The Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ: or How to Philosophize with a Hammer (Penguin Classics)
by Friedrich Nietzsche

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Book Reviews of The Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ: or How to Philosophize with a Hammer (Penguin Classics)

Book Review: "Twilight of Reason" and "The Anti-Logic"
Summary: 1 Stars

To his credit, Nietzsche is a very bouncy, scintillating an energetic writer. I think that many people can learn from his literary style. I certainly have. But a well-perfumed lie is like a well-perfumed skunk: eventually both will stink, since you cannot change their nature no matter how pretty you make them up to be!

Here are some samples of hi errors:

P. 56. "Let us consider finally what naivety it is to say 'man ought to be thus and thus.'" In other words, we ought not say ought. See the internal incoherency?

Ibid. "We others, we immoralists, have on the contrary open wide our hearts to every kind of understanding, comprehension, approval." Has he opened his heart wide to accept religion or God? This, by the way, is called "dicto simplicter," or a sweeping generalization; and it is also an "iron man" argument, where you overstate your own position.

P. 64. "The error of free will. --We no longer have any sympathy today with the concept of 'free will." One you remove freedom, you remove meaning. If Hitler, Dahmer, or whom ever wasn't free to choose not to become incarnate devils, then we cannot hold them accountable. We do not blame blind people for being born blind because they simply have no control over that condition. But we do have an ability to control our own souls, to make gods and angels of ourselves, or to make demons and devils of ourselves. If we have no freedom, then we have no penal system, simply the criminal could not control his or herself. And that would be hell on earth.

Ibid. "Men were thought of as 'free' so that they could become guilt." This is probably a Freudian Slip on Nietzsche's part. Religion has a cutting edge to it--always repent and do not make excuses for your meanness. We get so concerned about the evil in the world around us; we forget the evil deep within us.

P. 66. "One knows my demand of philosophers that they place themselves beyond good and evil--that they have the illusion of moral judgments beneath them." It is good to be beyond good. It is moral to be beyond morality. In other words, Nietzsche assumes what he tries to disprove.

The only reason why I think Nietzsche's philosophy caught on is that first, he was a bouncy and vibrant voice. I enjoy reading his works because they are rather witty and quick and slicing. Secondly, his philosophy is very flattering one. God is dead; you become the Superman and replace God (Thus Spoke Zarathustra, ch. 24). This unctuous punch has made many people punch drunk with lust. A very appealing idea that you can become a new god by yourself, which is the oldest lie in the Book!

The Anti-Christ:

Being a Christian does not dampen or deny my ideas, being biased against the conclusion, any more than an atheist is tainted, being biased in favor of the conclusion. Bias cuts both ways.

It is true, and no one doubts this, many abuses have been in the name of religion. But is it fair to judge a thing by its abuse? Shall we judge all Austrians by the abuses of Hitler? Do we throw out Mozart with the bathwater? No. Nietzsche makes yet another "dicto simplicter" in accusing Christians of being unworthy.

As I read his treatment of Christianity, I kept asking myself, "What religion is he talking about?" It seems that Nietzsche is describing Christianity in the worst possible of terms, as if he intentionally wants to misunderstand what the religions is about. It is like the genies or fairy that play syntax-games with the wishes they grant human beings--"Make me a sandwich!" *Poof!*

In conclusion, I find Nietzsche an engaging, fun and passionate writer. We have so man wet noodles out there; it is great to read some one with a backbone. However, Nietzsche falls apart miserably with his non-existent logic. And that is a deathblow.

The Book:

This is a great "two-fer," since both books are rather slender and trim books. Penguin Classics always does a superb job with these books-the introductory essays are helpful and the notes are useful. They type is excellent and there are no typos. I found the glossary of names in the back an added plus, since I am not up to speed on may of the German philosophers and Nietzsche's time period. The binding is strong, and the cover art is very eye catching-the man with his hefty mustache in profile.

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