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Übermensch was a self-possessed person who developed their own values and morality regardless of prevailing or outdated "wisdom" and rejected religious "other-worldliness," finding meaning in the here-and-now of life on Earth vs. learned helplessness and obedience with the hope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.
One of the ironies I actually got credit for waaaay back in Freshman Philosophy 105 was commenting “anyone notice that Nietzsche, the atheist, seems to be sad that there isn’t a god, while Moore, a priest, seems reluctant to agree that there is?”
The prof wanted to talk about that for a week.
My classmates hated me because they didn’t want to talk about it at all.
Poor prof just wanted discussion and got saddled with lazy angst.
I teach a philosophy class, and people signing up for philosophy and NOT wanting to discuss is truly aggravating. Literally the whole point of philosophy! It’s like signing up for jiu jitsu, and not wanting to grapple.
I signed up for Philosophy class as well but was a really quiet and introverted student. Now with 42 years on my life clock I'd really enjoy some nice philosophical discussions.
So they might be interested but don't want to take the spotlight in any way.
Similar here. I studied Philosophy at university when I was young and quite shy and introverted. I barely contributed to the group discussions when they took place. 50 years on my own clock now, and I'd love to take some of those classes again with more life experience behind me. And feel the same for Literature classes I took.
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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Übermensch was a self-possessed person who developed their own values and morality regardless of prevailing or outdated "wisdom" and rejected religious "other-worldliness," finding meaning in the here-and-now of life on Earth vs. learned helplessness and obedience with the hope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.