Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher, cultural critic, and all-around party animal. Born in 1844 in the town of Röcken, Nietzsche would go on to become one of the most influential thinkers of the modern era. His ideas continue to shape our understanding of morality, human existence, and why cats are so damn cute.

Early Life

Nietzsche grew up in a house full of women, which probably explains why he was such a sensitive soul. He was a sickly child and had to spend a lot of time indoors reading books. This turned out to be a good thing, because it gave him plenty of time to come up with deep thoughts about life, the universe, and everything.

Philosophy

Nietzsche’s philosophy was all about embracing life and rejecting traditional morality. He believed that we should live life to the fullest and not be constrained by social norms or religious beliefs. He also thought that God was dead, which is a bummer.

One of Nietzsche’s most famous ideas was the concept of the “Übermensch.” This is German for “superman,” and not the one with the cape and the superpowers. The Übermensch is a person who has overcome traditional morality and embraced his or her own individuality. Think of it like being a hipster, but without the neckbeard.

Later Years

In his later years, Nietzsche suffered from mental and physical health problems. He spent his last years in the care of his sister, who was a bit of a Nazi sympathizer. This is a shame, because Nietzsche’s ideas about the Übermensch have been appropriated by all sorts of unsavory characters over the years.

Legacy

Despite his later association with some pretty bad dudes, Nietzsche remains a hugely influential philosopher. His ideas about individualism, morality, and the human condition are still studied and debated today. Plus, he had a pretty sweet moustache, which is more than you can say for most philosophers.