The first focused study of Nietzsche'sDawn, offering a close reading of the text by two of the leading scholars on the philosophy of Nietzsche

Published in 1881,Dawn: Thoughts on the Presumptions of Morality represents a significant moment in the development of Nietzsches philosophy and his break with German philosophic thought. Though groundbreaking in many ways,Dawn remains the least studied of Nietzsche's work. InNietzsche's Dawn: Philosophy, Ethics, and the Passion of Knowledge, authors Keith Ansell-Pearson and Rebecca Bamford present a thorough treatment of the second of Nietzsches so-called free spirit trilogy.

This unique book explores Nietzsches philosophy at the time ofDawn's writing and discusses the modern relevance of themes such as fear, superstition, terror, and moral and religious fanaticism. The authors highlightDawn's links with key areas of philosophical inquiry, such as "the art of living well," skepticism, and naturalism. The book begins by introducingDawn and discussing how to read Nietzsche, his literary and philosophical influences, his relation to German philosophy, and his efforts to advance his "free spirit" philosophy. Subsequent discussions address a wide range of topics relevant toDawn, including presumptions of customary morality, hatred of the self, free-minded thinking, and embracing science and the passion of knowledge. Providing a lively and imaginative engagement with Nietzsche's text, this book:

Like no other book on the subject,Nietzsche's Dawn: Philosophy, Ethics, and the Passion of Knowledge is a must-read for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, instructors, and scholars in philosophy, as well as general readers with interest in Nietzsche, particularly his middle writings.

Keith Ansell-Pearson holds a Personal Chair in Philosophy at the University of Warwick, UK. He is the author and editor of acclaimed books on Nietzsche and Bergson includingNietzsche contra Rousseau,Nietzsche's Search for Philosophy, andBergson: Thinking Beyond the Human Condition.

Rebecca Bamford is Professor of Philosophy, Quinnipiac University, USA, and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, University of Fort Hare, East London, RSA. She is the editor ofNietzsche's Free Spirit Philosophy and author of numerous essays on Nietzsche and on bioethics.

Acknowledgments ix

Editions of Nietzsches Writings Used with Abbreviations xi

Introduction 1

1 FromHuman, All Too HumantoDawn15

2 Nietzsches Campaign Against Morality 45

3 Nietzsche on Religion and Christianity 71

4 Nietzsche,Mitleid, and Moral Imagination 93

5 The German Enlightenment, Knowledge, and the Passion of Knowledge 115

6 Nietzsche on Subjectivity: Drives, Self, and the Possibility of Autonomy 141

7 Nietzsche on Fanaticism, and the Care of the Self 167

8 Nietzsche on Epicurus and Death 187

9Dawnand the Political 205

10 Aeronauts of the Spirit:Dawnand Beyond 225

Appendix: Nietzsches Letters of 1881 ConcerningDawn247

Index 257