NIETZSCHE, FRIEDRICH

(1844–1900), German philosopher and poet. He denounced all religion and promoted the "morals of masters," the doctrine of perfecting man through forcible self-assertion and glorification of the "superman," as expressed in his most famous work, "Thus Spake Zarathustra." Nietzsche was a professor at the University of Basel in Switzerland from 1869 until 1879, when severe eye and brain trouble forced him to retire on a pension. He lived at various health resorts in Italy and Switzerland until 1889, when he became hopelessly insane. Nietzsche's theories are regarded a s having influenced the German attitudes in World War I and the Nazi regime. See also "Thus Spake Zarathustra" in this glossary. —PDC Volume 1 Approved Glossary