On The Advantage And Disadvantage Of History For Life

Opening with a citation from Goethe that advocates utility, Nietzsche’s essay sets out an intention to discern between historical awareness that aids life and that which abets it. Whilst asserting “certainly we need history” (12), Nietzsche says that his discussion of it will also seek to offer “public instruction and correction about our age” (13). Nietzsche says that his contemporaries in Germany were “justifiably proud” of the country’s strong “historical education” (13). Yet this “historical fever” also threatens “decay.” Nietzsche contextualizes his age and work within the pantheon of great civilizations, referencing the Greeks in this capacity. Finally, he expresses a hope that his work will “have an effect on the age to the advantage […] of a coming age” (13).