Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Nietzsche Titles: Sources and Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Reading the Signs of the Times: Nietzsche contra Nietzsche
- Chapter 2 The Economy of Decadence
- Chapter 3 Peoples and Ages: The Mortal Soul Writ Large
- Chapter 4 Et tu, Nietzsche?
- Chapter 5 Parastrategesis: Esotericism for Decadents
- Chapter 6 Skirmishes of an Untimely Man: Nietzsche's Revaluation of All Values
- Chapter 7 Standing between Two Millennia: Intimations of the Antichrist
- Conclusion: Odysseus Bound?
- Index
Chapter 5 - Parastrategesis: Esotericism for Decadents
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Nietzsche Titles: Sources and Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Reading the Signs of the Times: Nietzsche contra Nietzsche
- Chapter 2 The Economy of Decadence
- Chapter 3 Peoples and Ages: The Mortal Soul Writ Large
- Chapter 4 Et tu, Nietzsche?
- Chapter 5 Parastrategesis: Esotericism for Decadents
- Chapter 6 Skirmishes of an Untimely Man: Nietzsche's Revaluation of All Values
- Chapter 7 Standing between Two Millennia: Intimations of the Antichrist
- Conclusion: Odysseus Bound?
- Index
Summary
Every profound spirit needs a mask: even more, around every profound spirit a mask is growing continually, owing to the constantly false, namely shallow, interpretation of every word, every step, every sign of life he gives.
(BGE 40)The truth speaks out of me. – But my truth is terrible; for so far one has called lies truth.
(EH:destiny 1)Nietzsche's post-Zarathustran writings are not innocent of the grandiose political ambitions for which he is infamous. In fact, his strategic aims generally survive the disruptions introduced by his complicity in the decadence of modernity. He consequently targets for elimination the greatest obstacle to the founding of a postmodern, tragic age: Christian morality. The successful prosecution of his rebellion against Christianity, he believes, will enable the “philosophers of the future” to legislate against the anti-affective animus of Christian morality and to install a naturalistic alternative to the ascetic ideal.
Owing to his own decadence, however, as well as that of modernity as a whole, he must revise the terms of his contribution to the attainment of this goal. His depleted strategic resources are not sufficient on their own to ensure the success of his ambitious campaign against Christian morality. In order for him to be “born posthumously” as the Antichrist, he will require the assistance of readers who can extend his influence into the next millennium, at which time his “untimely” teachings might descend upon receptive ears.
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- Nietzsche's Dangerous GamePhilosophy in the Twilight of the Idols, pp. 143 - 177Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997