Friedrich Nietzsche, a 19th century German philosopher, is known for his provocative ideas and criticisms of contemporary society. In his famous work "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," Nietzsche addresses the concept of the individual versus the tribe, arguing that the individual must constantly struggle against the constraints and expectations of the tribe in order to truly be free.
According to Nietzsche, the tribe, or society at large, has a tendency to try and impose its values and norms on the individual. This can be seen in the pressure to conform to certain social standards, the expectations placed on individuals to fulfill certain roles, and the ways in which society tries to control and regulate behaviour.
For Nietzsche, the struggle of the individual against the tribe is a necessary one. He believed that true freedom and individuality can only be achieved by rejecting the constraints of society and forging one's own path. In "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," he writes: "The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
This struggle against the tribe is not easy, and Nietzsche recognised that it often leads to isolation and discomfort. But he believed that the benefits of individuality and freedom are worth the sacrifice. By rejecting the norms and values of the tribe, the individual is able to develop their own unique perspective and identity, and to live a truly authentic and fulfilling life.
However, Nietzsche also recognised that the struggle of the individual against the tribe is not a simple matter of rejecting society outright. He believed that the individual must also find a way to engage with the tribe in a productive and meaningful way. This requires a delicate balance between maintaining one's individuality and contributing to the larger community.
In "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," Nietzsche writes: "To live alone one must be either a beast or a god, says Aristotle. Leaving out the third case: one must be both—a philosopher. That is to say, the individual who neither flees the world nor becomes its tool, the one who lives within it and above it."
Here, Nietzsche suggests that the philosopher, as an individual who is both part of and separate from society, represents the ideal balance between the individual and the tribe. The philosopher is able to engage with the tribe and contribute to its growth and development, while also maintaining their own unique perspective and individuality.
In conclusion, Nietzsche's ideas about the individual and the tribe are complex and nuanced. He believed that the individual must constantly struggle against the constraints and expectations of society in order to achieve true freedom and individuality. This struggle is not easy, and it often leads to isolation and discomfort. But Nietzsche believed that the benefits of individuality and freedom are worth the sacrifice, and that by finding a balance between the individual and the tribe, we can live authentic and fulfilling lives.
