How to Actually Understand Nietzsche

[@WeltgeistYT]

This is my honest advice when viewers ask how they get "unstuck" reading Nietzsche. Sorry, no magic bullets... Although our videos probably help. Are you guys enjoying the longer videos? - Weltgeist

[@satnamo]

Yes, happiness is absorption.

[@yogi2436]

And blind adoration.

[@lau-guerreiro]

Would love it if you could make a video analyzing Nietzsche's psychological issues (before he went crazy) and how they effect his philosophy. Arrogance? Lack of compassion? Megalomania? Disagreeableness? etc.

[@cbeasy1856]

Can't wait to see your Thus Spoke Zarathustra analysis. I would be afraid to cover it as well.

[@filosophik]

"Companions the creator once sought, and it turned out that he could not find them unless he first created them"

[@Alseki7]

I have greatly enjoyed reading or listening to audiocasts of Nietzsche's books, and tend to think I have quite solid reading comprehension in general. But despite enthusiasm, I have hit a wall and dropped Zarathustra early... on every attempt... please expedite your video :)

[@paulleclaire8252]

Me too

[@amanofnoreputation2164]

I actually find Nietzsche's disjointed style intensely readable because of it's spontaneity, or what Nietzshe might call his "light-footedness." Coming away from a book feeling as though I could read it again for the first time because I did not understand it at all is also intensely rewarding. A book by Nietzsche is not some kind of paperback burger that occupies you only so long as you can't fit all of it into your senses at once, but a cavern. A cavern I would happily call home in a metaphor similar to how Nietzsche talks about Heraclitus or Emerson. Nietzsche is difficult in the best possible way and without the slightest artifice even when some of his artistic choices are perhaps ill advised in retrospect. Crooked roads without improvement are roads of genius.

[@PanSzawu]

I started with Thus Spake Zarathustra and although it wasn't recommended, I was awestruck by its profoundity.

[@jasonmitchell5219]

Also, you could also try reading his works in chronological order to understand the development of his thought as most of his ideas are presented in seedling form even in his first book 'The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music' or it's reissued version 'The Birth of Tragedy, Or: Hellenism and Pessimism', although the reissue wouldn't be strictly reading him chronologically. A lot of his words and ideas change meaning in significant ways from his earlier works to his latter ones which may help someone who is simply dipping his finger into his books, perhaps reading his aphorisms, for example, unpack the 'apparent' contractions contained therein. Anyway, 'Weltgeist' is right in that there is no easy way to understand him, which is putting it lightly in my opinion. Besides the authors own intentions for his preferred audience, his different experimental writing styles, his artful and masterly use of the German language, his neologisms, his philosophical precursors, his changes in meanings, his often overly dramatic tone, his sense of humour, etc., one faces a huge task that isn't for everyone, which is his point. To not merely expose oneself to his ideas but to try and live them, that is the challenge and having done so one will feel so much more enriched whether you come away agreeing or disagreeing with them, for they should, in the end, only be part of the beginning of your own journey ( "One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil").

[@jmiller1918]

Good video, packed with sound advice. I think you've made Nietzsche as "user-friendly" through your videos as he is ever going to be. Frankly, if someone can't grasp (and enjoy!) N. after watching your video series, and then reading his books in the order you recommend them I don't think there is anything more that can be done for them. I find N. to be one of the greatest writers in the German language, even if I am in Schopenhauer's camp by disposition. If you want to talk about writing that can be confounding, I'll nominate Hegel or the postmodernists and post-structuralists. I'm also interested to know which philosopher you will take on next...

[@adamshawart]

I'm so glad I came upon your videos. I love the way you approach the depth and complexity of Nietzsche (and Schopenhauer.) Thank you.

[@semesntes]

Thanks man. It meant a lot to me to know that i "jumped recklessly" into Zarathustra . And thanks for the great videos too!!!

[@FWA1677]

This is my favorite channel on all of KZbin. Please don't stop making videos ever.

[@WA-ek9mu]

Nice and helpful video. I've read one sentence from his and I cherish his words of wisdom: the reason why you feel lonely is because you don't know how to love yourself. when you reject no one, longing for someone to be with you, can't bear the loneliness, it means you are in a very dangerous status.

