Toward a Neo-Nietzschean Theory of Human Development

Abstract

The 19th century philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche placed great emphasis on the notion of becoming and although contemporary Nietzsche scholars have paid considerable attention to Nietzsche’s psychology, little attention has been paid to Nietzsche’s notion of becoming as a theory of human development. This is not surprising given the aphoristic and unsystematic presentation of Nietzsche’s ideas. Drawing on his own familiarity with Nietzsche’s work, the author explores the literature on Nietzsche’s conception of becoming, placing particular emphasis on the notion of becoming what one is. In lieu of philosophical analysis of the primary texts, the author consults contemporary scholarship on Nietzsche’s psychology to develop a neo-Nietzschean theory of human development and argues that Nietzsche does indeed have an inchoate theory. The author further relates the neo-Nietzschean theory of human development to other theories within the discipline, such as possible selves, dynamic integration, self-actualization, self-creation, and additional metatheoretical concerns.