Nietzsche & Emerson: An Elective Affinity

George J. Stack traces the sources of ideas and theories that have long been considered the exclusive province of Friedrich Nietzsche to the surprisingly radical writings of the American essayist and poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nietzsche and Emerson makes us see Emerson's writings in a new, more intensified light and presents a new perspective on Nietzsche's philosophy. Stack traces how the rich theoretical ideas and literary images of Emerson entered directly into the existential dimension of Nietzsche's thought and hence into the stream of what has been considered a distinctively European intellectual movement.

With impressive scholarship and serious intent, philosopher Stack convincingly argues that Emerson's radical thoughts profoundly influenced the development of Nietzsche's central ideas. Stack shows that both Emerson and Nietzsche maintained a microcosmic man and macrocosmic nature-analogical outlook within the framework of evolution. Admittedly, Nietzsche's atheistic and existential worldview is far more focused and intense than Emerson's critical reflections on humankind. Of special interest are the insightful references to Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich A. Lang, and Ruggerio Boscovich. For the influences of Schopenhauer and Wagner on the great German philosopher, readers can refer to Carl Pletsch's Young Nietzsche: Becoming a Genius (Free Pr., 1991). Of particular value to students and scholars, this work is highly recommended for all philosophy and literature collections.
- H. James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, N.Y.
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