DOCSLIB.ORG

University of Southampton Research Repository

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
University of Southampton Research Repository University of Southampton Research Repository Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis and, where applicable, any accompanying data are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis and the accompanying data cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content of the thesis and accompanying research data (where applicable) must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder/s. When referring to this thesis and any accompanying data, full bibliographic details must be given, e.g. Thesis: Author (Year of Submission) "Full thesis title", University of Southampton, name of the University Faculty or School or Department, PhD Thesis, pagination. Data: Author (Year) Title. URI [dataset] University of Southampton Faculty of Humanities Philosophy The Drives and Affects in Nietzsche’s Accounts of Knowledge, Freedom, and Affirmation by Charles Campbell Boddicker https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4873-6394 Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2019 University of Southampton Abstract Faculty of Humanities Philosophy Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The Drives and Affects in Nietzsche’s Accounts of Knowledge, Freedom, and Affirmation by Charles Campbell Boddicker In this thesis I give accounts of the drives and affects in Nietzsche’s work and use them to give further accounts of three main topics in Nietzsche’s positive philosophy: knowledge, freedom, and affirmation. In the first two chapters I give accounts of the drives and affects respectively. I argue that the affects play a prominent role in Nietzsche’s work because of their connection to what he thinks it means to value something. I argue that, for Nietzsche, valuing x involves having a positive affective orientation toward x induced by one’s strongest drives. In chapter 3 I give an account of Nietzsche’s perspectivism. I argue that it consists of two main claims, one descriptive and one prescriptive. The descriptive claim is that knowledge is guided shaped by the affects. The prescriptive claim is that knowledge can be enhanced by using the affects. I chapter 4 I outline Nietzsche’s three-pronged attack on what he deems an absurd conception of freedom. I then give an account of Nietzsche’s positive conception of freedom. I argue that Nietzschean freedom is a kind of self-determination, it involves being determined by values that are suited to the conditions of one’s flourishing. In chapter 5 I argue that affirmation is primarily an unreflective process that involves willing power in a way that enhances life. Nietzsche claims that the essence of life is the will to power. Thus, I argue that affirming life just is willing power in a way that brings about the enhancement, expansion, and increased complexity of the will to power itself. In chapter 6 I look at one particular affect, gaiety, of the kind expressed by what Nietzsche calls “higher laughter” and look at the role it plays in the three main topics of the thesis. I have two goals in the chapter. The first is to illuminate the nature of one particularly important affect in Nietzsche’s i positive thought. The second is to use that affect to draw out some important interrelationships between affirmation, freedom, and knowledge. Finally, in the conclusion, I look at Nietzsche’s style. One important aspect of Nietzsche’s style is that it is affectively engaged and designed to elicit an emotional reaction in its audience. I examine one particular aspect of Nietzsche’s emotive style, namely, his use of humour. I show how Nietzsche uses humour to two main ends. Firstly, it plays a role in Nietzsche’s ad hominem attacks on philosophers, religions, and traditional morality. Secondly, he uses humour to foster the intimacy of a shared sense of community. Humour is one of the ways in which Nietzsche uses his style to find the appropriate readers for his works. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... iii Research Thesis: Declaration of Authorship ....................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ vi Abbreviations of Nietzsche’s Works ................................................................................................. vii INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE: THE DRIVES .............................................................................................................. 13 1.1 Introduction to the Drives and Two “Homuncular Fallacies” ................................... 13 1.2 The Homuncular Interpretation ................................................................................ 16 1.3 The Dispositional Interpretation ............................................................................... 21 1.4 A Nietzschean Dispositional Account ........................................................................ 26 1.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 30 CHAPTER TWO: A NIETZSCHEAN ACCOUNT OF VALUING ................................................................ 33 2.1 The Drives.................................................................................................................. 34 2.2 The Affects ................................................................................................................ 35 2.3 Katsafanas’ Account of Nietzschean Valuing ............................................................ 36 2.4 A New Account of Nietzschean Valuing .................................................................... 43 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 49 CHAPTER THREE: KNOWLEDGE (ERKENNTNISS) AND AFFECT .......................................................... 51 3.1 Reading GM III 12: Gemes and Anderson ................................................................. 52 3.2 Nietzsche’s Target in GM III 12: Schopenhauerian Objectivity ................................. 56 3.3 What is a Perspective? .............................................................................................. 57 3.4 What is “Perspectivism”? .......................................................................................... 60 3.