Inspired by the ancient and medieval genre, A Nietzschean Bestiary gathers essays treating the most vivid and lively animal images in one of the philosophic tradition's greatest bodies of work. Leading scholars treat specific animals—such as the prowling beast of prey, Zarathustra's laughing lions, and the notorious blond beast—to ingeniously reveal how these creatures play a prominent role in the development of Nietzsche's philosophy. Numerous essays explore the nature of human animality and our relations to other animals. Contributors shed new light on Nietzsche's conception of power, freedom, and meaning. Research tools, including discussions of Nietzsche's influence on important twentieth-century philosophers and the most extensive index of animal references in Nietzsche's corpus, make this an essential volume for scholars and students alike.

Contributions by: Babette Babbich, Debra Bergoffen, Thomas H. Brobjer, Daniel Conway, Brian Crowley, Brian Domino, Peter Groff, Jennifer Ham, Lawrence Hatab, Kathleen Marie Higgins, Vanessa Lemm, Paul S. Loeb, Nickolas Pappas, Richard Perkins, Gerd Schank, Alan D. Schrift, Gary Shapiro, Tracey Stark, Charles S. Taylor, Jami Weinstein, Martha Kendal Woodruff