#1191 Keegan Kjeldsen - Nietzsche's Philosophy: Reason, Truth, Politics & More

Dec 19, 2025

Keegan Kjeldsen, a YouTuber, podcaster, and musician specializing in Nietzsche studies, dives deep into the complexities of Nietzsche's philosophy. He refutes the idea of Nietzsche as an irrationalist and explores the interplay between reason, morality, and truth. Keegan discusses the implications of Nietzsche's ideas on politics and the herd mentality, emphasizing the importance of authenticity amidst moral frameworks. The conversation touches on the relevance of Nietzsche's thought today, inviting personal transformation and a reevaluation of societal norms.

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ANECDOTE

Touring Sparked A Deep Nietzsche Journey

Keegan first met Nietzsche as a confused teenager reading Beyond Good and Evil and Antichrist.
Touring as a musician gave him long reading stretches that deepened his Nietzsche study over a decade.

INSIGHT

Reason Is Shaped By Drives

Nietzsche redefines rationality by linking thinking to drives and valuations rather than rejecting reason.
He argues perspective is intrinsic to thought and denies any God's-eye 'immaculate perception'.

INSIGHT

Language Conveys Opinion, Not Pure Truth

Nietzsche anticipates rhetoric-as-persuasion: language primarily conveys opinions, not pure knowledge.
He sides with ancient sophists' view that argument often aims to shape belief and power, not just truth.

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Keegan Kjeldsen is the host of the YouTube channel essentialsalts, a doom metal guitarist, and host of The Nietzsche Podcast.

In this episode, we talk about aspects of Nietzsche’s philosophy, and discuss whether he was an irrationalist; truth, perspectivism, and science; Nietzsche’s approach to politics; authenticity, and whether someone who embraces slave morality can be authentic; and Nietzsche’s moral project. Finally, we talk about how we can psychologize Nietzsche.

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