Intro to Nietzsche Review | Peterson Academy

Summary

The video provides an in-depth review of the course 'Intro to Nietzsche' by Dr. Jordan Peterson, available on Peterson Academy. The creator shares their personal experience with the course, praising Peterson's deep understanding of Nietzsche’s philosophy and the engaging lectures. The course covers 'Beyond Good and Evil' and includes quizzes that progressively increase in difficulty. The reviewer highlights a powerful moment in the second lecture, where Peterson emotionally reads a passage from 'Crime and Punishment.' Overall, the course is deemed valuable for both newcomers and those familiar with Nietzsche.

Takeaways

• 📚 The course 'Intro to Nietzsche' by Dr. Jordan Peterson is designed for anyone, regardless of prior experience with Nietzsche's philosophy.
• 🧠 The course focuses mainly on Nietzsche's 'Beyond Good and Evil,' making it accessible for beginners while still offering depth for those familiar with his work.
• 👨‍🏫 Dr. Peterson is praised for his deep understanding of Nietzsche, breaking down complex ideas into digestible parts without blindly agreeing with all of Nietzsche's philosophies.
• 📅 The course includes a historical timeline, contextualizing Nietzsche's life and the events that shaped his thoughts, which enhances the learning experience.
• 🔍 Each lecture covers about 3-4 paragraphs of Nietzsche's work, offering a detailed analysis rather than a surface-level overview.
• 📝 The quizzes start easy but become progressively harder, encouraging deeper engagement with the material. The user suggests taking the quiz right after each lecture for best retention.
• ⚠️ There is a potential issue with a question on quiz 5, where the difficulty seemed unexpectedly high compared to others.
• 😭 A memorable moment in the course occurred during a reading from Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment,' which deeply moved both the lecturer and the audience emotionally.
• 🎓 The user found the course dense and engaging, likening it to a university course that provides substantial content in just eight lectures, with plans for four more.
• ⭐ Despite familiarity with Nietzsche, the user found new insights in the course, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced learners.

Q & A

What course is being reviewed in the video?

The video reviews the 'Intro to Nietzsche' course taught by Dr. Jordan Peterson on Peterson Academy.

What is the main focus of the 'Intro to Nietzsche' course?

The course focuses on Nietzsche's philosophy, especially his book 'Beyond Good and Evil.' It breaks down key passages and explores Nietzsche's ideas in detail.

Can someone without prior knowledge of Nietzsche take this course?

Yes, the course is designed for both beginners who have never read Nietzsche and those more familiar with his works. Dr. Peterson ensures that students at all levels can follow along.

What is Dr. Peterson's approach to teaching Nietzsche in this course?

Dr. Peterson takes a detailed approach, breaking down three to four paragraphs per lecture. He explains and expands on Nietzsche's ideas, incorporating quotes, and uses historical context and comparisons to other philosophers to clarify Nietzsche's philosophy.

What part of Nietzsche's work is highlighted as being particularly challenging for new readers?

Nietzsche's 'Thus Spoke Zarathustra' is mentioned as his most difficult work, which the speaker suggests saving for last after reading 'Beyond Good and Evil.'

What did the speaker appreciate most about the structure of the course?

The speaker appreciated how Dr. Peterson places Nietzsche's philosophy within a historical timeline, connecting key world events like Darwin’s 'Origin of Species' or works by Tolstoy and Tchaikovsky to give students a better understanding of the context Nietzsche was writing in.

What critique does the speaker offer about the course?

The speaker mentions that Dr. Peterson could have delved deeper into the works of Schopenhauer and Hegel, given their influence on Nietzsche's thought.

How does the speaker describe the quizzes in the course?

The quizzes are 10 multiple-choice questions that align with the lectures. The speaker recommends taking each quiz immediately after watching a lecture. They note a potential issue with a question in quiz five but overall found the quizzes helpful in reinforcing the material.

What emotional moment occurred during the second lecture that left a strong impact on the speaker?

During the second lecture, Dr. Peterson reads a passage from Dostoevsky’s 'Crime and Punishment,' specifically the scene of the beating of the mare. The speaker found this reading deeply moving, and both Peterson and the audience were emotionally affected.

Why does the speaker consider this course to be a worthwhile investment?

The speaker believes the course is a valuable learning experience because of its depth, Dr. Peterson's comprehensive understanding of Nietzsche, and the emotional connection he creates with his audience. They also found it intellectually stimulating, even after having read and studied Nietzsche extensively.