Questions about Nietszche (age 40 and over only please)?

Question

I started reading the works of Nietszche the philosopher and find it very profound. I have read other philosophy works before, but never have I been able to relate so much to the writings of philospher before. My question is for those who have read Nietszche when they were younger. Does his philosophy resonate just as much years after you have read it? Is it a quick fancy or infactuation? Or is his writing like a deep love that preserveres through the years?

Answer 1

Your question can be answered only personally - not generally.
For me, the "infatuation" with Nietzsche has worn off considerably. I still admire him for taking the stances that he did, but much of what he had to say has not, for me, withstood the tests of time and experience too well.
Of course, that may not be the case for others, but I suspect that, if you're fortunate to survive long enough, and if you learn from what you do and what happens to you, you probably will end up remembering him fondly but rather like a rebellious younger brother, similar to, say, James Dean in "Rebel without a Cause."

Answer 2

I had to study Nietszche at college and he came out as original and someone with great potential. however, by the time you're 40 you've read others who have had the potential and also flowered. It was sad the way Nietszche died, but i guess the society would not have allowed him to flower. he will always be an inspiration and a genius but there are more steps to climb.

Answer 3

Nietzsche was a brilliant stylist and 'Thus Spoke Zarthusta' is very good as poetry but don't let that fool you: he is not profound. The vast majority of his thinking is founded upon a vague psychological speculation. His writing about the role of values in society is probably his best work. He is very much a young man's thinker.

Answer 4

I read him when I was 14. Now at 19 (which counts as 40 for me), I'm not impressed as much. He has some interesting ideas especially the correlation of power and morality (ideology). He despises mediocrity but his alternatives for mediocrity are questionable and anything but plausible.

In short, I've moved on to better things.

Answer 5

His writings are interesting and motivating, but fade away as one reads more motivating stuff. In an age of information, quantum relativity, branes and strings, much more interesting philosophy has emerged. In many ways, he could not have taken the road to Santa Fé.

Answer 6

I still find him interesting, if a bit dated. He was a product of his age, which was undergoing a great deal of technical and social change. Not the mention the rapid rise of the middle class, with all the mundane aspects that came with it.
I still find some of his observations intrigiuing, but somewhat sophomoric.
Try Ayn Rand, a bit more reflective of the modern world, though based on most of the same premises.

Answer 7

are you looking for wisdom in age? sorry to disapoint you but that's not how it works.