Books : Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for All and None (Modern Library)

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Worth Reading
Nietzsche has been said to be one of the greatest influances on modern philosophy, especially the existentialist movement and Zarathustra shows the reader just why he was a large influance. Nietzsche's works are truly like no ohter writer's, however, his philosophy seemed to be ignorant and sexist at times to myself, but none the less I do feel that everyone should read some of Nietzsche's works (or any philosopher's works for that matter). I do enjoy Nietzsche's argument against modern Christianity and the herd mentaility of the masses, but I think those two things would have to be my favorite philosophical views of Nietzsche. I give this book and Nietzsche in general, three stars because, while he will be an influance and is a good read, his philosophy is not the greatest at many points and is often misunderstood by people.

Rating:

- The "New" Repulic.
The only other western philosophical text as importnat as this book is Plato's "Republic." We have once again arrived at the cross-roads of Heraclitus v/s Paramendides. I wouldn't recommended jumping into it without a good knowledge of the Western philosophical traditon and religious traditions. (Zarathutra himself calls learning ALL this backround information "the spirit of the camel" or first taking on the burden of knowledge before going about anything else. To not take on this "burden of knowledge" is the main flaw of most Nietzsche critics and mis-understanders.) Also, Nietzsche was an anti-systemic philosopher so it demands to be viewed/critiqued in a different way than traditional philosophy. To begin to grasp Nietzsche's "Zarathustra" I would to recommend first reading his earlier works starting with a couple of short essays. The first one is "Truth and Lie in a Non-Moral Sense" which is about human language, logic and the all-too-human need for these "lies." The other essay is "Homer's Contest" which reveals his legacy as starting from the early Greek tradition.
Some important things to know about this book to avoid the common misinterpretation that Nietzsche is just a Atheist/Nihilist with a superiority complex:
-pay very close attention to his critque of mind/body dualsism and what he proposes otherwise.
-The "Overman" is a conception that only looks toward the future. Later in the book Zarathustra supercedes the "Overman" idea with the cyclical concept of "Eternal Recourence." Even Zarathustra himself has a hard time confronting this view of life and existence. Also, don't make the mistake that eternal reccourence is just a "telos," it is not. Zarathutra speaks in parables not absolutes.
-One of Nietzsche's most favorite authors was Emerson (who also used the name "Zarathutra" in his some of his writings) and their ideas/project have mainy similarities.
-The idea of the world/life not being worthy without a metaphysical world behind it is exactaly what Nietzsche was aimed at overcoming.
-Don't over-simplify will-to-Power as will-to-Overpower.
-Think hard about this being a "book for all and none," think very hard.
-Plato's "Sun" is replaced with "sun" of the Self. This "sun" is the "dancing star." For some odd reason, I see few people mention the signifcance of Self-love in "Zarathustra." This is KEY in understanding where Nietzsche is going/taking us.
-Nietzsche isn't worldly political like the Republic, instead he symbolically speaks of the battle of modern human soul in political terms.

As far as translations go, I prefer Kaufmann over Holingdale because he pays more attetntion to the nuances of Nitezsche's word play. But I would recommend reading more than one translation and getting the best out of all of them.

I also would recommend getting some familiarity with the symbols of alchemy and other mystery traditions. Just as Nietzsche turns Plato's "Theory of the Line" and "Allegory of the Cave" upside-down, he also turns these "mystery" symbols inside-out. No longer is it a connection with anything "beyond" the world that makes it valuable. Instead,It becomes conections with body and the world. "The mind is a herald of the body." For example, consider the "ouroboros" as a symbol of "Eternal Recurrence." In some sense, Zarathutra was very much a prophet of holism as opposed to strict dualism. Carl Jung's 1,500+ page incomplete study of "Zarathura" is a testement to the richness of Zarathustra's symbolism.

If you can catch a deep enough glance, this book will change your life. And if you keep re-reading it, it will keep on changing your life.

Rating:

- Nietzsche�s audience is the 21st Century Reader
Nietzsche presents an argument against the will of the `last man' so effectively, many scholars substitute his pure genius as mere hell-raising. One point in time, one moment in present, past, or future, one recognizes the inevitability of death. Certain aspects and beliefs on how immortality can be attained are thrown out like garbage by Nietzsche; thus, many people are upset by his disregard for the immortal. In his work Thus Spoke Zarathustra Friedrich Nietzsche possessed by Iranian Prophet Zarathtustra, yes possessed, instructs the reader on how to attain the position of the `over man.' This position requires much self-sacrifice of the willing and directs the reader to "let go" of the control of the ego on conscious reality. The constant battle between the unconscious Id and conscious Ego is also recognized by Sigmund Freud, other than Nietzsche.

