People of Significance

Friedrich Nietzsche

Life: 1844 Oct 15 - 1900 Aug 25. Germany.

A German philosopher who challenged the foundations of morality and promoted life affirmation and individualism. One of the first existentialist philosophers. Some of Nietzsche's philosophies have surfaced as those upheld by Satanists.

Twilight of the Idols	Thus spake Zarathustra	Beyond Good And Evil	The AntiChrist

"German philosopher. A professor of Greek at Basel at the age of twenty-five, Nietzsche abandoned philology and, influenced by the ideas of Schopenhauer (1788-1860), he attempted to develop a critique of traditional religious and philosophical thought. Deteriorating health and growing insanity after 1889 brought him under the control of his sister, Elizabeth, who edited and distorted his writings.

Nietzsche's complex and ambitious work stressed the important of will, especially the 'will to power', and anticipated modern existentialism in emphasizing that people create their own world and make their own values - 'God is dead'. A fierce critic of Christianity and an opponent of egalitarianism and nationalism, his ideas have influenced anarchism and feminism as well as fascism. Nietzsche's best known writings include Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883-4), Beyond Good and Evil (1886) and On the Genealogy of Morals (1887)."

"Political Ideologies" by Andrew Heywood, p218

Satanism is just a Nietzsche rip-off?

"Friedrich Nietzsche is often referred to as the quintessential Satanist philosopher. It is undoubted that LaVey was influenced by Nietzsche as he would often quote from him. LaVey gave credit, where due, to Nietzsche.

But let's not get carried away. Every philosophy is based on the teachings learnt by its founder and followers! All the major literary philosophers and religions have used existing knowledge to fuel their own religion. LaVey's teachings matched with parts of Nietzsche's, partly in style and partly in content. The synthesis of Nietzsche with many other teachings and elements has created a new, unique movement. Nietzsche did not found an international Satanic organisation, he merely paved the way philosophically. Satanism is more than philosophy, it is a way of life and a system of symbolism that Nietzsche did and could not have created, and may not even have accepted if he was alive today."

"The Church of Satan or LaVey is not a fraud" by Vexen 2003 April

Relevant texts referencing or mentioning Nietzsche:

• Elitism: The Ubermensch, Superman; versus the Slave Morality of the Mass Herd
• Fascism and Nietzsche
• Doubt, and those who hunt for truth
• Search for truth as part of the search for happiness
• Self Worth
• Historical influences on Satanism
• The Satanic Mind is Balanced: Religion Imbalances People