The gnoseological meaning of Nietzsche's eternal return and the similarities with Emerson's thought

In: Journal of European studies, Band 50, Heft 3, S. 267-280

Abstract

This article aims to show how Nietzsche's theory of the eternal return is a post-metaphysical gnoseology. It also aims to demonstrate how, in developing this theory, Nietzsche may have been inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson. For both Emerson and Nietzsche, being is continuously becoming in a circular movement. The enlightened man, wanting to attain knowledge of reality, must reproduce in himself this circular movement, which involves always experimenting with contradictory values throughout his life. He can never attain complete and definite knowledge of being, but only knowledge as approximate as possible to its true essence.