Language:
German
Year of publication:
2011
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für Religions- und Geistesgeschichte
Angaben zur Quelle:
63,3 (2011) 250-272
Keywords:
Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm,
;
Wagner, Richard,
;
Antisemitism Philosophy
Abstract:
Discusses Nietzsche's transition from an admirer of Wagner and someone affected by his antisemitism, to a vociferous anti-antisemite in the 1880s. Shows how Nietzsche's sister and historians who have sought to rehabilitate her, have prevented Nietzsche's 1887 letters to Theodor Fritsch from reaching the public. These letters in particular reveal Nietzsche's outspoken anti-antisemitism. Traces his relationship with Wagner during Wagner's time in Triebschen between 1869-72, and their subsequent parting of ways. Shows that Wagner influenced Nietzsche's early writings, which contain anti-Jewish elements, but that he never embraced Wagner's ideologically-based racial hatred of the Jews. Argues that, although Nietzsche criticized Wagner, he nevertheless downplayed the composer's antisemitism and blamed it mainly on his followers, the Wagnerians. Emphasizes that Nietzsche's slow and measured critique of Wagner served to exculpate the composer in the philisopher's own eyes and keep his image intact, while protecting the philospher's own self-image as someone who had once gone along with Wagner's negativity towards the Jews.
DOI:
10.1163/157007311796534010
URL:
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