The Difficulties of Knowing "Exactly" What Nietzsche Said

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The whole project of Anglo-Saxon philosophy - to "tame" language, to make it look and behave like mathematics - one equals one, man equals man, beauty equals beauty - is ridiculous, stupid and cowardly. If we don't run away from the world into "thought spheres", an intelligent, courageous look will see the world as it is - eternal, uncontrollable change of quality - "you cannot step in the same river twice, for the waters flow on." (Heraclitus). Nietzsche wrote his books in the late 1800's, using the German language as it was used by Germans in the late 1800's. Afterwards, the river of language flowed on and what Nietzsche "exactly" meant is lost forever, even to German speakers. Translations are even more vulnerable. Besides the gap between cultures and languages, translators always, innocently, put a portion of their own spirit into a translation.

The spirit of what Nietzsche said, however, can be preserved, even if it takes on a life of its own. The scholarly attitude and activity does have its limited uses. An "objective" person familiar with the German language and culture of the 1880's is a valid grounding voice in the ever-flowing play and enjoyment of Nietzsche's "spirit".

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