FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1844-1900) stands among the most influential thinkers of modern times, having created a body of work that has had an effect extending far beyond the discipline of philosophy. It is ironical to note that Nietzsche, known for his critical attitude toward Christianity, came from a line of Lutheran ministers. His initial interest in theology was replaced by classical philology, for which he manifested such ability that he was offered a chair in Basel before he had won his doctorate. But Nietzsche's enthusiasm for philology waned and, although he contin ued to teach until 1879, his interest shifted to the broader field of philosoohv. His first maior work was that presented here. The Birth of Tragedy (Die Geburt der Trag6die), 1872.
……
Among the most influential philosophers of modern times, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) declared in this classic study that Greek tragedy achieved greatness through a fusion of elements of Apollonian restraint and control with Dionysian components of passion and the irrational. In Nietzsche’s eyes, however, Greek tragedy had been destroyed by the rationalism and optimism of thinkers like Socrates. Nevertheless, he found in these ancient works the life-affirming concept that existence is still beautiful, however grim and depressing it may sometimes be. These and many other ideas are argued with passionate conviction in this challenging book, called by British classicist F. M. Cornford "a work of profound imaginative insight, which left the scholarship of a generation toiling in the rear."