„Learn from artists“ – Friedrich Nietzsche on the Art of Living

Authors

  • Corinna Schubert Friedrich Nietzsche College at the Weimar Classics Foundation

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31649/sent44.01.019

Keywords:

actor, illusion, perspectivism, transformation, cognition

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between art and life in the works of Friedrich Nietzsche. While Nietzscheʼs topos of the “art of living” has often been explored as an ethos of self-formation, the specific connection with various arts is often overlooked. Both the actor and the painter become role models whose techniques are suggested as useful strategies. Scholars often overlook that Nietzsche corrects his earlier metaphysical ideas according to which art has the role of justifying life and, on the contrary, places art in the middle of life and no longer beyond it. While usually the actor is seen as hypocritic figure, Nietzsche not only develops a specific evolutionary-biological genealogy of the artist, outlining the artistʼs origin in the need for dissimulation and acting, but also emphasizes the power of metamorphosis and transformation. Finally, Nietzsche assigns to art a new significance, which is more than just creating works of art. Inspired by the techniques of art and artists, people can use its power to beautify, elevate and reinterpret their life. The philosopher himself benefits from the techniques of transformation, insofar as perspectival cognition becomes his guide.

Author Biography

Corinna Schubert, Friedrich Nietzsche College at the Weimar Classics Foundation

PhD, Research

References

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Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Schubert, C. (2025). „Learn from artists“ – Friedrich Nietzsche on the Art of Living. Sententiae, 44(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.31649/sent44.01.019

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