Krista Johansson

The New School for Social Research, EE. UU./Helsingin Yliopisto, Finlandia
PhD Candidate

Her MA thesis «The Role of the Body in the Philosphy of Friedrich Nietzsche» was completed at the University of Helsinki. Now she is continuing her research on Nietzsche in the Department of Philosophy at The New School for Social Research in New York City.

 

Abstract

 

The Thinking Body in the Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche

Throughout his works Nietzsche emphasizes the primacy of the body (Leib) and its methodological significance as the guiding thread (Leitfaden) for our philosophical investigations. In this paper I examine the relationship between mind and nature by focusing on Nietzsche’s conception of the body, in particular his enigmatic remarks on bodily thinking. I ask what does Nietzsche mean when, for example, in Also Sprach Zarathustra and Die Fröhliche Wissenschaft he states that the body is «the great reason» or «great intelligence» and that «man, like every living being, thinks continually without knowing it»? I approach this question by tracing the development of Nietzsche’s view throughout his works. In addition I will relate Nietzsche’s idea of bodily thinking to current, interdisciplinary research on the body. By doing this I show that Nietzsche’s writings can be seen as anticipating contemporary conceptions of the bodily dimensions in the formation of self-awareness and consciousness.

 

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