[@lobsterthemobster2032]

The funny thing is that I started with Thus Spoke Zarathustra so who knows what I've gotten out of it

[@marqpsmythe228]

BGE, a favorite: 151. It is not enough to possess a talent: one must also have your permission to possess it; eh, my friends?

[@19DavidVilla96]

Totally disagree with your opinion regarding the suggested order of reading. I would encourage everyone to first read the Zarathustra. By far the best book, so don't take the risk of waiting too long. This book is the miracle of mankind.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

I agree. Zarathustra is the foundation then the rest are philosophical texts

[@alexbones3691]

Good stuff dude

[@gazrater1820]

Great work, thank you 🧐🤩

[@satnamo]

You great star! What would your happiness be Have you not those For whom you shine ? Before das sun You come to me, Das loneliest of all: All I want to do with all my will power is to fly- To fly up unto you. Who are you really ? Answer: I am a god in ruins

[@yogi2436]

These linse sond like todays' popsongs.

[@kattam312]

Would you recommend Will Durants story of philosophy as alternative to the introducing philosophy text book ?

[@modysocjalista3665]

In my opinion - It's good probably, although quite old. It's a history of philosophy book though, not an introduction to philosophy book. If you have no deeper experience with studying philosophy then it might be harder to go on with it than with a book focused on beginners, but it shouldn't be impossible to go through either.

[@privatprivat7279]

what does this mean to u? “Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman--a rope over an abyss. A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal: what is lovable in man is that he is an OVER-GOING and a DOWN-GOING.

[@deadman746]

I like this video, but I was able to understand Nietzsche with essentially no philosophy. It is like how I have found it much easier to teach advanced physics such as GR and QED to people with no physics than to people with a little. Unlearning is harder than learning. I put that aphorism with Nietzsche's best.

[@Jabranalibabry]

Nietz: checkity check ya'self before you wreakity wreak ya'self

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Amor fati essentially summarizes Nietzsche

[@danielaria9642]

Goodjob

[@chopsticks76]

One of the problems with writing that is purposely hard to decipher is that you can't really know what is actually meant and the necessity of "interpretation" allows for all kinds of things the writer couldn't have intended. Writing, and especially philosophical writing, can become so dense as to essentially mean nothing. Nietzsche is not exempt from this.

[@omegacardboard5834]

Well yes, but you must not concern yourself so much with what Nietzsche meant by something (Of course this is still something which should be done as he may see a better interpretation) but if you manage to make an interpretation which seems to be true and works for you then that is something, whether Nietzsche intended it or not

[@IrohsTeaShop]

fuck i just bought zarathustra as my first nietzsche book hahaha

[@annibhardwaj6914]

I started with thus spoke Zarathustra and quite frankly that book is in my Top 3 of all time. Nothing of.that sort can be written again. I didn't quite understand part 4 of that book. I would say that you are right when you say to start with the genealogy, it forms a good base. Thus spoke Zarathustra will now get much better for me when I reread it again. I was able to understand most but I certainly would have missed the nuances of western tradition, I think. There is a lot more that meets the eye. But you can still start with it, but you'll also have to end with it haha.

[@19DavidVilla96]

One doesnt need to read anything before Nietzsche. But one has to think a lot before. I would recommend to read Zarathustra multiple times. Just enjoy.

[@19DavidVilla96]

@Leopardi5 why do you think so? I like the Zarathustra as is it philosophy and art at the same time.

[@19DavidVilla96]

@Leopardi5 Ok. When it comes to Zarathustra it is indeed necessary to read a lot between the lines. I think that he couldn't articulate his view in a concrete way, so the Zarathustra was the best he could do to show all the nuances of his thoughts in a poetic way. And i think this is why he considers it as the greatest book.

[@19DavidVilla96]

@Leopardi5 No, i feel like i could give you endless examples. Especially hard to tell as i read it in german. And i really think it is important to read a good translation.

[@alecmisra4964]

If he lived long enough he'd probably have Greek gangs chasing after him! "Oh muh imaginary honour".

[@meregaming1770]

I don't think his philosophy is as hard to grasp as people make it out to be.

[@Patsfan2938]

Is the voice-over AI or a person?

[@illusorful]

I don't think 'understanding' is the point. Nevertheless, good video for readers looking for some support.

