Psychology in Nietzsche’s Criticism of Religion

On Splitting and Loss of Orientation

by Jan-Olav Henriksen

Book cover: Psychology in Nietzsche’s Criticism of Religion

Extent: 207 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Philosophy, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, & Psychotherapy, Religious Studies

Series: Religion in Philosophy and Theology

Series volume number: 121

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(November 2022)

ISBN: 9783161617911

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $99.00

In stock

In this study, Jan-Olav Henriksen sheds new light on the psychological dimensions behind Nietzsche’s criticism of religion. He demonstrates the fundamental split that Nietzsche saw between his own worldview and a religious one, as well as the loss of orientation that followed the rejection of religion.


Friedrich Nietzsche claimed to be a psychologist. This claim is substantiated in his criticism of religion. In this book, Jan-Olav Henriksen provides new perspectives on Nietzsche’s contribution to such criticism by applying elements from attachment theory and self-psychology. The result is that Nietzsche’s insights into the problematic elements in religion point beyond what he was able to articulate based on the psychological resources available to him. Henriksen sheds new light on the psychological dimensions in Nietzsche’s individualism, his understanding of God, morality, metaphysics and emotions, and demonstrates how Nietzsche’s criticism of religion is rooted in both psychological splitting and a profound loss of the orientational resources religion provided in his childhood.

  • By (author) Jan-Olav Henriksen