Nietzsche

Arguments of the Philosophers

by Richard Schacht, Ted Honderich (Editor)

Few philosophers have been as widely misunderstood as has Nietzsche. His detractors and followers alike have all too often fundamentally misinterpreted him, distorting his views and intentions and criticizing or celebrating him for reasons having little to do with any views he actually held. Far from being the advocate of racism, fascism, and irrationality he is commonly supposed to have been, he was in reality a relentless critic of both commonplace and philosophical prejudices and all-too-human tendencies. His style and method invite comparison with Wittgenstein's. In his conception of the interpretive and creative character of genuinely philosophical thinking, however, he looked beyond the self-imposed limits of analytical philosophy.

Concentrating upon Nietzsche's writings in the last decade of his productive life, including unpublished notes as well as published and completed works, this thorough study explores his thinking on a broad range of philosophical issues: from philosophy itself and truth and knowledge, to human nature, values, moralities, and art. The result is a comprehensive interpretation of his philosophical thought which reveals its underlying unity, subtlety, originality, and power. It should serve to counter many common misunderstandings of him, and to demonstrate his contemporary relevance and importance.

Nietzsche emerges here as a philosopher of considerable sophistication who broke markedly with traditional and commonplace ways of thinking in many respects, but whose criticisms, departures, and alternative views and strategies deserve to be accorded the most serious attention by philosophers.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

572 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 1971

Reviews

[Sam Grace]

Park says he pulls out the themes most used by Foucault so if you wanna know his influences, read this. Does a great job of synthesizing Nietzsche.