Full description not available
H**H
Newbies, Start With This One!
I'm a newbie to Nietzsche's works, though I'd come to Beyond Good and Evil through the proverbial back door. After having read prominent 20th century texts from Camus to Derrida, I figured it was time to read something by Nietzsche, perhaps the most famous first figure to doubt what was "knowable." Nietzsche, anticipating the cynicism and angst that would become the hallmark of existential texts, was equally scornful of religion AND science (both, which he argued, were reductionist and misleading). The ultimate skeptic, Nietzsche warned readers about believing to deeply in "certain truths" often framed within the dichotomy of binary opposites (good vs. evil, black vs. white, heaven vs. hell; in short, everything the Western world bases its moral framework on).I've given Beyond Good and Evil five stars, but there are some problems with the book that the unintiated may want to know. First, although this is the most straight-forward and accessible of Nietzsche's works, it's still a difficult read. Second, although Nietzsche's writing style is full of verve and gusto (or, to use N's own word, "brio") and although this style makes for delightful anti-philosophic reading, his points do become burdensome after a while. After reading the introduction and the first 30 pages or so, I found myself saying, "Okay, okay, I got it." Nietzsche's misogyny, his failure to provide concrete examples (occassionally) and his belief in a human two-level caste system ("...life itself in its essence means appropriating, injuring, overpowering those who are foreign and weaker" (152-153)) may challenge (or turn off) some readers. Neverhtheless, at 180 slim pages, Beyond Good and Evil accomplishes its task before it becomes tiresome.
O**S
Beyond Good and Evil Oxford World's Classics
OK, I gave it two stars instead of the five it deserves so you could check out this more recent (2014) and, to my mind, more engaging The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Vol. 8 (Beyond Good and Evil / On the Genealogy of Morality) . Adrian del Caro did the translation. This translation is based on the Colli-Montinari edition of the German textss. I read Kaufman's translations as a teenager. I later bought the Cambridge editions. Nietzsche: Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy)  All of them are good with the exception of Nietzsche: The Anti-Christ, Ecce Homo, Twilight of the Idols: And Other Writings (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy)  I am thankful there are more and more translations and critical editions available. I also recommend the Oxford World'sClassics editions of Ecce Homo: How One Becomes What One Is (Oxford World's Classics)  and Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and Nobody (Oxford World's Classics) . Del Caro's translation of Nietzsche: Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy)  is the best, in my opinion. R. J. Hollingdale's older translations are also excellent (Penguin editions). You can find all of the German texts online if you put www in front of .nietzschesource.org/#eKGWB in your browser.
R**D
What is the Good?
Nietzsche was brilliantly crazy or crazy brilliant, perhaps it was both. Not an obvious genius, but his wisdom is counter-intuitive and worthy of reflection. He was perhaps the most brilliant philosopher of his time, certainly not the most conventional--but arguably the most sagacious about many matters. It is a shame that he descended into madness. He is not to be read quickly, because in so doing you will miss the point. Worth reading and reflecting on, particularly if you study philosophy seriously.
J**R
Not for the Casual Reader
Let me put it this way…if you use a high liter, have two.
A**K
What was on Zarathustra's mind on those mountains?
Beyond Good and Evil clarifies much of what is left in the air in Thus Spoke Zarathustra and hinted at in the Gay Science. It helps to be familiar with TSZ, or at least the Gay Science coming into reading this text, given the subtlety of the allusions to his former writings and concepts, and the elaborateness of the traps the author lays for cursory readers. For newcomers, hopefully BGE will prove to be a catalyst to further interest in the man's thought; if that's the case you have much to look forward to. Happy hunting.
F**G
Master of Master
You can easily find, it is not the book for everyone, but would enjoy if you really agree and enjoy it.
E**N
Excellent
I found it a wonderfully interesting read. It is dense, so prior knowledge of Western intellectual history is very helpful.
J**E
Five Stars
Fast delivery! Exactly as described.
L**Y
Well...
What is there to say on Nietzsche? Brilliantly clever, funny and frightening. Often hard to read, and very rarely does he say anything I agree with - but this is still a book which allows a look into the mind of a man who thought like no other. I'd recommend it to anyone who's already interested in philosophy, but would definitely suggest you don't start your journey into philosophy with it!
A**Y
Excellent
I brought the book as I am studying it in college, it came in excellent condition and in the recommended time frame
A**R
Five Stars
really good
Trustpilot
1 week ago
1 month ago