The link between Nietzsche and Ionian philosophy

This mini-course brings together some of Friedrich Nietzsche’s considerations, contained especially in “Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks”, the Posthumous Fragments from 1872 to 1875 and “Human, All Too Human”. For this reason, the proposal suggests that we think about how pre-Platonic philosophy, with an emphasis on the philosophers Thales of Miletus, Anaximander and Anaximenes, contributes to recognising the link with the passages written in the German thinker’s youth, including those belonging to his middle phase. Therefore, in the first meeting, we will give a brief presentation of the main characteristics of the Ionian thinkers and how they contributed to the sense of a high culture. In the second and final meeting, we will point out certain Nietzschean fragments and aphorisms in order to corroborate their relationship with Greek thought. Beyond the understanding that has been widely analysed by different interpreters of Nietzsche in terms of his tragic-metaphysical affiliation, which was later abandoned in favour of a more scientific outlook, our investigation argues that Ionian philosophy has the capacity not only to balance artistic and scientific impulses, but also to offer us new possibilities for interpretation.

Event organised by Paulo Lima.

First meeting

• Starting with the Greeks, what actually characterises philosophical thought?
• Considerations on the thoughts of Thales, Anaximenes and Anaximander
• The difference between the Ionians and Plato’s philosophy.

Second meeting

• The contribution of the writings of the young Nietzsche: the balance between art and science
• The role of the physician of culture in “Human, all too human”
• Final considerations

Both sessions will take place in Portuguese.

This free course is aimed at specialists in Nietzsche’s thought, doctoral students and the general public. Registration is open until 20 May. Those interested should send an e-mail to plima@fcsh.unl.pt (maximum 20 registrations).

Event organised by Paulo Lima.