Nietzsche: A Selected Annotated Bibliography

Nietzsche and Psychology

For Nietzsche, psychology is the “queen of the sciences [and]…the path to fundamental problems.” ²³   And above all, he saw himself as a psychologist.  Often, rather than refuting an idea or doctrine, he thought it enough to uncover the ignoble motives and emotions behind them.  Furthermore, he thought it impossible to separate a philosopher’s life from his thought, and he saw all great philosophy as involuntary and unconscious autobiography.

Parkes, Graham.  Composing the Soul: Reaches of Nietzsche’s Psychology.  (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994).  JFE 95-166

This is the most exhaustive study of Nietzsche’s psychology.  Parkes argues that Nietzsche anticipated modern depth psychology and psychoanalysis.  Considerable attention is given to the idea of a ‘multiple soul,’ which Parkes believes is “the most revolutionary aspect of Nietzsche’s psychology.” p. 18.

Staten, Henry.  Nietzsche’s Voice. (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1990) JFE 91-1307

“Most of the conscious thinking of a philosopher” Nietzsche writes, “is secretly guided and forced into certain channels by his instincts.” ²⁴  Taking Nietzsche at his word, Staten gives a psychological reading, tracing the influence of instinct, drive, and desire on Nietzsche’s thought. This is a subtle and illuminating work.

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23. Nietzsche, Friedrich.  Beyond Good and Evil.  (New York: Vintage, 1966) 32.

24.  Nietzsche, Friedrich.  Beyond Good and Evil.  (New York: Vintage, 1966) 11. Klossowski, and others.