ASCETICISM AND GAIA SCIENCE IN "GENEALOGY OF MORAL" BY NIETZSCHE

This paper argues that Nietzsche develops the idea of a lifeaffirming, joyful science as a possible result of a cultural history of ascetism and sublimation. The closing sections of "On the Genealogy of Morals" introduce a distinction between normal and idealist science and discuss their respective relation to ascetism. The practice of normal scientific labour and the idealistquest for truth both reveal the lack of autonomous ideals. An analysis of his hypothetical and instrumentalist understanding of knowledge-claims shows (against Charles Larmore) that Nietzsche's discussion of truth is not selfrefuting. Nietzsche is no enemy of science but assumes a privileged position for philosophy in the hierarchy of disciplines within a broader context of cultural emancipation.