Nietzsche’s relevance in contemporary western societies

Abstract

In order to examine Nietzsche‟s relevance in contemporary Western societies, I shall begin by first introducing who Nietzsche was. This will cast a light on how his philosophy continually offered him guidance on how to live and experience life. Although he became stateless, he still carried out what he saw as his duty towards a philosophy of life. I proceed to explore the main dynamics of this philosophy, with an exclusive focus on perspectivism, the elemental drives of the Apollonian-Dionysian and their corruption, which led to the rise of the theoretical man, and the master-slave morality. These enable me to delve further into his thoughts on culture and show that his peculiar understanding of culture is (a) not restrictive to high culture and that (b) he distinguishes it further from Bildung. Finally, I examine how Nietzsche understood that individuality is, to a high degree, suffocated by the political mechanisms and the modern economy. Throughout, it will be shown how his philosophy can be used as a tool to guide us in our awareness of our personal and social surroundings.