Nietzsche's and Adler's will to power: hypotheses for a critical comparison

Abstract

There are several similarities between Adler's and Nietzsche's thinking. Although much of their language may seem distant, there are actually many points in common, the most important of which became the foundation of individual psychology, namely the “will to power.” Some critics have misinterpreted both thinkers, and this article aims to make us reflect on these historical misunderstandings. The German philosopher in particular was exploited in a way typical of the dark times of the world wars, making him appear militaristic, nationalistic, and racist. From this article, we can deduce the complexity behind one interpretation or another, which can be so subjective, powerful, and influenced by historical times. The fate of Adler and Nietzsche was very similar, especially in their posthumous reinterpretation in subsequent historical periods, and they were then able to rehabilitate their work as an indispensable foundation of modern thought