Nietzsche: The Ethics of an Immoralist
Berkowitz (philosophy, Harvard) gives an erudite analysis of Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra and five other major works, using "God is dead" as the essential viewpoint for comprehending the philosopher's new ethics of individual creativity and dynamic cosmology of eternal recurrence. Berkowitz focuses on the creative will of the future overman, a superior type of life form (artistic philosopher or godlike being) free from society and politics. He stresses the pervasive ambivalence and extreme opinions in this Nietzschean quest for the best life grounded in truth and excellence despite mediocrity and necessity. This philosophy of overcoming affirms the joy of life and self-deification of the highest type. Ultimately, the will to power challenges the solitary but noble overman to create new values and thereby master this universe. However, Berkowitz's interpretation concludes that Nietzsche himself found this end-goal to be neither obtainable nor desirable. Not all readers will be convinced. Recommended for academic philosophy collections.?H. James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.