Friedrich Nietzsche is one of the most popular and controversial philosophers of the last 150 years. Narcissistic, idiosyncratic, hyperbolic, irreverent--never has a philosopher been appropriated, deconstructed, and scrutinized by such a disparate array of groups, movements, and schools of
thought. Adored by many for his passionate ideas and iconoclastic style, he is also vilified for his lack of rigor, apparent cruelty, and disdain for moral decency.
In Living with Nietzsche, Solomon suggests that we read Nietzsche from a very different point of view, as a provocative writer who means to transform the way we view our lives. This means taking Nietzsche personally. Rather than focus on the "true" Nietzsche or trying to determine "what Nietzsche
really meant" by his seemingly random and often contradictory pronouncements about "the Big Questions" of philosophy, Solomon reminds us that Nietzsche is not a philosopher of abstract ideas but rather of the dazzling personal insight, the provocative challenge, the incisive personal probe. He does
not try to reveal the eternal verities but he does powerfully affect his readers, goading them to see themselves in new and different ways. It is Nietzsche's compelling invitation to self-scrutiny that fascinates us, engages us, and guides us to a "rich inner life." Ultimately, Solomon argues,
Nietzsche is an example as well as a promulgator of "passionate inwardness," a life distinguished by its rich passions, exquisite taste, and a sense of personal elegance and excellence.
Robert C. Solomon is Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy and Business and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of more than twenty-five books including Passion for Wisdom (OUP, 1999), The Joy of Philosophy (OUP, 1999), What Nietzsche Really Said (2000), Introducing Philosophy (OUP, 2002), What is an Emotion? (OUP, 2002), Spirituality for the Skeptic (OUP, 2002), and Not Passion's Slave (OUP, 2002).
Show moreFriedrich Nietzsche is one of the most popular and controversial philosophers of the last 150 years. Narcissistic, idiosyncratic, hyperbolic, irreverent--never has a philosopher been appropriated, deconstructed, and scrutinized by such a disparate array of groups, movements, and schools of
thought. Adored by many for his passionate ideas and iconoclastic style, he is also vilified for his lack of rigor, apparent cruelty, and disdain for moral decency.
In Living with Nietzsche, Solomon suggests that we read Nietzsche from a very different point of view, as a provocative writer who means to transform the way we view our lives. This means taking Nietzsche personally. Rather than focus on the "true" Nietzsche or trying to determine "what Nietzsche
really meant" by his seemingly random and often contradictory pronouncements about "the Big Questions" of philosophy, Solomon reminds us that Nietzsche is not a philosopher of abstract ideas but rather of the dazzling personal insight, the provocative challenge, the incisive personal probe. He does
not try to reveal the eternal verities but he does powerfully affect his readers, goading them to see themselves in new and different ways. It is Nietzsche's compelling invitation to self-scrutiny that fascinates us, engages us, and guides us to a "rich inner life." Ultimately, Solomon argues,
Nietzsche is an example as well as a promulgator of "passionate inwardness," a life distinguished by its rich passions, exquisite taste, and a sense of personal elegance and excellence.
Robert C. Solomon is Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy and Business and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of more than twenty-five books including Passion for Wisdom (OUP, 1999), The Joy of Philosophy (OUP, 1999), What Nietzsche Really Said (2000), Introducing Philosophy (OUP, 2002), What is an Emotion? (OUP, 2002), Spirituality for the Skeptic (OUP, 2002), and Not Passion's Slave (OUP, 2002).
Show moreIntroduction: Living with Nietzsche
1: Nietzsche ad Hominem
2: Nietzsche's Moral Perspectivism
3: Nietzsche's Passions
4: Nietzsche on Resentment, Love, and Pity
5: Nietzsche's Affirmative Ethics
6: Nietzsche's Virtues: What Would He Make of Us?
7: Nietzsche's Existentialism
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
Robert C. Solomon is Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Philosophy
and Business and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University
of Texas at Austin. He is the author of more than twenty-five books
including Passion for Wisdom (OUP, 1999), The Joy of Philosophy
(OUP, 1999), What Nietzsche Really Said (2000), Introducing
Philosophy (OUP, 2002), What is an Emotion? (OUP, 2002),
Spirituality for
the Skeptic (OUP, 2002), and Not Passion's Slave (OUP, 2002).
"This book reflects Solomon's long engagement with Nietzsche,
drawing not only upon his previously published works but also on a
range of student reactions to Nietzsche and a life of reading
Nietzsche , culling favorite passages that resonate in different
contexts, and changing opinions concerning doctrines.this book is
pleasantly conversational and may be useful for those who are
attracted by Nietzsche's passion but find the doctrines of the will
to power or
the Ubermensch hard to love with." -- The Review of Metaphysics
"Robert Solomon's Living with Nietzsche is a superb book on
Nietzsche's ethics. Several reasons support this assessment: First,
Solomon brings to center stage Nietzsche's many constructive
contributions to ethical theory and practice...Second, he evaluates
many of Nietzsche's major claims...Third, although Nietzsche's
ethics differs from Kantian and consequentialist moralities,
Solomon argues that it contributes to the recently revived
Aristotelian
tradition of virtue ethics...Fourth, he provides a balanced and
nuanced account of Nietzsche's views that incorporates texts
written in all of Nietzsche's periods and styles...Solomon
correctly understands that
the key to Nietzsche's preferred virtues is overflowing energy,
enthusiasm, and inspiration. Also, Solomon's expertise in the
theory of emotions helps him clarify Nietzsche's complex views on
this topic."--William R. Schroeder, Mind
"This book reflects Solomon's long engagement with Nietzsche,
drawing not only upon his previously published works but also on a
range of student reactions to Nietzsche and a life of reading
Nietzsche , culling favorite passages that resonate in different
contexts, and changing opinions concerning doctrines.this book is
pleasantly conversational and may be useful for those who are
attracted by Nietzsche's passion but find the doctrines of the will
to power or
the Ubermensch hard to love with."
-- The Review of MetaphysicsNietzsche is a superb book on
Nietzsche's ethics. Several reasons support this assessment: First,
Solomon brings to center stage Nietzsche's many constructive
contributions to ethical theory and practice...Second, he evaluates
many of Nietzsche's major claims...Third, although Nietzsche's
ethics differs from Kantian and consequentialist moralities,
Solomon argues that it contributes to the recently revived
Aristotelian
tradition of virtue ethics...Fourth, he provides a balanced and
nuanced account of Nietzsche's views that incorporates texts
written in all of Nietzsche's periods and styles...Solomon
correctly understands that the
key to Nietzsche's preferred virtues is overflowing energy,
enthusiasm, and inspiration. Also, Solomon's expertise in the
theory of emotions helps him clarify Nietzsche's complex views on
this topic."--William R. Schroeder, Mind
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