BIG ideas.
God Is Dead by Friedrich Nietzsche
Download this Audio File »
To download, right click the link above and choose Save Target As… or Save Link As…
"God is dead."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche, 19th century German philosopher from Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None
Sir Nietzsche (one of my personas, btw :), liked to say that he delivered his philosophy "with a hammer" and was certainly looking for an immediate response from his "God is dead!" statement.
So, we all know that Nietzsche pronounced God dead.
But, did you know what he was getting at?
Nietzsche's philosophy paints the portrait of his ideal man, the “Uberman” or "Overman": an individual who, through self-discipline and his "will to power" has overcome his social conditioning and is, in Nietzsche's words, "beyond good and evil" and no longer needs God (or anyone else for that matter) to tell him what is moral.
Hence, the Overman lives. God is dead.
(For the record, Nietzsche did leave his possible belief in God open just a bit...Apparently, he "would believe only in a god who could dance.")
And, a friend of his stepped in for the final word on the matter:
“Nietzsche is dead.”
~ God
More from Friedrich Nietzsche…
Why PhilosophersNotes?
Think mini CliffsNotes™ for personal growth books – giving you more wisdom in less time. Learn more.
100 Great Personal Growth Books
From old school classics to the science of happiness, PhilosophersNotes tap into the wisdom that matters. Check out the full list of books
Hugs And Praise
We don’t just get testimonials. We’re blessed to get hugs of gratitude, happy dances and love from raving fans around the world. See what people are saying
PhilosophersNotes TV
Brian shares his favorite Big Ideas in 10 minute episodes on PN TV. Watch now
We give away a scholarship for every subscription we sell. Are you in need? Hook yourself up with a scholarship! Learn more
Grab three free Notes below.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Ask and It Is Given The Four Agreements