Nietzsche, recognizing, knowledge, living, and culture

 

 

This thesis addresses the topics of recognition and culture from the character of the Recognizer (Erkennende) in the works of Nietzsche. The main goal is to put into evidence how, in Nietzsche, there is a central character, although not sufficiently explored in the literature, of the Recognizer (Erkennende)—who philosophically articulates recognizing and experience in culture. In order to achieve this goal, the thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter deals with the epistemology of recognizing, starting from the division of levels of knowledge in Kant and passing through Schopenhauer's critique of Kantian epistemology, showing how knowledge as knowing and recognizing has a vital importance in Nietzsche. Recognition is knowing made alive. Second chapter deals with the figure of the Recognizer in Nietzsche's work, analyzing passages from his early studies on Democritus, his Tragic Period and, finally, his mature works. The third and final chapter is dedicated to formulating the central thesis on how the Recognizer articulates knowledge and life and to what extent he acts as a physician of culture.