180363 SE Analytic Interpretations of Nietzsche (2007W)

Kommentar: The purpose of the course will be threefold. The first and most important objective will be to develop a thoroughgoing understanding of the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche. The second will be to familiarize students with the way in which analytically trained philosophers have approached and interpreted Nietzsche's thought. The third will be to acquaint students with the contemporary philosophical landscape in English-speaking countries generally and the United States in particular.

In approaching Nietzsche's work through the lens of analytic philosophy, the class will focus primarily on his (anti-)metaphysics and epistemology. In particular, emphasis will be placed on Nietzsche's critique of Western metaphysics, his interest in modern science, his doctrine of (Heraclitean) Becoming and the related will-to-power, the skepticism that the flux doctrine seems to underwrite, his perspectivism, and ultimately his attempt to redefine the philosophical project with a philosophy of the future. At the same time, we will also delve into Nietzsche's reflections on morality and aesthetics. Here, the dichotomies of Dionysus/Crucified, life-affirmation/life-denial, master/slave moralities, Greek eros/ Christian agape, and spiritual health/decadence will take center stage. Finally, we will engage in some reflections on how these two aspects of Nietzsche's project might relate. That is, we will reflect on how Nietzsche's aestheticism, as well as his critique of Christian morality, might be bound up with his dynamic ontology of force, change, power, etc.

Didaktik: Interactive lectures. Class participation will be encouraged throughout. To this end, four one-page papers will be required over the course of the semester. The papers will be purely descriptive, focus on a specific question chosen by the instructor, e.g. "why does Nietzsche criticize Socrates in die Geburt der Tragödie?", and serve as a basis for classroom discussion.

Prüfungsmodalitäten: (1) Four one-page papers-due about once every other week; and either (2a) a ten-page final paper due before the end of the semester or (2b) a final oral-examination. All papers/exams/lectures will be written/conducted/held in English.