Unpublished Fragments from the Period of Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Spring 1884-Winter 1884/85): Volume 15

This volume provides the first English translation of Nietzsche's unpublished notes from 1884–1885, revealing his philosophical concept of superior humans and the inspiration for his fictional characters. It also explores ideas introduced in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, including the death of God, the will to power, and the cosmos' eternal return. The notes are annotated and accompanied by a translators afterword, showcasing Nietzsche's cosmopolitan exploration of aesthetic and cultural influences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

This extensive volume presents the inaugural English translation of Nietzsche's unpublished notes from the spring of 1884 to the winter of 1884–85, a pivotal period during which he crafted the fourth and final installment of his renowned masterpiece, Thus Spoke Zarathustra. These notebooks offer a unique perspective into Nietzsche's philosophical concept of superior humans, shedding light on the identities of the renowned nineteenth-century European figures who inspired his creation of fictional characters such as the prophet, the sorcerer, and the ugliest human. Within these notebooks, Nietzsche delves deeper into ideas introduced in the preceding three parts of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, including Zarathustra's teachings on the death of God, his proclamation that humanity must transcend itself to become superhumans, his discovery of the will to power as the secret of life, and his profound belief in the eternal recurrence of the entire cosmos.

For readers, this volume presents a treasure trove of material that Nietzsche would later incorporate into his subsequent work, Beyond Good and Evil. Here, he engages with the ideas of Kant and Schopenhauer, challenges cultural icons like Richard Wagner, and mercilessly exposes the flaws of his contemporaries, particularly his fellow Germans. Additionally, readers will discover an extensive collection of Nietzsche's poetry, meticulously annotated and accompanied by a comprehensive translators' afterword. This volume showcases the cosmopolitanism at work in Nietzsche's multifaceted and critical exploration of aesthetic and cultural influences that transcend national (and nationalist) notions of literature, music, and culture.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 130 x 193 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780804728881