ABSTRACT
On Walter Kaufmann interpretation, then, Nietzsche's doctrine of the will to power is reconcilable with his claims about knowledge. Kaufmann seems to believe that the ontological doctrine plays little role in Nietzsche's philosophy, that it is merely an over-enthusiastic and ill-advised extension of the psychological doctrine which does have a central role to play. One can agree with Kaufmann, however, and claim that the enlightening character of explanations of behavior in terms of power is dependent on an implicit contrast with other motives, and is therefore lost as soon as all other motives are interpreted as will to power. The advantage of interpreting Nietzsche's ontological doctrine as a myth follows from the difficulties of reconciling it with his views about knowledge if think it is intended to supply knowledge. Nietzsche's psychology is also "interpretation," of course, but he would claim that it meets traditional criteria for good interpretations, or is true.
