"The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it"

Friedrich Nietzsche asserts that irrationality does not invalidate the existence of something; instead, it may serve as an essential prerequisite for that existence. Human tendency often equates rationality with truth or factual reality, suggesting that, for something to exist or to be real, it must be logical or sensible to the mind. Nietzsche challenges this assumption, proposing that many aspects of reality owe their existence not to their rationality but to their irrational foundations.

Nature, experience, and life are full of phenomena that defy reason and systematic explanation. Love, for instance, is frequently irrational; passions erupt without logical basis, yet their impact on human life is undeniable. Belief systems, rituals, and societal values often persist irrationally despite contradicting new evidence or logical progress. Nietzsche suggests that the existence of such seemingly illogical elements is not an oversight to be corrected, but could, in fact, be necessary for the richness, complexity, and creativity of life itself.

Instead of dismissing irrational ideas, behaviors, or entities as unreal or unworthy of consideration, Nietzsche urges that we recognize irrationality as a fundamental component of existence. The universe is not obligated to conform to human standards of rationality. Rationality is a tool, a lens, created by humans to navigate and make sense of reality, but it cannot contain or exhaust all that exists. The random, chaotic, and unpredictable aspects of existence are not lesser; they are constitutive.

Moreover, Nietzsche's view has implications for personal development and society. Creative impulses, innovative breakthroughs, and transformative revolutions often arise from what initially appears irrational. By acknowledging the generative power of irrationality, one becomes more attuned to the deeper, hidden currents shaping life. Rather than fearing or denying what cannot immediately be explained, embracing the irrational allows for a fuller and more honest engagement with the world as it is, not merely as we wish it to be.