The Ascetic Ideal: Genealogies of Life-Denial in Religion, Morality, Art, Science, and Philosophy

The Ascetic Ideal by Stephen Mulhall demonstrates how ethical-religious commitments influence seemingly unrelated cultural domains such as science, philosophy, and aesthetics. It explores Nietzsche's concept of the ascetic ideal and his genealogical method, showing how it can be used to understand the evolution and expansion of slave moral values in Western European culture. The book also highlights the contemporary significance of these developments and suggests ways to pursue ascetic values that avoid Nietzsche's criticisms and align with his own goals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "The Ascetic Ideal," Stephen Mulhall delves into the intricate connections between cultural domains that may appear to be disconnected from evaluative commitments, such as science and philosophy, or to involve non-moral values, such as aesthetics. Mulhall reveals that these seemingly disparate areas are, in fact, profoundly influenced by ethico-religious commitments, both positively and negatively. Through his comprehensive analysis, the book develops a novel interpretation of Nietzsche's concept of the ascetic ideal, which he employed to trace the evolution, mutation, and expansion of the slave moral values system, primarily associated with Judaeo-Christian religious belief, across various fields of Western European culture. This includes not only religion and morality but also aesthetics, science, and philosophy. Mulhall further offers an insightful interpretation of Nietzsche's genealogical method, aimed at rebutting standard criticisms of it and highlighting its potential for enhancing philosophical understanding more broadly.

The central focus of the book lies in the developments that occurred after Nietzsche's intellectual career, particularly in influential modes of thought and practice that have contemporary significance. The goal is not merely to argue for the merit of Nietzsche's diagnosis and critique but also to demonstrate that Nietzsche himself is significantly indebted to the ideals he criticizes. This opens up a possibility of synthesizing elements of his approach with those drawn from his target. Hence, the book also tracks various ways in which the object of Nietzsche's criticism has undergone further mutations, just as his genealogical method would suggest. In doing so, it generates alternative approaches to pursuing the values central to asceticism that avoid Nietzsche's criticisms and may even further his own goals.

Through his meticulous exploration, Mulhall sheds light on the complex interplay between culture, ethics, and religion, challenging our preconceived notions and illuminating the profound influence of ethico-religious commitments on our understanding of the world. "The Ascetic Ideal" is a seminal work that will engage scholars and thinkers alike, offering a fresh perspective on Nietzsche's thought and its relevance to contemporary debates.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192896889