NIETZSCHE HIS PHILOSOPHY OF CONTRADICTIONS AND THE CONTRADICTIONS OF HIS PHILOSOPHY WOLFGANG MULLER-LAUTER Translated from the German by David J. Parent aeRO a em Tei E TesIovemuationan Nierzscite SrubtEs Richard Schach, series editor Eclvorial Board Roediger Biener (Bielefeld) Eric Blondel (Paris Sorbonne} Maudemarie Clark (Colgate) David Cooper (Durham) Arthur Danco (Columbia) Kathleen Higgins (Texas-Austin) R J, Hollingdale (London) Bernd Magnus (California-Riverside) ‘Wolfging Maller-Lauter Bectin) Alexander Nehammas (Princeran) ‘Martha Nussbaum (Chicago) Joerg Salaquarda (Vienna) Gary Shapiro (Richmond) Robert Solomon (Tesas-Austin) ‘Tracy Steong (California-San Diego} ‘Yemiyahu Yove (Jerusalem) A lis of books she series appears arte back ofthis BookIncernational Nietzsche Scudies Nietzsche has emerged as a thinker of extraordinary importance, not only in the history of philosophy bue in many fields of contemporary inquiry. Nietasche stud- jes are maturing and flourishing in many parts ofthe world, This international- ization of inquiry with respect to Nietzsche's thought and significance may be expected to continue. International Nietzsche Studies is conceived as 2 series of monographs and cosay collections thae wil reflect and contribute to chese developments. The se- ries will present seudies in which responsible scholarship is joined to the analy- sis, interpretation, and assessment of the many aspects of Nietzsche's chought thac bear significantly upon mateers of moment today. In many respects Nietz- sche is our contemporary, wich whom we do well to reckon, even when we find curselves at odds with him. The sevies is intended co promote this reckoning, embracing diverse interpretive perspectives, philosophical orientations, and crt cal assessments. The setes is also intended co contribute to che ongoing reconsideration of the character, agenda, and prospects of philosophy ise: Nietesche was much con- cerned with philosophy’s past, present, and furure, He sought ro affect not only its understanding but alo its practice. The fucure of philosophy is an open ques- tion today, chanks at least in part to Nietzsche’ challenge to che philosophical traditions of which he was so critical I remains to be seen—and determined — whether philosophy’s Fucure will ruen out to resemble the “philosophy of the fucure” to which he proffered a prelude and of which he provided a preview, by both precept and practice. But this i a possibility we do well ro take seriously. International Nietasche Studies will attempt co do so, while contributing to the understanding of Nietasche’s philosophical thinking and its bearing upon con- temporary inquiy. Richard SchacheNierzscHeNIETZSCHE His Philosophy of Contradictions and the Contradictions of His Philosophy Wolfgang Miiller-Lauter Translated fiom the German by David J. Parent Foreword by Richard Schacht University of Illinois Press Urbana and Chicagoablation of this book was supported by a gran fom Inter Nations, Bonn. Niece: Seine Philorphie der Gogentce nad die Ggents einer Philesepbie © 1971 by Walter de Gruyter & Co. Bern and New York English-language wanslation © 1999 by the Board of Trustes ofthe Univesipy of nos Published by che Universicy of linois Press by agreement with Walter de Gruyter 8 Co., Belin and New Yorc rasaseresay? “This book sprinted on acid-free popes Library of Congress Cataloging Millers, Wolgng (Niewche. English) ‘Niewsche his philosophy of conedicons andthe conadcons of is philsophy /Walfgng Malle-Lauer; waned fom the German ‘by Devi J. Pret; ewrd by Richard Schacht, pp con — Cnienstional Newche suis) Iochdes bibliographical references isang eo-asi-on4s2-8 alk. peped rsmero: o2sn-a4sa Calle pape?) tama: g7o-as-067s8-7 (pbk. all pape) tse 0-52-0673 (pl lk paps) 1 Niewche, rede Wiel, 1844-1900, Tide I Stes su7ais 199 so3—dear 98.2591 Publication Data Printed and bound in Grest Brita by ‘Maton Book Services Limited, OxtontConTENTS Foreword by Richard Schacht ix Preface xv Incroduction + 1 Apparent Contradictions and Real Contradictions of the Will to Power 7 ‘The Problem of Contradictions in Nietzsche's Philosophy of History 23 3. Nihilism as Will to Nothingness 4 4 Nihilism and Christianiey 50 5. The Will co Truch and the Will to Power 58 6, The Way to the Overman 72 7. The Two Types of Overman and the Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence 84 8, Nietasche's “Doctrine” of the Will co Power 122 9. The Organism as Inner Struggle: Wilhelm Rous Influence on Niewsche 161 Notes 183 Works Cited 243Foreworp ‘The publication of this book in its original German form in 1971 was a major event in the development of Nietzsche studies in Germany. Heidegger's massive and highly idiosyncratic reatmenc of Nietesche had appeared ten years previously and had