The Proto-Ecophilosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche
John G. McGraw
Dialogue and Universalism 1995 DOI: 10.5840/du1995518 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Nietzsche's philosophy contains a proto-ecophilosophy, connecting doctrines such as self-overcoming, the will to power, "amor fati," and "fierism" to ecological concerns, and identifies three forms of nihilism hostile to it. |
Abstract
This paper sketches the relationship of Nietzsche's "Lebensphilosophie," panpsychism, animism, proto-existentialism and naturalism to contemporary ecologism/ecology. It considers his assaults on the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical foundations of anti-ecophilosophy. It connects some of his central doctrines, including self-overcoming, the will to power, "amor fati" and "fierism" (the metaphysics of becoming) to his proto-ecophilosophy and explores three kinds of nihilism which are particularly hostile to it. Finally, it notes Nietzsche's applied ecology-concems, including conservationism, preservationism and pollution.