PHIL 320 - Seminar in the History of Philosophy

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2017/18b: Nietzsche and Morality. In this seminar we study several works from the last decade of Nietzsche’s productive life, in which he wages his notorious “campaign against morality” (Ecce Homo, “Daybreak,” 1). These are some of the questions that guide our reading: What is the precise target of Nietzsche’s critique of morality? What are the various strategies he employs to attack it? Does Nietzsche succeed in undermining our faith in morality? What, even, are the criteria for a successful campaign? Finally, does Nietzsche offer a new set of values to replace the old, “moral” values that he hopes some of his readers will leave behind? Christopher Raymond.

Prerequisites: upper-level Philosophy courses or permission of the instructor.

One 3-hour period.