become enormously influential, giving the interpretation of Nietsche a direction and style that moved markedly away from traditional norms of schol- asship. Millle-Laucer’s book provided a much-needed counterweight to it, reaffirming the primacy of Nietesche's texts (both published and unpublished) in the underscanding of his chought and so serving,as rallying point for those in German-language Niecasche studies who were nor prepared to yield Nietasche tw those on both sides of the Rhine for whom Fleidegger’s way with Nietzsche was their point of departure. Through his book, together wich his subsequenc contributions ro che Nietz- sche literacure and other contribucions co Nietasche seudies (pariculary through his longcime stewardship of Nietzsche Studien), Miiller-Lauter also played a cial role in holding the fort against wider social and incellecual forces on both the righe and the lefe chat chreatened the very existence and future of Nietasche studies in both parts of Germany. His efforts and accomplishments were recog- nized publicly and movingly in a ceremony held October 1996 in Naumburg (Nietzsche's home town), in a part of Germany in which Nietasche was long. vilified and Nietasche studies discouraged. In this well-attended official and media event, Miller-Laucer was awarded the frst Friedrich Nietasche Prize given by che State of Sachsen-Anhale, honoring him for his long career asa Nietasche scholae, ‘of which this book is che single most salient accomplishment. The debates carried on in the book with other German philosophers and schol- ats whose treatments of Nietzsche were taken by Miller-Lauter to call for atten sion and response are themselves illuminating, They both iluserace the kinds ofx Foneworp interpretive issues that were at che forefront in Germany during this erucial pe- riod-ae a time when Anglo-American Nietesche studies were only beginning to gain philosophical respectability and to atain intellectual macurity—and also atc indicative of the ways in which they were being addressed. Both Germanic and Anglo-American Nietzsche studies have evolved considerably in the incer~ val, during which ime the waters have also been roiled mightily by the influx into both philosophical and intellectual communities of the eusrents of Nietz- sche interpretation flowing from France and French-inspited circles in both ar- eas. A generation later one cannot help being struck by the unself-consciousness with which Maller-Lauter then feleable—and indeed impelled—to make use of Nietzsche’ texts, both published and unpublished. And yee the spit of is ef- fore remains no less salutary thax his interpretation remains deserving of atten tion; for it stands in resolute opposition (0 all those who would ignore what Nietzsche actually says in favor of theie often questionable glosses on his mean- ing and che upshot of his thought. “To be sure, Miiller-Lauter himself can be, has been, and perhaps should be faulted for himself ignoring important considerations pertaining to the texts he draws upon so extensively here—notably, considerations of context, of period, and of che status ofthe wricings in question themselves (published oF from Nietz- sche's notebooks and other Nachla®). Indeed, his own sensitivity to such issues increased markedly even between the writing of the original vesion of this book and che time—just a few years lacer—of his writing of the two essays incorpo- rated into the present version of i, as its last ewo chapters. These chaprers were. not part of the original German edition of the book but will be included in fue ture German editions. Chapter 8, "Nietsche’s ‘Doctrine’ of che Will to Power,” first appeared as “Nictzsches ‘Lehre’ vom Willen zur Mache” in Nietssche-Studien volume 3 (1974): 1-60. Chapter 9, “The Organism as Inner Struggle,” frst ap- peared as “Der Organismus als Innerer Kampf: Der Einfluss von Wilhelm Roux auf Friedrich Nietasche” in Nietasche-Studien volume 7 (1978): 189-2234 233-35. ‘They are incorporated into the book—at the request ofthe author, who himself controls the rights ro them—here For the fist sime. In these essays, in che course of extending his interpretation to several further aspects of Nicrzsche's chought, Miller-Laucer both attempts to justify his gen- eral manner of using Nietzsche's published and unpublished kexts (while allow- ing chat it may have been less guarded than it should have been) and co show how his mode of interpretive endeavor might be carried on more judiciously Readers with a critical-scholasly sensibility refined by the attention given to this ‘matter in recent years, and who may be taken aback by Milller-Lauters way of availing himself of Nierasche’s texts, should thus not only be prepared to makeForeworn xi some allowances for the state