Nietzsche's `Anti-Naturalism' in `The Four Great Errors'

ISSN： 1466-4542

Source： International Journal of Philosophical Studies, Vol.21, Iss.2, 2013-05, pp. : 256-276

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Abstract

This paper is primarily a response to `analytically-minded' philosophers, such as Maudemarie Clark and Brian Leiter, who push for a `naturalistic' interpretation of Nietzsche. In particular, this paper will consider Leiter's (2007) discussion of Nietzsche's chapter in Twilight of the Idols</i>, `The Four Great Errors', and argue that Leiter has misinterpreted this chapter in at least four ways. I provide a superior interpretation of this chapter, which argues that Nietzsche is using a transcendental style of argument to argue against a common conception of causation. I argue that Nietzsche's ultimate aim of this chapter is to argue for `the innocence of becoming' rather than, as Leiter claims, the error of free will. I argue that this anti</i>-naturalist methodology and conclusion are in tension with Leiter/Clark's Nietzsche, and highlights the need to pay attention to the being/becoming distinction in Nietzsche.