Zarathusta, Vigilante of Transvaluation

2014

This dissertation looks at the details of Friedrich Nietzsche\u27s concept of the revaluation of all values. The dissertation will look at the idea in several ways to elucidate the depth and complexity of the idea. First, it will be looked at through its evolution, as it began as an idea early in Nietzsche\u27s career and reached its full complexity at the end of his career with the planned publication of his Revaluation of All Values, just before the onset of his madness. Several questions will be explored: What is the nature of the revaluator who is supposed to be instrumental in the process of revaluation? What will the values after the revaluation be like (a rebirth of ancient values or creation of entirely new values)? What will be the scope of the revaluation? And what is the relation of other major ideas of Nietzsche\u27s (will to power, eternal return, overman, and amor fati) to the revaluation? Different answers to these questions will be explored. Ultimately, the conclusio...

2014

NIETZSCHE’S REVALUTION OF ALL VALUES Joseph Kranak Marquette University, 2014 This dissertation looks at the details of Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the revaluation of all values. The dissertation will look at the idea in several ways to elucidate the depth and complexity of the idea. First, it will be looked at through its evolution, as it began as an idea early in Nietzsche’s career and reached its full complexity at the end of his career with the planned publication of his Revaluation of All Values, just before the onset of his madness. Several questions will be explored: What is the nature of the revaluator who is supposed to be instrumental in the process of revaluation? What will the values after the revaluation be like (a rebirth of ancient values or creation of entirely new values)? What will be the scope of the revaluation? And what is the relation of other major ideas of Nietzsche’s (will to power, eternal return, overman, and amor fati) to the revaluation? Different a...

2018

One of Nietzsche’s main projects was to critique morality and to invite a revaluation of our values. Neither secular nor religious interpretations of Nietzsche’s critique of morality do it justice. Each support their own interpretation by appealing to certain aspects of his writings. The former appeal to Nietzsche’s rejection of Christianity and Christian morality; while the latter appeal to Nietzsche’s anti-democratic and anti-egalitarian remarks. In actuality, Nietzsche was neither of the two: he argued that Western secular moralities are a modern manifestation of Christian morality, and that Christian morality is a manifestation of what he comes to call “Slave Morality.” On this account, this thesis is a humble attempt to bring forth a philosophical interpretation of Nietzsche’s critique and historical analysis of morality, and how we can incorporate his critique and revaluation of values into our lives so we can live a better life. I hope that my contribution will be a meaningfu...

Any attempt to examine Nietzsche's relation to Ethics must at one point or other confront the concept of transvaluation or Umwertung. Without question, it is a key category in Nietzsche's philosophy of values, and if we take our cue from his late works, is used by him as a general description of his philosophical life-project. How are we to understand transvaluation, not just as a philosophical project, but also in concreto as a specific kind of philosophical practice? What kind of discourse on values does it name, and what kinds of pressure does it operate under? This paper is an attempt to shed some light on these questions. Nietzsche's project of critical transvaluation is dedicated to a contestation of values. Against the prevailing values of European (Christian-Platonic) culture, whether metaphysical, moral or religious, Nietzsche attempts, time and again, to raise life as the highest value. This I take to be the basic and recurrent task of overcoming: to overcome metaphysical, moral and religious values in the name of life, its affirmation and elevation or 'greatness'. This task originates in a critical diagnosis of the present, which in turn raises a number of problems for it. If the later Nietzsche is right that Western values originate in a 'decadent' form of life, a sick and impoverished will, then there is more than just values at stake in the question of overcoming. Overcoming must not only raise new values geared towards life affirmation; it requires a new form of evaluating, a new process of idealisation. Nietzsche's strategy of overcoming must somehow address, not just Western values, but their origin in the body, the affects, a dissolute will. The problem is: how can this be done through discourse, an ideal medium if ever there was one? Even if we grant that Nietzsche's discourse can somehow address the body, then how exactly is it to engage the condition of decadence? If, as Nietzsche

Parrhesia: A journal of Critical Philosophy, 2012

Religions

This article approaches the religious phenomenon from a perspective that combines the anthropology of the sacred and the science of religions and from which religion can be interpreted as an “architecture of value”, that is, as a technique for constructing values and, at the same time, as a “technology of salvation”, that is, as a mechanism for individual and group healing. On this theoretical basis, certain aspects of Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra are analysed not as mere rhetorical or polemical devices but as the backbone of a work of a religious nature. The result is a religious interpretation of Nietzsche’s great work and, at the same time, a reflection on religious life itself and the scope of post-metaphysical religiosity.

2016

This thesis is an attempt to bring forth a novel and philosophically appealing reading of Nietzsche, especially as it pertains to his theory of value. I define philosophically appealing as the view with the least amount of inconsistencies that still reaches a simple and logical conclusion. I explore questions regarding Nietzsche’s nihilism, his normative and metaphysical claims, as well as his view on human nature. I aim to satisfy sophisticated readers by investigating complex philosophical issues related to my interpretation of Nietzsche. I also aim to satisfy less sophisticated readers by explaining how my view is applicable, and beneficial, to one’s life. Given that there’s no widespread agreement as to what reading of Nietzsche is correct, the goal of my thesis is to contribute meaningfully to this ongoing debate.

The Agonist: A Nietzsche Circle Journal, 2021

The goal of this essay is to show how we might gain new insight into the meaning of Nietzsche's metaphilosophical lessons at the start of Beyond Good and Evil. Maudemarie Clark's interpretation of these lessons is prima facie plausible and has gained widespread acceptance in the Anglophone community of Nietzsche scholars. According to this reading, Nietzsche thinks that philosophers cannot help but project their preferred values into their theories of the world and he thinks that this is true of his own theory of the world as will to power. I argue that there are severe problems with Clark's supporting textual evidence and that we should therefore reconsider how we usually think today about the role of values in Nietzsche's conception of philosophy and about the epistemic status that he grants to his own philosophical theories.

2014

Unless indicated otherwise, references to Nietzsche's works are made from the Sämtliche Werke, Kritische Studienausgabe (KSA). The abbreviated title of the work cited is provided in German/English, followed by the number of the book-part and/or chapter title where necessary. This is then followed by the number of the section, the abbreviation KSA, the volume number and then the page number. For the unpublished notes, I use the abbreviation NL, followed by the note number. This is then followed by the abbreviation KSA, the volume number and page number. If the translation from The Will to Power is utilised, I also add the abbreviation WP, followed by the note number. Where reference is made to Heidegger's works, GA, followed by the volume and page number, refers to volumes of Heidegger's Gesamtausgabe. Where use is made of an English translation, the abbreviation as indicated below, followed by the page number, follows the reference to the Gesamtausgabe volume or other German edition. My initials (CFB) are added to the end of references where the English translation has been modified or is my own, as well as in cases where I have added an emphasis to a quotation. Works by Heidegger Gesamtausgabe Volumes GA3 Kant und das Problem der Metaphysik (1929). Edited by Friedrich-Wilhelm von Hermann. 1991.

To be presented at the "Nietzsche and Law" Conference, ITAM, Mexico City, October 2016