Essay Comparing and Contrasting
Nietzsche and Freud
Nietzsche and Freud both had the same idea that society was a major factor affecting ones behavior. However, they differed in their perception of the innate qualities of humans and how human progress is achieved. Nietzsche believed that humans were innately good and that the essence of humans lied within their will. Freud believed that humans’ innate qualities were bad and it was society, which needed to suppress these qualities. Nietzsche felt that society had too much control over individuals. He states that society had adopted a type of slave morality. Nietzsche felt that if the individual wanted to succeed he or she had to break free of society to better him or herself. The basis of this idea was the theory of the will. Nietzsche believed the will was the human essence. Will is an innate quality because it is not conscience from what society says. Nietzsche believed that individuals were born good and it was society that made one bad. In order to avoid society corrupting an individual, one had to follow their will. He wanted the will to be unobstructed by society and in order to do this one had to do away with conscience and consciousness. Conscience is ones sense of right or wrong, which comes from what society, says. Nietzsche believed that ones consciousness is an illusion and it must be abandoned. By leaving behind what society said and following ones will the individual could achieve greatness.
