Will To Power
Context
The will to power is a concept in the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche that describes what Nietzsche may have believed to be the main driving force in humans. However, the concept was never systematically defined in Nietzsche’s work, leaving its interpretation open to debate
The pursuit of power affects nearly every aspect of the lives of group-living animals. Winners in the struggle for power get more food, or more mates, or better, safer living quarters, and sometimes they get a combination of such spoils. The strategic aspects of power in animals are mind-boggling. Animals assess putative opponents, spy on others, modify their behaviors when they are watched, form alliances to subdue rivals, and more. Studies of the dynamics of power show just how complex their strategies can get. [1]
Nietzsche’s Own Words
“My idea is that every specific body strives to become master over all space and to extend its force (its will to power) and to thrust back all that resists its extension.” — The Will to Power (posthumous notes)
“Life itself is Will to Power.” — Beyond Good and Evil
References
- ↑ Lee Alan Dugatkin, Social Animals Seek Power in Surprisingly Complex Ways: It’s not just physical combat—animals have a host of strategies for building clout Sci Am (2202-04-15) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/social-animals-seek-power-in-surprisingly-complex-ways/
