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ajmcwhinney's review against another edition
3.0
I see why people really like Nietzsche; beautiful writer, strong ironic wit, a knack for incisive commentary and the deconstruction of modernity. But I also am confused as to how left-Nietzschians in the academy and beyond have simply attempted to pull the "good" stuff out of Nietzsche and refuse to acknowledge his clear aristocratic attitudes, upholding of subjugation as a necessary part of society (hence his anti-socialist rhetoric), his racism (while he is explicitly against nationalist bigotry, he still engages in a shitload of racial essentialism), and his anti-feminism (yes, I've read people who have taken up the argument that Nietzsche's misogyny is ironic at moments and that he makes a good critique of the essentialism behind "women as-such," but it still comes from a place of the desire to have women "stay in their place" and embody a specific role). I am not wholy convinced we can simply remove those things from our assessments of Nietzsche or our deployment of his concepts, and it is odd that so many have done so.
Nietzsche is certainly complex; I do not mean to reduce him to the level of "oh he did bad things so he is useless for our thinking." There are some very useful insights and methods of thinking here, but we should be taking them with HUGE grains of salt; we should engage in those complexities and not so easily handwave them away. I think a lot of people attempt to square the circles of Nietzsche's thought, to the detriment of their own thinking.
Nietzsche is certainly complex; I do not mean to reduce him to the level of "oh he did bad things so he is useless for our thinking." There are some very useful insights and methods of thinking here, but we should be taking them with HUGE grains of salt; we should engage in those complexities and not so easily handwave them away. I think a lot of people attempt to square the circles of Nietzsche's thought, to the detriment of their own thinking.
jxcxbxlxw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
An interesting affair - many will say one of his best but I’m inclined to disagree. For me a bit of a muddle (as is his style). Not a great starting point. I think if I were reading Nietzsche for the first time, I would benefit most from starting with Twilight of the Idols for a great overview of his later ideas, then moving to Genealogy of Morality for a more in depth exploration of his most interesting beliefs.
kcrawfish's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
...I only know that I know nothing. I always had a sneaking suspicion, but still. That’s fairly unsettling.
...I only know that I know nothing. I always had a sneaking suspicion, but still. That’s fairly unsettling.
is_book_loring's review against another edition
2.0
Nietzsche was unmistakably a very intelligent person and a distinctly eloquent writer, which makes it unfortunate that his personal prejudices, ego, insecurity and raging emotions overwhelmed the boldness and interesting, insightful motions scattered in this philosophical thesis, rendering it read like at times an impotent, megalomaniac's journal desperate to prove his superior manliness, and at other times a half-mad sage's preach delivered in break-neck speed and inspired passion. He would probably makes a great orator with insane amount of worshippers, if he didn't deliberately attempt to be as incomprehensible as possible merely to display his supreme intellect.
What Nietzsche did in Beyond Good and Evil, was akin to taking an excavator through other scholars and philosophers' theories, destroying their reasonings, chiefly Christianity and authorized traditional moral values: the concept of Good versus Evil. He was great when being a destroyer, smashing and razing belief systems to the ground with his provoking questions and unflinching analysis, but he built nothing valuable on it. Everything he criticized on could be applied to his claims because he was their mirror with inverted values. His ego got so much in the way, that at his attempt to create new values, new philosophers, new truths, new order, etc, etc, he ended up sounding ridiculous, unconsciously hyprocritical, inconsistent; a sad, deeply conflicted sexist, suffering from a chronic case of machismo and delusion of grandiose. So much wasted intelligence.
What Nietzsche did in Beyond Good and Evil, was akin to taking an excavator through other scholars and philosophers' theories, destroying their reasonings, chiefly Christianity and authorized traditional moral values: the concept of Good versus Evil. He was great when being a destroyer, smashing and razing belief systems to the ground with his provoking questions and unflinching analysis, but he built nothing valuable on it. Everything he criticized on could be applied to his claims because he was their mirror with inverted values. His ego got so much in the way, that at his attempt to create new values, new philosophers, new truths, new order, etc, etc, he ended up sounding ridiculous, unconsciously hyprocritical, inconsistent; a sad, deeply conflicted sexist, suffering from a chronic case of machismo and delusion of grandiose. So much wasted intelligence.
voodoo_dexter's review against another edition
4.0
It is the deep suspicious fear of an incurable pessimism that compels the entire millennia to sink their teeth into a religious interpretation of existence.-[a:Nietzsche Fryderyk|18846173|Nietzsche Fryderyk|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
The crassness and unapologetic writing can be captivating for the reader. The logical arguments can refactor one's understanding of philosophy and compel the reader to contemplate all of their understanding of philosophy so far categorized as good or evil.
It's not for the easily offended since the inner compass is recalibrated. It's rightly said that the most misquoted author in pop culture/movies is Nietzche since the writings are deliberately dense for the reader to contemplate further upon.
gusef24's review against another edition
Really hard read especially on Audible. Might be easier if one is more familiar with philosophic literature. That being said, the concepts he is talking about are quite interesting, I just find it easier to pick them up watching Youtube videos.