EXERCISES AND ADMIRATION: SLOTERDIJK BETWEEN NIETZSCHE AND CIORAN

Abstract

Starting from Peter Sloterdijk’s book You must change your life, the present article aims at analyzing the interpretations of Nietzsche and Cioran given in this work. The conceptual relationship between the expressions “immunity”, “anthropotechnic” and “exercise” represents a dialogue with and even an appropriation of Nietzsche’s genealogy, which will serve as a common thread to explore a wide set of techniques of non-ascetical exercises since the nineteenth century, a background from which the non-spiritualist and nihilistic practices of the Romanian philosopher emerge. Therefore, it is not limited to understanding Sloterdijk’s readings of both pioneer philosophers, to whom he expresses a warm admiration by showing the merits of these interpretations and not giving up to listen to each one of these voices in their own utterances.