The Übermensch
Nietzsche, Nazis, and Overcoming the Man
German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (Oct. 15, 1844-Aug. 25, 1900) introduced the world to the Übermensch in the book Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Rarely has an imaginary figure like the Übermensch been such a controversial figure. Despite Nietzsche's almost rabid intolerance of anti-Semitism, the Nazis co-opted the term Übermensch in their bid for Master Race status. This stained the Übermensch with a Nazi stigma for decades, making the study of Nietzsche and his work anathema to most serious scholars. What remained was a litany of false accusations that rendered the Übermensch into a monster. This could not have been farther from the truth. The Übermensch, much like Nietzsche himself, would have little time or patience for the pursuit of imaginary concepts like racial superiority.
The Übermensch
Nietzsche, informed in part by a misreading of evolutionary theory, perceived a next step in humanity's journey. He believed that this next step would be the appearance of the Übermensch or overman. The purpose of the Übermensch was to overcome the man, not externally, but internally. He would literally be more than man. This Übermensch would be an artist, scholar, lover, and philosopher. He would do what most people only dream of doing. He would test himself and his vision against the strength of the world.
More than that, though, the Übermensch would overcome the need for God, which Nietzsche saw as a dead concept. Unlike normal men, who need the fear of an external authority, the Übermensch would be a law unto himself. He would decree his morality and enforce it on himself. He would be a self-contained moral authority. This is at the very core of what the Übermensch is all about. Nietzsche was primarily a moral and social philosopher and his Übermensch was a creation almost entirely directed at moral and social questions.
What he would not be is a dictator. The Übermensch, according to Nietzsche, would be solitary by nature and necessity. Part of the test the Übermensch would be engaged in against the strength of the world would be one of simple stamina. The question being, can his stamina outlast the resistance of the world to his vision? It is difficult to engage in such a struggle as a highly social being. Success and victory normally come at the cost of a degree of solitude.
Overcoming the Man
This is not to imply that the Übermensch would do nothing for humanity, but that he would neither need, nor want, to rule. His personal test and vision, though, could easily create something for the rest of humanity, but not by intent. In that sense, the Übermensch is both self-serving and self-involved. Should the end result be of benefit to humanity, then so be it. However, that would never be the point. To be the Übermensch would mean wanting nothing more and accepting nothing less than overcoming the man within and carving out his own self-defined destiny.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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