Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1986

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Philosophy

Major Professor

L. B. Cebik

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a new interpretation of Nietzsche's idea of eternal recurrence. The approach taken here differs from most scholarly treatments of recurrence in two important ways. First, eternal recurrence is explained as a concept or idea in its own right. It is not explained, as is so often the case, in the context of Nietzsche's biography or psychological make-up. Second, recurrence is examined in the context of Nietzsche's overall philosophy, taking into account other ideas and concerns elaborated on by Nietzsche. This avoids a problem that is pervasive throughout Nietzsche scholarship, "explanation through deletion."

By way of reaching the correct interpretation of eternal recurrence other interpretations are examined. A distinction is made between physical explanations and those which are philosophical in nature. For various reasons, both kinds of interpretation are found to be lacking. Physical treatments rely too much on Nietzsche's unpublished notes. Philosophical interpretations fail to capture the significance Nietzsche attributes to the idea. While both groups are untenable, philosophical interpretations are not as wrong as the physical treatments.

Diverging from these two kinds of interpretation, eternal recurrence is examined in the context of Nietzsche's overall philosophy. The specifics of this examination include Nietzsche's concern with aesthetics and guidelines for living the creative life. Nietzsche is seen as providing criteria by which the human race might aspire to living the creative life. It is the Ubermensch, Nietzsche's highest ideal, that the human race should strive toward. Eternal recurrence is one of the criteria that must be met, one of the attitudes that must be adopted, if one is to become an Ubermensch. But eternal recurrence is more than just an attitude, it is a necessary condition for the attainment of Ubermenschheit.

This interpretation is reinforced when other of Nietzsche's ideas are examined. Such concepts as amor fati and will to power seem to serve, at least in part, as conditions that must obtain if Ubermenschheit is to be reached. Eternal recurrence joins these two as necessary conditions to reaching Nietzsche's ultimate goal.

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