Friedrich Nietzsche

Profession: Philosopher

Nationality:

Biography: Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and poet whose work significantly influenced modern intellectual history. Known for his provocative and often controversial ideas, Nietzsche’s philosophy centred around critiques of Christian values, the concept of "will to power," and the notion of eternal recurrence.

Nietzsche's critiques were levelled at numerous institutions and ideologies, from religion (he famously declared "God is dead") to philosophical rationalism. His thoughts on the "will to power" rejected the traditional view of humans as rational beings, instead proposing that the primary driving force in humans was the will to power: the desire to impose one's will upon the world.

One of his most famous works, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, introduced the idea of the Übermensch, often translated as "superman" or "overman," a concept which has been both highly influential and widely debated. Nietzsche's profound influence can be seen across many aspects of 20th and 21st century thought, from existentialism and postmodernism to various fields of psychology and the arts.

Born: October 15, 1844
Birthplace: Röcken-bei-Lützen, Kingdom of Prussia (now Germany)
Star Sign: Libra

Died: August 25, 1900 (aged 55)
Cause of Death: Stroke due to syphilis