I have tried to word the subject as correct as possible. I am very interested in learning more about what FWN would say about this. I feel compelled to point to the will to power, however I suppose that any subject could be broken down with this device of thought. I would like something more concrete. After reading some various texts (i.e. The Madman) he was always someone whom I took an interest to. As I found this quote online, does anyone know from which book this is from (there was no citation)? Also, any other resources on the topic would be great. I know he’s got a few other good quotes regarding this same subject–but I need the backbone on which he bases these theories. Thanks.
“The invalid is a parasite on society. In a certain state it is indecent to go on living. To vegetate on in cowardly dependence on physicians and medicaments after the meaning of life, the right to life, has been lost ought to entail the profound contempt of society.†F. Nietzsche
P.S. I was an avid Kantian before really getting into Nietzsche’s works–I find myself taking heed to over-indulging a “Platonists” philosophy (something we are constantly bombarded w/ in daily life). I am very proud to be Protestant as I feel that my faith has helped me though many tough times, however, Nietzsche could be viewed as a direct example of “thinking out of the box.”
The mad man parable comes from The Gay Science, or if you want to know the title in German, Die fröhliche Wissenschaft.
While analyzing Nietzsche I think it is important to understand how he completely rejects conventional notions of morality- examples are Utilitarianism, Deontology and especially Christian/religious moral dogma. However, you pose an interesting question; Nietzsche’s übermensch to me seems like a master of pursuits like philosophy, poetry, painting- things that are not physical in nature. The irony of your quote is in the biographical nature of Nietzsche’s life: Nietzsche had terrible eyesight and headaches, and was eventually reduced to a catatonic state the final years of his life. In other words, he went insane, and obviously could not depend on himself.
I think Nietzsche in that quote may not be consistent in his own views (and I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong if someone points it out to me) because Nietzsche’s idea of the übermensch is partly someone who masters himself “mentally” and the übermensch does not have much of a physical description. Perhaps Nietzsche is just trying to refute a utilitarian idea that we must give happiness to those who are sick, or a deontological view that we have duties to those who are meeker, both physically and mentally.
Indeed Nietzsche “thought outside the box” but he may be doing this for its own sake, as he often did just to shock conventional moralists.
Nietzsche has no problem with suicide. Indeed, in order to ‘die at the right time’ it’s probably often neccessary.
BTW regarding the quote in your post, I don’t think Nietzsche is talking about invalids who still have their mental faculties about them, but rather those in a vegetative mental state.
I see where you are going with the suicide issue (will-to-power), but in regards to the quote I posed-- the reason for this research is for my medical ethics class. I realize that Kant or Plato would have been easier figures to mold, but I have always been rather interested in N and not a lot of time to extensively read his works. Here is the problem I run into when I read his other books (Beyond G & E and the Genealogy) is that this term, “invalid,” can easily be used to describe someone of mental invalidity, or I suppose he would call this person a Christian or some sort of slave to some “affirming” pseudo-social agenda. I suppose you could call “the American Dream” an example of this. While people strive for this “American dream,” it could be said that, (for our purposes), their thought process could be divided into 2 parts<
Is this person aware that though their aspiration lie mediocrity? They are taking the path which is most taken; as opposed to aspiring to a plateau above that (No-- I will not say ubermesch as if your mind commanded you to follow the heard and you obeyed, above-all status is not possible, if it is in the first place).
If this person IS aware, and continues to follow, for all accounts, this person is a social parasite/invalid/agent diluting humankind. I would attest that if one could step out of their bodies for a moment to look around them, they would, most likely, fix whatever the problem is. The people that see the problem/issue are far worse than those who could never see to begin with, simply blinded by their futile attempts to gain “wisdom” and “the truth.”
Of course, we can also take “invalid” in a literal meaning, but that might be a bit obscure for N. According to Adolf Hitler and his henchmen, the “invalid” was the Jew. For the purposes of my assignment, I am going to use invalid in literal terms. My goal is to illustrate the thought process in accordance with Nietzsche, not pointing to different parts of a book and letting that explain your point (that might work with Kant, but not with N ) Anyway, thanks for your reply. I’m sure I left out some things but its late and I’ve got work to do. Cheers–JP
) Anyway, thanks for your reply. I’m sure I left out some things but its late and I’ve got work to do. Cheers–JP