Final answer:
Jack London was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the superman in creating Wolf Larsen, with additional intellectual influences coming from Charles Darwin and Karl Marx, emphasizing individual struggle against societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The famous philosopher whose ideas inspired Jack London in creating Wolf Larsen was Friedrich Nietzsche. Jack London was heavily influenced by Nietzsche's concept of the superman and the belief in the primacy of the individual struggle against societal norms and institutions. This philosophical stance is evident in the construction of Wolf Larsen's character in London's novel The Sea-Wolf. Larsen epitomizes the Nietzschean superman; he is a dominant, intellectual, and strong-willed figure who imposes his worldview on others and exists somewhat outside of conventional moral standards.
London's engagement with Nietzsche's ideas is reinforced by the underlying themes of natural selection and survival found in Charles Darwin's work and the class struggle depicted by Karl Marx. These influences amalgamate in London's literature, emphasizing the brutal struggle for existence, the importance of heredity and environment, and the conflict between individual character and social institutions. London’s work, including his portrayal of Wolf Larsen, also showcases his naturalistic approach to storytelling, where characters are shaped by their environment and intrinsic traits.