Understanding Nietzsche’s perspectivism and reconciling it with perspectival realism
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Date
2018Author
Beckerley, Alexander
Metadata
Abstract
Interpretations of Friedrich Nietzsche often suggest that he is some form of anti-realist,
i.e. he does not affirm objective scientific truth or understanding of the world. Nietzsche
advocates a viewpoint known as perspectivism, which may seem to cement this anti-realist
interpretation, insofar as it emphasises the perspectival nature of understanding. Similarly, Justin
Remhof interprets Nietzsche as an object constructivist, i.e. that objects within the world are
constructed by human concepts, and this also seems to align neatly with anti-realist
interpretations. This essay will show how both Nietzsche’s perspectivism and object
constructivism are compatible with a realist understanding of the world, in relation to a position
known as perspectival realism. Furthermore, this essay will clarify the exact ‘world’ that
Nietzsche believes one can understand, as the non-transcendent world of appearance.