Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

1
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900)

• Born October 15, 1844
• 1849 father dies
• 1864 goes to Bonn University to study theology
  and philology (classics and ancient languages)
• 1865 transfers to Leipzig University to study
  philology

2
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

• Met in 1868
• Became a father figure for Nietzsche
• Nietzsche saw him as the reincarnation of Greek
  tragedy
• Broke with Wagner due to anti-Semitism and
  Parsifal

3
The Birth of Tragedy 1872

• First book
• Originally dedicated to Wagner removed in the
  2nd edition
• philosophical justification for the work Wagner
  was carrying out in his operas. 
• Focused on Greek theater (especially drama) and
  music
• Distinguished between Apollonian and Dionysian
  livessought a reconciliation of them
• Conflict between Appolonian and Dionysian lead to
  the great age of Greek Tragedy

4
Appolonian-Dionysian forces (Triebe)

• Artistic creation depends on a tension between
  two opposing forces, which Nietzsche terms the
  Apollonian and the Dionysian. 

5
The Apollonian

• Apollo was charioteer of the sun (hence truth and
  life)
• Represents life as a problem that must be solved
  through reason and principle

6
The Dionysian

• Dionysus (or Bacchus) was god of wine
• Represents passion and the overcoming of
  pessimism through celebration

7
Duality-Dichotomy (Zwiespalt)

• Appolonian reason

• Dionysian emotion

• reason, order, control, individuality, and sober
  thought
• seeks to bring philosophic order to the universe
• represents visual arts

• mysticism, emotion, chaos, "world harmony," and
  "collective unity
• represents music

8

• Both the Apollonian and the Dionysian are
  necessary in the creation of art. Without the
  Apollonian, the Dionysian lacks the form and
  structure to make a coherent piece of art, and
  without the Dionysian, the Apollonian lacks the
  necessary vitality and passion. Although they are
  diametrically opposed, they are also intimately
  intertwined.

9
Tendencies in Human Personality

• Appolonian

• Dionysian

• Reason
• Order
• Clarity
• Moderation
• Control
• Analysis
• Research
• Rule-Oriented

• Passion
• Spontaneity
• Imagination
• Excess
• Frenzy
• Intuition
• Feeling
• Faith Ritual