Friedrich Nietzsche’s Views on Health and Increasing Human Strength

Abstract

This article presents the results of the research into Nietzsche’s philosophical views on health and increasing human strength. His approach to health and its potential are considered, including both natural abilities and efforts towards its improvement. Special attention is paid to the direct connection between individual health and self-knowledge. The paper dwells on such concepts as life hygiene and personal diet as well as Nietzsche’s idea of individual science. His original method is described, which can be used as a guide when analysing a period in one’s own life. Nietzsche’s understanding of the path to happiness is presented and the conditions for achieving it are identified. Special attention in the article is given to the conditions of fruitfulness and the preservation and improvement of human strength. Questions are raised about the body’s capacity and the harm of asceticism as well as about the harmonious relationship between body and soul. The role of the emotional and sensual sphere is demonstrated: the importance of personal experiences and an individual system of feelings for increasing human strength is determined. Virtues of a person with ascending vitality (such as joy, restlessness, freedom from ressentiment, etc.) are named. The importance of following one’s own path in life is shown. Examples are given of the individual’s life-preserving system at work (the operation of the intellect, certain instincts, etc.). The paper places particular emphasis on Nietzsche’s views about the efforts to preserve and increase one’s own strength outside of the medical context. In this regard, the problem of self-knowledge and self-education as well as the study of some contributing factors are important for further research.