ofthe art when the book was wrieten but also refer co his discussion of the macter and modified practice in the last wo chapters. Miller-Laucer surely is on firm ground, however, in insisting thac itis ae least a necessary (if not a sufficient) condition of che soundness of an interpretation of Nietasche' thinking on some matter chat it accord with what he actualy says about it and that passages can be found in which he says things along the lines of the interpretation being offered, And he sought to make its clea as he could that (unlike a number of his interpretive rivals) his incerprecation amply satisfies this condition. If we today set the bar higher in this respect, we do so by way of basic agreement with him abou how one ought co proceed in Niewsche inter- pretat The interest and merit of Miiller-Lauter's interpretation, moreover, are quite independent of the manner of its presentation. He may make extensive use of language extracted from Nietzsche's published and unpublished writings to set it out; bu if this practice is thought o sever (or at leas loosen) the links beeween the material extracted and the contexts in which its meaning alone can be prop- erly discerned, then for chat very reason chis appropriated language may be read as thac of Miller-Laucer himself as interpreter. What it loses in Nietaschean au- thority when viewed with these concerns in mind, ic gains back when regarded simply asa parc of Miiller-Lautersincerpretive-exposicory vocabulary (for which hie is heavily indebced ro Nietzsche as well as to che German language mote gen- erally), The quotation marks used and citations given are not essential ro under- standing what he is saying; and one does better to focus upon the later than to concern oneself wich whether, in the Nieteschean text in which some phrase appeared, i is best construed in just the same way. ‘Matters are quite different, of course, when some full sentences or even pata- graphs ate cited in suppor or illustration of some interpretive point being made, In such cases the relation berween them and the interpretation Miller-Lauter is offering is an important issue. And if one is co do justice to him, as well as co benefic from one’s encounter with his discussion, one will do best eo focus one’s accention upon the latter sore of issue, without allowing concerns of the former sore to ger in one's way. The leitmotiv of Miller-Laucer’s interpretation isehat, while there are indeed signifieanc “contradictions” or tensions and conflicts in Nietesche’s thinking with respect ro a good many of the most important matters he discusses, chey at least very often relate in interesting and importanc ways to what he believes to be “con- tuadictory” states of affairs in these matters themselves. Before we criticize Niee- sche for his failure to achieve (or even to be particularly concerned with} the kind of consistency we might wish a philosopher’ chinking co exhibit, eherefore, hexii Forswono challenges us to suspend the assumption that things ough to be ehac way and co Took with him ac whether they might not actualy be otherwise—or at any rate, ar whether they might be more complicated, ambiguous, and “contradictory” than wwe can do justice to with the kinds of concepts and analytical tools at our dis- posal. The thinking he is (and we ae) able co do when making this arcempe will inevitably be difficult, entative, and unstable; and we can never be sure what to make of many of the most intriguing “contradictions” we come up with. Bur we can no more dismiss out of hand the claims upon us of such chinking than we ‘ean be assured of its soundness “Miller-Lauter leaves us wich the question of the ultimate tenability of Nietz- sche's thought, in view of the “contradictions” chat are so fundamental to it—a question that all who take Nietzsche seriously must confront and deal with in some way. If something must give, he does not say what he thinks ic ought to be. He docs make it cleat, however, that it was for very powerful reasons that ‘Nieezsche's thinking pulled in such contrary directions and cha ici as unsatis- factory to abandon one line of thought or the other asic is difficult co reconcile them. Miller-Lauter's Niwsche can be neither easily embraced nos lightly dis- sissed. Ic is high time, however, that his interpretation enter the fray of English- language discussion of how to understand what Nietzsche was up co and what co make of ic ‘A note on notes and references: Inthe original edition Mllr-Laueer’s hundreds of footnotes were printed at the bottoms of the pages and often filled a substan- til portion of the page. A fair number of these notes were simply identifications of cited material These have been integrated ino the main text, following the stan- dard practice of using reaily