Nietzsche's Ethical Theory: Mind, Self and Responsibility (Continuum Studies in Continental Philosophy)

✍ Scribed by Craig Dove

• Publisher: Continuum
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 175
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book provides a new approach to a major figure in Western Philosophy.This important new book explores the ethical theory of Friedrich Nietzsche in light of recent work done in the philosophy of mind. Craig Dove examines issues of free will, communication, the way in which we construct the self, and the implications of all these for ethics. After dismissing what he calls the 'soul hypothesis', Nietzsche is left with a problem: how do we explain the sense of unity and continuity most of us experience as our identity?Drawing on recent work in cognitive science and philosophy of mind, this study shows that Nietzsche's tentative suggestions in the late nineteenth century have been supported by late twentieth century research. Arguing that work done in the philosophy of mind by Paul Churchland and Daniel Dennett helps to illuminate Nietzsche's positive ethical doctrine, "Dove" goes on to show that recent work has not adequately thought through the implications for ethics, while Nietzsche has already accomplished precisely that. This is an important and original contribution to an ongoing debate.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
......Page 1
Acknowledgements......Page 8
Contents......Page 10
Abbreviations......Page 12
1. Nietzsche, Ethics, Theory......Page 14
2. Eternal Return: Determinism and/or Affirmation......Page 24
3. Amor fati: Self as Narrative......Page 42
4. Conferring Meaning on the Whole: Nietzsche, Churchland and Holism......Page 70
5. Connectionism, Ethics and Narrative: Body and Mind......Page 100
6. Freedom and Responsibility......Page 118
Notes......Page 142
Bibliography......Page 164
Index......Page 170