Bailey, Thomas W. (2003) Kant, Nietzsche, and the moral agent. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis examines Kant's and Nietzsche's treatments of the moral agent.
It argues for three broad conclusions. Firstly, it argues that, although Nietzsche's
explicit criticisms of Kant's conception of the moral agent can be understood only
in the context of Nietzsche's broader moral philosophy, neither these criticisms
nor their context are well understood by the prevailing literature. The thesis thus
engages with existing scholarship on the nature of Nietzsche's moral philosophy
and with the scanty literature on the relationship between Kant's and Nietzsche's
moral philosophies. Secondly, the thesis argues that Kant's conception of the
moral agent is not undermined by the criticisms which Nietzsche explicitly levels
at it, or, indeed, by others which are commonly made in Nietzsche's name. In
doing so, the thesis combines original interpretations of Kant with elements of
recent Kant scholarship. Finally, however, the thesis argues that neglected
elements of Nietzsche's own moral philosophy provide for a more sophisticated,
telling, and, indeed, original critical engagement with Kant's conception of the
moral agent is not undermined by the criticisms which Nietzsche explicitly levels
at it, or, indeed, by others which are commonly made in Nietzsche's name. In
doing so, the thesis combines original interpretations of Kant with elements of
recent Kant scholarship. Finally, however, the thesis argues that neglected
elements of Nietzsche's own moral philosophy provide for a more sophisticated,
telling, and, indeed, original critical engagement with Kant's conception of the
moral agent. Thus the thesis defends an original interpretation of Nietzsche's
moral philosophy and its critical relation to Kant's, and demonstrates the
pertinence of a certain neglected critical approach to Kant's conception of the
moral agent. On the basis of these conclusions, the thesis ultimately defends a
conception of the moral agent which, although Kantian, owes something to both
Kant and Nietzsche.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Criticism and interpretation, Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Criticism and interpretation, Ethics
Official Date:	December 2003
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Philosophy
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Houlgate, Stephen
Extent:	xiii, 308 leaves
Language:	eng

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