identifiable English-cranslation acronyms and Nietz~ sche's part and section numbers whenever possible, in the interest of making this, information readily available in a manner with which English-speaking readers «vil be familiar. A key to these and other references is provided on pages xviii Other notes have been renumbered and gathered together atthe end of the book. Itis hoped thac this deviation fom the original will not inconvenience many read ‘exsand will allow the main arguments to emerge mote clearly. The extensive chol- arship and further argumentation in the notes do warrant their consultation, how- ever; and readers should be sute at least co locate chem and consult hem as may bbe appropriate to their interests and concerns, see “The appearance of cis translation owes much to many who have had 2 hand in iat one point or another, including Jorg Salaquanda ofthe University of Vienna, ‘who fist proposed undertaking the project; Hans-Robert Cram of De Gruyter,Foreworn ili whose cooperation made it possible; Richard Martin of che University of Ilinois ress, whose interest and assistance have been crucial: and my research assistanc, Craig, Matartese, who was very helpful in the final stages of the preparation of she manuscript. Buc the greatest debt is owed co the translator, the late David J. Parent of Ilinois State University, who agreed to undertake the projece without promise of any compensation other than its intrinsic woreh and who produced a very fine translation indeed in a remarkably short time. Sadly, Parent did not live co see the book's publication, suffering a massive heart attack not long after the translation was completed and dying several months later, on Christmas Eve 1997. He was a true scholar and gentleman, to whom the existence of this vol- ume will stand as a lasting tribute. Richard SchachtPREFACE This book is the result of investigations into the history of modern nihilism. Reflections on Nietzsche's significance for the problematic of nihilism compelled :me to rethink the basic questions of his philosophical thought. In this endeavor Nietzsche's thematization of contradictions cured out to be a fruisul poinc of deparcure. The elaboration of Nierasche's questions and answers, in my opinion, throwsa great deal of light on this philosopher’ actual and merely apparent con- tradictions, which his interpreters have noted repeatedly. ‘The present book uses the procedure of an immanent portrayal and critique of Nietsche's philosophy. The efforc to grasp a thinker in his innermose concerns seems to me unavoidable even when one wishes to consider him “from the out- side—from any vantage point whatsoever. For this makes i¢ possible to avoid overhasty interpretations and evaluations, of which Niecasche scholarship offers aagreat number of examples. Although any attempe ar an immanent critique may bbe guided by a preconcepron, this preconception undergoes corrections imposed by the object of che critique, leading to a more adequate understanding In view of these remarks, this book's restriction co an immanent-critical por- trayal of Nietzsche's philosophy has two implications First, Niewsche' significance within the history of modern nihilism is noc the theme of this investigation, al- ‘hough, of course che preliminary studies required for such an investigation were undertaken, And secondly, I forego a critique whose standpoint lies outside of Nietzsche's philosophy. The ideas presented in this book merely present the pre- conditions for such a critique. My last word on Nietzsche's philosophy is thus not stated. here—assuming that ic is possible at all ro say ones last word on so sich and open a philosophy. Ac this time (1971), any study of Nietasche faces che dificult char a consider- able number of important posthumous mantiscripts have not yet been published.xvi Paerace Only eight ofthe probable thirty volumes ofthe Kritiche Geaamtanrgabe, which will remedy chis deficiency, have appeared to date. Therefore I have had co ely fonand quote from the Groflceaoausgabe, which i problematicin many respects, However, [also consulted the volumes of the Kritishe Gesamtansgabe that have appeared in print 0 fat. Moreover, Lam grateful to Professor Mazzino Monsinari, of Florence, for important suggestions, mainly with regard co yet unpublished. texts, Drs Montinari was s0 kind as to read the proofs of this book. Since the publication process meanwhile was neatly finished, I was no longer able tine thude a few inceresting posthumous fragments in my discourse. In any case they did noc call for a modification ofthe views I express. T owe some ideas, suggestions, and references, especially to secondary livera- tute, o my assistant, Jorg Salaquarda. In addicion he provided formal guidance for this work from