Abstract

French contemporary philosophy, especially that of the phenomenological orientation, has been, particularly in the last two decades, closely engaged in Heidegger’s philosophy. Among other things, it has strived for critical evaluation of Heidegger’s reception of Nietzsche’s philosophy. The contribution draws attention to three thinkers: Mathieu Kessler, Michel Haar and Jocelyn Benoist. All three of them find the greatest challenge in Heidegger’s interpretation of Nietzsche’s involvement in metaphysics. It is from this perspective that they get to grips with Heidegger’s criticism of Nietzsche’s aesthetical and ethical assumptions, with particular emphasis on nihilism, perspectivism and – in relation to technology – modernity in general. Taking into account some of the basic assumptions of the postmodern paradigm, this article tries to find the reasons for a resolutely affirmative stand on Nietzsche as evidenced in French contemporary philosophy, or to answer the question as to what extent this criticism of Heidegger can still be justifiable