Robert Harrison on Death, Logos, and Technology

The book details Zarathustra's descent from his mountain solitude to share his transformative ideas about humanity and existence. Nietzsche explores themes such as the rejection of traditional moral values, individualism, and the concept of the Overman. Zarathustra's interactions with various characters reveal his struggle to articulate his vision and confront prevailing societal values. The book also delves into the existential test of the eternal recurrence of the same and the importance of self-overcoming and personal transformation.

In 'Ignorance and Bliss', Mark Lilla offers a psychological diagnosis of the human will not to know, exploring themes from ancient texts to modern philosophical ideas. He delves into the paradoxes of hiding truth from ourselves and the fantasies that lead us to entertain illusions about innocence and nostalgia. The book invites readers to consider their deep-seated impulses and taboos.

In 'The New Science', Vico presents a comprehensive and original work that prefigured the Age of Enlightenment. The book explores the development of civilization through recurring cycles (corsi e ricorsi) of three ages: the divine, the heroic, and the human. Vico argues that civilization is shaped by human imagination and the common sense (sensus communis) of communities. He also emphasizes the role of language and metaphor in the development of human societies. Despite being largely ignored in his lifetime, Vico's work has had a profound influence on thinkers such as Ranke, Marx, and Joyce.