The Overman

The Overman In Friedrich Nietzsche’s novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra, he frequently refers to something called the overman. But what is this overman? In the original German it is spelled Ubermensch, which can also be translated as superman or super human. Nonetheless, the overman is portrayed as Nietzsche’s idea of the perfect person. A perfect person that he feels we should all strive to become. The main idea portrayed by Nietzsche in the book is that we all should abandon the ideas morality presented by Christianity, and develop our own views on morality. He not only wants people to develop a new basis of morality but also a new way of thinking about morality. Nietzsche believes that the correct form of morality is what he calls the overman. Thus in Nietzsche’s grand plan for the overman, in the end its principles would come to take the place of Christian morality. Nietzsche refers to his new way of thinking as the overman. He most likely calls it this because he feels he is overcoming humanity and the overmen will preside over the rest of the population that has not adopted the ways of the overman. Morality has long been the foundation of human existence. Everyone is always preoccupied with the decision to decide what is right and what is wrong. Thus, Nietzsche feels by rethinking and retooling morality he is overcoming humanity. He believes the overman approach to life is the only approach worth taking. Then what is this radical idea of the overman? Overall it is Friedrich Nietzsche’s goal for the human race. In order to achieve this ambitious goal Nietzsche says we must complete a sort of self-overcoming. Moreover we must overcome our past ideals of morality and accepted new ideas. But, the goal of becoming the overman is not an ordinary goal. When most people think of goals they think of beating a high score or losing weight, but the goal of becoming the overman is much less quantifiable. When on the path of achieving an ordinary goal it is easy

Cited: Fennell, J. "NIETZSCHE CONTRA "SELF-REFORMULATION"" Studies in Philosophy & Education 24.2 (2005): 85. Http://connection.ebscohost.com. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Jonas, Mark E. "A (R)evaluation of Nietzsche’s Anti-democratic Pedagogy: The Overman, Perspectivism, and Self-overcoming." Studies in Philosophy & Education 28.2 (2009): 153-69. Microsoft Academic Search. Web. 12 Dec. 2012.