Herbert Spencer: A Case History of Nietzsche’s Conception of Decadence

Hurrell, David (2020). Herbert Spencer: A Case History of Nietzsche’s Conception of Decadence. Nietzsche-Studien, 49(1) pp. 171–196.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/nietzstu-2020-0008

Abstract

Nietzsche characterises some influential individuals – such as Socrates and Wagner – as ‘decadents’ because they promote life-inhibiting values that potentially undermine the flourishing of humanity. A clearly stated but less prominent example of such a decadent is Herbert Spencer. While Nietzsche’s observations concerning Spencer are far fewer than those on Socrates and Wagner, they still have considerably significance for understanding Nietzsche’s philosophy – particularly his views on morality and science – and consequently their role in his conception of decadence. This article argues that Nietzsche considers Spencer to be a decadent not just because of the latter’s advocating of a morality based on altruism, but also the projection of the decadent values of this morality as inevitable, as part of his belief in objective, scientific and sociological truths.

Viewing alternatives

Metrics

Item Actions

Export

You can export this page using these formats Digital Object Identifier - DOI