Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche’s Concept of Power

Abstract

This article aims to study and analyze the concept of power in philosophy of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. The framework of the study is to define meaning, types, and uses of power. This article deals with three writing of Nietzsche’s: The Birth of tragedy, Thus Spoke Zarathustra and the Will to Power. In addition, there are also some excerpts from secondaries on Nietzsche concept of power. The study found that Nietzsche’s concepts of power i.e. a control and over-power are asymmetrical from presently common understanding that power is a force that overwhelm and acts with force, whether it is physical or abstracted.

Control refers to self-control. Nietzsche believes that there are two types of power consisted in man. The first is the Dionysian and second the Apolloian. When these two are in control, we can over-power the others and make ourselves become over and above people. The ability to have self-knowledge is considered to be a mean of becoming a Superman. The use of power in the Nietzschean concept is a power called supernatural power. His use of power comes in the form of domination. Self-control is an ability to control the others to be in control and have nothing against their will. To use this higher order power is the cultivation to be a Superman, and pursue the highest purpose in Nietzschean which is “Eternal Recurrence”