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Nietzsche and Schopenhauer: Two Paths to Meaning

Nietzsche nods to Schopenhauer as one of his earliest influences. Their relationship was a complex one; one based on admiration but an eventual divergence.

If you haven’t met Schopenhauer, well, his philosophy presents a rather bleak picture: life as a ceaseless struggle, driven by an irrational force he called the “will to live.” This will, he argued, binds us to an endless cycle of desire and disappointment. Nietzsche found this view compelling at first but, over time, began to see potential in this same drive that Schopenhauer found burdensome. Where Schopenhauer encouraged detachment as a form of peace, Nietzsche saw the will as a source of personal power.

From “Will to Live” to “Will to Power”

Schopenhauer’s “will to live” was a force that kept us perpetually dissatisfied. His answer was to quiet this will, finding peace in detachment and stepping away from worldly desires. Nietzsche, however, envisioned a new path. What if this will could be a tool for self-transformation, rather than just a cause of suffering? He reimagined it as the “will to power” – a drive not merely to survive but also to thrive and grow.

Nietzsche saw struggle as something that could elevate us, not something to escape. So while Schopenhauer promoted resignation, Nietzsche advocated for active engagement with life, difficulties and all.

He said, “One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” Struggle, for him, wasn’t an impediment to peace but rather an opportunity for inner growth.

How is this relevant in today’s world? Nietzsche’s way of thinking aligns well with those facing big goals or challenges in life, whether in personal life or professional. Nietzsche’s “will to power” reminds us that obstacles are not just barriers; they are the very means by which we grow and deepen our resilience.

In today’s terms, his perspective aligns nicely with the “growth mindset” – an idea that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, challenge, and perseverance. Nietzsche’s “will to power” suggests that challenges become opportunities to exercise and expand our abilities rather than obstacles to avoid. As he put it, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

Applying Nietzsche’s Will to Power to Modern Goals

If you’re pursuing big goals – leading a team, building a career, or seeking personal development – Nietzsche’s “will to power” is a powerful framework. Embracing the will to power means recognizing that how we face our setbacks shapes who we become. In positive psychology, there’s a similar focus on building resilience by working from our strengths. Nietzsche’s philosophy also aligns with this, encouraging us to cultivate our best qualities and to treat adversity as a way to unlock potential.

Authenticity as an Antidote to Burnout

A pitfall of Nietzsche’s thinking here is the tendency to strive too hard to become something one is not. That can become a one-way ticket to burnout. The antidote? Nietzsche believed deeply in the power of authenticity – the idea that striving should be directed toward what we truly value, rather than toward external rewards or expectations. For Nietzsche, a life built around someone else’s values or societal expectations would lead to despair and fatigue. To him, burnout is not just a result of working too hard; it’s a symptom of working on the wrong things.

“Become who you are,” Nietzsche famously advised. He suggested that true strength comes not just from persistence but from striving for what genuinely matters to us. When we pursue goals aligned with our core values, we find renewed energy rather than exhaustion. Nietzsche’s reminder to follow our authentic desires can be a guiding principle for anyone looking to navigate life’s demands without sacrificing personal well-being. It’s about understanding what we’re truly passionate about and committing to that path with intention and integrity.

Published inElle RichardsNietzschePositive PsychologySchopenhauer