What makes Nietzsche the father of postmodernism

[Neha Khan]

Was Nietzsche really a Derridean a postmodern before time?
If so, then what makes his existentialism different from his contemporaries n so close to the spirit of postmodern philosophy?

[DanielBenoit]

Nietzsche was not a postmodernist, but rather his influence was great on postmodern philosophy. He was the first one to not present any sort of meta-narrative and produced skepticism towards any at all. One of his main goals was in fact to present a solution to the traditional Platonic/Aristililean duality which had overtaken Western philosophy since their first publication. He was the first to attempt to move on from this overreaching dichotemy and to return to the legacy of the pre-Socratics.

[Dinkleberry2010]

Nietzsche is one of the very few philosophers who uses the word I in his work.

[Nietzsche]

Nietzsche is one of the very few philosophers who uses the word I in his work.


Nietzsche's philosophy was very personal to him. It changed over time, reflecting his new thoughts, life experiences, and so forth.

In regards to the original poster and DanielBenoit's post, Nietzsche was not a post modernist as the term had not yet been invented.

The term existentialism didn't come around until the 1940s I believe , and postmodernism as a philosophical term around a decade or so later I think.

Nietzsche was especially influential as a precursor to both as existentialism is essentially pondering one's own existence and meaning in life, which is very subjective. Pre-Nietzschean philosophers often concerned themselves with things such as cognition and Epistemology, Metaphysics, theology and so on. While Nietzsche did indeed write on these topics, his philosophy was aimed more at criticizing society & organizing religion, and what to DO with knowledge rather than how we obtain it. You could say that in comparison to other philosophers, he was rather "backwards". He tended to build on ideas of his influences, for example, Schopenhauer, Kant, etc, while at the same time countering them. Nietzsche often wrote about how, in his eyes, life should be lived. Of course, Nietzsche's ideas were not meant to be taken as a universal maxim (which he criticized the concept of) but to make you think about how to live YOUR life. For this reason I say his philosophy is quite subjective. Postmodernism is built on the concept of no universal truths from what I have been told (though I can't say I am intimately familiar with postmodernism, so if I am wrong please do correct me), which of course if "God is dead" and there is no "right, correct and only way", then this is an obvious precursor to deconstructionist and postmodern thought. Since Nietzsche advocated personal reflection and choosing your own path in life rather than letting the concept of devotion to a God dictate your moral and life choices.


There are no facts, only interpretations.



“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.”

The pre-socratic philosophers were a bit "less mature" in the sense that there were not already very many universally accepted ideas as society was still relativity young. For this reason, the pre-socratics thinking "started from scratch" so to speak without many influences, and Nietzsche admired them for this as they were revolutionary and original.


Many a man fails to become a thinker only because his memory is too good.


That's just my take on things, I hope I could be of help. I'm not highly intimate with deconstructionist (which I think Derridia was) or postmodern thought.

[Klingsor]

Nietzsche said: "There is no truth, only interpretation."

For this reason he wrote "I" in his works. So it could be read as "I, F.Nietzsche, say this. You, reader, can make your own choice, if you like it or not. It is not an eternal truth."

[blazeofglory]

Nietzsche has revolutionized philosophical thinking. He questioned the very foundation of philosophy on which Aristotle and his followers built up monumental ideas.

[DanielBenoit]

Nietzsche has revolutionized philosophical thinking. He questioned the very foundation of philosophy on which Aristotle and his followers built up monumental ideas.

As did Heidigger, though much more systematically. Kierkegaard did somewhat of the same thing in religious philosophy, destroying previous Carstinian and Hegelian conceptions of what God and faith was.

[John Lark]

As did Heidigger, though much more systematically. Kierkegaard did somewhat of the same thing in religious philosophy, destroying previous Carstinian and Hegelian conceptions of what God and faith was.

Carstinian?

[DanielBenoit]

Carstinian?

Sorry, it's Cartesian.

It's relating to the French philosopher Rene Descartes.