Moral Meaning of Nature: Nietzsche's Darwinian Religion and Its Critics

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2018
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The profound implications of biological evolution for our understanding of religion, ethical values, and the very essence of life have been a subject of intense exploration and debate. In his groundbreaking work, The Moral Meaning of Nature, Dr. David Sloan offers a fresh perspective on this crucial topic, delving into the significance of an earlier, often overlooked, discussion of Darwin in late nineteenth-century Germany.

Beginning with Friedrich Nietzsche, whose writings sparked one of the earliest confrontations with the Christian tradition by harnessing the insights of Darwinian thought, we trace the evolution of a lebensphilosophie, or "life-philosophy," that emerged from his engagement with evolutionary ideas. This philosophical movement drew responses from a host of influential thinkers, including Franz Overbeck, Georg Simmel, and Heinrich Rickert, each of whom offered insightful critiques of Nietzsche's appropriation of the newly transforming biological sciences, his negotiation between science and religion, and his interpretation of the implications of Darwinian thought.

At the core of this discussion lay debates about the relationship between facts and values, the role of divine purpose in understanding the agency of both nonhuman and human beings, the concept of life itself, and the possibility of the sciences providing resources to fulfill the human quest for finding value in biological processes. The Moral Meaning of Nature takes us on a historical journey, illuminating the complex ways in which these questions have echoed through contemporary philosophical discourse.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Dr. Sloan uncovers the rich tapestry of ideas and arguments that shaped this earlier discussion, shedding light on the ways in which they continue to inform our understanding of religion, ethics, and the meaning and purpose of life today. By exploring the historical roots of these questions, he provides a valuable framework for navigating the complex terrain of contemporary philosophical debates and offers insights that can deepen our appreciation of the profound implications of biological evolution for our world.

Weight: 398g
Dimension: 211 x 236 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226539751