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 70 CHAPTER FOUR: FREEDOM AND AFFECT .......................................................................................... 71 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 71 4.2 Part One: The Negative Project................................................................................. 73 4.2.1 First Prong: The Incoherence of Free Will ............................................................. 73 4.2.2 Second Prong: Psychological Diagnoses ............................................................... 76 4.2.3 Third Prong: Why We Feel as If We Have Superlative Metaphysical Freedom .... 77 4.3 Part Two: The Positive Project .................................................................................. 80 4.3.1 Free Persons v. Free Actions ................................................................................. 82 iii 4.3.2 Freedom as Self-Determination ........................................................................... 82 4.3.3 Self-Artistry as Genuine Self-Determination ......................................................... 86 4.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 91 CHAPTER FIVE: NIETZSCHE ON THE AFFIRMATION OF LIFE ............................................................. 93 5.1 Theories of Affirmation: Reflective and Unreflective ............................................... 94 5.2 Nietzsche on the Concept of “Life” .......................................................................... 98 5.3 Schopenhauer on the Affirmation and Negation of the Will.................................. 100 5.4 Nietzsche on Affirmation and Negation ................................................................. 104 5.5 Obstacles to Affirmation: Why Affirmation is an Achievement ............................. 111 5.6 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 116 CHAPTER SIX: LAUGHTER, A CASE STUDY ....................................................................................... 119 6.1 Higher Laughter and Laughter in General .............................................................. 119 6.2 Laughter and Affirmation ....................................................................................... 122 6.3 Laughter and Freedom ........................................................................................... 129 6.4 Laughter and Enquiry
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Reason and Belief in God in the Nietzschean Postmodern Philosophy: a Critical Study in the Light of Thomistic Philosophy
    Reason and Belief in God in the Nietzschean Postmodern Philosophy: A Critical Study in the Light of Thomistic Philosophy A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Philosophy by PRINCE D. (Reg. No. 1234802) Under the Guidance of Jose Nandhikkara Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy Department of Philosophy ProperCHRISTty of Ch rUNIVERSITYist University. BANGALORE, INDIA Use it for fair purpose. Give credit to theMarch autho r2013 by c iting properly, if your are using it. Approval of Dissertation Dissertation entitled ‘Reason and Belief in God in the Nietzschean Postmodern Philosophy: A Critical Study in the Light of Thomistic Philosophy’ by Prince D. Reg. No. 1234802 is approved for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Philosophy. Examiners: 1. ___________________ ___________________ 2. ___________________ ___________________ 3. ___________________ ___________________ Supervisor(s): ___________________ ___________________ Chairman: ___________________ ___________________ Date: ___________ (Seal) Place: Christ University Property of Christ University. Use it for fair purpose. Give credit to the autho r by citing properly, if your are using it. i Declaration I, Prince D., hereby declare that the dissertation, titled ‘Reason and Belief in God in the Nietzschean Postmodern Philosophy: A Critical Study in the Light of Thomistic Philosophy’ is a record of original research work undertaken by me for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy in Philosophy. I have completed this study under the supervision of Dr. Jose Nandhikkara, Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy. I also declare that this dissertation has not been submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, associateship fellowship or other title.
    [Show full text]
  • Newton Contra Alt-Right Nietzsche: Dionysus As Androgynous Black Panther
    Newton contra Alt-right Nietzsche: Dionysus as Androgynous Black Panther Joshua M. Hall The Pluralist, Volume 15, Number 2, Summer 2020, pp. 110-128 (Article) Published by University of Illinois Press For additional information about this article https://muse.jhu.edu/article/757907 [ Access provided at 12 Oct 2020 22:27 GMT from Loyola-Notre Dame Library ] Newton contra Alt-right Nietzsche: Dionysus as Androgynous Black Panther joshua m. hall William Paterson University I saw a man move catlike Across the rooftops, Glide along the horizons, Casting no shadow . —Melvin Newton (qtd. in Hilliard and Weise 245)1 perhaps the most egregious subcommunity responsible for today’s political crisis in the United States, pre-dating and facilitating the rise of its forty-fifth president, is the group known as the “alt-right” (short for the al- ternative right of the political spectrum). It is composed primarily of younger (millennial) cisgender white men, and it developed in response to a well- publicized controversy in the world of computer gaming known as “Gamer- gate.”2 And one of their primary philosophical influences, like the Nazis before them, is Friedrich Nietzsche. They interpret Nietzsche, often through the filter of Ayn Rand’s work, as a powerful precursor to their self-appointed role as nemeses of “political correctness” and champions of the hierarchical views embraced by capitalists, racists, sexists, xenophobes, and so on (which they mask as “free speech”). One major aspect of the mainstream right to which the alt-right is “al- ternative” is orthodox Christianity. Many on the alt-right proudly identify as atheists or agnostics and, like Nietzsche, reach conclusions highly criti- cal of democracy, women, Jewish people, and so on, that are shared by the mainstream right, but they do so via routes that do not explicitly endorse any religious beliefs.
