Abteilung 1

Volume I.2 contains Nietzsche’s writings from the first four years which he spent in Schulpforta (Autumn 1858 - Autumn 1862). There are firstly essays which he wrote more or less of his own volition and personal notes (e.g. diaries). Secondly, a significant proportion of the texts presented here are hitherto unpublished school exercises, and finally the volume contains Nietzsche's extant notes, mainly on (literary) history.

This volume presents notes from Nietzsche’s final years in gymnasium between the fall of 1862 and the summer of 1864, including Nietzsche’s notes for his valedictory paper on Theognis, as well as, the essay itself. Among the excerpts edited here for the first time are his notes on German and French literature, especially on Voltaire and his era.

Volume I.4 in the Critical Edition marks the start of the publication of Nietzsche’s posthumous notes from his student days. With the exception of the notes published in Section II, the whole of Nietzsche’s hitherto unpublished philosophical and philological writings are presented as a whole in Section II.

The present work documents Nietzsche’s development in his grappling with questions from philosophy and philology. The texts contained in Volume I.4 contain a wealth of notes, drafts, plans and treatises. In addition, important biographical notes are published here for the first time.