Abstract

This study is an attempt to understand Friedrich Nietzsche, perhaps the most unabashed critic of liberalism, and the modern condition by examining Nietzsche's insistence on maintaining a differentiation of the sexes. Over a century ago Nietzsche warned that the egalitarian and feminist movements threatened to homogenize society---a prospect that horrified him to no end. Nietzsche's underlying critique of egalitarianism is too serious to ignore. Nietzsche recognizes that establishing the proper the relations between the sexes constitutes a cardinal problem---for man, for woman, and for society at large. Although the dissertation is critical of Nietzsche's prescriptions in several instances , Nietzsche's criticisms are nevertheless worthy of serious scrutiny. Anyone who cares seriously about the future relations between the sexes, the equal treatment of man and woman, the fight for equal access to education, the condition of the family, or the possibility of fulfilling love between the sexes would be well-advised to engage Nietzsche's critique of the modern condition. The ultimate purpose of reading Nietzsche, the opponent of egalitarianism par excellence, is to formulate a defense of women's liberation and find a responsible notion of equal rights. Nevertheless, it may not be possible to find such a defense in his thought, since Nietzsche is no liberal democrat. The effort yields some intriguing results. Though Nietzsche does not offer much hope for the liberated woman, the dissertation concludes by making some suggestions for ennobling liberal democratic politics. My suggestions arise from considering the problems that Nietzsche helps to raise