Nietzsche's ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra'
A Critical Guide

Leading scholars discuss the ideas in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, showing why it is one of Nietzsche's most important philosophical works.

Keith Ansell-Pearson (Edited by), Paul S. Loeb (Edited by)

9781108796484, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 April 2024

294 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.5 cm, 0.43 kg

'Keith Ansell-Pearson and Paul Loeb's Critical Guide brings together an impressive lineup of Nietzsche scholars in an attempt to reinforce the view that Thus Spoke Zarathustra is not only useful but in fact essential to understanding the key themes of Nietzsche's philosophy …  Many essays skillfully draw out the issues of contemporary interest and demonstrate Nietzsche's relevance to ongoing fundamental philosophical debates … Ansell-Pearson and Loeb's well-curated and timely volume is a sophisticated exploration of some key Nietzschean themes and arguments.' Patrick Hassan, The Journal of Nietzsche Studies

Nietzsche regarded Thus Spoke Zarathustra as his most important philosophical contribution because it proposes solutions to the problems and questions he poses in his later books – for example, his cure for the human disposition to vengefulness and his creation of new values as the antidote to nihilism. It is also the only place where he elaborates his concepts of the superhuman and the eternal recurrence of the same. In this Critical Guide, an international group of distinguished scholars analyze the philosophical ideas in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, discussing a range of topics that include literary parody as philosophical critique, philosophy as a way of life, the meaning of human life, philosophical naturalism, fatalism, radical flux, human passions and virtues, great politics, transhumanism, and ecological conscience. The volume will be invaluable for philosophers, scholars and students interested in Nietzsche's thought.

Introduction Keith Ansell-Pearson and Paul S. Loeb
1. Laugher as Weapon: Parody and satire in thus spoke Zarathustra Benedetta Zavatta
2. Philosophy as a way of life in thus spoke Zarathustra Keith Ansell-Pearson and Marta Faustino
3. What makes the affirmation of life difficult? Paul Katsafanas
4. Zarathustra's response to Schopenhauer Christopher Janaway
5. Nietzsche's naturalism and thus spoke Zarathustra Matthew Meyer
6. Nietzsche's solution to the philosophical problem of change Paul S. Loeb
7. Zarathustra's moral psychology Neil Sinhababu
8. Zarathustra's great contempt Scott Jenkins
9. The great politics of thus spoke Zarathustra Paul Franco
10. Nietzsche on the re-naturalization of humanity in thus spoke Zarathustra Kaitlyn Creasy
11. Joyful transhumanism: Love and eternal recurrence in Nietzsche's Zarathustra Gabriel Zamosc
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Popular philosophy [HPX], Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ], Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900 [HPCD], Philosophy [HP]