When Nietzsche Wept

When Nietzsche Wept is an inspiring novel that exhibits many of the perspectives from different theorists touched on throughout this semester. One such perspective is the existential one, and how it is related to Breuer’s behaviors and beliefs about responsibility and choice. All of Breuer’s life had been based around expectations that he placed on himself through external influence. In the novel, Nietzsche and Breuer uncover that this is was from aspects of life such as culture, and the expectations that society places on individuals. Breuer grew up Jewish, and like all his peers, wanted to grow out of the ghetto, have money, and meet all the markers for what they defined as success. Breuer never gave much thought to choosing something other

I believe that behaviorism described by B. F. Skinner can help to understand the interpersonal relationship patterns that exist within Nietzsche. Behaviorism is all about an antecedent (situation/environment in which a behavior takes place), a behavior, and a consequence (that will make the behavior more or less likely to occur in the future). Although Nietzsche was an unique individual, with evidence of reaching a high state of being, I believe behaviorism also has played a role in the pattern of his interpersonal relationships. Nietzsche from a young age has been afraid of betrayal and forming intimate relationships with trust. His mother was very cold. When Nietzsche attempted to interact with his mother in a familial way, she distanced herself and was very cold. When Nietzsche tried to develop trust and intimacy with his mother (behavior), she was cold (consequence). This form of positive punishment resulted in the addition of an aversive stimulus: coldness. This behavior of developing intimate and trusting relationships was therefore less likely to occur in the future. Similarly, Nietzsche describes his relationship with his sister, who was also very manipulative and cold. Similar to his mother, this coldness resulted in the behavior of trusting and developing relationships with others to be less likely to occur in the future. Wagner, though this was not explained

According to Freud, all three are simultaneously influencing our behavior and thoughts. The Id is completely unconscious and possess the sole function of seeking pleasure. This pleasure principle is illogical, has no morality, and ultimately seeks pleasure without regard for what is proper or just. Examples of this can been seen through the thoughts that Breuer has about both Bertha and Lou. Bertha for Breuer was a very complex relationship, and it took a long time to uncover the underlying meaning of Bertha within the novel. However, an example of Id can be seen here. Although half his age, he is physiologically aroused and enticed by Bertha. His endless fantasies all contain sexual thoughts of pleasure with Bertha. Similarly, Lou is a young attractive woman to Breuer. For Breuer, although he is married, he is instantly aroused and attracted to her, and even admits he is not sure why she had such a strong effect on him. Although logically, Breuer knows these are not logical or acceptable thoughts, he feels almost compulsive with them, which is a great example of his Id. He is unconsciously driven to pleasure and can barely contain his physiological arousal and sexual desires. The Superego is the moral and ideal aspect of personality. Two components