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I just had a brief comment to make on TSZ, which, although not my usual sort of reading in philosophy, I still enjoyed and found thought-provoking in many ways.
My philosophical interests are mainly in 20th-century analytical philosophy and the philosophy of science, but I've read a few books here and there specifically about Nietzsche and his philosophy, and although I sometimes wonder if the exhortatory, highly personal and idiosyncratic, and epigrammatic (not to mention contradictory) approach to expressing his ideas that Nietzsche takes in Zarathustra really does justice to them, there is no doubt the book strikes a responsive chord in readers in a way that none of his other typically more academic-sounding books have.
I will say, however, that I do agree with a couple of the things he says in the book. I liked the parts where Zarathustra says that "Man has killed God with his indifference," and also, on a more sociological note, "It is not that our institutions are no good anymore; it is we who are no longer any good for our institutions." I can sort of relate to those sentiments, at least, and whether one agrees with many of Zarathustra's statements or not (and actually, despite my reservations about the book's style and presentation, I found I often agreed with what Zarathustra says) the book certainly stands as one of the most dramatic, visionary, and uniquely personal philosophical works ever written.
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The prophet was not meant to be understood; rather to be lived.
Have you arrived on you own, to a place where you shed all that you know to be true? Then the prophet will guide you.
You will be indebted to him, for he is as unique as Job.
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Nietzsche's great gift to mankind is also his greatest joke and his greatest trap. The idea's in it are facinating and complex and invite endless re-reading. That endless re-reading it both the joke and the trap. The joke is on you if you re-read to learn more about Nietzsche. You should only be reading to learn more about yourself. Remember that N looked for those who would "follow him becuase they wished to follow themselves," he would teach them to follow themselves, but then, they must go away, wrestle with him, and reject him. After that rejection, he would return with love. Until that rejection, they were still followers, maybe they would come to belive him again, as levels of understanding increased, ('my today refutes my yesterday') but now he would be a guide and not a leader. I suppose one could even re-embrace chistianity but as an awakened one and not as a slave. Remember that N is not telling you what to think, he is telling you that YOU must think and why he thinks like he does. So read him and reject him ( reject him becuase you think, not becuase you are christian) then read him again. Let him become your best enemy and love him not for what he says but for what he makes you become. But then again, don't just take my word for it.
as a note on the translation, Kuafmann is probably the best out there. Don't waste your time with Common if you are a cusual reader ( of course if you can read german don't waste your time with either.) However, if you are really hardcore and can't read german than reading more than one translation may give insights as different things may be translated better in one than the other. For example in the prolog Kaufmanns use of the american term "tight rope walker" does not lend the same beuty and clarity to the metaphor as Commons more literal tranlation of "rope dancer" think about it when you re-read the prolog.
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I remember the first time my eighth grade teacher scratched a list out on the chalkboard of authors we should never read. Who do you suppose topped the list? Why, Fred Neitzsche (we're on first names after all those years). Just to be clear, I went to Catholic school. I doubt there are many secular private or public schools that care enough about what students are reading to worry about banning any authors, let alone something as powerful as Neitzsche. (I presume they're more interested in banning books that refer to nipples, racial name-calling, or popular drugs.)
Buy this book now, and buy it in a hard cover edition (like this one). This, contrary to what other reviewers suggest, should be your very first Nietzsche. It is a powerful, allegorical tale that will sweep you in with its powerful tone and ideas. Don't be afraid if you come away confused and unsettled. Just read it again and again. Take it with you everywhere. When you go to class, keep it on your desk in full view. Quote from it all of your school writing projects.
The truth is, your gut will tell you the man is right about so many things. You can later worry about how Zarathustra plays upon ideas from classic Greek philosophy, or how silly it is to think that Nietzsche's work led to the racist thinking of Germany's National Socialist movement.
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i recommend this book with my whole heart. at times it seems as though nietzsche is immature, but what depth and what flashes of brilliant insight! to me, nietzsche seems to (in this book) resemble the prophets of the Old Testament. he confronts all of us, and not just Christians, with a loud message: wake up.
some of the metaphysical solutions he advances are, to me, simply false. but that will never detract from what i have gained from this book, and some of the chapters were written so beautifully, and some of the images so absolutely vivid and shattering, that i found myself unable to do anything other than meditate spellbound for several minutes.
i highly recommend this book. i'm a Christian, but i think nietzsche's criticisms are worth our attention. certainly, his call for a dance is worth nothing other than an affirmation.
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