Nietzsche

[Tyria]

I wanted to ask some questions:

Where is the best place to start in Nietzche's works? Is it with the Birth of Tragedy? Or can you start with any of his works and have a good understanding of his positions, etc.

Does anyone know of any good resources to help aid someone when reading Nietzche? It's been years since I was in a philosophy class.

Thanks for any help that you can give!

 

[NeverAmI]

I started with Thus Spoke/Spake Zarathustra. Not sure if that is the best beginning for Nietzsche. Some research on the history of Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism/Parsi may help to understand his symbology used. Wikipedia spells out some of the common themes in the writing to keep an eye on. The writing is quite playful in calling out religion and the entire concept of good vs evil. BTW, I believe Zoroastrianism is considered the first religion to use the concept of good vs evil.

I recommend the most recent translation which was actually published in 2005 by Graham Parkes. http://www.amazon.com/Thus-Spoke-Za...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272999014&sr=8-1

The book was a long read for me, a lot of time spent pondering. I will definitely have to give it more reads in the future as well. The style is similar to that of biblical scripture.

You can also find a lot of Nietzsche's stuff for free on Project Gutenberg if you use ebooks. http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/n#a779

 

[NeverAmI]

Oh, if you want a good overview of Nietzsche's philosophy in general look up the video on him from Human, All Too Human. You should be able to find it either on google video or veoh.com. I think that would lay a decent foundation to start from.

Actually, just found it, here: Human, All Too Human : Nietzsche (1999)

 

[Tyria]

Thank you Nai

 

[Beat Mango]

I'd recommend being at least familiar with Schopenhauer's basic tenets before you dive into Nietzsche - it will make so much more sense that way and put what he is saying into context. I've never read Nietzsche by order of works but rather by topic, and that's how we did it when I studied him at uni too. Unlike someone like Heidegger for example, I think his aphoristic style means you can quite easily jump in at any point without losing much.

 

[NeverAmI]

I guess I better make Schopenhauer my next read, thanks Beat!

 

[Vrecknidj]

I recommend Twilight of the Idols, it's fairly accessible.

Also, while Schopenhauer is important, he is rather off-putting.

I also recommend Kierkegaard.

Dave

 

[tikru]

I'm almost finished with the first part of Jung's seminar on Zarathustra. I love how Jung often goes on tangents relating aspects of Zarathustra to esoteric religion and philosophy. He also delves into the psychology of Nietzsche which is pretty interesting. Definitely recommend it.

 

[amorfati]

Ahh Nietzsche! "One lives before me; one lives after me". This is true of my own subjective experience. My life right before I encountered Nietzsche (which happened to synchronize right with my descent into nihilism) and after I encountered Nietzsche are two different lives.

It doesn't really matter much where you start with Nietzsche, because, if you're pre-destined to really learn from him, you will eventually read everyone of his works, his letters, and other books about him. You have to study this man for years and years and you have to study yourself as well or else you will never understand the significance of what this man-made dynamite has to offer.

Let me give you a fair warning though. You will horribly misinterpret him upon first reading. He warns you in his Zarathustra about this, about how only when you have denied him will he return to you.

Nietzsche isn't just a philosopher; he is a life experience.

Start with Ecce Homo, his autobiography. Also find his letters online and read those. You have to understand the man to understand the philosophy.

Good luck.