Abstract

The dissertation investigates the theme of life in Nietzsche's philosophy. Specifically, it examines his intention of reading the human, in its basic activity of valuing, from the standpoint or perspective of life. I argue that through the various ways Nietzsche figures the relationship between man and life the human is posed both as an object of strong critique and as ultimately affirmed. A central aim of the thesis is to elucidate the tension between critique and affirmation in the texts. ;The first three chapters discuss major issues in Nietzsche's thought . In each chapter I use the theme of life as an exegetical guide to the issue discussed and go on to show difficulties for many of the ways these issues have been treated in the secondary literature. Chapter 4 considers the important notion of Abfall in the German philosophical tradition and how this concept is retained and revised in Nietzsche's philosophy. These discussions lead to the thesis' major claim, that to follow the theme of life in the texts is to understand Nietzsche's views as a form of pessimism, what he himself asserts as his "Dionysian pessimism." Establishing and appreciating this point is the primary concern of the dissertation