Nietzsche's "On the Genealogy of Morality": A Critical Introduction and Guide

A philosophically sophisticated introduction to Nietzsche’s most widely read book, for readers coming to the text – and Nietzsche – for the first time Written by an internationally respected scholar who has worked with Nietzsche for years and knows his work very well Offers close textual analysis of how Nietzsche’s narrative and rhetorical strategies function as philosophical argument Provides a philosophically independent and fresh approach to the text Explains the methodological issues that Nietzsche raises with respect to psychological, social and historical phenomena Analyses Nietzsche’s entire philosophical enterprise, showing how the critique of moral values is related to concerns about agency, self-knowledge and truth Includes a chronology of Nietzsche's life and work, a glossary of key terms, an index of names and subjects and a guide to further reading Robert Guay provides the interpretive and philosophical context to help new readers of Nietzsche understand both On the Genealogy of Morality and Nietzsche's thought more widely. He shows how Nietzsche’s narratives engage with philosophical issues about agency, self-knowledge, historical explanation and the critique of morality. On the Genealogy of Morality has become the most common point of entry into Nietzsche’s thought. It offers relatively straightforward, sustained explanatory narratives addressing many of the main ideas of Nietzsche’s mature thought, such as will to power, nihilism, perspectivism, the value of truth and the critique of morality. At the same time, it is challenging to understand because Nietzsche intended it as an expansion and elaboration of his existing ideas.