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Loading... Thus Spake Zarathustra (Dover Thrift Editions) (original 1885; edition 1999)by Friedrich Nietzsche
Work InformationThus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche (1885)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. When you look at Nietzsche two things become apparent. First that there is stigma associated with him as an author and thinker because Nazis and other radical movements used some of his statements to justify their own philosophy (accent here is on "some" never "all"). Whenever you try to quote him or use him in argument opposition is usually taking stand as "again them radicals". This is so unjust that it makes me very sad. Only thing I can say read his books, you will be positively surprised. Second thing is that he was writing about his own world and events taking place in it that are not that different from own - masses following politician's hungry for power, various guru's and religious like layman movements that constantly speak about futility of life, how it would be better to just leave this world - but nobody of these same people is willing to lead by example - city's growing ever so big and cynic city dwellers, pompous press that wants to impress their own views on everyone, ever present talks about humanity's imminent demise..... you name it they got it 130 years back with only one small difference - they weren't bombarded by everyone's opinion on everything 24 hours a day. They had some breathing space. So it is very easy to draw parallels and grasp the message of this book. Only drawback might be archaic writing style but even that obstacles is made much smaller by a very good translation of this edition. Message of the book is very simple - we always need to strive to overcome ourselves, to better ourselves. We need to move beyond existing human condition by first stopping to rely on external forces as guides and rule makers (which are essentially our own forces but projected outwards back to ourselves) followed by full reliance on ourselves, only then, set free from the invisible chains of our own psyche, we can embrace life, enjoy life with all the bad and good things and actually live it, listen to others, understand and help them but not out of pity or because of various i-am-victim-syndromes but because we want to and it is a thing to do. Do note that this goal (Overhuman) is nothing defined, it is always goal that is near but never within our grasp. Eternal goal to strive but never reach - but again, goal is of no importance, most important thing is the actual voyage. Excellent book, highly recommended although do note that style (especially in Fourth part) might be difficult to follow. This is not your standard book of philosophy but more like philosophical novel and it takes concentration to finish it. If it's not a satire of religion, then I didn't understand it. Parts were stunning, parts were funny and it was all thought provoking. I think this is one of those books that has to be read in small bits more than once. I am glad that I made the decision to plow through it this time and revisit it later. Belongs to Publisher SeriesAcquarelli [Demetra] (54) — 31 more dtv (34643) Everyman's Library (892) insel taschenbuch (0145) Letras Universales (404) Medallion Penguin Classics (L118) Modern Library (9.1) Nietzsche-bibliotheek (2013) Penguin Classics (L118) Perpetua reeks (63) Piccola biblioteca [Adelphi] (36-37) Reclams Universal-Bibliothek (7111) Wereldbibliotheek (1985) Is contained inThe Philosophy of Nietzsche: Thus Spake Zarathustra; Beyond Good and Evil; The Genealogy of Morals; Ecce Homo; The Birth of Tragedy by Friedrich Nietzsche SchlĂĽsselwerke der Philosophie : die philosophische Basisbibliothek ; mehr als 20.000 Seiten! ; Logik, Ethik, Erkenntni by Mathias Bertram ContainsHas the adaptationIs abridged inWas inspired byInspiredHas as a studyHas as a student's study guideNotable Lists
Classic Literature.
Fiction.
HTML: Thus Spake Zarathustra is an important philosophical text by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In it he begins his exploration of morality, questioning the assumption of Christianity or Judaism as a basis for morality. He wrote about the "death of God" and the "Ă?bermensch" (superhuman) who would have supreme morality. Ironically, Nietzsche mimics the style of the Bible, fictionalizing Zarathustra as his protagonist. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)193Philosophy and Psychology Modern western philosophy German and AustrianLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Zarathustra comes down from the mountain, to empower humans. To teach how humans can raise themselves to become better. To become overman. Zarathustra seeks creators, to replace God. As God has died. Empowerment requires breaking from normal routines. Ideas of the past, even the noble ideas, become corrupted over time. Pride in what was already accomplished prevents people from looking to create more.
Humans are above animals, but have not yet become overman. The overman creates their own values. Creating is less about the showmanship, but about the values that are created. The path of a creator can be a lonely one. Making them easy targets for those who belong to groups. Being lonely, can mean lack of social support.
With each interaction, Zarathustra learns more about what it takes to convince others. The need for followers, who will then proceed to spread the message. A creator seeking fellow creators.
Nietzsche denounced religion in various ways. And yet in the book, Nietzsche uses religious iconography. Purposely using religious references as an undercurrent to oppose religion.
Caveats?
The book can be very difficult to read. The book was written quickly and without edits due to the authors’ health. Another aspect of the writing making the book difficult is that many references are covert, making them easy to miss for those not prepared to see them. Best to read the book after learning about Nietzsche’s background, and some history of European religious views and morals.
The references and contrasts to animals are antiquated. Appropriate for era of the book, but a different contrast would suit better. This does not reduce the value of empowering humans, but the animal contrast has become too simple. ( )