Outline How Nietzsche and Foucault Have Documented How the Meanings of Certain Concepts Transform as They Progress Through History
Both Nietzsche and Foucault have documented how the meanings of certain concepts transform as they progress through history. In Nietzsche’s case, this can be seen most vividly within his documentation of the changing concepts of morality presented in his work ‘On The Genealogy of Morals.’ This publication traces episodes within the development of moral valuations and, indeed, notes how changing concepts of good and bad have altered as history has progressed. Similarly, in ‘Madness and Civilisation,’ Foucault records how the meaning of concepts have changed over time, although he focuses on changing perceptions of unreason as a case study. Both Nietzsche’s and Foucault’s writings provide an in-depth documentation of shifting historical perceptions, and both suggest some intriguing philosophical lessons that can be learned.
Nietzsche’s first essay within ‘On The Genealogy of Morals,’ entitled ‘ Good and Evil, Good and Bad,’ outlines how the valuations of good, bad and evil came to be perceived as they now so are. He begins the essay by denouncing the ‘English psychologists,’ whose utilitarian value system coloured moral valuations of the time (Nietzsche, 158). Nietzsche criticizes these psychologists, claiming they ‘have been quite deserted by the true spirit of history (Nietzsche ,159).’ None-the-less, he acknowledges the potency of their views, recognising that their utilitarian ideals, among other things, lie ‘at the root of that value system which civilised man has hitherto regarded with pride as the prerogative of all men (Nietzsche, 159).’ Nietzsche, recognising the need to challenge what he sees as incorrect, widely held valuations of moral language, goes on to provide his own account of the development of moral valuations, different to the ‘flawed’ account provided by the psychologists (Nietzsche, 161).
The psychologists seek to describe moral genealogy by explaining altruism in terms of the utility of altruistic actions. The utility of altruistic
Nietzsche’s first essay within ‘On The Genealogy of Morals,’ entitled ‘ Good and Evil, Good and Bad,’ outlines how the valuations of good, bad and evil came to be perceived as they now so are. He begins the essay by denouncing the ‘English psychologists,’ whose utilitarian value system coloured moral valuations of the time (Nietzsche, 158). Nietzsche criticizes these psychologists, claiming they ‘have been quite deserted by the true spirit of history (Nietzsche ,159).’ None-the-less, he acknowledges the potency of their views, recognising that their utilitarian ideals, among other things, lie ‘at the root of that value system which civilised man has hitherto regarded with pride as the prerogative of all men (Nietzsche, 159).’ Nietzsche, recognising the need to challenge what he sees as incorrect, widely held valuations of moral language, goes on to provide his own account of the development of moral valuations, different to the ‘flawed’ account provided by the psychologists (Nietzsche, 161).
The psychologists seek to describe moral genealogy by explaining altruism in terms of the utility of altruistic actions. The utility of altruistic