The Books/Reading Thread
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Cythraul
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- Dec 10, 2003
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Right on, broheezy. Danto is a good read, but I think I usually disagree with him completely. Are you taking some kind of aesthetics class or something of that nature?
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
I wouldn't have recommended this as a first Nietzsche work (though I forget if it's your first or not)...it's definitely hard to stomach. The Anti-Christ contains the best stuff I've read, and contains a lot of the crux of his argument(s).
skeptik
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Yeah, taught by Peter Kivy. I actually took the class based on a class I had a few semesters ago with Kivy because I really liked him. It seems as though he's somewhat of an expert in the field of aesthetics.
The Ozzman
Melted by feels
It's my first Neitzsche work. It is painstakingly slow, but I will get The Anti-Christ next.
Ender Rises
Wass sappening?
Einherjar86
Active Member
I have read the Divine Comedy, it was the first foray I ever made into classic epics. The formula got rather stale by Paradiso, though, and I really wasn't interested in reading about something boring like heaven.Inferno and Purgatorio were quite compelling, though.
Paradiso is the hardest read of the whole thing. It's very complicated and philosophical, and not as riveting as Inferno or Purgatorio, definitely. It's the same with Milton; Paradise Lost was exciting and enthralling, but Paradise Regained is boring and stale. It's because men can relate to imperfection and giving in to lust (Adam and Eve), but a Christ figure who can resist temptation flawlessly and die for the rest of humanity? Who in hell can relate to that?
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
panzerfaust666
German Asshole
Yeah It is a good place to start Ender. But he has quite a wide array of material.All that really matters is that you leave Ecce Homo to the end
Zephyrus
Tyrants and Slaves
Honestly, The Birth of Tragedy is where I rec everyone to start from; Nietzsche was a prolific writer, but he didn't write for just anyone (i.e. his works are generally harder for the casual public reader to follow). Not only does his writing style turn many off, but he constantly returns to themes he has covered in his previous works and expands/redacts upon ideas.
Also check out Daybreak, The Gay Science, Thus Spoke Zara, and etc etc.
I personally prefer to go in chronological order as you can see his ideas develop and mature... but that's just me. Also, you must at some point read ECCE HOMO.
Edit: Damn, ninja'd by Panzer on the the Ecce Homo portion; he's right though, leave it last...
Cythraul
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Another thing is that he assumes the reader is pretty well educated about European history and culture. He constantly refers to various writers, texts, philosophers, and artists throughout his writings, more than a lot of other philosophers tend to do. I'd suggest that anybody wanting to read Nietzsche get a little bit familiar with the bible, Goethe, Wagner, ancient Greek philosophy (including pre-Socratic), Kant, Schopenhauer, ancient Vedic Hinduism, utilitarianism, etc. etc.
panzerfaust666
German Asshole
Yeah good point there.I still find myself somewhat lost on some of his refrences. I must read more Goethe and Wagner
skeptik
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Completely agreed, especially with this part. He has a substantial enough body of work that the development of his philosophy through his writings becomes important in understanding what he's saying.
Oblivious Maximus
I am the worm
