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Arguably Sÿren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche are the two most significant moral philosophers of the nineteenth century, their works showing a remarkably trenchant and penetrating awareness of key ethical issues, while demonstrating a stylistic flair that is rare in philosophical writing. Angier argues that, despite the perceived stylistic opacity of these thinkers, their work does admit of comparison and rigorous analytic scrutiny which in turn yields new and significant insights into their philosophy. In this book Angier expounds the view that Kierkegaard both anticipated, and subjected to detailed critique, Nietzsche's central arguments in moral philosophy, exposing the weaknesses of what were to become the core Nietzschean positions and realizing the powerful attraction for people that these ideas would have. Angier brings this critique to our modern attention and defends the prefigured Kierkegaardian critique of Nietzsche.
List of contents
Contents: Preface; Introduction: Kierkegaard and Nietzsche vis-Ã -vis the analytic tradition. Part 1 Kierkegaard contra Nietzsche: Foreword; Kierkegaard's challenge; From aestheticism to ethics; From ethics to religion. Part 2 Truth and Communication: Foreword; Truth; Communication. Conclusion: equality and power; Recommended reading; Bibliography; Index.
About the author
Tom P.S. Angier is Research Fellow at the Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto, Canada.
Summary
Arguably Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche are the two most significant moral philosophers of the nineteenth century, their works showing a remarkably trenchant and penetrating awareness of key ethical issues, while demonstrating a stylistic flair that is rare in philosophical writing. Angier argues that, despite the perceived stylistic opacity of these thinkers, their work does admit of comparison and rigorous analytic scrutiny which in turn yields new and significant insights into their philosophy. In this book Angier expounds the view that Kierkegaard both anticipated, and subjected to detailed critique, Nietzsche's central arguments in moral philosophy, exposing the weaknesses of what were to become the core Nietzschean positions and realizing the powerful attraction for people that these ideas would have. Angier brings this critique to our modern attention and defends the prefigured Kierkegaardian critique of Nietzsche.
Additional text
’... this is a worthwhile and interesting study... Angier is to be commended for his contribution to a fascinating debate which others will hopefully take further.’ Ars Disputandi ’... Either Kierkegaard/Or Nietzsche has exceptional worth for analytical moral philosophy, especially for those readers interested in the value theory...’ University of Toronto Quarterly ’The arguments are strong, and the interactions between the fine points of these two thinkers is thoughtful and provocative... Angier's book has the potential to be valuable and relevant for various Christians interested in contemporary philosophy. It is valuable for those interested in either of these fascinating figures and in thinking about postmodernity...’ Stone-Campbell Journal ’In sum, this book is eloquently written and the scope of its argument ambitious and impressive. It will be of interest to Kierkegaard and Nietzsche scholars, to those with an interest in narrative theory, and to anyone looking for a novel approach in contemporary moral philosophy. It also contains a useful reading list of what Angier takes to be the best analytic treatments of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. Angier's book ranks amongst those that are thought provoking, and for that I recommend it.’ Review in Philosophy
