If evolution is not complete, as Friedrich Nietzsche contends in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, then a future breed of human may likely be superior to the humans of today. The characteristics of Nietzsche's Superman, or übermensch, are not what you'd expect from any comic book character, but they are an insightful way to guide our own evolution. Learn more about Nietzsche and the Superman with a brief philosophy video.

Concepts

friedrich nietzsche, philosophers

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Host a discussion or assign a journal prompt in which learners describe their ideal selves, or their own personal Supermen (and women)
• Include in a unit on Nietzsche or when discussing German philosophy

Classroom Considerations

• Discusses Nietzsche's theory about the Superman's attitude toward sex
• Comment section is open to the public and is full of opinions about Nietzsche's arguments

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Includes a quick overview of the Superman, saving the detailed account for Nietzsche's text
• Animations and images hold viewer interest

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RH.9-10.2 RH.11-12.2