Comparison of the Philosophical Thought of Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi and Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Abstract

This article attempts to compare the philosophical and wisdom-based ideas of Ferdowsi and Nietzsche in order to identify the similarities and differences between the worldviews of these two thinkers. The purpose of the study was to expand and reinterpret their rationalist perspectives and to uncover their shared foundations concerning essential aspects of human life. Using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on documentary and library sources, the research conducted a comparative examination of the wisdom-oriented concepts reflected in Ferdowsi’s poetry and the philosophical ideas presented in Nietzsche’s works. The findings indicate that the two share notable similarities in their emphasis on reason and rationality in human life, particularly on themes such as greed, vengeance, forgiveness, and honesty. However, a fundamental and profound difference is observed in areas such as their perspectives on women. Nietzsche’s Übermensch, which remains an abstract construct in his thought, is not analogous in nature or characteristics to Ferdowsi’s super-heroic figure, who is portrayed as a tangible human being with earthly qualities. This contrast reveals the divergent orientations of the two thinkers regarding humanity and ethics.