Three metamorphosis stages that include the camel, the lion, and the child are required by the individual seeking enlightenment towards `over man.' To "let go" of the past, the last man must realize that everything he is given must be given back to his fellow man, without respite or lament. The serpent and the eagle represent the ego and the spirit of the will of everyman; thus, to reach the `over man,' an individual must live for the present like the animal. Most important, his ego must go under.

The four sections within Thus Spoke Zarathustra define every standpoint Zarathustra selects for the reader to recognize. If an individual accepts the position to forgo justice and vengeance and discern there is no true justice, then the pinnacle of `over man' becomes more clear. The `last man' is consumed by the past and cannot `let go' of regret, ultimately causing the `spirit of revenge' to take hold. Time advances constantly against the `last man' and his conscious reality. Recognition of a timeless unconscious begets the `over man,' because time is only with us in our conscious state

Have you ever had a dream where you have done so little in such a great amount of time slept?

Nietzsche's most controversial and unique statement "God is Dead" should not be taken literally. Of course God is not dead. God is dead in the mind of man whose soul dies along with the body, thus, leading to the `despiser of the body.' The person who despises the body because of its mortality has elevated the ego to force repression upon the body. This repression of natural instinct and belief in temperance only works if equilibrium can be kept between body and earth. If equilibrium cannot be attained between body and earth, the `despiser of the body' only lives for what, he can gain without giving back. To be able to give and give without receiving like the sun that lights the earth, precipitates to the status of `over man.'

Nietzsche's unique view of humanity at the end of the 19th Century exhibits many perspectives on posturing by the `last man.' Thus Spoke Zarathustra delivers great innuendo and prospect for the reader. Nietzsche's main audience is the 21st Century reader looking for answers to questions posed by technological and enlightenment advance. Nietzsche's controversy remains a barrier for many artists looking to express forms of nihilism in their work. Probably the most accurate description of contemporary life seen through the eyes of nihilism comes in the form of Fight Club, but every secondary source, or idea on any philosopher must be taken with caution.

Rating:

- Outstanding
Quality and clarity have always been the hallmarks of the Penguin series, and they extend to this one also. Unlike the other translations, dense with tedious bombast and medieval suffixes, the Hollingdale translation is focused and one couldnt ask for a more keen choice of words. With this superb translation I could at least concentrate on the philosophy, rather than trying to decipher the difficult language. While reading this, the words danced rather than gravitated, making reading this book all the more enjoyable.
As for the content and Nietszche's philosophy, it was intelligent and convincing. However one mustn't take this book literally. The transformation to Ubermensch is figuratively speaking, so is "dancing" and "laughter". In the context of this book one might interpret them as symbols of liberation and ascention. To best explain this one might take a scientist as an example. At first, the scientist burdens himself with study of the discoveries of his predecessors, in which he resembles a camel (1st transformation). After his vigorous study he must assert himself and his independence from others, in which he resembles a lion (2nd transformation). And thirdly, he must develop a distnctive personal style which will distinguish him from the others, in which he becomes like a child (3d transformation). In the 3d and final stage he is liberated from any signs of struggle, giving freedom to his spirit.
However engaging Nietzsche's philosophy is, it is at times vague and sadly laconic, e.g. his account on the battle of the virtues was not expanded enough and didn't explain what one might do when those battled for supremacy. Also, some might find his philosophy callous and ruthless, as it persuades leaving the helpless behind for the sake of the ascention of few. Ruthless it may be, but accurate and very relevant. In addition, some might find it especially offensive and absurd as it sorns mercy and pity. Regardless of this aspect of it, I would say this book is permeated with the influence of Enlightenment: striving to improvement and liberation. It is slightly atheistic which will deter fervent believers in god, but the atheistic thread is so subtle it would idiotic to sacrifice Nietzsche's philosphy for religious principles. Overall, an outstandingly written book.

Rating:

- Talk about translations!
I only want to say one thing here, and I say it primarily because I already love this work. This is the translation to buy. Everyone seems to adore Kaufmann, but the truth is he's much more obtuse and difficult to read (and I don't believe it's necessary, as some may say). Hollingdale gets it right. I'll defend myself with one example from a class I took, where Kaufmann's translation was the required text. I had read both translations (cover-to-cover), and sold my copy of Kaufmann's translation, keeping only my Hollingdale. So, needless to say, I wasn't about to buy Kaufmann again, and went to class with Hollingdale. Slowly, but surely, as the other students read bits of the translation I had, or heard when I spoke pieces aloud, they overwhelmingly agreed with me: Hollingdale is simply more clear, more beautiful, more powerful (less academic, shall we say, which is pure Nietzsche). Ok, over and out, enjoy.

page 9 of 22