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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
Not a review, but would just like to point out that there is a chapter called "ass festival," and that alone deserves 4 stars
I want to have goblins about me for I am courageous.
Analysis from Academy of Ideas
Summary from Philosphy Bro
Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra
Analysis from Academy of Ideas
Summary from Philosphy Bro
Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra
I really didn't know what was going on in this book. I read it because I read in the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Hitler really liked Nietzsche, yet his theories on what Nietzsche said isn't what Nietzsche actually said. The author of the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich said that this book didn't make much sense at all. And he was right. I had a hard time focusing except when I heard the endless repetitions of, "Thus spoke Zarathustra" and the superman. If I understood anything, Zarathustra is an arrogant person who thinks he is better than everyone. But I didn't really understand anything.
1. I should have read his other works before reading this
2. I've never persisted this long with a book and that was a rewarding experience in itself
3. The man was mad, far before he went insane.
4. Next up: Beyond good and Evil
2. I've never persisted this long with a book and that was a rewarding experience in itself
3. The man was mad, far before he went insane.
4. Next up: Beyond good and Evil
Can you even rate a book like this? A landmark text that I've been meaning to read for the past 15 years, but I'm glad I waited until I was in my thirties to attempt it.
In the four-part book (described on Wikipedia as philosophical fiction), Zarathustra comes down from his mountain cave to tell the people about his vision of the overman. Through his travels, he further illuminates his philosophy as he explains it to clergymen, magicians, the last pope, a tightrope walker, the ugliest man, etc.
This was my introduction to Nietzche, so I certainly didn't fully grasp all the concepts. My spouse has spent far more time with Nietzsche and still re-reads this text to absorb more. For my first pass, I used SparkNotes to recap what I'd read and make sure I was grasping the meaning. Nietzsche's writing was nothing at all like what I expected from a philosophical text. It was organic, vibrant, inventive. What a fascinating method of exploring a complex, sometimes contradictory philosophy.
This is my bare-bones novice take: Nietzsche explores an extreme individualism that emphasizes living in this life instead of devoting oneself to the assumption that an after-life exists. Hence Zarathustra's claim that "God is dead." We must commit fully to living this precious, finite life, and devote our time on this earth to journeying toward becoming the "overman." I still haven't fully understood the concept of the overman, but my takeaway is that the overman has both wisdom and humor, and has fully embraced life on earth. Nietzsche claims humanity will shake out into a hierarchy in which the future leaders of the world are overmen, and they govern the clueless crowd. It's an anti-democratic viewpoint--though not necessarily fascist--and I can see how someone who hasn't read him closely might abuse his words. (There's a lot of writing out there explaining how the Nazis and alt-right have twisted his words.)
Fascinating, and as I'm writing this review, I'm feeling like I want to reread the text and his other works. Again, as a total noob, I can't help thinking that the unusual way in which Nietzsche presents his ideas--through storytelling and with such playful language--is part of what invites so much scrutiny of his ideas. There are so many twists and turns and nooks and crannies to explore.
In the four-part book (described on Wikipedia as philosophical fiction), Zarathustra comes down from his mountain cave to tell the people about his vision of the overman. Through his travels, he further illuminates his philosophy as he explains it to clergymen, magicians, the last pope, a tightrope walker, the ugliest man, etc.
This was my introduction to Nietzche, so I certainly didn't fully grasp all the concepts. My spouse has spent far more time with Nietzsche and still re-reads this text to absorb more. For my first pass, I used SparkNotes to recap what I'd read and make sure I was grasping the meaning. Nietzsche's writing was nothing at all like what I expected from a philosophical text. It was organic, vibrant, inventive. What a fascinating method of exploring a complex, sometimes contradictory philosophy.
This is my bare-bones novice take: Nietzsche explores an extreme individualism that emphasizes living in this life instead of devoting oneself to the assumption that an after-life exists. Hence Zarathustra's claim that "God is dead." We must commit fully to living this precious, finite life, and devote our time on this earth to journeying toward becoming the "overman." I still haven't fully understood the concept of the overman, but my takeaway is that the overman has both wisdom and humor, and has fully embraced life on earth. Nietzsche claims humanity will shake out into a hierarchy in which the future leaders of the world are overmen, and they govern the clueless crowd. It's an anti-democratic viewpoint--though not necessarily fascist--and I can see how someone who hasn't read him closely might abuse his words. (There's a lot of writing out there explaining how the Nazis and alt-right have twisted his words.)
Fascinating, and as I'm writing this review, I'm feeling like I want to reread the text and his other works. Again, as a total noob, I can't help thinking that the unusual way in which Nietzsche presents his ideas--through storytelling and with such playful language--is part of what invites so much scrutiny of his ideas. There are so many twists and turns and nooks and crannies to explore.
DNF around page 60 or so. Everything this dude says pisses me off.
This is Nietzsche’s crowning achievement. It's insightful and profound. I'm hesitant to say this is my favorite work of Nietzsche; however, it is a great read.
Maybe I should read other translations and compare. I don't really hold much issue with the work. It can be a bit dense; however, its allegory and style are quite compelling.
90/100
Maybe I should read other translations and compare. I don't really hold much issue with the work. It can be a bit dense; however, its allegory and style are quite compelling.
90/100
Zarathustra, the character through which Nietzsche vicariously spews forth his world-view, is a pompous, narcissistic, ego maniac that is so obsessed with how right he is, he can't see just how terribly wrong he ends up being. Nietzsche constantly contradicts himself, uses poor logic and reasoning, and pushes for a social order that benefits only the elite. I'm appalled of Nietzsche's idea that the great men of the world should walk all over the little, regular people to achieve their greatness. He says that the existence of the general population is justified only by the fact that there may come out of them a greater race (Hitler was a big fan of this view as well). He says that morality and ethics are not real, but merely tools to manipulate masses and hold back the elite. This guy must have been insane! (Turns out he was, being committed to a mental institution only years after finishing this work).
I believe George Bernard Shaw put it best, when he said the following about this book: "Nietzsche is worse than shocking, he is simply awful...Nietzsche is the champion of privilege, of power, and of inequality. Never was there a deafer, blinder, socially and politically inepter academician..."
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. The tale meanders all over the place as Zarathustra ejaculates ridiculous philosophy for page after page, his followers fawning after him with nary a singular thought of their own. Both they and Zarathustra are in awe of Zarathustra's own wisdom and insight, and Nietzsche never lets a page go by without reminding us of his grandiose status. If anybody in the story tries to contradict Zarathustra, he merely laughs at how stupid the person is and ridicules them. This book is, in a nutshell, just a guy trying to make himself look all powerful, knowing, and important while making everyone else look bad. I give this book an epic FAIL!
I believe George Bernard Shaw put it best, when he said the following about this book: "Nietzsche is worse than shocking, he is simply awful...Nietzsche is the champion of privilege, of power, and of inequality. Never was there a deafer, blinder, socially and politically inepter academician..."
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. The tale meanders all over the place as Zarathustra ejaculates ridiculous philosophy for page after page, his followers fawning after him with nary a singular thought of their own. Both they and Zarathustra are in awe of Zarathustra's own wisdom and insight, and Nietzsche never lets a page go by without reminding us of his grandiose status. If anybody in the story tries to contradict Zarathustra, he merely laughs at how stupid the person is and ridicules them. This book is, in a nutshell, just a guy trying to make himself look all powerful, knowing, and important while making everyone else look bad. I give this book an epic FAIL!
challenging
reflective