Frederick Nietzsche is perhaps among the most controversial philosopher and thinker of his time. Mostly remembers for his highly scandalous declaration that God is dead, Nietzsche explored the concept of will to power in his book The Gay Science. The concept that Nietzsche was driving at with this concept is that men by nature has that instinctive drive that urges him to insist his ways and values to other people . Nietzsche was trying to suggest that regardless of the superficial intent in one’s action, whether it is by virtue benefiting or harmful to another person, the motive of the action will always be rooted on the ideology that this individual is doing the actions and speaking the verses, because the motive will always be the same—seeking control and enforcing that control.
Nietzsche was arguing that it is innate in man to be egotistical. Hence, altruistic actions are never altruistic. Every action is motivated to gain the upper hand or control. There is no such thing as giving without expecting. This was the overall argument that Nietzsche was driving at with his concept of will to power. The philosopher was claiming that there is no such thing as unconditional love or serving only for the purpose of service. The expectations may not always necessary has to be tangible. In fact, if a philanthropist gives money to build a hospital and it was donated anonymously, one cannot still argue that it was altruistic. Although there appears to be no tangible or evident feedback to the philanthropist, the personal satisfaction is his reward. Hence, at one point or the other the person gained something from his action.
Works Cited
Williams, Bernand. "The Gay Science." Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Gay Science: A prelude to German Rhymes and an Appendix of Songs. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001. 1-11. Print.
