About this episode

The episode explores Georges Bataille's experiences and reflections during the Nazi occupation of France in 1944, focusing on themes of desire and philosophical commentary.

"You, whoever you are, reading me - take your own chance. Just as, at the moment of writing, I gamble with you." The much-awaited conclusion to season six is here! The year is 1944, and we follow Georges Bataille through the months of February to August as he recounts the end of the Nazi occupation of France, while writing of his daily encounters, his inner experiences, first-hand accounts of the war, mad ramblings and poems - and astute, if sometimes confusing, commentary on the work of Nietzsche. In this episode we will explore the will to chance, immanence vs. transcendence, desire as "time-being", and the possibility of affirming desire in itself and for itself, having fully seen through the lie of every "end" or "goal" presented to us by the mad pursuit of passion. The Gay Science readthrough episodes coming soon!

More episodes of The Nietzsche Podcast

• The Gay Science #23 (V.356-363) · July 21, 2026 · 2h 22m
• The Gay Science #22 (V.348-355) · July 14, 2026 · 1h 55m
• The Gay Science #21 (V.343-347) · July 7, 2026 · 2h 6m
• Q&A #15 · June 30, 2026 · 2h 50m
• 143: Georges Bataille, part 1 - On Nietzsche · June 16, 2026 · 1h 54m

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