the beginning and he also assembled the bibliography and the index of names that appears in the German edition. Wolfgang Miller Lauer Berlin, March 197%xvi PREFACE Only eight ofthe probable chitty volumes ofthe Kritiche Gesamtanrgabe, which will remedy this deficiency, have appeared to date. Therefore I have had co rely dn and quote from the Gro(fctaeausgabe, which i problematicin many respects, However also consulted the volumes of the Kritische Gesamtansgabe that have appeared in print 0 fut. Moreover, am grateful ro Professor Mazzino Moncinar, of Florence, for important suggestions, mainly with regard to yet unpublished texts, Dr. Montinari was s0 kind as to read the proofs of this book. Since the publicacion process meanwhile was neatly finished, I was no longer able . ine hude afew inceresting posthumous fragments in my discourse. In any case, they did not cal for a modification of the views I express. Towe some ideas, suggestions, and references, especially o secondary litera tute, to my assstanc, Jorg Salaquarda. In addon he provided formal guidance for this work from the beginning and he also assembled the bibliography and che index of names that appears in the German edition. Wolfgang Milller-Laucer Berlin, March 1971ABBREVIATIONS English-language versions of citations from Nietzsche's writings generally follow the listed translations and are identified in the customary fashion, by section tuumber after che indicated English-language aeronyans: ac Br BGE cw D EH cs cM HA HL 1 UM ‘The Anti-Christ, tans. R. J. Hollingdale, Penguin Books: London, 1990 The Birch of Tragedy trans. W. Kaufmann, Random House: New York, 1967. Beyond Good and Evil, rans. W. Kaufmann, Random House: New York, 1966. The Case of Wagner, trans. W. Kaufmann, Random House: New York, 1967. Daybreak, ans. R. J. Hollingdale. Cambridge University Press: New York, 1982, eve Home, wrans. W. Kaufmann. Random House: New York, 1967. ‘The Gay Science, trans. W. Kaulimann. Random House: New York, 1974. (On the Genealogy of Mona, crans. W. Kaufmann. Random House: New York, 1989, Human, All Too Human, «rans. RJ. Hollingdale, Cambridge Univee- sity Press: New Yorks, 1986. “On the Uses and Disadvantages of History for Life,” Second Untimely Meditation; see UM below. Twilight of the Idols, crans. R. J. Hollingdale. Penguin Books: London, 1968, Untimely Meditations, wans. R. J. Hollindale, Cambridge University Press: New York, 1983.viii Aspreviations, WP The Will so Power, rans. W. Kaufmann and R. J. Hollingdale. Random House: New Yorks, 1968. WS. The Wandever and His Shadowy the second part of the second volume of Hyman, Al Too Human (originally published separately, and preserv- ing its original separate section numbering). Z Thus Spoke Zararhnsta, eeans. W. Kaufmann. Viking Penguin: New York, 1966. ‘German-language editions of Nictasche's writings used are referred to by volume and page number and other data as may be appropriate: BAW Friedrich Nietzsche Werke und Briefe. Hisorisch-Kaivsche Gesamtausgabe, Werke, 5 vols. Munich (Beck), 19334 GA Grofioltavausgabe, ed. by the Nietzsche Archive, 19 vols. in chree divi- sions. Leipzig, 94-1912. “Nachlaf™ (unpublished notes) when not oth- cexwise identified, refers to GA. Ges. Br. Friedrich Nietasches Gesammelte Briefe, vols. Leipzig, ost KGW Kritische Gesantansgabe: Werke, ed. by G. Colli and M. Montinati, ca 30 vols. in 8 divisions. Berlin, 29674NIETZSCHE,INTRODUCTION Ieisequaly disastrous forthe mina t0 have a agten and t have none, Surely, een, ie will fave to devide combine the ro Fic Schlegel Arent Fragen, 53 ‘The contradictions inherent in Nietzsche's works have given his interpreters great deal of trouble from che frst In many cases these inconsistencies can be arranged ina temporal sequence and regarded as phases in Nietsche's philosophical de- velopment. The most drastic changes or reorientations can usually be divided inco three to five phases. Upon closer examination other contradictions in this philos- ‘opher’s thinking prove to be merely apparent, resulting from his use of che same genctal term to designace differently valued specifications of a single scat of af- fairs, co judge one state of affairs in terms ofits varying relaionships to other states of affairs? ot co characterize ie with regard co its own different intrinsic aspects.? Yer inconsistencies in Nietasche’s fundamental discourse remain, Nietasche scholars have displayed a broad range of reactions. Some have held that because of his confusing statements Nietzsche cannot be ranked among the great philo- sophical thinkers.