Übermensch

The Übermensch, literally "overman" or "overhuman," is a central concept in Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy, introduced in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. It designates an ideal of humanity that transcends conventional moralities and social norms by creating new values. It is not a political program or a concrete leader, but a goal toward which individuals may strive.

The concept emerges in the wake of Nietzsche's proclamation of the "death of God" and the need for a revaluation of all values. The Übermensch embodies life-affirmation, self-overcoming, and the will to power as a formative principle, overcoming ressentiment and herd morality. Attaining this state involves embracing uncertainty, accepting responsibility, and cultivating creativity to shape one’s own meaning in a world without absolute norms. The Übermensch is contrasted with the Last Man, who seeks comfort, safety, and conformity.

Reception and interpretation of the idea have varied widely. Some readers have misunderstood it as a justification for elitism or domination, but Nietzsche warned against misappropriations and tied the concept to individual self-mastery rather than collective supremacy. The Übermensch is often discussed alongside Nietzschean ideas such as the eternal recurrence and the transvaluation of values, as part of a broader vision of personal transformation and the redefinition of human flourishing.