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: 978-0-19-509846-4ISBN10: 0-19-509846-3

About the Author(s)