ABSTRACT

After departing from the two kings on the path, Zarathustra continues reflecting as he wanders through swampy valleys and woods. The man cries out in pain, cursing Zarathustra; in response, a startled Zarathustra defensively raises his stick and starts beating the man. Moments later Zarathustra regains his senses and begins to laugh at the folly committed. Zarathustra (as does Nietzsche in the Genealogy and elsewhere), opposes the concept of knowledge as originating out of fear. For Nietzsche-Zarathustra, knowledge originating from fear results in negative truths, such as religious truths, abstract, scientific truths, and the pure "true world" of metaphysical ideals. Positive knowledge arising from courage is that which results in the free spirit; a monster of courage who can accept harsh reality and the truth of existence in all its rich ambiguity: It is not doubt but certainty that drives one insane.