Juozapas Albinas Herbačiauskas ir Friedrichas Nietzsche : estetinio mąstymo sąsajos

Abstract

The article discusses Nietzsche’s influence on Herbačiauskas’ aesthetic thinking in search of a typological relationship between "artistic metaphysics” (the birth of Tragedy) and ’’life’s artist” (God’s smile) concept. Comparative analysis leads to conclude that Herbačiauskas approved of what Nietzsche inherit ed from art philosophy of Romanticism with its mythological irrational powers of creativity. Herbačiauskas was also greatly influenced by Nietzsche’s ideology of idol destruction and his prophesy of the future ’’superman" as well as his concept of genius representing both Dionysian and Apollonian elements. Yet, the rebellious modernizer of Lithuanian literature remained indifferent to Nietzsche’s radical demythologization of Platonic metaphysics and his criticism of the romantic perspective. The idea of depersonalization and biology of creative process as well as the denial of overtly humane creativity remained alien to Herbačiauskas. Therefore, he only partially accepted the concept of will (life instinct) making his own connections with romantic mysticism and Promethean spirit. Herbačiauskas was a romantic follower of Nietzsche attracted by the aesthetic idea of the relationship of life and creativity and accenting this relationship by using the authority of the German philosopher.