* Orhers have valued him as an artist who should not be mis- taken for a philosopher, a philosophical poet from whom conceptual rigor can- not be expected,“ or an over-imaginative writer who did not subject the “ethereal offspring” [luftgen Kinde’) of his mind co “critique and contol by realiey” and therefore achieved no “harmony” cither wich reality or with himself” He has also been misused as a writer of aphorisms whose thinking offers “a random selec- tion of timely sayings.” Finally, various scholars have attempted either co show thac Nietasche’s thinking is coherent in its essential Lines or to systematize him aler the fact. ‘The scholars who seek overall coherence in Nietesche’s works differ in their approach to the problem. The most extreme position denies that any significant contradictions ean be found in Nietasche, Thus Hans Vaihingee states that Nietz- Sche' ideas, “despice their aphoristic form and unsystematic sequence, form a2 Inrropuerion strictly coherent, logically satisfactory whole; chey flow with immanene neces- sity from a single basic principle and combine into a seamless circle.” Vaihinget sees his task as to assemble “the splinters scattered in apparent disorder, the disjeta ‘membra, into astsicely coherent system.”"* Of course, he must admie that besides the “main stream” elaborated by himselfal sorts of “secondary sub-currents” can bbe found in Nietasche. However, when he adds that this isthe case with other thinkers too," he tivializs the nearly incomparable dificlties faced by Nietz~ sche-interpretation. Alfred Baeumler, although no less concerned than Vaihinger wich demonstrat- ing the coherence of Nietasche’s work, expresses himself somewhat more cau- tiously. According to him, “Nietzsche intuitions” form a system as long as one knows how “to distinguish essential writings fom Reeting notes.”!”To be sure, the criterion for such a distinction seems ultimately co reside in Baeumler’s own “intuition.” Since he sees the idea of eternal recurrence as contradicting Niet- sche's fundamental doctrine ofthe wil to power he is compelled to rank icamong, the “fleeting” remarks that cannot be fitted into “the system.” He marginalizes it as the “expression ofa highly personal experience,” thats, ofa religious nature.” ‘The insight that contradictory lines of chought do exist in Nietasche's works does not necessarily require that one renounce “systematization.” One can, as Georg Simmel did, select from the toraity of Nietesche' statements “those which provide a concise, unified, and meaningful intellectual whole.” Simmel admits that statements of Nietzsche's can be cited that are “irreconeilably contraty” co the interpretation he presents. Yet, despite his more cautious estimate of his own interpretation compared with Vaihinger and Bacumle, Simmel roo brackets out the problem of contradiction. ‘Another possibility isco try to keep che “whole” Nietzsche in view with all his contradictions while stil asserting the incrinsic, original unity of his work. This has been done by positing as che innermost core something not expressed by Nietzsche himself at least not in the sense of grounding the contradictions. At- tempts to lay bare the hidden roots of Nietzsche's thinking have led ro crude simplifications as well as to profound interpretations, Georg Lukics, for instance, writes that “the systetn” of Nietzsche's “colorfully scintillating, mutually contradictory myths’ consists in cheirall being, “myths of the imperialistic bourgeoisie to mobilize agains its main enemy,” socialism.® Karl Jaspets, however, says chat “the contradictions and circularity in the movement ‘of Nietzsche's thought” are “in the last analysis merely the means of treating in- directly something that lies beyond form, lav, and what is sayable,” namely, the most hidden ground of being. * Martin Heidegger foregoes seeking out “the vari us discrepancies, contradictions, andoversights, the overhasty and often alsoIvrropucrion 3 superficial and accidental in Nietzsche's representations” in order to discover, “on she contrary the real of bis real inguin." Heidegger thus seeks to penetrate into what is left unsaid by Nietzsche, hidden from his own self, although ie supplies the implicic underpinnings of his entice work, that is, a metaphysics of forgor- ten being, Such interpretations disregard the problem of contradictions in favor of an unconttadicrory foundation of Nietasche's philosophical thinking chat is not claboraced or even considered by Nietzsche himself. The various incerpreters identify very differenc things as that foundacion, depending on their own stand- points. Orienting oneself by the multiplicity of such interpretations, one sinks into the quagmire of contradictory Nietasche-interpretations without having adequately examined Nietzsche's philosophy of contradictions in its specificey Accempts to derive his way of chinking from his particular personality seem to do more justice to its specific content. The philosopher's self-