Nietzsche's Reformulation of Metaphysics

Abstract

Nietzsche’s relation to metaphysics is a contentious topic. While some scholars consider Nietzsche’s thought as anti-metaphysics due to his apparent critique of traditional Western metaphysics, some scholars such as Heidegger claim that his philosophy is the culmination of traditional Western metaphysics. Yet, this paper refutes both perspectives by suggesting that Nietzsche struggled to reformulate a new metaphysics to replace traditional Western metaphysics and overcome the consequences of nihilism produced by Christianity. I claim that Nietzsche’s new metaphysics is the metaphysics of the will to power. This new metaphysics was erected upon Nietzsche’s anthropological narrative of Greek tragic culture, seeking a change from theocentric metaphysics to anthropocentric metaphysics. Then, Nietzsche addresses the problem of the “quasi-theodicy” that persists after the reformulation. By examining Thus Spoke Zarathustra, I will assert that the idea of “the eternal recurrence of the same” is Nietzsche’s resolution to the problem of “quasi-theodicy.” Lastly, I demonstrate how the structure of Nietzsche’s new metaphysics shows his vision of ideal politics that encompasses both aristocratic and democratic aspects.