Abstract
This chapter explores the idea of the contemporary and future university through the lense of the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900). The aim of this chapter is to explore the instinct, the will to power (Wille zur Macht), which universities today may be argued to be in need of. This includes an analysis of the concept of power (Macht) in Nietzsche and the ways he links it to knowledge and human growth. I explore the inner being of such institutions, which Nietzsche refers to, and the ideals for education, personal and societal development, which may be detected in selected passages from a sample of Nietzsche’s central works. The analysis is linked to the discussion of higher education today. Here, I discuss the consequences of changing the higher education discourse from one of decline to one of the dawn (daybreak) and a new beginning. Indeed, Nietzsche may help us unfold an ontology of the future university and a discussion of the coming of values not yet present and understood. This includes the privilege of the university today as being the herald of thoughts not yet arrived to man, and the bringer of societal values not yet comprehended and embraced.
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Bengtsen, S.S.E. (2020). Nietzsche (1844–1900): The Will to Power and the University. In: Barnett, R., Fulford, A. (eds) Philosophers on the University. Debating Higher Education: Philosophical Perspectives, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31061-5_2
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