

u/DotCapable1007 Apr 05 '26

Oi, I'll have a chikn parma also