Originally posted by FreakyKBH
I disagree. Respectfully, of course, but disagree nonetheless. He was a miserable man, which was a direct result of his thinking. Unique? No, but that's beside the point. He certainly was more articulate and honest than most, but his thinking is what ultimately diverged his path.
Logically, his end was misery.
I disagree. Respectfully, of course. 🙂
The causes of N’s ultimate insanity are open to debate, and different scholars have reached different conclusions, none of which can be established for sure. One prominent view is that it was caused by syphilis.
However, N had a lifelong history of physical maladies, including severe migraines starting at a young age. He also drove himself relentlessly (often writing 10+ hours per day despite his painful eyesight), in spite of his various ailments (one could argue that that was a result of his thinking). He may also have been manic-depressive. I tend to lean toward these as a combination of factors. I guess it is precisely opposite of your conclusion: i.e., I think that much of his worst thinking may have been the result of his misery.
I do think that a severe "introversion" of thinking,
coupled with emotional and physiological factors can lead to ill mental health.
Interestingly, despite the biting vitriol of much of his “negative philosophy,” most commentators seem to report that in person he tended to be respectful and kind and (until his breakdown) coherent.
My only point is this: I once read a commentator who heavily implied that, since Nietzsche ultimately went mad, all of his philosophy should be discounted—and that I think is unwarranted. But that’s not what you’re saying.
EDIT: Hey, if we're not careful, you and I will actually get into a debate! 😉