Synopses & Reviews
The philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was almost wholly neglected during his sane life, which ended abruptly in 1889. Since then he has been appropriated as an icon by an astonishingly diverse spectrum of people, whose interpretations of his thought range from the highly irrational to the firmly analytical.
Thus Spake Zarathustra introduced the
ubermensch, or "superman," and
The Twilight of the Idols developed the notorious "will to power" concept. These terms, together with
Sklavenmoral and
Herrenmoral became confused with the rise of nationalism in early twentieth-century Germany, and more particularly with the advent of Adolf Hitler.
With his well-known idiosyncrasies and aphoristic style, Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's readable introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings and explodes many of the misconceptions that have grown in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote "do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!"
A new addition to the acclaimed Past Masters series, this volume offers a wealth of insight into the mind of one of the most fascinating--and most misunderstood--western philosophers.
Review
"...I find Tanner's book enormously useful for introducing Nietzsche philosophically.... Tanner manages to be succinct without being boring or pedantic.... I think his succinct and highly critical readings encourage genuine philosophical grappling with our modern self-proclaimed Dionysus, who after all needs to be treated as a philosopher, not an idol or a god."--Teaching Philosophy
"A breezy first look at Nietzsche...useful for undergraduates who need a quick and painless dose of Nietzsche's ideas."--Ethics
Synopsis
With his well-known idiosyncrasies and aphoristic style, Friedrich Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings and explodes many of the misconceptions that have grown in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote "do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!"
About the Author
Michael Tanner is Fellow and University Lecturer in Philosophy at Corpus Christi College.
Table of Contents
The image of Nietzsche; Tragedy: birth, death, rebirth; Disillusionment and withdrawal; Morality and its discontents; The one thing needful; Prophecy; Occupying the high ground; Masters and slaves; Philosophizing with a hammer; Abbreviations; Further Reading; Index