Genealogies of Morals: Nietzsche's Method Compared

2016/07/01 by Jesse Prinz · 97 citations
Arts and Humanities · Psychology · #Epistemology #Law #Marxist philosophy #Materialism #Philosophical Ethics and Theory #Philosophy #Philosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism #Political science #Politics #Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, and Politics

paper · doi:10.5325/jnietstud.47.2.0180

published in The Journal of Nietzsche Studies 47(2), 180-201 (Penn State University Press)

openalex publication_date 2016/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

ABSTRACT Nietzsche is not the only philosopher to have proposed a genealogy of morals. Other historicizing moves can be found in the British moralist tradition and in Marxist political theory. This paper compares Nietzsche's genealogical method to these other two, which are termed “utilitarian” and “materialist,” respectively. Contemporary adherents are also discussed, and some advantages of Nietzschean genealogy are adduced.

Citations

• The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State
• On the Origins of Gender Roles: Women and the Plough*
• The Evolution of Reciprocal Altruism

Cited by

• Philosophical methodology [wikipedia]

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