Philosophy Discussion: Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols

Twilight of the Idols, or, How to Philosophize with a Hammer is an 1888 text by German author Friedrich Nietzsche. In it he the author launches an all-assault on contemporary German culture and Christianity. Specifically, Nietzsche argues that Christianity amounts to a "Platonism for the People" which perpetuates the grievous errors of Plato's character of Socrates.

There are those who argue that to understand the Western philosophical tradition one must start with the beginnings in order to see its development. On the other hand, there are those that caution that the ancients are too far removed from our own perspective to be understood by a novice. This text, which discusses ancient philosophy from the standpoint of modernity, represents a via media between these two ways.

This meeting will take place on January 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM at the Boston Public Library in Mezzanine Study Room 2. The easiest way to access this room is by using the 700 Boylston Street entrance. Mezzanine Conference Rooms are located on the Mezzanine level of the Boylston Street Building.