Episode 129: Donovan Miyasaki - Nietzsche's Immoralism and Politics after Morality
Aug 16, 2023
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Donovan Miyasaki, author of Nietzsche's Immoralism and Politics after Morality, discusses interpretations of Nietzsche's political philosophy, the concept of normativity in Nietzsche's work, the difference between qualitative and quantitative will to power, Nietzsche's influence on culture and the scholarly industry, and the contrast between the last man and the higher type in Nietzsche's philosophy.
Nietzsche's concept of the will to power can be used to explore new political paths and challenge traditional notions of nobility, greatness, and power.
Nietzsche's understanding of human nature allows for a nuanced perspective that supports a left-leaning politics prioritizing equality over traditional concepts of liberty.
Nietzsche's focus on politics as the primary concern challenges traditional moral and cultural solutions, advocating for changing material conditions rather than reshaping individuals' characters.
Deep dives
The Motivation for Writing the Two-Volume Project on Nietzsche
Donovan Miyazaki was initially interested in the concept of the will to power and its debate in scholarly literature. As he delved deeper into the topic, he discovered that his interpretation went against many existing views and contradicted Nietzsche's political sentiments. This contradiction intrigued him and prompted him to explore further. Miyazaki saw an opportunity to use Nietzsche's concept of the will to power, combined with his own political commitments, to explore different political possibilities that Nietzsche himself did not pursue. He wanted to make the case that Nietzsche's work could be used to open up new political paths and challenge the traditional notions of nobility, greatness, and power.
The Possibility of Optimism in Nietzsche's Psychology of the Will to Power
One of the intriguing aspects of Nietzsche's philosophy is the potential for his psychology of the will to power, which may imply a pessimistic view of social relationships and, by extension, politics, to actually lead to an optimistic view of human potential. Miyazaki questions the dichotomy between conservatives who claim to have a realistic and pessimistic view of human nature and left-leaning thinkers who are considered idealistic or overly optimistic. He suggests that Nietzsche's understanding of human nature doesn't neatly fit into either category. Nietzsche's psychological perspective allows for a more complex and nuanced understanding of human potential. Miyazaki explores the idea that a realistic and semi-pessimistic view of human nature, influenced by Nietzsche's will to power, could actually support a left-leaning politics that prioritizes equality over traditional concepts of liberty.
Distinguishing a Democratic Approach to Nietzsche from Other Interpretations
Miyazaki distinguishes his democratic approach to Nietzsche from other left-leaning interpretations, particularly those that align Nietzsche's philosophy with a liberal vein. While he agrees with previous scholars who aim to extract a democratic possibility from Nietzsche's work, he emphasizes an egalitarian approach to democracy, prioritizing equality over liberalism. Miyazaki argues that Nietzsche's concept of resistance and struggle challenges traditional liberal concepts of freedom, which focus on the absence of interference. He proposes a non-liberal approach, where egalitarianism becomes the basis for establishing the right relationships of power, providing different political possibilities that Nietzsche himself actively resisted.
Challenging the Notion of Nietzsche as a Moralistic Philosopher
Donovan Miyazaki challenges the common perception of Nietzsche as a moralistic philosopher who is engaged in developing his own moral vision and justification. Miyazaki argues that Nietzsche's focus is not on morality, but on moralism. He suggests that Nietzsche rejects the attempt to persuade individuals to fundamentally change themselves, as it goes against his understanding of the human nature and the will to power. Miyazaki sees Nietzsche's project as a political philosophy, where politics becomes the primary concern, and traditional moral and cultural solutions are seen as dead ends. He proposes a shift towards politics that focuses on changing material conditions, promoting different forms of social orders that align with Nietzsche's understanding of power and resistance, rather than attempting to reshape individuals' characters.
Amor Fati: The Intrinsically Satisfying Existence
The podcast explores the concept of 'Amor Fati,' which translates to a love of fate and encompasses the idea of finding intrinsic satisfaction in one's existence. The speaker emphasizes the importance of balancing power and resistance to achieve a state where one is powerful enough but not too overpowering. This concept rejects the need for external justifications or meaning in life and highlights the value of enjoying activities for their own sake. By embracing amorphaty, individuals can find fulfillment without the need for external validation or justification.
The Qualitative Will to Power and Egalitarianism
The podcast discusses the concept of the qualitative will to power and its relationship to egalitarianism. It suggests that the true measure of power lies in the activity and resistance one encounters, rather than in external comparisons or achievements. The ideal is described as a world of players rather than gamers, where individuals seek challenging activities and equal competitors, finding meaning in the process of resistance rather than solely focusing on winning. This perspective challenges the conventional notions of excellence and encourages an egalitarian approach that prioritizes the intrinsic value of engagement and resistance.
A conversation with Donovan Miyasaki about his recent two-volume project, Nietzsche's Immoralism: Politics as First Philosophy (Palgrave) and Politics after Morality: Toward a Nietzschean Left (Palgrave).
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