The first fragment in which Nietzsche refers to the eternal recurrence is known for its obscurity. In this paper, we intend to contribute to the philosophical genesis of this thought, by contextualizing it in the experimental philosophy since Dawn and by determining the links between this fragment and the previous texts since 1880. Therefore, the idea of eternal recurrence appears to be based on a different representation of reality, resulting from what Nietzsche calls “the passion of knowledge”, a crucial notion (...) that introduces his philosophy of affirmation. (shrink)

The Thought of Eternal Recurrence: From Discourse to Doctrine. This article gives a new interpretation of eternal recurrence, based on the observation that the central debate about this idea in Nietzsche studies is quite unique in the history of philosophy. This debate is based on a rather radical conflict between Lehre and Rede, doctrine and discourse. Purely doctrinal interpretations tend to underestimate the significance of the discursive form chosen by Nietzsche to express his thought in favor of the Nachlass, whereas (...) discursive readings are generally characterized by an anti-doctrinal, parodic and purely critical function. However, it is possible to reconcile the specificity of the discourse of the eternal recurrence in Nietzsche’s published works with his attempt to establish a real philosophical doctrine. By considering the fictional structure of eternal recurrence in Nietzsche’s published works, we can reinterpret the meaning of Nietzsche’s philosophy of affirmation, which implies a new relationship with life, reality, and values, as well as a new kind of belief. Indeed, we find in fiction a paradigm for such an affirmation of life, which Nietzsche discusses in his analyses of appearance and Greek tragedy. (shrink)

Cet article s’efforce de déterminer quel est le lien entre physique et métaphysique dans le discours nietzschéen à partir de la critique de la métaphysique qu’il opère. Nous voudrions montrer en particulier que la position de Nietzsche est sensiblement différente de deux représentations que nous pourrions facilement avoir de lui sur cette question. La première consisterait à croire que sa critique de la métaphysique entraîne dans son sillage une critique de la physique et des sciences en général. À l’opposé, la (...) seconde soulignerait chez lui un éloge vibrant des sciences de la nature, dans un esprit positiviste, qui s’accompagne d’une critique de la métaphysique. L’évaluation que Nietzche donne des sciences de la nature est en fait bien plus nuancée et ne peut être assimilée à ces deux positions. (shrink)