Nietzsche Against the Egalitarian Sublime

Abstract

This chapter responds to the challenge presented by Nietzsche against the egalitarian sublime. The approach is through the effects of definitions of the sublime, with reference to Burke. The chapter considers how Nietzsche distinguishes the masses and a few sublime individuals whose work creates a new sublime. The chapter connects the sublime in Nietzsche to the idea of the untimely. It rejects the idea that though the sublime is by the few it is for the many.