NIETZSCHE AND THE PREMODERNIST CRITIQUE OF POSTMODERNITY

The crisis of modern reason culminates in Nietzsche's proclamation of nihilism. Drawing upon Nietzsche, postmodernists suggest that reason i tself is defective, while ''premodernists'' argue we can regain our ba lance by returning to premodern rationalism. Peter Berkowitz suggest.; , however, that Nietzsche is a contradictory thinker who fails in his attempt to combine ancient rationalism with modern voluntarism. Postmo dernism thus vests upon a defective foundation. Berkowitz's critique o f postmodernism is telling, bu: he does not recognize dangerous millen arian elements in Nietzsche's thought. Moreover, the concept of ancien t reason he holds tip as an alternative is under-developed and undiffe rentiated.