A short course on Nietzsche's Psychological Theory

I'm thinking about hopefully doing another decal class either next Spring (2011) or the subsequent Fall (2011).

The course could be called "Nietzsche's Psychology": I have to locate the best passages in Nietzsche that talk about his psychological theory. Then the class would read through this selection and discuss it over the first three weeks. After that, the class would have twelve weeks to read and discuss some secondary literature, which should amount to about 7-8 articles.

Here are the passages from Nietzsche that I'm considering:

D: 109

GS:

BGE: 6,9, 12, 19, 20, 21, 36

GM: III:

TI: "The Four Great Errors"

(will add more and keep this updated)

Here is the secondary literature that I'm considering:

1. "The Case for Nietzschean Moral Psychology" by Knobe & Leiter

2. "Freud and Nietzsche on Sublimation" by Gemes

3. "Nietzsche's Theory of the Will" by Leiter

4. "Nietzsche on the Will: An Analysis of BGE 19" by Clark & Dudrick

5. "Nietzsche's Philosophical Psychology" by Katsafanas

6. "Nietzsche on Morality, Drives, and Human Greatness" by Janaway

7. "The Concept of Unified Agency in Nietzsche, Plato, and Schiller" by Katsafanas

If you had to choose a few awesome articles on Nietzsche's psychological theory, which would you choose? (I can include chapters and passages from books as well.)

I'd appreciate any suggestions on good passages in Nietzsche or on good articles of secondary literature.

Also, what would be a good name for the course? (e.g. Nietzsche's Psychology, Nietzsche's Psychological Theory, Nietzsche's Psychoanalytic Theory...?)

Ugh...and I can't wait for the Clark & Dudrick book, Nietzsche's Magnificent Tension of the Spirit!!

Recent Discussions on the Secondary Literature

Regarding Consciousness and Moral Responsibility, Leiter has posted about the article "Nietzsche's Philosophical Psychology" (written by Paul Katsafanas). Here is the discussion, and check the comments section for Katsafanas's response. Also, here is Leiter's follow-up post in response to the commentary.

Leiter has also recently posted about the article "Nietzsche, the Self, and the Disunity of Philosophical Reason" (written by Sebastian Gardner). Read that here.

New Blog

This blog will now contain most of my personal thoughts, news, and less organized investigations.

My new blog: Narziss & Nietzsche, will focus strictly on discussing Nietzsche's texts and the secondary literature.

Publications I'm looking forward to!

There are several forthcoming and recent publications that I'm really looking forward to acquiring. Some of the currently published ones only have a hardcover version published at a ridiculous price for a student; hopefully, inexpensive paperback versions will soon become available. Considering my main interest in philosophy is in the 19th-century (esp. Nietzsche) and in psychological theory (esp. Nietzsche's drive theory), this looks to be a very good year for my reading.

19th-Century:

1. The Routledge Companion to Nineteenth Century Philosophy.

This text discusses German Idealism, philosophy as political action (incl. young Hegelians, Marx, and Tocqueville), rethinking the subject (incl. Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche), engaging naturalism (incl. Darwinism, experimental psychology, and Neo-Kantianism), Utilitarianism, American Pragmatism, and new directions in philosophy of mind and logic (incl. Prentano, Frege, and Husserl). The 960 page text includes an essay on Nietzsche by the well known Nietzsche scholar Ken Gemes. (Hardcover)

2. Thinking the Unconscious: Nineteenth Century German Thought.

This text traces the development of pre-Freudian ideas on the nature of the unconscious. This text seems vital as a historical source on the development of psychology as well as for understanding the nineteenth century in which such ideas were beginning to flourish. The 376 page text includes an essay by Sebastian Gardner as well as an essay by the well known Nietzsche scholar Christopher Janaway on Schopenhauer. (Hardcover)

Nietzsche:

1. The (New) Oxford Handbook of Nietzsche.

I have been looking forward to this text for quite some time, which will include an essay by Paul Katsafanas.

2. Cambridge Critical Guide to Nietzsche's On The Genealogy of Morality.

I am looking forward to this compilation, which will include an essay by Brian Leiter.

3. Nietzsche, Psychology, and First Philosophy.

As commented on by Janaway, this book aims "to place Nietzsche's project in light of the earlier French moralistes" including La Rouchefoucault and Montaigne. Robert Pippin's book will be a very interesting addition for any student or professor interested in Nietzsche. (Hardcover)

4. Nietzsche, Naturalism, and Normativity.

Another forthcoming compilation edited by and with an essay by Christopher Janaway.

Nietzsche's Hammer DeCal

The website for the Nietzsche DeCal is now available with details on the course.

Nietzsche on Mind and Nature

Keynote speeches and special session given at the international conference 'Nietzsche on Mind and Nature', held at St. Peter's College, Oxford, 11-13 September 2009, organized by the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford.

Audio / Video