The Concept of Chaos: Nietzsche contra Heidegger on Early Greek Philosophy
Description
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
Anaximander’s fragment has been interpreted in various different ways. The young Nietzsche reads in it a “pessimism” comparable to that of Schopenhauer, whereas Heidegger, in his 1946 lecture series “The Anaximander Fragment,” criticizes Nietzsche for projecting a moralistic sentiment onto the early Pre-Socratic. Anaximander’s fragment, argues Heidegger, is “neither pessimistic nor nihilistic; nor is it optimistic. It is tragic.”
Although Heidegger’s critique is probably correct, it is symptomatic of a more general critique against Nietzsche. In the chapter “The Concept of ‘Chaos’” in his great book on Nietzsche, Heidegger asserts that Nietzsche’s conception of chaos is far off from the “original Greek meaning” of a yawning abyss as found in Hesiod. Nietzsche, however, seems way more interested in the pluralistic “Anaxagorian chaos,” which he contrasts with the apeiron of Anaximander. Not to mention their shared interest in Heraclitus—could not Heidegger’s defense of Anaximander in the first place be a hint at his perennial critique of Nietzsche’s “modern” thinking? And could not Nietzsche’s preference for Anaxagoras point at a wholly different picture, where chaos can be freed of its “original Greek meaning”—quite ironically, already in the Pre-Socratics?
In this seminar, we turn to the Greek origins of the term ‘chaos,’ contrasting an “abyssal” with a more creative reading. No prior knowledge is required. All key texts will be provided on registration.
TIME
5 SATURDAYS, weekly, beginning September 12, 2026.
1-3 PM Eastern US Time.
SESSIONS
1) The Concept of Chaos: Heidegger contra Nietzsche
2) Nietzsche and the early Pre-Socratics
3) Anaximander’s Fragment
4) Anaxagoras’ Fragments
5) Anaxagorian Chaos: Nietzsche contra Heidegger
FACILITATOR
Having lived and studied all around the world, Hannes Schumacher works at the threshold between philosophy and art. He has carried out intensive research on Hegel and Deleuze, and he has also published widely on Nishida, Nāgārjuna, chaos theory, global mysticism, and contemporary art. Hannes is the founder of the Berlin-based publisher Freigeist Verlag, co-founder of the grassroots art space Chaosmos ∞ in Athens, Greece, and he collaborates extensively with the literary translator Peter Constantine and World Poetry Books, New York. He has facilitated the following courses and groups at Incite Seminars: “Nishida Kitarō: The Logic of Place and the Religious Worldview”; “Who’s Afraid of Hegel: Introduction to G. W. F. Hegel’s Science of Logic”; “Chaos Research Group”; “Reading After Finitude by Quentin Meillassoux”; “Deleuze & Guattari: What is Philosophy?”; “Plato’s chôra through the lens of Derrida”; “Anarchia and Archai: Reimagining the Pre-Socratics” (with Carlos A. Segovia); “Reading Nietzsche’s Zarathustra” (current); “Liana of the Resurrected”; “The Body without Organs”; and “Introduction to Chaos Theory.”
INCITE SEMINARS
We are a mix of rogue scholars, disgruntled academics, disenchanted buddhists, enchantment-hungry anarchists, radical therapists, and general weirdos looking to create autonomous and accessible forms of “higher education.”
We offer online seminars and reading groups to incite personal exploration and inspire community action. Incite Seminars offers an educational experience. We do so by gathering an engaged group of participants for a dynamic exchange of ideas, led by skilled facilitators. All of our facilitators have a deep relationship to a subject or topic through intensive study or practice.