    [Show full text]
  • Download (364Kb)
    Jesson, Stuart ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8826-0314 (2019) ‘The question in each and every thing’: Nietzsche and Weil on affirmation. International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, 86 (2). pp. 131-155. Downloaded from: http://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/3727/ The version presented here may differ from the published version or version of record. If you intend to cite from the work you are advised to consult the publisher's version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11153-019-09703-4 Research at York St John (RaY) is an institutional repository. It supports the principles of open access by making the research outputs of the University available in digital form. Copyright of the items stored in RaY reside with the authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may access full text items free of charge, and may download a copy for private study or non-commercial research. For further reuse terms, see licence terms governing individual outputs. Institutional Repository Policy Statement RaY Research at the University of York St John For more information please contact RaY at [email protected] “This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in International Journal for Philosophy of Religion. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Jesson, Stuart (2019) ‘The question in each and every thing’: Nietzsche and Weil on affirmation is available online at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11153-019- 09703-4” ‘The question in each and every thing’: Nietzsche and Weil on affirmation1 Abstract: This paper identifies and offers commentary upon a previously un-remarked consonance between Nietzsche and Weil when it comes to the idea of a universal love of the world (‘affirmation’ in Nietzsche’s terms, or ‘consent to necessity’ in Weil’s).
    [Show full text]
  • WRAP THESIS Kuzma 2011.Pdf
    University of Warwick institutional repository: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap/47816 This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. Erotic Scenographies: Blanchot, Nietzsche & the Exigency of Return by Joseph Dlaboha Kuzma A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy & Literature University of Warwick, Department of Philosophy October 2011 Erotic Scenographies: Blanchot, Nietzsche & the Exigency of Return Contents Preface & Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Courtship & Despondency 21 The Ecstasy of Transmogrification 57 “A Voluptuousness of Hell” 112 The Absolute of Separation 147 The Irrevocable, the Prophetic 194 When Distance Collapsed 251 The Nothingness of Love 293 An Uncertain Covenant 319 “This Beating of a Hesitant Heart” 382 Afterword 433 Appendix 437 Bibliographic Materials Preface & Acknowledgements Some 400 metres above the unbroken azure of the Mediterranean coast, the narrowest of paths leads one upwards, around spires of eroded rock and boulder, to the walls of a medieval village perched high atop the summit. The path itself is not only steep but treacherous – carved out over many hundreds of years, it once led mules laden with cargo, rather precariously, from the port below, to the gates of a chateau, whose ruins still overlook the sea with a bruised, if undeterred, stateliness.
    [Show full text]
  • Simmel's Reading of Nietzsche
    Dominika Partyga Simmel’s reading of Nietzsche: the promise of “philosophical sociology” Article (Accepted version) (Refereed) Original citation: Partyga, Dominika (2016) Simmel’s reading of Nietzsche: the promise of “philosophical sociology”. Journal of Classical Sociology, 16 (4). pp. 414-437. ISSN 1468-795X DOI: 10.1177/1468795X16656267 © 2016 The Author This version available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/68865/ Available in LSE Research Online: January 2017 LSE has developed LSE Research Online so that users may access research output of the School. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LSE Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute the URL (http://eprints.lse.ac.uk) of the LSE Research Online website. This document is the author’s final accepted version of the journal article. There may be differences between this version and the published version. You are advised to consult the publisher’s version if you wish to cite from it. Dominika Partyga I London School of Economics I Department of Sociology Simmel’s reading of Nietzsche: The promise of “philosophical sociology” Abstract This article explores Simmel’s engagement with Nietzsche to illuminate the dynamics of ethical agency in his late life-philosophy. The main argument is that Simmel’s reworking of the Nietzschean themes of the will to power, distinction, and self-overcoming lays the ground for his vitalist ethics in The View of Life.
