Max Stirner

Date of Birth: October 25, 1806

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: June 26, 1856

Biography

Max Stirner, born Johann Kaspar Schmidt, was a German philosopher who is best known for his book “The Ego and Its Own,” which is considered one of the founding texts of individualist anarchism. Stirner was born in Bayreuth, Bavaria, and was educated at the University of Berlin where he studied philosophy. He was influenced by the ideas of Hegel, but he developed his own radical philosophy that centered on the concept of the individual ego. Stirner’s work was largely ignored during his lifetime, but it gained significant attention posthumously, influencing various thinkers and movements, including existentialism, nihilism, and anarchism. Stirner argued that the individual should not be constrained by social norms, religion, or state authority, and that true freedom comes from recognizing and embracing one’s own individual will and desires. Despite his radical ideas, Stirner led a relatively quiet life. He worked as a teacher and later opened a small milk shop with his wife Marie Dähnhardt. However, his business failed, and he spent his last years in poverty. Stirner died in Berlin in 1856.

5 Interesting Facts about Max Stirner

1. Max Stirner’s real name was Johann Kaspar Schmidt; he adopted the pseudonym ‘Stirner’ because of his high forehead, which ‘Stirn’ means in German.

2. His most influential work, “The Ego and Its Own,” was published in 1844 and initially met with little success.

3. Stirner was part of the Young Hegelians, a group that included other prominent philosophers like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

4. Despite his radical ideas, Stirner’s influence was mostly recognized posthumously, impacting thinkers such as Friedrich Nietzsche and various anarchist movements.

5. Stirner’s philosophy is often seen as a precursor to existentialism and nihilism, emphasizing the individual’s creation of their own meaning.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Max Stirner

1. “The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime.”

2. “Whoever will be free must make himself free. Freedom is no fairy gift to fall into a man’s lap.”

3. “The truth is, I have never made any sacrifices.”

4. “The egoist does not care about the sacred.”

5. “I am my own only when I am master of myself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Max Stirner did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. He lived modestly and died in poverty, so his net worth was negligible.