Heidegger and Vattimo: Nietzsche’s Interpreters

Abstract

The present article examines two of the most important twentiethcentury interpretations of Nietzsche: the exegesis of Heidegger, and Vattimo’s interpretation. In the first part, the process Heidegger followed to interpret Nietzsche is analyzed. On his interpretation, Heidegger portrays Nietzsche as the last metaphysician. The article understands this interpretation as suggesting that Heidegger used the ideas of Nietzsche to secure his own project of overcoming metaphysics. The article thus deals with the themes of nihilism and Heidegger’s understanding of Nietzsche as decision and transit. In the second part, the analysis focuses on Vattimo’s daring interpretation of Nietzsche as a philosopher that surpassed metaphysics. For that purpose he emphasizes Nietzsche’s nihilism, and urges the man of today to take notice of the message of such an event and to act accordingly.