Friedrich Nietzsche is the most controversial, misunderstood, and abused philosopher of our time. His appeal is to the emotions as opposed to the intellect. Incisive, witty , and more than a little sanctimonious; the combination of blustery contempt for the status quo and a lively imagination fixed against a backdrop of immense erudition has struck a responsive and exposed nerve in modern society, especially among the young. The Nietzsche writings are as much a call to arms as a philosophical system. The modern interpetation is that society should be organized to promote the development of the genetically superior overman or superman. (The literal translation of the german word übermensch is overman; it was George Bernard Shaw who coined the ironically popular translation superman) Naturally, the most devoted adherents consider themselves to be these superior beings who by virtue of their genetic superiority are not subject to the same limitations on their behavior as the general public. An uncomprimising foe of the Christian religion, much of his work is a shocking, sometimes vulgar, sometimes neurotic, but always vituperative stream of invectives against everything associated with Christianity.