Where to begin Nietzsche?

With Nietzsche, you could start with his first book, The Birth of Tragedy. This is both informative and readable (and short), and gives an insight into his entire project. Then you could cut to his late little books Ecce Homo and The Antichrist.

How do I start Friedrich Nietzsche?

A better place to start might be with Beyond Good and Evil, especially the Preface, and Chapters 1 (“On the Prejudices of Philosophers”), 5 (“Natural History of Morals”) and 9 (“What is Noble?”) (though the whole book is worth reading).

Should a beginner read Nietzsche?

Originally Answered: Where should a beginner start with Nietzsche? Definitely start with On The Genealogy of Morality. In my opinion it is his most accessible read, and also an excellent introduction in his thinking. Then move on to Beyond Good and Evil.

Which Nietzsche book is first?

The Birth of Tragedy

Nietzsche’s first book was published in 1872 and was entitled The Birth of Tragedy, Out of the Spirit of Music (Die Geburt der Tragödie aus dem Geiste der Musik).

What is a good introduction to Nietzsche?

The will to stand alone even a powerful reason are experienced as dangers. Everything that elevates an individual above the herd.

In what order should I read Nietzsche?

The reason we recommend starting with the genealogy is because it's the most clear of nietzsche's.

Which Nietzsche book should I read?

Beyond Good & Evil, by Friedrich Nietzsche



In his 1886 work Beyond Good & Evil, Nietzsche attempts to sum up his own philosophy — making it an ideal starting point for those looking to delve into Nietzsche’s actual writings.

Which translation of Nietzsche is best?

The Walter Kaufmann translation is generally considered as being the go to translation. It has been noted for being faithful to Nietzsche’s writing and for overall staying true to the text by best representing the nuances and the language.

Should I start with Beyond Good and Evil?

Beyond Good and Evil is a great place to start for understanding Nietzsche the philosopher. I would recommend this specific edition. Penguin Classics is in general a safe bet for quality translations, good notes, and pretty books.

Where do I start in philosophy?

10 Books For Beginners to Start With

  • Plato, The Last Days of Socrates — this includes four dialogues: the Euthyphro , the Apology , the Crito , and the Phaedo.
  • Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics.
  • Epictetus, Discourses, Fragments, Handbook.
  • Augustine of Hippo, Confessions.
  • Boethius, Consolation of Philosophy.

Should I start with Plato or Aristotle?

If your goal is to get an A in “Plato class” and you have limited time, the “best” order would be to start with Plato. If your goal is to get an idea of how these ancient philosophers’ views changed over time, it might be appropriate to read Socrates, Plato, then Aristotle.

What age should you start reading philosophy?

This book would make a great gift for teachers, students and anyone interested in some of the big eternal questions. I would recommend it for ages 12+ given its clear writing style that illuminates and contextualises some of the most important ideas in philosophy.

Is reading philosophy good for you?

A study of philosophy will help you develop critical thinking skills. It will encourage you to understand the constraints you operate within when you make certain choices or even when you decide which goals you should pursue. You will be able to think intelligently of how you live and why you live that way.

How do you read like a philosopher?

At times, it feels like Philosophy is impossible to understand. But just because you or I can’t understand these on first attempt, doesn’t mean these texts should be forgotten.



  1. Read Secondary Texts. …
  2. Develop a Philosophers Toolkit. …
  3. Don’t Miss the Bigger Picture. …
  4. Be Open to Interpretation. …
  5. Take Things Slow.


How did existentialism begin?

Existentialism in its currently recognizable form was developed by the 19th Century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, although neither actually used the term in their work.

How can I understand my philosophy better?

To build great philosophical reading skills you’ll need to cultivate some philosophical empathy and self-criticism. Writing philosophy is challenging. Be empathetic: after you come up with some possible criticism, imagine taking the role of your opponent and try to answer your criticisms.

Why is philosophy so hard?

Philosophy is Hard Because of Intangibility



The subject matter of philosophy, as far as we are concerned, revolves around something intangible. Thought cannot be touched nor smelt, seen nor grasped.

Who is the real father of philosophy?

Socrates of Athens (l. c. 470/469-399 BCE) is among the most famous figures in world history for his contributions to the development of ancient Greek philosophy which provided the foundation for all of Western Philosophy. He is, in fact, known as the “Father of Western Philosophy” for this reason.