“There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.”
- October 15, 1844 – August 25, 1900
- Born in Germany
- Philosopher, poet, and classical philologist
- With works such as “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” “Beyond Good and Evil,” and “The Genealogy of Morals,” he questioned traditional morality, religion, and truth, and had a major impact on modern philosophy.
Quote
“There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche challenges the idea of absolute truths and eternal facts, suggesting that all knowledge and understanding are subjective and contingent upon human experience. Nietzsche argues that what we perceive as truths or facts are not unchanging or universal, but are shaped by our perspectives, cultural contexts, and historical circumstances. For him, there are no objective, timeless truths that apply to all people in all situations; instead, what we consider to be true is always subject to change and interpretation.
Historically, Nietzsche’s philosophy was deeply critical of the traditional metaphysical and religious systems that claimed to offer eternal, unchanging truths—particularly those offered by Christianity and other dominant ideologies. He saw these absolute truths as limiting human potential and creativity, as they were often imposed from the outside rather than discovered through personal exploration and self-examination. Nietzsche’s philosophy emphasizes the fluidity and evolution of knowledge, arguing that individuals should embrace the uncertainty of existence and continually re-evaluate their beliefs and assumptions.
In modern contexts, this idea can be applied to fields such as science, politics, and ethics, where our understanding of the world is constantly evolving. What was once considered a scientific fact or moral absolute may later be revised as new information or perspectives emerge. For example, in science, long-held theories can be overturned by new discoveries, and in ethics, societal norms shift over time. Nietzsche’s view encourages us to remain open to change and to question dogmatic beliefs, recognizing that our understanding of truth is always evolving and shaped by the circumstances of our time. His perspective invites us to embrace the uncertainty of life and to create our own values and truths rather than relying on fixed, external ones.