"The Basic Writings of Nietzsche" collects some of the most famous and representative works of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. In this anthology you will find complete editions of «The Birth of Tragedy,» a work of dramatic theory written early in the philosopher's career, «Beyond Good and Evil,» a polemic critique of past philosophers in regards to their considerations of morality, «On the Genealogy of Morals,» which would expound upon the ideas in «Beyond Good and Evil» as is considered by many as Nietzsche's masterpiece, «The Case of Wagner,» a critique of composer Richard Wagner, and «Ecce Homo,» an autobiographical account of how the author saw his influence on the philosophical world, which was written near the end of his life. Also included is a collection of 75 aphorisms selected from various other works by the author. This anthology shows the progression of Nietzsche philosophy while introducing the reader unfamiliar to him with some of his most important ideas.
First published in 1882 and revised in 1887, «The Gay Science (The Joyful Wisdom)» was written at the peak of Nietzsche's intellectual abilities. It includes a large number of poems and an appendix of songs, all written with the intent of encouraging freedom of the mind. While he praises the benefits of science, intellectual discipline, and skepticism, the influence of the Provençal tradition from which he drew is also an enthusiastic affirmation of life. Nietzsche additionally explores the notion of power and the idea of eternal recurrence, though not in a systematic way. Described by the philosopher himself as «perhaps my most personal book,» he produced a work that is worthy of attention from anyone with an interest in moral psychology or the most essential themes and views of Nietzsche.