Title
Nietzsche and Habermas on Wille zur Macht: From a Metaphysical to a Post-Metaphysical Interpretation of Life
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
In this article, Shea aims to overturn Jürgen Habermas's characterization of Nietzsche in The Philosophical Discourse of Modernity as a postmodern irrationalist. On Habermas's account, Nietzsche employs Wille zur Macht both as a principle by which to invalidate the claims of metaphysics and as a primordial " other " to reason that unmasks reason as an expression of domination. If Habermas's reading is correct, Nietzsche's work is ultimately incoherent since it either lapses back into metaphysics or puts forward a self-refuting anti-metaphysics. Contrary to Habermas, Shea argues that Nietzsche's theoretical inquiries result from a considered methodological decision on the part of Nietzsche to suspend metaphysical interpretations. For this reason, Wille zur Macht can be read as the fabrication of a post-metaphysical principle for interpreting life rather than as a purported insight into the ultimate nature of reality and thus as a genuine alternative to the trappings of both metaphysical and anti-metaphysical philosophies.
Recommended Citation
Shea, G. W., IV. (2016). Nietzsche and Habermas on Wille zur Macht: From a metaphysical to a post-metaphysical interpretation of life. In Sigridur Thorgeirsdottir & Helmut Heit (Eds.), Nietzsche Als Kritiker Und Denker der Transformation (pp. 134-144). Berlin: De Gruyter. Please note that the Recommended Citation may not be appropriate for your discipline. For help with other citation styles, please visit http://libguides.misericordia.edu/citationguide.