Thinking Through It

Thinking Through It

Share this post

Thinking Through It
Thinking Through It
Nietzsche’s Fundamental Component of Human Identity: The Will to Power

Nietzsche’s Fundamental Component of Human Identity: The Will to Power

Do you have what it takes to overcome obstacles and strive for greatness?

Alejandro Betancourt's avatar
Alejandro Betancourt
Aug 03, 2022
∙ Paid

Share this post

Thinking Through It
Thinking Through It
Nietzsche’s Fundamental Component of Human Identity: The Will to Power
Share
Photo by ShotPot from Pexels.

“My humanity is a constant self-overcoming.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

In his book “Beyond Good and Evil,” German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche discussed the will to power — a fundamental component of human identity.

He claimed that it is the main driving force in humans, aiming at intensifying power and creativity. This idea underpins Nietzsche’s notion of eternal recurrence and metaphysics.

It is a dynamic energy in constant change and striving, which may be seen in the form of encounters with challenges.

In essence, it is what makes us human.

Contrasted with living for procreation, pleasure, or happiness, the will to power summarizes all man’s struggle against his surrounding environment and his reason for living in it. It is a never-ending journey towards becoming the best version of ourselves.

Nietzsche’s philosophy can be seen as an attack against Christianity, which he saw as a slave morality that denies one’s will.

He believed that for progress in society, …

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Thinking Through It to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Alejandro Betancourt
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share