The Gay Science: With a Prelude in Rhymes and an Appendix of Songs

The book that Nietzsche himself described as "the most personal of all my books" is the focus of Walter Kaufmann's commentary, which brings to life Nietzsche as a human being and illuminates his philosophy. It was in this work that Nietzsche first proclaimed the death of God, a theme to which a large part of the book is devoted, and also introduced his doctrine of the eternal recurrence.

Kaufmann's commentary, enriched with numerous quotations from previously untranslated letters, delves into some of Nietzsche's most sustained discussions on topics such as art and morality, knowledge and truth, the intellectual conscience, and the origin of logic. We encounter Zarathustra in these pages, as well as many of Nietzsche's most interesting philosophical ideas and the largest collection of his own poetry that he ever published.

The book was written primarily just before Thus Spoke Zarathustra, with the last part composed five years later, after the publication of Beyond Good and Evil. Kaufmann's English translations of Nietzsche's major works represent a landmark achievement in the field of philosophical translation, as he is the first philosopher to have translated these seminal texts, providing readers with an unprecedented wealth of Nietzsche's writings.

Walter Kaufmann's commentary not only illuminates Nietzsche's philosophy but also humanizes the philosopher, revealing him as a complex and multifaceted individual. The book serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Nietzsche's thought and the context in which it was developed. The interplay of Nietzsche's personal reflections, his philosophical ideas, and Kaufmann's insightful analysis creates a rich and engaging reading experience.

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