Philosophy reading group: Nietzche's Twilight of the Idols
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: HP178
- Dates: 05/03/25 - 02/04/25
- Time: 18:00 - 19:30
- Taught: Wed, Evening
- Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Karl White
Course Code: HP178
Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The course will introduce participants to an overview of Nietzsche’s life, works and influence. Exploring the many strange avenues of Twilight of the Idols, we will discuss Nietzsche’s approach to philosophy, attitude towards institutional religion (particularly Christianity) and why he favours the preSocratics (philosophers before Socrates) over the whole tradition of Western philosophy.
As a reading group, the emphasis will be on class discussion and response to the text.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
- Nietzsche: life, main philosophical preoccupations and style of philosophy
- Reason versus instinct
- What is the real world?
- Problems of Morality
- Free will
- Nietzsche’s history of philosophy
- The Apollonion and the Dionysian ways of life.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Critically assess one of the most significant texts in modern philosophy by sharing your opinions on specific arguments in the text, as well as understanding and analysing their context (within the text and historically).
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for beginners, and no previous knowledge of philosophy is required. Proficiency in English is needed. Beyond this, an open mind and willingness to listen and respond to ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
We will be reading through the whole text of Twilight of the Idols in weekly excerpts with close reading in the class. The excerpts will be 15-20 pages long each week, and will be summarised at the start of each class. I can also provide reading guidance materials if desired.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The course will be online via Zoom. You may want to purchase a copy of Twilight of the Idols. We will be using this translation:
Nietzsche, F.W. and Polt, R. (1997) Twilight of the Idols, or, how to Philosophize with the Hammer. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing - https://hackettpublishing.com/twilight-of-the-idols
Second-hand copies are usually available from Abe Books, Oxfam, World of Books, etc.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may be interested in Kate's next philosophy reading group on Aristotle's Poetics (HP216), which starts in May 2025.
Please see City Lit's website for the full range of upcoming philosophy courses.
Karl White completed a Ph.D on the Romanian-French philosopher EM Cioran at King’s College London, having originally been educated at University College Cork. He has tutored students of all ages at university level in various areas such as Philosophy and Literature, Philosophy and Film, and Classical Civilisation. He has published work on Samuel Beckett and written educational works on Shakespeare. He believes in making philosophy accessible to people of all backgrounds and educational levels and promoting lively and open discussion in the shared journey of learning.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
-
Introduction to Islam: historical emergence, current issuesFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 -
-
