Book
The Problem of Affective Nihilism in Nietzsche (Palgrave 2020)
Nietzsche is perhaps best known for his diagnosis of the problem of nihilism. Though his elaborations on this diagnosis often include descriptions of certain beliefs characteristic of the nihilist (such as beliefs in the meaninglessness or worthlessness of existence), he just as frequently specifies a variety of affective symptoms experienced by the nihilist that weaken their will and diminish their agency. This psychological dimension to nihilism, however, remains drastically underexplored. In this book, I offer a comprehensive account of affective nihilism that draws on Nietzsche’s drive psychology, especially his reflections on affects and their transformative potential. After exploring Nietzsche’s account of affectivity and the phenomenon of affective nihilism, I argue that affective nihilism might be overcome by employing a variety of Nietzschean strategies: experimentation, self-narration, and self-genealogy.
The Problem of Affective Nihilism in Nietzsche (Palgrave 2020)
Nietzsche is perhaps best known for his diagnosis of the problem of nihilism. Though his elaborations on this diagnosis often include descriptions of certain beliefs characteristic of the nihilist (such as beliefs in the meaninglessness or worthlessness of existence), he just as frequently specifies a variety of affective symptoms experienced by the nihilist that weaken their will and diminish their agency. This psychological dimension to nihilism, however, remains drastically underexplored. In this book, I offer a comprehensive account of affective nihilism that draws on Nietzsche’s drive psychology, especially his reflections on affects and their transformative potential. After exploring Nietzsche’s account of affectivity and the phenomenon of affective nihilism, I argue that affective nihilism might be overcome by employing a variety of Nietzschean strategies: experimentation, self-narration, and self-genealogy.
Books (under contract)
What Doesn't Kill Me: Living Better with Nietzsche (under contract with Princeton University Press)
Nietzsche on Nihilism (under contract with Cambridge University Press)
Selected published or forthcoming papers
“Nietzschean Decadence as Agential Disunity.” in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. (forthcoming)
"Sexism is Exhausting: Nietzsche on the Affective Dynamics of Sexist Oppression" in Nietzsche and Politicized Identities. (2024)
"Morality and Feeling Powerful: Nietzsche's Power-based Sentimental Pragmatism" in Inquiry. Online-first access. (2023)
"Nietzsche on the Sociality of Emotional Experience" in the European Journal of Philosophy. Online-first access. (2022)
"Making Knowledge the Most Powerful Affect: Overcoming Affective Nihilism" in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. Volume 50, Issue 2. (2019)
"On the Problem of Affective Nihilism" in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. Volume 49, Issue 1. (2018)
"Environmental Nihilism: Reading Nietzsche against New Conservationism" in Environmental Philosophy. Volume 17, Issue 2. (2017)
Papers in progress
"Stubborn Social Emotions and their Harms" (under review)
"Nietzsche on the Psychological Construction of Emotion" (draft available upon request)
"Emotional Dominance and Psychological Decadence in Nietzsche" (draft available upon request)
Paper on loneliness and extremism (draft available upon request)
Paper on self-ignorance and knowing what one wants (draft)
Paper critiquing Heidegger’s interpretation of Nietzsche (in progress, under contract for an anthology to be published with Cambridge University Press)
Paper on loneliness and responsiveness in loving relationships (in progress)
What Doesn't Kill Me: Living Better with Nietzsche (under contract with Princeton University Press)
Nietzsche on Nihilism (under contract with Cambridge University Press)
Selected published or forthcoming papers
“Nietzschean Decadence as Agential Disunity.” in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. (forthcoming)
"Sexism is Exhausting: Nietzsche on the Affective Dynamics of Sexist Oppression" in Nietzsche and Politicized Identities. (2024)
"Morality and Feeling Powerful: Nietzsche's Power-based Sentimental Pragmatism" in Inquiry. Online-first access. (2023)
"Nietzsche on the Sociality of Emotional Experience" in the European Journal of Philosophy. Online-first access. (2022)
"Making Knowledge the Most Powerful Affect: Overcoming Affective Nihilism" in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. Volume 50, Issue 2. (2019)
"On the Problem of Affective Nihilism" in the Journal of Nietzsche Studies. Volume 49, Issue 1. (2018)
"Environmental Nihilism: Reading Nietzsche against New Conservationism" in Environmental Philosophy. Volume 17, Issue 2. (2017)
Papers in progress
"Stubborn Social Emotions and their Harms" (under review)
"Nietzsche on the Psychological Construction of Emotion" (draft available upon request)
"Emotional Dominance and Psychological Decadence in Nietzsche" (draft available upon request)
Paper on loneliness and extremism (draft available upon request)
Paper on self-ignorance and knowing what one wants (draft)
Paper critiquing Heidegger’s interpretation of Nietzsche (in progress, under contract for an anthology to be published with Cambridge University Press)
Paper on loneliness and responsiveness in loving relationships (in progress)