A PHILOSOPHICAL RECONSIDERATION OF NIETZSCHEAN WILL-TO-POWER AS WILL-TO-WIN

Abstract

Nietzsche, in his writings, considers will-to-power as a psychological principle. As such, will-to-power is the ultimate drive underlying all human actions. Put differently, in all that human beings do, they search for power or to express power in the form of domination or self-overcoming. This research assesses this doctrine of Nietzsche and maintains that it is rather will-to-win and not will-to-power that is the primordial drive in human beings. Will-to-win is the will or the strong desire for success; the strong will to go beyond oneself. In all that humans do, there is always this strong desire to be a winner or a success. Nietzsche's will-to-power is flatus vocis or rather 'power-less' if power is not pursued for victory or success. If will-to-win is the primum mobile in human beings, this presupposes the fact that existence is a struggle. In other words, to exist is to strive or to be involved in struggles. Nonetheless, humans strive, not for striving sake; they strive to be winners.