In “The Will to Power,” specifically in note 125 from section 6.59 “The Evidence of the Body,” Nietzsche mentions the concept of a “divine stomach.” Here, he critiques the traditional metaphysical and religious concepts by emphasizing the importance of the body and its instincts. The passage reads:
“To what extent a divine stomach: This concept still found in mythology, and fundamentally the equivalent of the formula: that God is able to assimilate and turn to his own advantage everything that is offered.”
In this context, Nietzsche uses the “divine stomach” metaphorically to critique the way religious and metaphysical systems attempt to assimilate and justify all experiences and phenomena as part of a divine or higher purpose. He contrasts this with his own philosophy, which emphasizes the body, instincts, and the natural drives as the primary sources of meaning and value. This reflects his broader critique of traditional morality and metaphysics, advocating instead for a perspective that embraces life and its inherent drives.
Why did he believe this?
Friedrich Nietzsche believed in the primacy of the body and its instincts over abstract metaphysical and religious concepts for several reasons:
- Critique of Metaphysics and Religion: Nietzsche was critical of traditional metaphysics and religion, particularly Christianity, which he believed denigrated the body and the instincts in favor of a spiritual, otherworldly focus. He argued that these systems promoted a life-denying morality that devalued earthly existence and the natural drives of humans.
- Emphasis on Life-Affirmation: Nietzsche’s philosophy is fundamentally life-affirming. He saw the instincts and the body as the true sources of vitality, creativity, and strength. By emphasizing the body, he aimed to promote a philosophy that embraced life in all its complexity, including its struggles and passions.
- Will to Power: Central to Nietzsche’s thought is the concept of the “will to power,” which he saw as the fundamental driving force in all living beings. This concept emphasizes growth, self-overcoming, and the assertion of one’s own values. By focusing on the body and its instincts, Nietzsche believed individuals could better understand and harness their will to power.
- Rejection of Ascetic Ideals: Nietzsche opposed ascetic ideals that renounce bodily desires and pleasures. He believed these ideals stemmed from a resentment of life and a desire to escape from it. By affirming the body, Nietzsche sought to reject this life-denial and promote a more robust, life-affirming approach.
- Philosophical Naturalism: Nietzsche’s emphasis on the body aligns with his philosophical naturalism, which sees human beings as part of the natural world, governed by the same forces and instincts as other animals. This perspective rejects supernatural explanations and focuses on the concrete, physical aspects of existence.
In summary, Nietzsche’s belief in the primacy of the body and its instincts was a response to what he saw as the life-denying tendencies of traditional metaphysics and religion. By emphasizing the body, he aimed to promote a philosophy that affirmed life, embraced natural drives, and encouraged individuals to assert their own values and power.