The Joyous Science

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) was an outstanding German philosopher and thinker of the 19th century, whose works had an explosive effect and made him perhaps the most quoted philosopher of the 20th century. Having received a classical education and becoming a professor of philology at the age of 24, Nietzsche was also fascinated by music, which he considered the highest manifestation of the creative spirit. His first philosophical work was The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music (1872). It was during this period that Nietzsche became fascinated with the philosophy of Schopenhauer and the music of Wagner. But the thinker's rebellious nature did not allow him to be fascinated by idealism for a long time, just as he was also tempted by materialism. Nietzsche found his own personal path - he called himself a philosopher of unpleasant truths. Changes in his worldview contributed to the fact that he began to profess irrationalism and the "will to power." The crowning glory of his philosophy was “a book for all and for none” — “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” (1883–1885). And the “Merry Science” (1881–1882, second edition — 1886–1887) presented in our edition was later called by Nietzsche a commentary on the yet unwritten “Zarathustra”.

The aphoristic nature inherent in Nietzsche’s works, his extraordinary literary talent made his work the property not only of philosophy, but also of literature. And this is precisely what explains his popularity — Nietzsche’s works were admired by fans of fiction as well.