Nietzsche and Classical Greek Philosophy

Nietzsche and Classical Greek Philosophy: Beautiful and Diseased explains Friedrich Nietzsches ambivalence toward Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Daw-Nay N. R. Evans Jr. argues that Nietzsches relationship to his classical Greek predecessors is more subtle and systematic than previously believed. He contends that Nietzsches seemingly personal attacks on his philosophical rivals hide philosophically sophisticated disputes that deserve greater attention. Evans demonstrates how Nietzsches encounters with Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle reveal the philosophical influence they exercised on Nietzsches thought and the philosophical problems that he sought to address through those encounters. Having illustrated Nietzsches ambivalence Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Evans draws on Nietzsches admiration for Heraclitus as a counterpoint to Plato to suggest that the classical Greek philosophers are just as important to Nietzsches thought as their pre-Socratic precursors. This book will appeal to those interested in continental philosophy, ancient philosophy, and German studies.