Rational vs. Irrational Thinking

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Nietzsche and Freud both believed that individuals make decisions based on irrational thought processes. It looks at how Nietzsche recognized irrational thought as natural and normal, and believed that decisions are driven based on the instinctual nature of man to be irrational. It shows how Nietzsche in fact, strongly supported the idea that the instinctual mind of man should be allowed to reign free, so that man can be free and live life to it's fullest without restriction. It also analyzes how Freud believed that therapy and psychoanalysis could achieve a more wholesome and rational decision making process. He felt that society as a whole would benefit from more reasonable and rational thinking, and believed he could teach men to overcome their base and irrational impulses.

From the Paper:

"Nietzsche also promoted the concept of nihilism. He stated that there is no morality that could be derived from God or Nature, because "God is dead" and that the old values of truth were lost and not valid (Kreis, 2000). This idea is the foundation for nihilism, the belief that "values are baseless, and that nothing can be known or communicated." (Lexico, 2003). He supported the idea that all previous theories of value and morality should be rejected to make room for future improvement. However, he did feel that man could create his own values and overcome mediocrity by becoming his own master and being true to himself and no other (Kreis, 2000). This was very common among supporters of nihilism, the belief that the rejection of old values could lead to the creation of a new self and civilization, one that adhered to it's natural instincts and irrational nature."

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