Scan barcode
A review by mghoshlisbin
On Truth and Untruth: Selected Writings by Friedrich Nietzsche
4.0
Some notes to self:
I think this was a really good selection of essays, though I did prefer some alternate translations which I have read previously. I had noted in the margins those changes, particularly with reference to "On Truth and Lying in a Moral Sense".
I think generally, this selection could have included a more interesting preface. The selection was published in a series which responded to the political relevancy of "fake news" in recent years. (Yes, I am a little late to reading relevant material for that party). The preface does little, however, to tie in any of that analysis into the essays which were chosen. Even notes as per each selection as to why they were chosen would have been an interesting counterpoint to my own interpretations. This made some of the essays and aphorisms seem somewhat untethered and unrelated to one another, which should not have been their intention. Similarly, the final selection from The Antichrist is an incredible depiction of Nietzsche's descent into skepticism, but does not seem to fit the denouement that is implied by the series of essays. Nor does it provide any optimism for the prevailing context the essays were selected for (i.e. our political climate).
Even so, I found it was delightful to reread "On Truth and Lying", enjoyed the preface from Beyond Good and Evil , and was reminded that I definitely have to re-read The Gay Science in it's entirety. When paired with some of the other philosophical texts from Ernst Cassirer and Max Weber that I have read this year, I think it would be utterly fascinating to have a new perspective.
I always enjoy a bit of Nietzsche, and they chose from my favorite selections. There wasn't much they could do wrong.
I think this was a really good selection of essays, though I did prefer some alternate translations which I have read previously. I had noted in the margins those changes, particularly with reference to "On Truth and Lying in a Moral Sense".
I think generally, this selection could have included a more interesting preface. The selection was published in a series which responded to the political relevancy of "fake news" in recent years. (Yes, I am a little late to reading relevant material for that party). The preface does little, however, to tie in any of that analysis into the essays which were chosen. Even notes as per each selection as to why they were chosen would have been an interesting counterpoint to my own interpretations. This made some of the essays and aphorisms seem somewhat untethered and unrelated to one another, which should not have been their intention. Similarly, the final selection from The Antichrist is an incredible depiction of Nietzsche's descent into skepticism, but does not seem to fit the denouement that is implied by the series of essays. Nor does it provide any optimism for the prevailing context the essays were selected for (i.e. our political climate).
Even so, I found it was delightful to reread "On Truth and Lying", enjoyed the preface from Beyond Good and Evil , and was reminded that I definitely have to re-read The Gay Science in it's entirety. When paired with some of the other philosophical texts from Ernst Cassirer and Max Weber that I have read this year, I think it would be utterly fascinating to have a new perspective.
I always enjoy a bit of Nietzsche, and they chose from my favorite selections. There wasn't much they could do wrong.