The first exploration of aphorism by Nietzsche, this philosophical treatise combines short paragraphs that peddle the principles of freethinking, metaphysics, genius and culture among other ideas that were further investigated by Nietzsche in succeeding works.

Summary Of The Book

In the autumn of 1876, Nietzsche took a break from both his duties at the University of Basel and his friend, Wagner and began work on Human, All Too Human. This text contains 638 aphorisms that were spread across nine episodes all of which contain a short poem as its epilogue. Turning to the freethinkers, the text was dedicated to Voltaire and drew reference from renowned French aphorists Prosper Merimee and Jean de La Bruyere.

This text is also momentous as it breaks away from German romanticism with a definitive stance that marked the “middle period” of Nietzsche’s intellectual growth as a philosopher. Although not systemic in its approach, it is more a series of perspectives and is a crucial cornerstone of Nietzsche’s development of ideas.

The first section deals with the origin and relation to dreams of metaphysics as well as the idea behind dissatisfaction. The second chapter takes on a strain that is replete through the text whereby Christianity’s code is questioned with attacks on religious worship.

The next episode deals with refuting the claim of divinity in art and the use of the term genius. In the fifth chapter, Nietzsche provides his views on Darwinism that is scathing at least. He also dwells into the very realm of the freethinker and lays out their roles and responsibilities in society.

The next sections deal with the concept of evolution whereby he develops his anti-Darwinism stance even further. Delving into the investigation of power in a state in his next chapter, he clearly espouses rejection for the features of nationalism and war. The book ends with the chapter, “Man Alone with Himself” where he pursues the philosophies behind Kant and those of theologians.

Human, All Too Human was received well as most of Nietzsche’s work and was translated in 1909 to English. The book has been used notoriously by the Nazi regime although Nietzsche spoke the diametric opposite of what they stood for, namely nationalism and anti-Semitism.

About Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche was a 19th century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist.

Some of his other works include The Birth of Tragedy, The Will to Power, The Greek State and The Gay Science.

He grew up in Rocken, near Leipzig and attended Schulpforta where he developed his languages and talent in music. He then pursued theology at the University of Bonn. After studying philology and reading Schopenhauer, he developed his philosophical interests. He became a Professor of Classical Philology at Basel and then went on to independently work as an author and wrote some of his greatest texts. He developed tertiary syphilis, which resulted in a mental breakdown, and he died on August 25th, 1900 after contracting pneumonia when he suffered the third and fatal stroke.