Book two

sections 57–75

pp. 77-90

in: Monika Langer, Nietzsche's Gay science, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010

Abstract

Nietzsche just suggested humans are dreamers, who participate in a terrestrial dance of 'sentient being" and must continue dreaming lest they die. He claimed appearance is alive, effective, and playful. Realists might think such views out of touch with reality. To forestall their objections, Nietzsche addresses the realists directly at the beginning of Book Two. He then elaborates on artistry/creativity and on reality and appearance, and considers how women figure in these.