    [Show full text]
  • Nietzsche's Theory of Cognition: an Interpretation and Defense of Perspectivism Justin R
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Loyola eCommons Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2012 Nietzsche's Theory of Cognition: An Interpretation and Defense of Perspectivism Justin R. Marquis Loyola University Chicago Recommended Citation Marquis, Justin R., "Nietzsche's Theory of Cognition: An Interpretation and Defense of Perspectivism" (2012). Dissertations. Paper 369. http://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/369 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Copyright © 2012 Justin R. Marquis LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO NIETZSCHE’S THEORY OF COGNITION: AN INTERPRETATION AND DEFENSE OF PERSPECTIVISM A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY BY JUSTIN R. MARQUIS CHICAGO, IL AUGUST 2012 Copyright by Justin R. Marquis, 2012 All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would, first and foremost, like to thank my family and especially my parents, Rick and Cindy, for encouraging me in all my pursuits. A huge thanks is due to Dr. Jacqueline Scott, my dissertation director, for her mentoring and guidance. I have learned a great deal working under her, and this dissertation represents the fruits of her mentoring. Her encouragement to pursue the connection between Nietzsche’s epistemology and his larger project directly influenced the content of Chapters Two and Six.
    [Show full text]
  • A Nietzschean Critique of Kant's Highest Good
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-1988 A Nietzschean critique of Kant's highest good. Donald M. Schneier University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Schneier, Donald M., "A Nietzschean critique of Kant's highest good." (1988). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 2029. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/2029 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A NIETZSCHEAN CRITIQUE OF KANT’S HIGHEST GOOD A Dissertation Presented by DONALD M. SCHNEIER Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY September I988 Philosophy Copywright by Donald M. Schneier I988 All Rights Reserved A NIETZSCHEAN CRITIQUE OF KANT’S HIGHEST GOOD A Disser'ta'fcion Presented by DONALD M. SCHNEIER Approved as to style and content by: Sara Lennox, Member Michael Jubien, Department Head Philosophy ACKNOV/LEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the members of my committee, es- pecially Bob Wolff, for their guidance, the AT for offering a constructive environment, my other friends for their change of pace, and Karen and my father for their steady support over this long haul. IV ABSTRACT A NIETZSCHEAN CRITIQUE OF KANT'S HIGHEST GOOD SEPTEMBER I988 DONALD M. SCHNEIER, B.A. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS M.A.
    [Show full text]
  • It Is Time to Toss the Dice How Nietzsche's Philosophy Inspires
    It Is Time To Toss The Dice How Nietzsche’s Philosophy Inspires Anarchist Practice Catherine Hooijer Master Thesis of Philosophy University of Amsterdam Dr. Robin Celikates / prof. dr. Yolande Jansen 05-07-2019 1 Abstract In a precarious world where almost everyone is affected by discrimination, oppression and insecurity in some way or another, more and more people want to change their situation. However, many of those people are turning to right-wing, conservative ideas or conspiracy theories. Anarchism has until now not been able to come up with an alternative to the current way of living together that attracts people in the same way. In my thesis, I argue that this is partly due to anarchist practices based on what the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche calls ressentiment, and that anarchists should drastically change the fundamentals of those practices if anarchists are to change the world for the better. For the purpose of this thesis I will focus my discussion on two prevalent practices within anarchism, namely identity politics (or more aptly named, privilege politics) and accountability processes. However, this is not to say that only these practices are to blame, nor that they should be completely abandoned. I will argue that anarchists need to radically transform these practices. To go beyond my critique, I will explore a Nietzschean “affirmation of life” as this new ground on which to build. In the process I will also show that this new basis of anarchism will be distinctly feminist in character. 2 Foreword – Acknowledgements ‘It is time to toss the dice’. This statement is made by one of the characters in the book-series The Wheel of Time written by Robert Jordan.
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Birth Affirmation?: the Meaning of Saying “Yes” to Having Been Born
    Journal of Philosophy of Life Vol.11, No.1 (June 2021):43-59 What Is Birth Affirmation? The Meaning of Saying “Yes” to Having Been Born Masahiro Morioka* Abstract In this paper, the concept of birth affirmation is clarified in both the psychological dimension and the philosophical dimension. In the psychological dimension, we propose two interpretations: 1) Possible world interpretation: Even if I could imagine a possible world in which my ideal was realized or my grave sufferings were resolved, I would never think, at the bottom of my heart, that it would have been better to have been born to that possible world. 2) Anti-antinatalistic interpretation: I would never think, at the bottom of my heart, that it would have been better not to have been born. In the philosophical dimension, we propose the following interpretation: The comparison of betterness or worseness between the actual world and a possible world and between my having been born and my not having been born should be impossible. In the final part of this paper, the differences from other related concepts and frequently asked questions are discussed. 1. Introduction In this paper, I conduct a philosophical analysis on the concept of “birth affirmation.” Birth affirmation means the state of mind in which I can say from the bottom of my heart that I am truly glad that I have been born. In short, it means to be able to say “Yes” to my having been born. I believe that birth affirmation is one of the most promising ideas that can contribute to contemporary philosophical discussions on meaning in life.
