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The Will to Power (manuscript)

The Will to Power is the title of a projected but unfinished book by Friedrich Nietzsche. Compiled and edited posthumously by his literary executors, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche and Peter Gast, the work was presented as Nietzsche's magnum opus and a systematic exposition of his philosophy. It was published in various versions and arrangements between 1901 and 1906.

The content consisted primarily of notes and fragments selected from Nietzsche's notebooks dating from the mid-1880s until his final mental breakdown in 1889. These notes covered a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, epistemology, morality, art, politics, and history. The editors attempted to organize these fragmented thoughts into a coherent whole, suggesting a unified system centered around the concept of "will to power."

However, The Will to Power has been the subject of considerable scholarly debate and criticism. A significant point of contention is whether the published versions accurately represent Nietzsche's intended philosophy. Critics argue that the editors, particularly Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, imposed their own interpretations and biases onto the material, distorting Nietzsche's original ideas. Concerns exist regarding the selective inclusion and exclusion of notes, as well as the organizational structure imposed upon them.

Many contemporary Nietzsche scholars consider The Will to Power to be a problematic and unreliable source for understanding Nietzsche's thought. They argue that the book should be approached with extreme caution and that Nietzsche's published works should be prioritized for a more accurate representation of his philosophy. Modern interpretations often focus on analyzing Nietzsche's published books, essays, and letters, rather than relying heavily on the compiled fragments of The Will to Power. Despite the controversy, the book has had a considerable influence on intellectual history and has contributed to the reception and interpretation of Nietzsche's philosophy, both positively and negatively.