Nietzsche and Modern Jewish Philosophy

Catalog description

Friedrich Nietzsche's relationship to Judaism has long been a focus of scholarly debate. After some initial consideration of the classical debates, this course will focus primarily on the manner in which modern Jewish thinkers have implicitly andexplicitly engaged with his controversial philosophy, in particular his potent critique of religion. Topics to be covered will include: 1) Nietzsche and Nazism; 2) Nietzsche's attitude towards the Jews; 3) Nietzsche, Rosenzweig, and the nature of philosophy; 4) Nietzsch, Buber, and Nationalism; 5) Nietzsche, Soloveitchik, and Life-Affirmation; 6) Nietzsche, Rav Kook, and Atheism.