Nietzsche: Nihilism and the Ubermensch

Join George and John as they discuss and debate different Philosophical ideas today they will be looking into the works of Friedrich Nietzsche.

One of the pioneers of the Existentialist movement, Nietzsche famously proclaimed that God was dead and so too was any meaning in life.

In an attempt to steer away from Nihlism, Nietzsche developed the concept of the Ubermensch. George and John will discuss how Nietzsche reached the position that God was dead, his concept of the Ubermensch, its strengths and its weaknesses.

The script to this video is part of the Philosophy Vibe - Existentialism eBook, available on Amazon:

For an overview and introduction to Philosophy check out the Philosophy Vibe Anthology paperback set, available worldwide on Amazon:
Volume 1 – Philosophy of Religion
Volume 2 - Metaphysics
Volume 3 – Ethics and Political Philosophy

0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - Nihilism explained
3:14 - Ubermensch explained
6:15 - Problems with Nietzsche's Concept of the Ubermensch

#nietzsche #nihilism #ubermensch #philosophy

[PhilosophyVibe]

The script to this video is part of the Philosophy Vibe - Existentialism eBook, available on Amazon:

For an overview and introduction to Philosophy check out the Philosophy Vibe Anthology paperback set, available worldwide on Amazon:
Volume 1 – Philosophy of Religion

Volume 2 - Metaphysics

Volume 3 – Ethics and Political Philosophy

[eldo]

I like when the purple guy start arguing. Its like balancing the previous argument and somehow i started to have a personal question for myself

[Cdawgthreee]

Feel free to debate me on this, and I would love to discuss the topic, but I don't think these criticisms of Nietzsche are valid. At 6:40 you ask how we can know what an Ubermensch is like without ever coming into contact with one. I believe this question is formed from the misconception of the Ubermensch being a definitive "ultimate goal" as you put it at 7:20. I find the Ubermensch to be better described as the next step in human development. It's a gradual change, not a definitive transformation. Nietzsche even says we have seen "glimpses" of the Ubermensch in humanity already, so these attributes would not be unknown to us. Nietzsche determines the attributes of the Ubermensch simply by observing the attributes of humanity that are most beneficial (like having a free mind versus a herd mentality or being focused on reality versus an afterlife). Imagine we existed as giraffes with short necks. If we observe giraffes with longer necks thriving in our environment, then our idea of an "ubergiraffe" would be a giraffe with a longer neck. The next part is my biggest criticism on your analysis of Nietzsche. Around 8:20 you make several comments all alluding to the idea that the only alternative to moral objectivity is moral subjectivity, and this is not true. You are forgetting about moral intersubjectivity, which is what I believe Nietzsche is talking about. Intersubjectivity is the belief that there is moral objectivity, but only in relation to each subjective goal. This means the Ubermensch will have a better grasp on morality than us without any established universal moral laws. This would most definitely bring about some conflict of interest, but conflict of interest does not constitute the need for a moral law. For example, if I need an object, but another person is in possession of said object, there is a conflict of interest. I could say my morally subjective opinion leads me to determine that the best course of action would be to kill the person and take the object. But, most likely, this will be objectively false because I then put myself at risk, damage my psyche, and I can no longer utilize this person as a future asset when I (probably) could've just offered money instead. An Ubermensch will know when killing ect. is necessary or beneficial and when it is not based on the situation, and not based on a law or an opinion (objectivity or subjectivity) therefore the world of the Ubermensch would not be one of chaos, as everyone would understand that creating chaos does not objectively help their subjective goal. Lastly, you mention "God is dead" as if it is Nietzsche advocating for the abandonment of the idea of God just because the Bible falls short in some areas. This is also incorrect. Nietzsche was describing what Christianity has done to the image of God. That is-- they distorted it so drastically to the point where people are turning to nihilism and abandoning the metaphysical idea of God altogether. Nietzsche was labeled by many scholars (and Wikipedia) as a pantheist, not an atheist. He accepted the idea of God, just not in the Judeo-Christian sense. Edit: Just fixed some grammatical errors.

[ks-ddgv]

This is what a philosophy channel should be like - balanced. Present the facts and arguments and let people think for themselves. Rather than, let's say, a channel like Philosophy Tube, which will state a position, nitpick obscure ideas from books that support that position with an air of it's being THE definitive idea and then use a whole lot of language manipulation to 'prove' the position. In essence, it's good to hear from someone who doesn't have a dog in the fight.

[philosophywithanirishaccen]

I love the very succinct explanation that Nietzche's assertion that there is no objective morality leads to either moral nihilism or subjectivism, and that the ubermensch runs into problems because of this!

[zero]

The concept of an Ubermensch can become a reality if literally only one human remained in existence.

[agrappler]

I don’t think there would be a clash between 2 ubermensch, because a real ubermensch knows that everyone else is trying their best to be an ubermensch

[hariszaine]

Brilliant the way you debate...Love the voice of the guy without glasses..Please carry on making more philosophy videos.

[skinach]

Who is the second guy without glasses? His voice sounds weird, it's like he either smokes or is dead inside or some combination of the two, lol...

[BabaMakhanya]

It can be dangerous to want to know everything because it's not everything that's beneficial for you. Which is why there's something called Trust. Trust is this, in a situation there are multiple paths you can follow, someone tells you to go in one particular direction because of some reward you are promised to get, and even though you may have questions of 'what happens if I follow those other paths', you choose to follow the path that person directed you to, because you Trust that person is protecting you.

e.g. We don't need to know the pain of being cut by a knife when you maybe chopping some onions for instance. Those who have experienced it can agree that they don't want to be cut again like that. Therefore, for those who have never experienced being cut, can be prevented from cutting themselves if someone tells them how to cut in a way that they don't cut themselves, and those people have a chance to Trust that instruction, and live a life not knowing that pain.

[rickcoyote]

Thank you gentlemen. I love the way you answer each other's points with a flat, monosllyabic reply, but then offer profound counterpoints when your time to speak comes about. In truth, it really cracks me up! Brilliant.
All I know is that there is much more going on in existence than meets the eye, and religions are just trying to speak of that, but words and concepts can only point to it-they cannot accurately capture it.
Here in Indian Country, Tulsa Oklahoma, a tribal theme points to that aspect of things as Great Mystery. After decades of looking into the great matter I agree. Shine On.

[jaymcguire]

God is dead so we must evolve into, basically, gods? This philosophy is circular. Also, why does Nietzsche get to decide that God is dead? It takes more than one man to create a system of belief.

[visualizeme-tzng]

God bless the internet. Thanks for posting this up.

[avivastudios]

I feel like a true Ubermensch would reject this philosophy and simply go about his day. 😅

[sanaslm]

I'm not sure if I can say this among all these heads of I felt this guy's voice really soothing. And it's devine feeling, listening to him ❤️

[Ubermentsh]

We all think alike. We are all moralists. And go by the numbers. The numbers decide not us what is morally beneficial. Statistically proving the benefits of a moral society and individuals. Of course some things are difficult to quantify. But some are simply a given.

[H.JamesBirx]

Excellent brief introduction to Nietzsche's thought. Prof. Dr. Dr. H. James Birx

[Clounlamer]

I strongly believe that the quote by Nitetzsche and Hegal "God Is dead", meant that we are reaching new understandings of what god IS and by doing so we are abandoning the religious archetypes.

[shagituz]

Really cool video. I think the super morality builds from Kant's third categorical imperative.

[M_K-Bomb]

Damn, absolutely loved the counter opinion on the Ubermensch. I was actually going to look up videos on a counter opinion because I too see holes in the theory we can become the Ubermensch. But, this video did a perfect job at the end pointing out various points.