Walter Kaufmann (philosopher)

Walter Arnold Kaufmann ( born July 1, 1921 in Freiburg im Breisgau; † 4 September 1980 in Princeton ) was a German -American philosopher who became known for his Nietzsche translation into English meaning.

He came from a non-religious Jewish family who converted to Christianity, a move that reversed the merchant for his person made ​​at age 11. He later explained to be an atheist. In 1939 a merchant in the United States and studied philosophy there. After fifteen months continuous military service during the Second World War, he wrote his dissertation on " Nietzsche 's Theory of Values" ( Nietzsche's theory of values). In 1947 he obtained a position as professor of philosophy at Princeton University, which he held until his death in 1980. He had received in 1960, the American citizenship.

Kaufmann is known representatives of the Anglo-Saxon philosophy mainly through his translations of Nietzsche's works. However, his philosophical work encompasses much more, such as detailed studies of existentialism, the ratio of ancient tragedy and philosophy and works on religion and the limits of philosophy. Kaufmann also translated Hegel and Goethe.

Works (selection)

• Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist. Princeton 1950 ( dt: . Nietzsche Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist WBG, Darmstadt 1982 and passim, 2001 ISBN 3-534-08769-0 last. )

• (Eng.: Religion and Philosophy in Munich in 1966.. )

• ( Eng.: The Faith of a Heretic, Munich 1965)

Documents