Classic work by the German philologist, philosopher and author who produced many critiques of religion, morality, contemporary culture, and philosophy, centred around what he viewed as a fundamental question regarding the life-affirming and life-denying qualities of different attitudes and beliefs. Although largely overlooked during his short yet productive working life, which ended with a mental collapse in 1889, Nietzsche received recognition during the first half of the 20th century in intellectual circles, and by the second half of the 20th century he had become regarded as a highly significant and influential figure in modern philosophy.