CHAPTER 7Human,
All Too Human
Human, All Too Human · Chemistry of concepts · Logical
renunciation of the world · The uncanny dimensions of the
social sphere · Compassion · Cheerful naturalism ·
Critique of metaphysics · The enigma of being devoid of
knowledge · Causality in lieu of freedomΈ WORLD, life, and the self might well have vast or even tragic
proportions, but Nietzsche chose to experiment with the nontragic side
of knowledge and optimism. He hoped to ascertain how far it could be
taken, and what would happen if he sketched out several possible lines
of development In all likelihood, the thrill of the chase would not be
satisfied. Nietzsche—a fan of puzzles who could appreciate the "enig-
matic character" (12,142) of the world—committed himself to a regi-
men of fortifying his will to clarity and sobriety against the allure of the
twilight, and hardening his gaze against pathos and emotion. "The high-
er stage of culture, which places itself under the rule of knowledge,
requires a great sobriety of feeling and a strong concentration of all
The "strong concentration of all words" that Nietzsche sought
meant that he would have to choose a fresh discursive style. "Sobriety"
cannot be long-winded, rhapsodic, elegiac, or luxuriant, but this is how
words" (2,165; HH I § 195).
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