Doctor, Heal Yourself!

Zdeněk Neubauer
The article combines certain motives from Nietzsche’s Thus Spake Zarathustra with concepts employed by Adolf Portmann in his theory of biology, such as the concept of „non-addressed phenomena proper“ (unadressierte eigentliche Erscheinungen). These phenomena, understood as „self-representation of Inwardness“ (Selbstdarstellung der Innerlichkeit), are interpreted here as a manifestation of the will to power (Wille zur Macht) which incites living beings to pursue a unique incorporation of a form of life, an integral or perfect form. Nietzsche’s „giving virtue“ (die schenkende Tugend) is understood here precisely as „profficiency in self-shaping“ – which, however, takes place only when life itself gives itself out and transcends itself.