Animal in Nietzsche\'s Philosophy: A Prolegomena to the Naturalisation of Human Values

Abstract

Articulating his philosophical aims, Nietzsche has exploited animal similes and metaphors (i.e. fables, in a more technical term). It should be noted that he has not stepped on this style with the mere intention of splurge or embellishing his work with tropes but, instead, has reflected upon 'animality' or 'being animal' of human being. However, he considers the animality of humankind as different from the Aristotelian notion of 'rational animal'. Based on the notion of animality in its biological sense, he puts forward a project through which human existence can be linked to Nature. Furthermore, on the basis of the notion of 'animality' borrowed from Nature, he tries to re-define humanity and also restitute its true authentic meaning that is, to naturalise its correlative values. Explaining animality and specifying its place within the Nietzschean system of thought, this paper aims to set forth the animality of humankind in a different way.

Keywords

• animality
• biology
• animal metaphor and simile
• naturalisation of values
• Nietzsche