Nietzsche - the most important philosopher - discuss

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I have not come across any philosopher that so polarises opinion. I tried reading him and found him heavy going and repetitive - mind you, I did so without that much of a grounding on the people that came before him and the ideas that he were prevalent in his time. So I am thinking I should give him another try, perhaps. Should I? Or was I right the first time?

I do find a lot of his (infinitely quotable) aphorisms brilliant - but surely, a truly great philosopher needs to have more than just a turn of phrase, doesn't he?

So, if you agree with FN's lofty opinion of himself, please take this opportunity to explain exactly why he was such an extraordinary genius. And, if you think he was an overblown bag of wind, then share your reasons for that too. (Just be gentle with each other!)

I would also appreciate any recommendations for which of his writings to read and any good books about him.

Cheers,

XC

[Lion IRC]

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,
Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kant...yuck!
I never made it past "A" in the philosophy encyclopedia - Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas.
I struggled through the Nietzsche Reader and a bit of stuff about him in Bertrand Russells History of Western Philosophy but I felt like I was wasting all that valuable time in between commercials.
Lion (IRC)

[Trolldor]

People are polarised about Twilight, does that make it one of the most important novels ever?

People are polarised about Avatar, does that make it one of the most important movies ever?

People are polarised about Weetbix, does that make it one of the most important cereals ever?

[FBM]

Nietzsche shook up a lot of people who needed to be shaken up in that time and place. He still shakes up some, for that matter. He was my fave for a long time, but I eventually moved along to other pastures.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,
Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kant...yuck!
I never made it past "A" in the philosophy encyclopedia - Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas.
I struggled through the Nietzsche Reader and a bit of stuff about him in Bertrand Russells History of Western Philosophy but I felt like I was wasting all that valuable time in between commercials.
Lion (IRC)

So you didn't find anyone past the 13th century that had anything to say? That's quite modernist thinking for a theist, isn't it?




Sorry.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

People are polarised about Twilight, does that make it one of the most important novels ever?

People are polarised about Avatar, does that make it one of the most important movies ever?

People are polarised about Weetbix, does that make it one of the most important cereals ever?

The 'most important' bit of the title came from a quote in another thread. I certainly don't agree with it but I am interested in people's views on him based, in part, on the extreme views expressed - "He's GOD" v "He's SHIT" - very few philosophers evoke much more than "He's WHO?"

We already have an Avatar thread. And I think there's a mention or two of Twilight out there. Feel free to start a Weetabix thread though - although, can there really be anyone that doesn't love it?

[Lion IRC]

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,
Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kant...yuck!
I never made it past "A" in the philosophy encyclopedia - Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas.
I struggled through the Nietzsche Reader and a bit of stuff about him in Bertrand Russells History of Western Philosophy but I felt like I was wasting all that valuable time in between commercials.
Lion (IRC)

So you didn't find anyone past the 13th century that had anything to say? That's quite modernist thinking for a theist, isn't it?




Sorry.

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,
I'm just saying is all...
There's not much novelty around in philosophy these days.
Nietzsche fails the "physician heal thy self" test in my opinion.
He's a bit sad and pathetic and occasionally an object of ridicule.
Speaking of which...did you ever see...?

Lion (IRC)

[Trolldor]

People are polarised about Twilight, does that make it one of the most important novels ever?

People are polarised about Avatar, does that make it one of the most important movies ever?

People are polarised about Weetbix, does that make it one of the most important cereals ever?

The 'most important' bit of the title came from a quote in another thread. I certainly don't agree with it but I am interested in people's views on him based, in part, on the extreme views expressed - "He's GOD" v "He's SHIT" - very few philosophers evoke much more than "He's WHO?"

We already have an Avatar thread. And I think there's a mention or two of Twilight out there. Feel free to start a Weetabix thread though - although, can there really be anyone that doesn't love it?

What I really meant that some of the most important contributors to Philosophy, Science, History etc. are so "tiny" that they've been forgotten. The most important philosopher, to me, was the first one that stopped asking 'why' and started answering the questions with 'because shit happened that way.'

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,
Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Kant...yuck!
I never made it past "A" in the philosophy encyclopedia - Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas.
I struggled through the Nietzsche Reader and a bit of stuff about him in Bertrand Russells History of Western Philosophy but I felt like I was wasting all that valuable time in between commercials.
Lion (IRC)

So you didn't find anyone past the 13th century that had anything to say? That's quite modernist thinking for a theist, isn't it?




Sorry.

Hi Xamonas Chegwé,

Hi Lion

I'm just saying is all...