[@alwaysgreatusa223]

Nietzsche is not a systematic thinker. This means many of his writings are more-or-less random -- and sometimes contradictory -- expressions of what he was thinking and feeling at the time he was writing. Nonetheless, there are certain recurring themes in his writings, including: an atheistic stance against Judaeo-Christian morals and values; a refutation of most, if not all, traditional philosophy with its emphasis on abstract, rational, and analytical thinking -- especially metaphysical ideas that place real existence and moral values in an otherworldly realm; an affirmation of life and its earthly values over any religion, philosophy, or moral system that devalues life and places its ultimate redemption in some kind of metaphysical 'beyond'; the 'Will to Power' as the ultimate motivating force in both the universe and in human relations; the assertion that a sort of 'aristocratic' moral system -- which Nietzsche calls 'master morality' -- is the natural value system for both the survival and the progress of humanity; and, finally, that 'man is something to be overcome' and surpassed in the evolution of the species towards a future which sees the rise of the so-called 'superman' -- which is to be a more complete embodiment of the Will to Power than are we weak, lowly, helpless, and fearful homo-sapiens with our 'slave morality' discretion, scruples, and virtues.

[@benl5432]

Can someone write a list 1-10 of what to read first and last? For example 1 the gay science 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 thus spoke zarathustra

[@WeltgeistYT]

Check our video “Where to start with Nietzsche”, it has a list

[@aryandey3012]

Or I guess just use internet if you are stuck somewhere.

[@derrickrichins5747]

You cannot understand Nietzsche. You do not understand yourself. How could you hope to understand a dead man when you are confused by your your own reflection? How can you understand a man who, like yourself, never understood himself? If Nietzsche has a message for you at all it is that you must try to understand yourself. That is your task. I am certain that you will fail. Your failure does not mean that any of it was in vain. Meaning is a choice. Choose to be meaningful. Or torture yourself like he did, like you almost certainly will.

[@Nemo-sz2qy]

I'm just here so i wont get fined , yet again

[@privatprivat7279]

i only read one book from nietsche. and it wasse "thus spoke zarathustra" halfway in i lost interest because i saw the ignorance of hes being in the time period and comprehention of our reality that he lived in ,and hes negative view on humanity and our evolution... the resentment towards onconcious human beings there lack of comprehention wasse depressing to read... its like he loved calling people fools(to make himself feel better) ....well knowingly they will never understand why they are fools, and knowingly they resent being called fools... (its like as u said at the beginning...its for an elite audiance, that influences the ego of the reader wich is dangerious...i can read it...but i dont feel an elite...and i dont feel or wanne be above the sheep...we are just more aware...but in the end we are sheep...the worst part is that nietsche felt a sheppard...but he wasse a resentfull sheep...and never made it to be a sheppard... and no human did for 1000's of years. i know nietsche is today viewed as one of the most influential modern thinkers, but i feel sorry for him...that he never got past the view of resentment towards others and there ignorance...he knows we are gods...but instead of fiending the path to becoming one...he spend hes life and energy on looking and telling us how sad and ignorant onconcious humanity and our evolution still is...

[@lau-guerreiro]

He certainly had a lot of psychological issues, even before he went crazy! He was far from the ideal man that he imagined himself to be.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Such a narrow minded reading of Nietzsche. Do you realize his contribution to philosophy and mankind? Sad

[@PORYGON9001]

I read most of the New Testament recently. I wish I could explain what I imagined Jesus was but my big take is bridging the gap between spirit and reality. For example, Jesus was also very precise with his articulation and was able to get mad at his disciples/Pharisees when his word was misinterpreted. Likely has to do with telling the truth at all times because lying is a sin. In the beginning Life is, and was before the darkness we see in space today. In other words, the chicken or the egg is an unwise question. Asking what came before the big bang is like asking who created God. God was there first and therefore that's the reality. And yet today scientists can't answer you because they insist there is more to darkness. I could tell you more erudite knowledge but it's very difficult to explain these strange thoughts. Thanks to anyone who read this.

[@skepticalcentral8795]

Well, that's 30 seconds of reading time I'm never getting back.

[@veerswami7175]

@@skepticalcentral8795 thinking same and with logical flaws in it also

[@omegacardboard5834]

@@veerswami7175 Well his name is Schizo on meds

[@dry509]

Who cares. What does he actually know. Just his opinion.

[@johngoldsworthy7135]

Spotted the under man