Nietzsche Dionysis
What method does Nietzsche use to become the Dionysian Overman? What perspective on life does the Overman adopt? How does it enable “amor fati” and express optimum Yes-saying to our present natural life in the world? How does this overcome “slave morality or religion”?
Nietzsche uses acceptance of fate, its obstacles, adversity and also its divinity to become the Dionysian Overman. He believes by affirming life in both its cruelty and beauty that we can achieve joy in the present without the need for beliefs in an afterlife or future existences. Nietzsche states the Overman holds a love for natural life, with no grudges or sense of resentment whilst others hold spitefulness despite their religious beliefs and hence they cannot enjoy life in its natural present. By not being affected by the will of God the Overman is thus not a slave to God. Hence this allows for a ‘yes-saying’ perspective as one is not bounded by the morality of another as it now can will “its own will” (Hollingdale trans., Penguin, pg 55.) knowing its life will recur eternally.
Nietzsche used a three step method of personal metamorphosis to become the Dionysian Overman. The first stage is where we are all are according to Nietzsche. We are the camel, the bearer of traditional beliefs and disciplines. It is thus that we are bounded by ‘God’s will’ and controlled by his version of morality. However despite Nietzsche being against the idea of a higher being, he states that we still must understand these views knowledgeably in order to be able to properly critique and question said beliefs and actions and hence start stage two. Stage two is the changing of mindset to that of a lion, a rebellious creature yet strong in mind and will. It questions the current state of society and whether what we stand for is our own beliefs or that of the supernatural. The lion craves freedom for it feels strong enough about its self to not need to be controlled, in the same way the Overman must in order to be over
Nietzsche uses acceptance of fate, its obstacles, adversity and also its divinity to become the Dionysian Overman. He believes by affirming life in both its cruelty and beauty that we can achieve joy in the present without the need for beliefs in an afterlife or future existences. Nietzsche states the Overman holds a love for natural life, with no grudges or sense of resentment whilst others hold spitefulness despite their religious beliefs and hence they cannot enjoy life in its natural present. By not being affected by the will of God the Overman is thus not a slave to God. Hence this allows for a ‘yes-saying’ perspective as one is not bounded by the morality of another as it now can will “its own will” (Hollingdale trans., Penguin, pg 55.) knowing its life will recur eternally.
Nietzsche used a three step method of personal metamorphosis to become the Dionysian Overman. The first stage is where we are all are according to Nietzsche. We are the camel, the bearer of traditional beliefs and disciplines. It is thus that we are bounded by ‘God’s will’ and controlled by his version of morality. However despite Nietzsche being against the idea of a higher being, he states that we still must understand these views knowledgeably in order to be able to properly critique and question said beliefs and actions and hence start stage two. Stage two is the changing of mindset to that of a lion, a rebellious creature yet strong in mind and will. It questions the current state of society and whether what we stand for is our own beliefs or that of the supernatural. The lion craves freedom for it feels strong enough about its self to not need to be controlled, in the same way the Overman must in order to be over
References: Nietzsche, Friedrich. Twilight of the Idols; and the Anti-Christ. Trans. R. J. Hollingdale. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1977, pg. 55. Miller, Robert. PHIL1087 Mind-opener Week #4. Nietzsche, Part 1. 2013 Miller, Robert. PHIL1087 Mind-opener Week #5. Nietzsche Part 2: The Dionysian Overman. 2013