On Nietzsche's theory of knowledge

a postscript from 1968

Jürgen Habermas

pp. 209-223

in: Babette Babich (ed), Nietzsche, theories of knowledge, and critical theory I, Berlin, Springer, 1999

Abstract

Between the wars, particularly in Germany, Nietzsche's work exerted a particular fascination. The passion of his judgments and his prejudices, the catchy formulation of his philosophy of decadence, and the seductive affirmative of his "yes-saying affect" determined the intellectual character and the critical questions of a whole generation of pseudo-radical intellectuals at odds with the Western tradition. Thinkers as various as Oswald Spengler, Carl Schmitt, Gottfried Benn, Ernst Jünger, Martin Heidegger, and even Arnold Gehlen show affinity with this background. They are examples of an influence which communicated itself more strongly by Nietzsche's gesture than by his particular argument. At that time he had formed and empowered a mentality which certainly in no way was limited to the "revolutionary of the right." All of that lies behind us and is already almost unintelligible. Nietzsche is no longer contagious.

Cited authors

Heidegger Martin

Nietzsche Friedrich

Jünger Ernst

Benn Gottfried

Gehlen Arnold

Spengler Oswald

Schmitt Carl