Nietzsche: Power and Moral Value

A preliminary discussion of Nietzsche as an existentialist philosopher involves ideas about the general scope of his work in the context of existentialism in general, the concept of the will to power and some thoughts Nietzsche’s position on truth. Nietzsche’s “will to power” is a striking concept.  It involves a state of constant becoming, or more bluntly, a constant state of overcoming. It is the essence of life for Nietzsche and thus deserves to be discussed. The Nietzschian life revolves around “power” and the augmentation thereof, but what exactly is power? Power involves a surmounting or even involves control or influence over a particular external thing or internal phenomenon. Thus, if one were to act in order to “increase their will to power,” they would be acting to overcome something either in the world or in themselves that, if surmounted and overcome, will increase one’s control and influence over that thing. These general terms are confusing, so perhaps some examples will better serve to articulate the concept.

Vanity in Nietzsche’s “Beyond Good and Evil”

In section 261 of Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche articulates a conception of vanity with respect to the distinction he makes between nobles and ordinary men. He offers that vanity is perhaps the most difficult thing for the noble man to understand, for it involves seeking an opinion of oneself that is held by others and not oneself. Further, it involves thinking that this opinion is relevant and valuable, i.e. that it has a positive of negative effect on the self. Nietzsche goes as far as to say that in order to be vain, a noble would have to believe such an external opinion, which, given his articulation of the noble, seems impossible.