Nietzsche's On the Genealogy of Morality: A Critical Introduction and Guide (Edinburgh Critical Guides to Nietzsche)

On the Genealogy of Morality has become the most common point of entry into Nietzsche’s thought. It offers relatively straightforward, sustained explanatory narratives addressing many of the main ideas of Nietzsche’s mature thought, such as will to power, nihilism, perspectivism, the value of truth and the critique of morality. At the same time, it is challenging to understand because Nietzsche intended it as an expansion and elaboration of his existing ideas. Robert Guay provides the interpretive and philosophical context to help new readers of Nietzsche understand both the book and Nietzsche's thought more widely. He shows how Nietzsche’s narratives engage with philosophical issues about agency, self-knowledge, historical explanation and the critique of morality. A philosophically sophisticated introduction to Nietzsche's most widely read book, for readers coming to the text – and Nietzsche – for the first timeWritten by an internationally respected scholar who has worked with Nietzsche for years and knows his work very wellOffers close textual analysis of how Nietzsche's narrative and rhetorical strategies function as philosophical argumentProvides a philosophically independent and fresh approach to the textExplains the methodological issues that Nietzsche raises with respect to psychological, social and historical phenomenaAnalyses Nietzsche's entire philosophical enterprise, showing how the critique of moral values is related to concerns about agency, self-knowledge and truthIncludes a chronology of Nietzsche's life and work, a glossary of key terms, an index of names and subjects and a guide to further readingRobert Guay provides the interpretive and philosophical context to help new readers of Nietzsche understand both On the Genealogy of Morality and Nietzsche's thought more widely. He shows how Nietzsche's narratives engage with philosophical issues about agency, self-knowledge, historical explanation and the critique of morality.On the Genealogy of Morality has become the most common point of entry into Nietzsche's thought. It offers relatively straightforward, sustained explanatory narratives addressing many of the main ideas of Nietzsche's mature thought, such as will to power, nihilism, perspectivism, the value of truth and the critique of morality. At the same time, it is challenging to understand because Nietzsche intended it as an expansion and elaboration of his existing ideas. "On the Genealogy of Morality has become the most common point of entry into Nietzsche's thought. It offers relatively straightforward, sustained explanatory narratives addressing many of the main ideas of Nietzsche's mature thought, such as 'will to power', 'nihilism', 'perspectivism' and the 'value of truth'. It also directs its attention to what is widely taken to be Nietzsche's important philosophical contribution, the critique of morality. Yet it is challenging to understand because Nietzsche intended it as an expansion and elaboration of his ideas developed elsewhere. Presupposing no prior knowledge of Nietzsche or the text, Robert Guay provides the interpretive and philosophical context to make Nietzsche's thought more accessible and shows how Nietzsche's narratives engage with philosophical issues about agency, self-knowledge, historical explanation and the critique of morality"-- Back cover. Acknowledgements Chronology Abbreviations Introduction 1. The Preface Approaching the Genealogy Knowing ourselves A memoir of the genealogist The descent of our moral prejudices The critique of morality: the value of values The Dionysian drama of the soul 2. The First Treatise: ‘Good and Evil’, ‘Good and Bad’ Introduction The basic narrative Philosophical arguments Methodological and rhetorical issues 3. The Second Treatise: ‘Guilt’, ‘Bad Conscience’ and Related Matters Introduction The basic narrative Philosophical arguments Methodological and rhetorical issues 4. The Third Treatise: What Do Ascetic Ideals Mean? Introduction The basic narrative Philosophical arguments Methodological and rhetorical issues 5. Conclusion Glossary of Key Terms Guide to Further Reading on On the Genealogy of Morality Bibliography Index