Incite Seminars is a 100% member-supported learning community. We depend on member contributions to continue holding space for radical study and practice groups, putting on rigorous seminars and courses, and providing our facilitators and organizers with fair compensation. If you are unable to pay the full amount for a session or membership at this time, we invite you to join us at reduced or no cost with our Solidarity option.
https://inciteseminars.com/the-concept-of-chaos/
Anaximander’s fragment has been interpreted in various different ways. The young Nietzsche reads in it a “pessimism” comparable to that of Schopenhauer, whereas Heidegger, in his 1946 lecture series “The Anaximander Fragment,” criticizes Nietzsche for projecting a moralistic sentiment onto the early Pre-Socratic. Anaximander’s fragment, argues Heidegger, is “neither pessimistic nor nihilistic; nor is it optimistic. It is tragic.”
Although Heidegger’s critique is probably correct, it is symptomatic of a more general critique against Nietzsche. In the chapter “The Concept of ‘Chaos’” in his great book on Nietzsche, Heidegger asserts that Nietzsche’s conception of chaos is far off from the “original Greek meaning” of a yawning abyss as found in Hesiod. Nietzsche, however, seems way more interested in the pluralistic “Anaxagorian chaos,” which he contrasts with the apeiron of Anaximander. Not to mention their shared interest in Heraclitus—could not Heidegger’s defense of Anaximander in the first place be a hint at his perennial critique of Nietzsche’s “modern” thinking? And could not Nietzsche’s preference for Anaxagoras point at a wholly different picture, where chaos can be freed of its “original Greek meaning”—quite ironically, already in the Pre-Socratics?
In this seminar, we turn to the Greek origins of the term ‘chaos,’ contrasting an “abyssal” with a more creative reading. No prior knowledge is required. All key texts will be provided on registration.
TIME
5 SATURDAYS, weekly, beginning September 12, 2026.
1-3 PM Eastern US Time.
SESSIONS
1) The Concept of Chaos: Heidegger contra Nietzsche
2) Nietzsche and the early Pre-Socratics
3) Anaximander’s Fragment
4) Anaxagoras’ Fragments
5) Anaxagorian Chaos: Nietzsche contra Heidegger
FACILITATOR
Having lived and studied all around the world, Hannes Schumacher works at the threshold between philosophy and art. He has carried out intensive research on Hegel and Deleuze, and he has also published widely on Nishida, Nāgārjuna, chaos theory, global mysticism, and contemporary art. Hannes is the founder of the Berlin-based publisher Freigeist Verlag, co-founder of the grassroots art space Chaosmos ∞ in Athens, Greece, and he collaborates extensively with the literary translator Peter Constantine and World Poetry Books, New York. He has facilitated the following courses and groups at Incite Seminars: “Nishida Kitarō: The Logic of Place and the Religious Worldview”; “Who’s Afraid of Hegel: Introduction to G. W. F. Hegel’s Science of Logic”; “Chaos Research Group”; “Reading After Finitude by Quentin Meillassoux”; “Deleuze & Guattari: What is Philosophy?”; “Plato’s chôra through the lens of Derrida”; “Anarchia and Archai: Reimagining the Pre-Socratics” (with Carlos A. Segovia); “Reading Nietzsche’s Zarathustra” (current); “Liana of the Resurrected”; “The Body without Organs”; and “Introduction to Chaos Theory.”
INCITE SEMINARS
We are a mix of rogue scholars, disgruntled academics, disenchanted buddhists, enchantment-hungry anarchists, radical therapists, and general weirdos looking to create autonomous and accessible forms of “higher education.”
We offer online seminars and reading groups to incite personal exploration and inspire community action. Incite Seminars offers an educational experience. We do so by gathering an engaged group of participants for a dynamic exchange of ideas, led by skilled facilitators. All of our facilitators have a deep relationship to a subject or topic through intensive study or practice.
Incite Seminars is a 100% member-supported learning community. We depend on member contributions to continue holding space for radical study and practice groups, putting on rigorous seminars and courses, and providing our facilitators and organizers with fair compensation. If you are unable to pay the full amount for a session or membership at this time, we invite you to join us at reduced or no cost with our Solidarity option.
https://inciteseminars.com/the-concept-of-chaos/
| September 12, 2026 |
Link for additional information
Organisers
Incite Seminars