    [Show full text]
  • 51 Will to Power As Interpretation
    51 Will to Power as Interpretation: Unearthing the Authority of Nietzsche’s Re-Evaluation of Values Grace Hunt New School for Social Research [email protected] It goes without saying that I do not deny — unless I am a fool — that many actions called immoral ought to be avoided and resisted, or that many called moral ought to be done and encouraged — but I think that one should be encouraged and the other avoided for other reasons than hitherto. We have to learn to think differently — in order at last, perhaps very late on, to attain even more: to feel differently. - Nietzsche, Daybreak §1031 Introduction Contrary to the usual charge of unfettered perspectivism found in his early and mid- period writings, Nietzsche stopped refuting truth tout court in his later work. In fact, his views in his unpublished works compiled in The Will to Power2 appear to rely on both radical perspectivism (‘there are no facts, only interpretations’) and non-perspectival truths and valuations that at times appear to carry metaphysical weight (for instance, Nietzsche depicts the universe as will to power and eternal return; that is, as a recurring succession of dynamic forces [§1062-1067]). Trying to reconcile these views has proven difficult not least because Nietzsche’s ability to assert his own philosophy of will to power as an authoritative account (and thereby as one that should be taken seriously over past accounts of the will) is undermined by his incessant practice of refuting metaphysical truth. 1 Friedrich Nietzsche, Daybreak: Thoughts on the Prejudiced of Morality. R. J.
    [Show full text]
  • Stanza My Stone: on the Death of God and the Nature of Poetry
    Bard College Bard Digital Commons Senior Projects Spring 2016 Bard Undergraduate Senior Projects Spring 2016 Stanza my Stone: On the Death of God and the Nature of Poetry Ariella JoAnn Kust Bard College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2016 Part of the American Literature Commons, and the Continental Philosophy Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Kust, Ariella JoAnn, "Stanza my Stone: On the Death of God and the Nature of Poetry" (2016). Senior Projects Spring 2016. 296. https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/senproj_s2016/296 This Open Access work is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been provided to you by Bard College's Stevenson Library with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this work in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights- holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Stanza My Stone On the Death of God and the Nature of Poetry Senior Project Submitted to The Division and Languages and Literature of Bard College by Ariella JoAnn Kust Annandale-on-Hudson, New York May 2016 Acknowledgements I would like to thank everyone who made this project possible, through their edits, ideas, and encouragements. To Matt and Daniel: Thank you for being always exceptionally present and patient.
    [Show full text]
  • A Contemporary Perspective Between Nietzsche, Sartre, & Nancy
    The Meaning(s) of Life: A Contemporary Perspective Between Nietzsche, Sartre, & Nancy by Darryl Wardle Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Magister Artium (MA) (Philosophy) in the Department of Philosophy Faculty of Humanities University of Pretoria Supervisor: Professor Benda Hofmeyr September 2016 © University of Pretoria TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS i ABSTRACT iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS iv CHAPTER I: Introduction(s) to the Meaning(s) of Life 1 1.1. Meaning as a Philosophical Concept 2 1.1.1. Semantic, Semiotic, & Existential Meaning 2 1.1.2. Philosophical Approaches to the Meaning of Life 5 1.1.3. The Dimensions & Implications of Existential Meaning 6 1.2. The Meaning of Life in Context 8 1.2.1. The Meaning(s) of Ancient to Modern Life 9 1.2.2. The Meaning(s) of 19th Century Life 10 1.2.3. Contemplating the Contemporary Meaning(s) of Life 14 1.2.4. Contemporary Secular Thought on Existential Meaning 17 1.3. Outline & Objectives of the Study 20 CHAPTER II: Nietzsche & the Problem of Nihilism 23 2.1 Nietzsche in Context 24 2.2 Schopenhauer’s Pessimism 26 2.3 The Historical Development of Nihilism 32 2.4 Trans-valuation & the Will to Power 37 2.5 Nietzsche’s Philosophy of the Future 45 2.6 Critical Evaluation of a Nietzschean Means-to-Meaning(s) 51 2.7 Conclusion: Existential Meaning(s) Beyond Nihilism (?) 55 CHAPTER III: Sartre’s Individualism of Existential Meaning 57 3.1. Sartre in Context 58 3.1.1. Sartre in the Wake of the Death of God 59 3.1.2.
    [Show full text]