Individual and Community in Nietzsche's Philosophy

The ten essays that comprise this volume wrestle with the tension between the individual and the community in Nietzsche's philosophy.

Julian Young (Edited by)

9781107049857, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 August 2014

262 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.51 kg

According to Bertrand Russell, Nietzsche's only value is the flourishing of the exceptional individual. The well-being of ordinary people is, in itself, without value. Yet there are passages in Nietzsche that appear to regard the flourishing of the community as a whole alongside, perhaps even above, that of the exceptional individual. The ten essays that comprise this volume wrestle with the tension between individual and community in Nietzsche's writings. Some defend a reading close to Russell's. Others suggest that Nietzsche's highest value is the flourishing of the community as a whole and that exceptional individuals find their highest value only in promoting that flourishing. In viewing Nietzsche from the perspective of community, the essays also cast new light on other aspects of his philosophy, for instance, his ideal of scientific research and his philosophy of language.

1. Nietzsche: the long view Julian Young
2. 'The time is coming when one will have to relearn about politics' Hans Sluga
3. The culture of myth and the myth of culture Ken Gemes and Chris Sykes
4. Festivals of recognition: Nietzsche's idealized communities Kathleen Higgins
5. Nietzsche's scientific community: elective affinities Jessica Berry
6. The good of community Maudemarie Clark and Monique Wonderly
7. The self versus society: Nietzsche's advocacy of egoism Ivan Soll
8. Nietzsche and the collective individual Christine Swanton
9. 'We Hyperboreans': toward a Nietzschean topography Jeff Malpas
10. Nietzsche, language, and community John Richardson.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], History of Western philosophy [HPC]