TheGayScience

The Gay Science, according to Nietzsche himself, is his most personal book. In this work, Nietzsche boldly proclaims the death of God, a topic that occupies a significant portion of the book, and introduces his doctrine of the eternal recurrence.

What sets this book apart is Walter Kaufmann's insightful commentary, which not only sheds light on Nietzsche's philosophical ideas but also introduces the reader to Nietzsche as a person. Kaufmann includes numerous quotations from previously untranslated letters, providing a glimpse into Nietzsche's thoughts and emotions. Through this commentary, Nietzsche's philosophy comes to life in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

Aside from the exploration of the death of God and the eternal recurrence, The Gay Science also delves into other important topics. Nietzsche offers sustained discussions on art and morality, knowledge and truth, the intellectual conscience, and the origin of logic. These discussions showcase Nietzsches' nuanced and thought-provoking ideas, revealing his deep intellectual engagement with these subjects.

It is worth noting that most of The Gay Science was written just before Thus Spoke Zarathustra, with the last part being written five years later, after Beyond Good and Evil. As a result, the reader encounters Zarathustra within the pages of this book, alongside many of Nietzsche's other intriguing philosophical concepts. Furthermore, The Gay Science contains the largest collection of Nietzsche's own poetry, which the author himself ever published. This inclusion adds another layer of depth and emotion to the work, showcasing Nietzsche's versatility as a writer.

Walter Kaufmann's English translations of Nietzsche's works are highly regarded, and his efforts in translating Nietzsche's major works constitute a significant translation enterprise. Kaufmann's translations allow readers who are not familiar with German to access Nietzsche's ideas in their original and authentic form. Moreover, Kaufmann's comprehensive translations offer a level of access to Nietzsche's works that was previously unavailable. In this sense, Kaufmann's contributions to the understanding and dissemination of Nietzsche's philosophy are unparalleled.

作者简介

ThephilosopherFriedrichNietzschewasborninPrussiain1844.Afterthedeathofhisfather,aLutheranminister,Nietzschewasraisedfromtheageoffivebyhismotherinahouseholdofwomen.In1869hewasappointedProfessorofClassicalPhilologyattheUniversityofBasel,wherehetaughtuntil1879whenpoorhealthforcedhimtoretire.Heneverrecoveredfromanerv...