The Antichrist

The Antichrist
by Friedrich Nietzsche
Published in 1895
126 Pages
Thibault’s Score: 4/5


The Antichrist is a phenomenal exposition of Nietzsche’s earlier theory of Master and Slave morality as it applies to Christianity. H.L. Mencken pointed out in the introduction of the book that many authors at the time were attacking the fundamentals of Christianity, including its metaphysics and retelling of factual events. Nietzsche, however, is one of the earliest authors to not only attack the idea that Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt, or that God created the earth in 7 days but also attacks Christian ethics. This is unique, because earlier critics of Christianity had always taken Christian ethics for granted.


Nietzsche is, as always, very interesting, and I drew many unique ethical insights from this book. For example, I never had considered the degree to which pity is dangerous and incentivizes bad social behavior and poor choices.


Also unique about The Antichrist is the format in which it is written. Unlike other books by Nietzsche that I’ve read, such as Beyond Good and Evil, The Antichrist is well ordered and logically structured series of arguments. In his other books, the chapters do not follow one to the next, and are, in essence, a series of disconnected small books.


Overall I recommend this book, especially to former or recovering Christians who haven’t fallen into the trap of moral nihilism.