The Muddled Mind of Friedrich Nietzsche

There's an ancient Buddhist doctrine which says that enlightenment for one person is different than what's required for another person; and that information which strengthens, strains and matures one individual may be regressive for another.

I think the writings of Nietzsche exemplify this truth. Take the following example: most models from developmental psychology suggest that a person must "individuate" before they can return to the collective, for example, and help generate - i.e. give back to their society in a meaningful way. Ultimately, however, both of these developmental tasks are important and their relevance is dependent primarily on the stage of development a person is at. Erickson, for example, suggested that a person who fails at the "generative" portion of adult life risks the threat of ego dissolution in their final years.

It's easy to look down on Nietzsche's writings as somehow immature (even pathological, considering his obsessiveness) which is arguably true, as there are certainly more mature, broader-minded philosophies out there. But they also provide a valuable resource for the burgeoning individual, someone becoming their most powerful, "willful" self - something most of us have room to improve in, no doubt - and in that regard his messages are still valuable.

/r/philosophy Thread Parent