Filosofia -- Nietzsche e la volontà di potenza -- Maurizio Ferraris

Summary

Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century, struggled with personal isolation and mental decline in the late 1880s. During this period, he wrote *Ecce Homo* in Turin, reflecting on his life and philosophy. A professor turned solitary traveler, Nietzsche’s works were largely ignored during his lifetime, but after his mental breakdown in 1889, his ideas gained widespread recognition. His philosophy, marked by existential themes, influenced 20th-century thought, although his legacy was controversially appropriated by the Nazis. Nietzsche’s life and work symbolize the shift from 19th-century optimism to modern existential uncertainty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nietzsche spent a significant part of his life in solitude, moving between places like the French and Italian Rivieras, and writing works that were largely unrecognized during his lifetime.
• 😀 In 1888, Nietzsche’s mental and physical health began to deteriorate rapidly, leading to a breakdown and eventual institutionalization in 1889.
• 😀 Nietzsche was once a professor of philology at Basel but resigned due to health issues, later becoming a wandering intellectual with little recognition or success.
• 😀 His writings, such as 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' and 'Beyond Good and Evil,' were self-published and largely ignored by the public and academia during his life.
• 😀 Despite his health problems and isolation, Nietzsche continued to write aphorisms and ideas that would later revolutionize philosophy, but he struggled financially to publish them.
• 😀 In 1888, Nietzsche visited Torino, where he experienced a deep mental crisis, famously writing a letter where he claimed to embody all historical figures, signaling his breakdown.
• 😀 Nietzsche's eventual institutionalization in a psychiatric facility marked the end of his personal intellectual journey, though it heralded the beginning of his posthumous fame.
• 😀 After his death in 1900, Nietzsche’s works gained immense recognition and influence, with intellectuals like Thomas Mann drawing from his philosophy.
• 😀 Nietzsche became a central figure in 20th-century philosophy, with his ideas becoming foundational for many thinkers, despite being misappropriated by movements like Nazism.
• 😀 His transformation from an isolated, unknown philosopher to one of the most famous figures in history underscores the strange, paradoxical trajectory of his life and legacy.
• 😀 Nietzsche's story reflects the broader cultural and intellectual shifts of the 19th century, marked by a crisis of faith in progress, science, and traditional values, giving way to the uncertainties of the 20th century.

Q & A

Why did Nietzsche come to Torino in 1888?

Nietzsche arrived in Torino in 1888 almost by chance, and he found the city surprisingly appealing. It marked a period of extreme personal crisis for him, and his visit to Torino was part of his wandering journey during a breakdown in his life.

What was Nietzsche’s profession before his mental decline?

Nietzsche was a professor of philology at the University of Basel, having become a professor at a very young age. He resigned from this position due to deteriorating health and began a nomadic life, writing and traveling.

How did Nietzsche’s financial situation affect his work?

Nietzsche struggled financially as most of his philosophical works went unnoticed during his lifetime. He often had to fund the publication of his books at his own expense, as publishers showed little interest in his writings.

What was the significance of the book 'Ecce Homo'?

'Ecce Homo' was one of Nietzsche’s most personal works, where he reflects on his life and philosophical journey. It explores his self-perception, his transformations, and the relationship between the tragic and the comic in his existence.

How did Nietzsche’s mental health deteriorate?

Nietzsche’s mental health declined rapidly in late 1888, culminating in a complete breakdown between December 1888 and January 1889. He exhibited bizarre behaviors, including singing a Neapolitan song while making strange facial expressions, and was ultimately institutionalized.

What was the role of Wagner in Nietzsche's life?

Richard Wagner, a famous 19th-century composer, was a close friend of Nietzsche. Wagner's influence is reflected in Nietzsche's writings, and even in his final days, Nietzsche showed affection for Wagner by playing his music and reminiscing about their relationship.

What happened after Nietzsche was institutionalized?

After his mental breakdown, Nietzsche was placed in psychiatric hospitals in Basel, Jena, and later Weimar, where his sister organized his writings into an archive. Despite his mental decline, his works became more widely recognized and influential after his death.

How did Nietzsche’s posthumous fame compare to his life?

Nietzsche achieved great fame after his death, with his works becoming widely read and studied. This posthumous recognition contrasted sharply with his life, where he was largely ignored and his ideas were rejected by most intellectuals of his time.

How did the political climate of the early 20th century affect Nietzsche’s legacy?

Nietzsche's philosophy was misappropriated by the Nazis in the 1930s, who distorted his ideas to fit their ideological agenda. Despite this, his works continued to inspire prominent thinkers such as Thomas Mann, even though Nietzsche himself had expressed anti-democratic views.

What broader historical and cultural shifts influenced Nietzsche’s thinking?

Nietzsche’s work was shaped by the profound cultural transformations of the late 19th century, including the rise of industrialization, political revolutions, and the questioning of traditional values. His philosophy critiques the optimism of the Enlightenment and the growing skepticism of modern society.