The nineteenth century was that of the masses, individuals and great men. Social eudemonism (volume 5 of this "counterhistory of philosophy"), and existential radicalities (volume 6), respectively represent the philosophical history of masses and individuals. This third party, entitled the construction of the superman, explains the role of the great man and the aspiration of him, during this century, to sublime life.

Tuberculous and sedated with stoicism, Jean-Marie Guyau (1854-1888) develops a vitalist philosophy as a war machine against Kantian morality. This patient defends the gift, generosity, risk, spending, action in a work that could turn it into a French Nietzsche. Thinker of Republicanism, he formulates a hygienism, racism, a natalism, dangerously managing concepts of Vichy's ideology. He finally defends a pantheistic and stellar immortality based on love.

The ontological figure of Nietzsche's "Superman" (1844-1900) is not alien to the strange metaphysics that the German philosopher knew. Nietzsche begins with Schopenhauer and Wagner, continues with a long time Epicurean and ends with the praise of an ultra-caricaturized "superman". This figure now appoints the individual who has understood that the will to power contains the fullness of the powers, which is necessary to desire this will that requires us, and then to love it and achieve a supreme jubilation. A technique of wisdom accessible to all.