Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2021
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Department/Major
Philosophy
First Advisor
Joseph Tinguely
Second Advisor
Zoli Filotas
Third Advisor
Nathan Bates
Keywords
Nietzsche, Foucault, Will to Power, Power, Ontology, Paradox, Perspectivism, The Genealogy of Morals
Subject Categories
Applied Ethics | Comparative Philosophy | Continental Philosophy | Epistemology | Metaphysics | Philosophy of Mind
Abstract
This thesis investigates a paradox at the heart of Nietzsche and utilizes Foucault as an instrument to understand this dilemma. The paradox is the synthesis of Nietzsche's doctrine of perspectivism and his ontological doctrine of the will to power. Put simply his doctrine of perspectivism says there can be no ontological facts yet Nietzsche articulates the will to power as an ontological matter of fact. This thesis explores the "First Essay" of Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morals to demonstrate the existence of this paradox. Further, I will conduct a Foucauldian cross-examination to further flesh out this paradox, where and why it arises, and what it means for philosophy.
Recommended Citation
Ray, Nicholas R., "Nietzsche, Foucault, Power: A Study of Paradox and Ontology in Nietzsche" (2021). Honors Thesis. 143.
https://red.library.usd.edu/honors-thesis/143
Included in
Applied Ethics Commons, Comparative Philosophy Commons, Continental Philosophy Commons, Epistemology Commons, Metaphysics Commons, Philosophy of Mind Commons