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Philosophy, Religion & Society / Nietzsche
« on: September 29, 2018, 12:58:22 PM »
Has anyone here read Friedrich Nietzsche? I have a BA in Philosophy, and an MA in History, but I am only now reading Nietzsche. I am reading "Thus Spake Zarathustra", wherein he introduces his idea of the Übermensch, variously translated as "Over-man", "Beyond-man", "Superman", etc.
I am trying to understand Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch. I personally get the impression that he is speaking almost of a new sub-species of man. Because he talks about the highest goal of a woman being to produce Supermen, ie, to give birth to them, it sounds like Nietzsche intends his Superman to be more man than men. Almost a Homo sapiens superioris v. the Homo sapiens sapiens.
So what do people think of the idea? Although he coupled his idea of Übermensch with a rejection of Christianity, a view with which I do not agree (I am a Lutheran Christian), I find the basic idea of the Superman agreeable. Always striving for the best, perhaps even Positive Eugenics (wherein the young, beautiful, and healthy are encouraged to reproduce and have many children, and others, whilst not forbidden to do so, are discouraged from it), strikes me as wise. Those who meet high standards should be encouraged to reproduce, and should be incentivised by the State. The more children, the more help from the State. Those who do NOT meet the standards should not be forbidden to reproduce, but should by no means be incentivised.
Through Positive Eugenics, the human race could decrease the number of mental and physical detectives in the population, whilst caring for those that DO exist. In so doing, within a few generations, Superman would be a reality. Stronger, smarter, healthier, more beautiful people would exist.
Of course, things like smoking and other abusive practices would have to be forbidden to those advancing the race, and maybe to all people. The State would have to play a large role in any Positive Eugenics program. But the development of Übermensch could occur. Thoughts?
I am trying to understand Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch. I personally get the impression that he is speaking almost of a new sub-species of man. Because he talks about the highest goal of a woman being to produce Supermen, ie, to give birth to them, it sounds like Nietzsche intends his Superman to be more man than men. Almost a Homo sapiens superioris v. the Homo sapiens sapiens.
So what do people think of the idea? Although he coupled his idea of Übermensch with a rejection of Christianity, a view with which I do not agree (I am a Lutheran Christian), I find the basic idea of the Superman agreeable. Always striving for the best, perhaps even Positive Eugenics (wherein the young, beautiful, and healthy are encouraged to reproduce and have many children, and others, whilst not forbidden to do so, are discouraged from it), strikes me as wise. Those who meet high standards should be encouraged to reproduce, and should be incentivised by the State. The more children, the more help from the State. Those who do NOT meet the standards should not be forbidden to reproduce, but should by no means be incentivised.
Through Positive Eugenics, the human race could decrease the number of mental and physical detectives in the population, whilst caring for those that DO exist. In so doing, within a few generations, Superman would be a reality. Stronger, smarter, healthier, more beautiful people would exist.
Of course, things like smoking and other abusive practices would have to be forbidden to those advancing the race, and maybe to all people. The State would have to play a large role in any Positive Eugenics program. But the development of Übermensch could occur. Thoughts?