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tcleary98's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
This book does a reasonable job of introducing the reader to Nietzsche’s works and primary interests with an adumbration of his sane adulthood. I felt that the author’s own opinions probably came through a little strongly for an introductory text, however, this is partly forgiven as discussing Nietzsche is inevitably an act of interpretation. I was also unsure of the approach the introduction took: attacking each of Nietzsche’s books chronologically. As biographical detail was scant, a focus on Nietzsche’s ideas would perhaps have been best served by discussing them across texts - something the author felt increasingly compelled to do anyway.
Does the author distill Nietzsche’s thinking into something clear and simple? No. But that is an impossible task, and one that Nietzsche himself seems to have taken the greatest pains to avoid. The reader is left with a fuzzy view of a few things Nietzsche loathed and aspired to, which is as much as can be hoped.
The author falls prey to the critic’s tendency to briefly mention something they consider brilliant and then spend pages dissecting something they consider bad. On the other hand, he also provides Nietzsche with plenty of opportunities to speak for himself - the only way to convey his elegiac prose and rhetorical flair. Indeed, a consistent theme in Nietzsche’s writing that the author often returns to is style over substance.
To briefly touch on some of the Nietzschean ideas I found most interesting:
1. We have disposed of God without disposing of Christian ethics. Without God, this morality has no basis and makes no sense.
2. Humans are herd animals. We want to be obedient. We are afraid of leading, of being independent. (See our politicians using the language of humility and servitude - mere humble vessels for those they serve).
3. Christianity satisfies the herd by condemning values such as pride, prosperity etc and replacing them with modesty, humility etc thereby making their rulers as small as them.
4. We should become artists of life. We should have power over ourselves, sculpting our character through daily practice. (Despite using the language of aesthetics, this, in part, smacks of virtue ethics. There is, however, a greater emphasis on individuality rather than emulation - although the extent to which context-free individualism is possible is not adequately addressed.) Style has criteria, form and a certain objectivity. The constraint of style is what spurs creative genius. (But the style within which we should sculpt ourselves - especially without a Judeo-Christian framework - is never delineated).
5. If we wish to say yes to anything, we must say yes to everything. For all things are entangled and dependent on everything else. You cannot wish yourself joy without wishing yourself sorrow.
6. Instead of the “thou shalt” of inherited cultural values, we must say “I will” to our own created values.
7. Morality is persuading people that behaving well and prospering are connected.
8. The issue with suffering is that it is meaningless.
Does the author distill Nietzsche’s thinking into something clear and simple? No. But that is an impossible task, and one that Nietzsche himself seems to have taken the greatest pains to avoid. The reader is left with a fuzzy view of a few things Nietzsche loathed and aspired to, which is as much as can be hoped.
The author falls prey to the critic’s tendency to briefly mention something they consider brilliant and then spend pages dissecting something they consider bad. On the other hand, he also provides Nietzsche with plenty of opportunities to speak for himself - the only way to convey his elegiac prose and rhetorical flair. Indeed, a consistent theme in Nietzsche’s writing that the author often returns to is style over substance.
To briefly touch on some of the Nietzschean ideas I found most interesting:
1. We have disposed of God without disposing of Christian ethics. Without God, this morality has no basis and makes no sense.
2. Humans are herd animals. We want to be obedient. We are afraid of leading, of being independent. (See our politicians using the language of humility and servitude - mere humble vessels for those they serve).
3. Christianity satisfies the herd by condemning values such as pride, prosperity etc and replacing them with modesty, humility etc thereby making their rulers as small as them.
4. We should become artists of life. We should have power over ourselves, sculpting our character through daily practice. (Despite using the language of aesthetics, this, in part, smacks of virtue ethics. There is, however, a greater emphasis on individuality rather than emulation - although the extent to which context-free individualism is possible is not adequately addressed.) Style has criteria, form and a certain objectivity. The constraint of style is what spurs creative genius. (But the style within which we should sculpt ourselves - especially without a Judeo-Christian framework - is never delineated).
5. If we wish to say yes to anything, we must say yes to everything. For all things are entangled and dependent on everything else. You cannot wish yourself joy without wishing yourself sorrow.
6. Instead of the “thou shalt” of inherited cultural values, we must say “I will” to our own created values.
7. Morality is persuading people that behaving well and prospering are connected.
8. The issue with suffering is that it is meaningless.
clara_valeria's review against another edition
3.0
It is a very short introduction indeed and I can see how it is nearly impossible to capture such a multifaceted and large collection of works that are not and cannot be cohesive, as they follow Nietzsche’s development as a philosopher. But I still do not feel like it was a particularly good introduction if you are not familiar with Nietzsche at all or only a little bit and you would probably get most out of the book if you are well versed in his work. At times it feels rather like an introduction to the academic debate surrounding Nietzsche and Tanner’s views rather than just Nietzsche’s concepts - which granted are probably very difficult to grasp and because Nietzsche barely ever explained them clearly himself a somewhat objective explanation is probable not possible. Nonetheless at too many points I felt like I had just too little knowledge on things only somewhat related to Nietzsche to be able to follow Tanner, and for an introduction I think that should not be the case.
It provides interesting insights into Nietzsche as well as the debate surrounding his work, and it made me excited to read him but I am not sure if this book really equipped me to better understand him, which is what I had hoped for.
It provides interesting insights into Nietzsche as well as the debate surrounding his work, and it made me excited to read him but I am not sure if this book really equipped me to better understand him, which is what I had hoped for.
rosekk's review against another edition
3.0
It was quite helpful in solidifying what I've learned about Nietzsche this last semester. At times I found it praised Nietzsche a bit much - more than was necessary. Other than that it's been pretty helpful with a philosopher I have a lot of trouble with.
daniel_wood's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
tongatimee's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Good way to begin with Nietzsche but maybe not the best to start philosophy with. Jargon is used and not explained so I would recommend reading up on philosophy in general before diving into this one.