Nietzsche's ethical theory
Subtitle: mind, self and responsibility
By: Craig M. Dove.
Series: Continuum studies in Continental philosophy
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2008
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 162
ISBN-13: 9780826498748
Subjects: Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, -- 1844-1900; Ethics; Philosophy of mind
Description: 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
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [129]-156) and index.
Table of contents: title: Nietzsche, ethics, theory; title: Eternal return : determinism and/or affirmation; title: Amor fati : self as narrative; title: Conferring meaning on the whole : Nietzsche, churchland, and holism; title: Connectionism, ethics and narrative : body and mind; title: Freedom and responsibility.