Home Philosophy History and Memory in Civilization- Building Processes: A Reading of Der Antichrist, 56–58
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

History and Memory in Civilization- Building Processes: A Reading of Der Antichrist, 56–58

  • Carlo Chiurco
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Nietzsche on Memory and History
This chapter is in the book Nietzsche on Memory and History

Abstract

§§56-58 of Der Antichrist are known for Nietzsche’s controversial endorsement of Aryan morality, socially sanctioned by the Law of Manu. In fact, they also contain a theory of civilization centered around two main elements: history’s transfiguration into memory, and memory’s dislocation in history. This theory is valid for all legislations and societies built upon a “holy lie”, i. e. a fictional narrative that refers to a divine origin social and cultural structures that are essentially human. This is why such social models are far from ideal in Nietzsche’s eyes, even though he recognizes their worthiness. His preference goes to a society founded on a different concept of philosophy, one that sees reality as it is, and allows history to regain its full experimental nature, projecting itself into the future.

Abstract

§§56-58 of Der Antichrist are known for Nietzsche’s controversial endorsement of Aryan morality, socially sanctioned by the Law of Manu. In fact, they also contain a theory of civilization centered around two main elements: history’s transfiguration into memory, and memory’s dislocation in history. This theory is valid for all legislations and societies built upon a “holy lie”, i. e. a fictional narrative that refers to a divine origin social and cultural structures that are essentially human. This is why such social models are far from ideal in Nietzsche’s eyes, even though he recognizes their worthiness. His preference goes to a society founded on a different concept of philosophy, one that sees reality as it is, and allows history to regain its full experimental nature, projecting itself into the future.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Acknowledgements VII
  3. Contents IX
  4. List of Abbreviations / Siglenverzeichnis XIII
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Section I: History
  7. Critical History and Genealogy 17
  8. Typologies of Histories 37
  9. Origins and Genealogies 57
  10. Section II: Memory and Forgetting
  11. Nietzsche und das kulturelle Gedächtnis. Eine kritische Relektüre der Zweiten Unzeitgemässen Betrachtung 79
  12. „Göttlich ist des Vergessens Kunst“. Nietzsches Poetik des Gedächtnisses 95
  13. What is ‘Active’ Forgetting in Nietzsche’s Genealogy II, 1? 113
  14. Eternal Return and Memory 129
  15. Memory, History and the Paternal Shadow: Nietzsche’s Autobiographical Survival 139
  16. Das Trauma des Werdens – Nietzsche gegen die Identität 159
  17. Section III: The Person and Society
  18. Gedächtnis und Leiblichkeit: Herkunft, Gefahr und Aktualität ihres Zusammenhangs 177
  19. History and Memory in Civilization- Building Processes: A Reading of Der Antichrist, 56–58 193
  20. Histories of Violence: Nietzsche on Cruelty and Normative Order 209
  21. Temporalities of the Feeling of Power 239
  22. „Versprechen können“ oder „versprechen dürfen“?: Anmerkungen über die ersten drei Abschnitte in der zweiten Abhandlung von Nietzsches Zur Genealogie der Moral 253
  23. Section IV: Context and Reception
  24. Die Literaturgeschichte als „künstlerische Produktion“. Der Schopenhauersche Begriff der Geschichte und die nachgelassenen Fragmente Nietzsches aus der Zeit 1867/1868 265
  25. Zwischen Geschichte und Gedächtnis: Aby Warburg, Jacob Burckhardt und Friedrich Nietzsche 279
  26. Vordenker kollektiver identitätsbildender Gedächtniskonstruktionen? Eine kritische Sichtung der Nietzsche-Rezeption Aleida und Jan Assmanns 301
  27. Index 323
Downloaded on 24.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110671162-012/html?srsltid=AfmBOopTE_RmYBqsO38MXVcA4qqHeZBr-j7J5Jo8NY_221XqgbrBSLmJ
Scroll to top button