Nietzsche’s observations about the “effect” of the intellect on its owner rattles the pillars of Western solipsism. He attacks the philosopher who believes, per this effect, that the center of the world is in his own head.”The arrogance inherent in cognition and feeling casts a blinding over the eyes and senses of human beings,” he writes. He goes on to malign the metaphorical projections made by philosophers to create self-serving “truths.” Through these lenses, the philosopher (for Nietzsche, the most rapacious seeker of approval) might see the imposition of humanity on “things” as of a piece with cosmic laws; i.e. unshakable, unchangeable. “True.”

Nietzsche is unsparing and thorough in his efforts to dismantle human intellectual self-importance. But perhaps Truth and Lying‘s most striking quality is the feral intensity of the author’s voice; his tone is downright zealous, and he darkly illustrates precisely what the didactic, moralistic, or self-centered philosopher he targets is afraid to hear.