How Accessible is Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy?

It is quite accessible and easy to understand. I read it in 2017 when I would have been about 13, and I never encountered real difficulty with it. Russell's writing style is clear and direct, making even complex philosophical ideas understandable for a young audience. His A History of Western Philosophy offers a comprehensive overview of Western philosophy from ancient Greece to the early 20th century, providing insights into the development of ideas and the philosophers who shaped them.

Exploring Nietzsche Through Russell's Eyes

Let's try Russell's approach to one of the most intriguing philosophers: Friedrich Nietzsche. In his section on Nietzsche, Russell provides a concise and insightful exploration of his life and work.

Nietzsche: A Brief Overview

Bertrand Russell writes about Nietzsche, describing him as a towering figure in philosophical thought. Russell states that Nietzsche regarded himself rightly as the successor of Schopenhauer. However, Nietzsche stands out as superior to Schopenhauer in terms of consistency and coherence of his doctrine. This is because Schopenhauer's oriental ethic of renunciation seems out of harmony with his metaphysics, which emphasizes the omnipotence of will. This overarching concept of will has both ethical and metaphysical primacy in Nietzsche's philosophy.

Nietzsche's Life and Work

Russell highlights Nietzsche's reputation as a literary, rather than an academic, philosopher. This is evident from the fact that he did not invent any new technical theories in ontology or epistemology. Instead, his importance lies primarily in ethics and secondarily as an acute historical critic. His life was simple and gave rise to an interesting biography. His father was a Protestant pastor, and Nietzsche's upbringing was extremely pious. Despite this, he was a brilliant student, excelling in classics and philology. By the age of 18, he was offered a professorship at Basel, which he accepted before he had even completed his degree. However, due to health issues, Nietzsche was obliged to retire in 1879 and lived the rest of his days in health resorts. In 1888, he became insane and remained so until his death in 1900.

Nietzsche's Philosophy and Contemporaries

Nietzsche had a passionate admiration for Wagner but had a significant falling out with him over Wagner's Parsifal. This led Nietzsche to criticize Wagner savagely, including accusing him of being a Jew. Interestingly, Nietzsche's general outlook remained very similar to Wagner's, as they both upheld similar values. Nietzsche's superman, an ideal person who embodies strength and will, resonates with the character Siegfried from The Ring, albeit with the additional detail of being Greek-speaking. Russell adds a light-hearted note, saying this might seem odd, but he is not to blame.

Nietzsche's Final Reflections

Russell concludes his section on Nietzsche by noting that despite Nietzsche's criticisms of the romantics, his outlook owed much to them, embodying what Russell calls "aristocratic anarchism," similar to the romantic poets like Byron. Nietzsche's attempt to reconcile two seemingly conflicting values—ruthlessness and aristocratic pride with philosophy and the arts—cannot be easily harmonized. Russell draws a parallel between Nietzsche and the Renaissance, pointing to figures such as Pope Julius II and the artist Michelangelo, who exemplify the blend of political power and artistic endeavor that Nietzsche would admire.

In comparing Nietzsche with Machiavelli, Russell highlights their contrasting backgrounds and approaches. Machiavelli was a man of practical affairs, whose ideas were in harmony with his time. Nietzsche, on the other hand, was a professor and philosopher who consciously opposed the prevailing political and ethical trends of his era. While both shared an ethical philosophy aimed at power and were anti-Christian, Nietzsche was more direct in this stance. Ultimately, Russell notes that what Caesar Borgia was to Machiavelli, Napoleon was to Nietzsche—a great man defeated by petty opponents. Russell calls Kant a "moral fanatic," aligning Nietzsche with this critique.

Key Facts:
- Nietzsche regarded himself as the successor of Schopenhauer, superior in consistency and coherence.
- Nietzsche was a literary philosopher, not an academic, known for his work in ethics.
- His life was marked by health issues and periods of insanity.
- Nietzsche admired Wagner but had a falling out over the Parsifal opera.
- His philosophy emphasized the primacy of will in metaphysics and ethics.
- He saw his 'superman' embodying Greek-speaking strength and will.