Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

Any Nietzsche fans out there? What's a good book to start with?

[swetepete]

'Ecce Homo' says it all.
Wikipedia says..."According to one of Nietzsche's most prominent English translators, Walter Kaufmann, the book offers "Nietzsche's own interpretation of his development, his works, and his significance" (Kaufmann 1967: 201). The book contains several chapters with self-laudatory titles, such as "Why I Am So Wise", "Why I Am So Clever", "Why I Write Such Good Books", and "Why I Am a Destiny". In many ways, Ecce Homo is a quintessential reflection of Nietzsche's work as a philosopher, writer, and thinker."
Good stuff.

[VanIslander]

Start with his collections of remarks and aphorisms to gain an appreciation of his insights, great to digest in small chunks:

Daybreak
or
Human, All Too Human

You'll find he says things that you agree with, disagree with, find shocking or puzzling, but most of all, many will be illuminating, gets you thinking in all sorts of directions... were great bedside books for me

[in_seoul_2003]

...

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

Birth of Tragedy, Geneology of Morals, Human all too Human

in that order

[justin moffatt]

I agree with in_seoul_2003. Although, I was greatly interested in how Nietzche influenced Freud and Heidegger's later writings. The historical Nietzche is also fascinating (many different perspectives from various authors-good place to start).

[YoshaMazov]

Nobody likes Twilight of the Idols or The Anti-christ?

[Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat]

His only fully completed work is his first, The Birth of Tragedy, though it is more a work of philology (Nietzsche began his academic career as a philologist). It's a very interesting read (deals a lot with classical Greek subject matter - ex. Dionysian/Apollonian opposition).

His other works are all great, but mostly unfinished to some extent or other. Zarathustra is good for the first 2 books, then the last book was kind of just tacked on later. I really enjoy Geneology of Morals and Twilight of the Idols. I found The Antichrist to be his most entertaining read (a bitter polemic against Judao-Christian values). He has been accused of mad rambling in his later works (he actually did go insane in the end), but it's all brilliant stuff IMO (worth re-reading several times even, to really understand it). Also, Will to Power is not actually a work, but just a collection of some of his later notes and ideas (i.e. doctrine of "eternal recurrence") put together posthumously (quite dubious since it was first put together under the influence of his anti-Semitic sister, who even forged some parts to support her own racist agenda).

[richardlang]

Use a hammer.

[waltjocketty]

[ajp]

The thing about philosophy is it's basically one giant conversation spanning over the centuries. I wanted to read Nietzsche, but was told I should read Kierkegaard and Dostoevsky first.. Half-way through "Fear and Trembling" I realized I should know some Hegel, and then upon researching Hegel, I realized that I should have a decent understanding of Kant. I decided to draw the line there, and am reading Kant at the moment.. But if I was really crazy, I probably would have read Hume and Leibniz, but not before the Greeks and maybe the Bible

[swetepete]

from, 'A Fish Called Wanda."
"WANDA: But you think you're an intellectual, don't you, Ape?
OTTO: Apes don't read philosophy.
WANDA: Yes they do, Otto. They just don't understand it."




I am Otto

[in_seoul_2003]

...

[richardlang]

[ddeubel]

I agree with sweetpete, the place to start is Ecce Homo and especially and always Kaufmann. Mostly for his notes and commentary, as for the translation itself.

Nietzsche's philosophy is not explicit and is hidden in his language as much as his arguement. So a fine translation, sensitive translation is merited. As well, most scholars agree that Nietzsche was not a writer who argued by piling up the bricks. His philosophy is best consumed by those versed in a variety of humanist philosophy and in bits and pieces. Not to be consumed in a chunk. That is why most people who've understood Nietzsche, in any partial way, recommend that his aphorisms be studied carefully. They reflect and testify to his own control of language and are most important to his belief. Start with his aphorisms, however contradictory they appear.

Kazanzakis, the Great Greek and his Zorba as well as some of his essays/poems and later writings, really capture the spirit of Nietzsche. His autobiography (Report to Greco) really encapsulates Nietzsche well. I'd also recommend Canetti, another writer who really absorbed and pictured Nietzsche well in his writing. Irving Layton, the Canadian iconoclastic poet, and his "the Swimmer" smells of Nietzsche in every stanza.....

but it is a stimulating voyage. Enjoy it.

DD