The Concept of Creativity Within Friedrich Nietzsche's Übermensch

Abstract

This article explores how Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch positions creativity not as a peripheral trait but as a foundational requirement for human transformation in the face of moral collapse. By tracing Nietzsche’s critique of slave morality, the death of God, and the emergence of nihilism, the study identifies creativity as the essential force that enables the revaluation of values. Employing a qualitative method through literature review, this research examines Nietzsche’s philosophical narrative alongside Robert J. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Creativity. This psychological framework, which identifies cognitive style, intrinsic motivation, and domain expertise as the core components of creativity, serves to evaluate whether Nietzsche’s process of value creation can be scientifically understood as a creative act. The discussion confirms that Nietzsche’s philosophical imperative aligns with contemporary psychological criteria for creativity, revealing that the will to create is not merely symbolic but functionally central to the emergence of the Übermensch. The conclusion drawn is that creativity, in Nietzsche’s thought, constitutes the condition of becoming rather than its result. However, this study remains limited to the exploration of creativity within the concept of the Übermensch and does not extend to other possible dimensions of creativity in Nietzsche’s broader philosophical corpus.