Say away.

There's not much novelty around in philosophy these days.

Nothing novel since Aquinas though? That's quite a claim.

Nietzsche fails the "physician heal thy self" test in my opinion.

So you're saying he's not a metaphysician?

Sorry - couldn't resist - but you could explain your statement, that would be nice. Which prescription did he fail to self-prescribe?

He's a bit sad and pathetic and occasionally an object of ridicule.

I am sure that being sad, pathetic and the object of ridicule is a fate that has escaped no human that has lived long enough to interact with their peers. that does not diminish their contribution to society as a whole. Alan Turing probably did as much as any single human being to shorten the second world war, but his homosexuality meant that he ended up being prosecuted, undergoing unnecessary psychiatric treatment and committing suicide as a result. And then there was that jesus guy - look at how he finished up - hardly exempt from ridicule in his last few days. Oh, and your mate Aquinas was condemned as a heretic a few times during his life and shortly after too.

Speaking of which...did you ever see...?

Which proves that Nietzsche can be misinterpreted by a well-scripted idiot in a fictional film - your point? (It is a very funny film though.)
Lion (IRC)[/quote]

I was hoping for something a little more meaty. Thanks for your reply anyway.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

People are polarised about Twilight, does that make it one of the most important novels ever?

People are polarised about Avatar, does that make it one of the most important movies ever?

People are polarised about Weetbix, does that make it one of the most important cereals ever?

The 'most important' bit of the title came from a quote in another thread. I certainly don't agree with it but I am interested in people's views on him based, in part, on the extreme views expressed - "He's GOD" v "He's SHIT" - very few philosophers evoke much more than "He's WHO?"

We already have an Avatar thread. And I think there's a mention or two of Twilight out there. Feel free to start a Weetabix thread though - although, can there really be anyone that doesn't love it?

What I really meant that some of the most important contributors to Philosophy, Science, History etc. are so "tiny" that they've been forgotten.

I don't disagree. I am also quite prepared to believe that many of the most revered and profound utterances of the 'great' philosophers came from things they overheard in bars.

The most important philosopher, to me, was the first one that stopped asking 'why' and started answering the questions with 'because shit happened that way.'

But surely, not everything should be dismissed so readily? There are some ontological questions (such as "Why is there anything at all?") that make no sense to ask except as an intellectual exercise, but many of the less impenetrable questions led eventually to modern science and the scientific method. Had everyone stopped at 'because shit happened that way,' would we ever have developed such wonders as blue cheese and beer?

[Lion IRC]

Something a bit more meaty. Yes - no more Turing, homosexuality, risen Lord Jesus, Otto the astute student of German philosophers, etc.
Lets see what the pro-Nietzsche crew can offer up.
Lion (IRC)

[piscator]

will withhold full comment until the splendid blond beast, Comte St G, steps in and sets us all straight...

suffice to say Nietzsche was a 1-in-100billion genius who delivered the most profound and comprehensive ass rapping of Judeo/Christianity yet delivered
and he did it in his spare time, while he was working on the good stuff

[rachelbean]

I prefer Sartre

[Rum]

He was bonkers mate.

That's my intellectual and analytical opinion.

[Trolldor]

People are polarised about Twilight, does that make it one of the most important novels ever?

People are polarised about Avatar, does that make it one of the most important movies ever?

People are polarised about Weetbix, does that make it one of the most important cereals ever?

The 'most important' bit of the title came from a quote in another thread. I certainly don't agree with it but I am interested in people's views on him based, in part, on the extreme views expressed - "He's GOD" v "He's SHIT" - very few philosophers evoke much more than "He's WHO?"

We already have an Avatar thread. And I think there's a mention or two of Twilight out there. Feel free to start a Weetabix thread though - although, can there really be anyone that doesn't love it?

What I really meant that some of the most important contributors to Philosophy, Science, History etc. are so "tiny" that they've been forgotten.

I don't disagree. I am also quite prepared to believe that many of the most revered and profound utterances of the 'great' philosophers came from things they overheard in bars.

The most important philosopher, to me, was the first one that stopped asking 'why' and started answering the questions with 'because shit happened that way.'

But surely, not everything should be dismissed so readily? There are some ontological questions (such as "Why is there anything at all?") that make no sense to ask except as an intellectual exercise, but many of the less impenetrable questions led eventually to modern science and the scientific method. Had everyone stopped at 'because shit happened that way,' would we ever have developed such wonders as blue cheese and beer?

'Why' is not a question worth answering. That's all the answer it deserves.