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Tue 20 Dec, 2011 10:53 am
I am trying to locate a quote by Nietzche in which he debunked the myth of the value of extensive reading in the formation of well-rounded opinions. He said the reader already has their mind up and their conclusions drawn before approaching any books, and only pays heed to the stuff in books that agree with his opinions, while ignoring or debunking any text that runs contrary to their opinions. Thus whereas we like to think extensive reading helps us form valid opinions Nietzsche demonstrates this to be an erroneous idea
@spreaddoyle,
I believe that is so, but I think your interpretation lacks one point. Nietzsche did not encourage illiteracy; his own library was extensive. But in the development of our own opinions he advised us not to depend on those of others. Subjective introspection should not be ecplised by objective research. I believe he did say that we are usually attracted to an author's perspective because it is already ours, and that author often serves as little more than an authoritative support for our position.
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