Description

This book argues, against recent interpretations, that Nietzsche does in fact have a metaphysical system --but that this is to his credit. Rather than renouncing philosophy's traditional project, he still aspires to find and state essential truths , both descriptive and valuative, about us and the world. These basic thoughts organize and inform everything he writes; by examining them closely we can find the larger structure and unifying sense of his strikingly diverse views. With rigor and conceptual specificity, Richardson examines the will-to-power ontology and maps the values that emerge from it. He also considers the significance of Nietzsche's famous break with Plato--replacing the concept of "being" with that of "becoming." By its conservative method, this book tries to do better justice to the truly radical force of Nietzsche's ideas--to demonstrate more exactly their novelty and interest.

Reviews

"...the detail with which Richardson systematically connects will to power as an ontology with other prominent Nietzschean ideas is impressive."--The Review of Metaphysics

"Richardson writes clearly and without jargon....Nietzsche's System would make an excellent advanced survey course of Nietzsche without over-burdening the students, both intellectually and financially....[he] has crafted the best introduction to Nietzsche to date."--Teaching Philosophy

"This book contributes a valuable overview of Nietzsche's incorporation of scientific theories of his era."--German Studies Review

Richardson's study is noteworthy for its engagement with rival interpretations of Nietzsche, and for its scrupulous attention to the many recalcitrant passages in his writings. It is a useful and provocative contribution to the understanding and evaluation of Nietzsche's thought."--Ethics

Product Details

328 pages; 6-1/8 x 9-1/4; ISBN13: 978-0-19-515595-2ISBN10: 0-19-515595-5

About the Author(s)