In 'On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo,' Friedrich Nietzsche challenges conventional moral values and explores the origins of our ethical beliefs. He provocatively dissects the concepts of guilt and responsibility, questioning their role in shaping human behavior. The dual work offers a bold reflection on the nature of power, morality, and the self, encouraging readers to confront uncomfortable truths. With sharp wit and profound insights, Nietzsche invites a re-examination of personal and societal values. This philosophical journey pushes the boundaries of thought, leaving readers to ponder the very essence of morality.
By Friedrich Nietzsche
Published: 1989
"He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster; and if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss also gazes back into you."
Masterful translations of the great philosopher’s major work on ethics, along with his own remarkable review of his life and works. On the Genealogy of Morals (1887) shows Nietzsche using philsophy, psychology, and classical philology in an effort to give new direction to an ancient discipline. The work consists of three essays. The first contrasts master morality and slave morality and indicates how the term "good" has widely different meanings in each. The second inquiry deals with guilt and the bad conscience; the third with ascetic ideals—not only in religion but also in the academy. Ecce Homo, written in 1898 and first published posthumously in 1908, is Nietzsche's review of his life and works. It contains chapters on all the books he himself published. His interpretations are as fascinating as they are invaluable. Nothing Nietzsche wrote is more stunning stylistically or as a human document. Walter Kaufmann's translations are faithful of the word and spirit of Nietzsche, and his running footnote commentaries on both books are more comprehensive than those in his other Nietzsche translations because these two works have been so widely misunderstood.
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“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster; and if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss also gazes back into you.”
On the Genealogy of Morals and Ecce Homo
By Friedrich Nietzsche
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Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher, cultural critic, poet, and philologist, renowned for his profound and provocative ideas on morality, religion, and culture. Some of his notable works include 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra', 'Beyond Good and Evil', and 'The Birth of Tragedy'. Nietzsche's writing is characterized by its poetic style, aphoristic structure, and a distinct use of metaphor, challenging conventional beliefs and advocating for a re-evaluation of values. His thought has significantly influenced modern philosophy, existentialism, and literary theory.
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