In this insightful study, Nietzsche specialist Jonathan R. Cohen argues that Human, All-Too-Human... more In this insightful study, Nietzsche specialist Jonathan R. Cohen argues that Human, All-Too-Human(1878) represents the crucial watershed for Nietzsche’s philosophical development, the moment at which he becomes who he is. Here Nietzsche breaks his early allegiance to Schopenhauer and Wagner by offering acute criticisms, which often are diametric reversals of his earlier writings. At the same time, he establishes the overall framework of his later philosophy as the overcoming of metaphysical barriers to the emergence of free spirits who will be the avant-garde of culture. His use of science to accomplish this goal gives this work a positivistic slant unique in his corpus.Cohen explains Nietzsche’s turnabout from his earlier philosophy, analyzes the argumentative tactics by which Nietzsche deploys science to undercut traditional metaphysics, describes the character of the free spirits, and examines the division of labor scheme that Nietzsche prescribes for cultural progress. Cohen also shows how Human, All-Too-Human, despite its aphoristic style, has a unified literary structure and integrity, which are central to the communication of the book’s philosophical message. Science, Culture, and Free Spirits helps us read both Nietzsche’s individual works and his overall philosophy as coherent wholes.https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/publications/1013/thumbnail.jp
... Page 310. Jonathan R. Cohen 295 The contrast is clear: whereas traditional music features a f... more ... Page 310. Jonathan R. Cohen 295 The contrast is clear: whereas traditional music features a finite rhythmic structure which repeats, a strong sense of home key, unmistakable cadence, etc., endless melody has none of these. ...
By “positivism” (which can mean many things) I mean here a stance which prizes science for its ab... more By “positivism” (which can mean many things) I mean here a stance which prizes science for its ability to both produce reliable knowledge and contribute crucially to human flourishing. By “fling” here I mean merely a temporary attachment. Nietzsche was, by any definition, an ardent anti-positivist for most of his philosophical career. My thesis here is that he can nevertheless be described as a positivist (at least in the above sense) during a certain phase in (what must now be called) his philosophical development. I am thus arguing that we must periodize Nietzsche with regard to issues of science and epistemology: positivism belongs to Nietzsche’s middle phase, beginning with Human,All Too Human (published in 1878) and concluding some time before The Gay Science (published in 1882). The connotation of “fling” as being somewhat fleeting and not especially serious or heartfelt is also intended, for not only does Nietzsche give up his positivism after a short time, but even while professing it holds at the same time some of the views which will develop into the perspectivism for which he is better known in his later works.
I argue that the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born to Run," needs to be interpreted in light of - and... more I argue that the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born to Run," needs to be interpreted in light of - and thus gives evidence of a connection between - the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Buber. Along the way I give an in-depth reading of the Nietzschean doctrines of Eternal Recurrence and Overman as they emerge from _Also Sprach Zarathustra_, as well as a brief overview of Buber's _I and Thou_.
In this insightful study, Nietzsche specialist Jonathan R. Cohen argues that Human, All-Too-Human... more In this insightful study, Nietzsche specialist Jonathan R. Cohen argues that Human, All-Too-Human(1878) represents the crucial watershed for Nietzsche’s philosophical development, the moment at which he becomes who he is. Here Nietzsche breaks his early allegiance to Schopenhauer and Wagner by offering acute criticisms, which often are diametric reversals of his earlier writings. At the same time, he establishes the overall framework of his later philosophy as the overcoming of metaphysical barriers to the emergence of free spirits who will be the avant-garde of culture. His use of science to accomplish this goal gives this work a positivistic slant unique in his corpus.Cohen explains Nietzsche’s turnabout from his earlier philosophy, analyzes the argumentative tactics by which Nietzsche deploys science to undercut traditional metaphysics, describes the character of the free spirits, and examines the division of labor scheme that Nietzsche prescribes for cultural progress. Cohen also shows how Human, All-Too-Human, despite its aphoristic style, has a unified literary structure and integrity, which are central to the communication of the book’s philosophical message. Science, Culture, and Free Spirits helps us read both Nietzsche’s individual works and his overall philosophy as coherent wholes.https://scholarworks.umf.maine.edu/publications/1013/thumbnail.jp
... Page 310. Jonathan R. Cohen 295 The contrast is clear: whereas traditional music features a f... more ... Page 310. Jonathan R. Cohen 295 The contrast is clear: whereas traditional music features a finite rhythmic structure which repeats, a strong sense of home key, unmistakable cadence, etc., endless melody has none of these. ...
By “positivism” (which can mean many things) I mean here a stance which prizes science for its ab... more By “positivism” (which can mean many things) I mean here a stance which prizes science for its ability to both produce reliable knowledge and contribute crucially to human flourishing. By “fling” here I mean merely a temporary attachment. Nietzsche was, by any definition, an ardent anti-positivist for most of his philosophical career. My thesis here is that he can nevertheless be described as a positivist (at least in the above sense) during a certain phase in (what must now be called) his philosophical development. I am thus arguing that we must periodize Nietzsche with regard to issues of science and epistemology: positivism belongs to Nietzsche’s middle phase, beginning with Human,All Too Human (published in 1878) and concluding some time before The Gay Science (published in 1882). The connotation of “fling” as being somewhat fleeting and not especially serious or heartfelt is also intended, for not only does Nietzsche give up his positivism after a short time, but even while professing it holds at the same time some of the views which will develop into the perspectivism for which he is better known in his later works.
I argue that the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born to Run," needs to be interpreted in light of - and... more I argue that the Bruce Springsteen song, "Born to Run," needs to be interpreted in light of - and thus gives evidence of a connection between - the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Buber. Along the way I give an in-depth reading of the Nietzschean doctrines of Eternal Recurrence and Overman as they emerge from _Also Sprach Zarathustra_, as well as a brief overview of Buber's _I and Thou_.
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