Genealogies of Morals: Nietzsche’s Method Compared

Nietzsche is not the only philosopher to have proposed a genealogy of morals. Other historicizing moves can be found in the British moralist tradition and in Marxist political theory. This paper compares Nietzsche’s genealogical method to these other two, which are termed “utilitarian” and “materialist,” respectively. Contemporary adherents are also discussed, and some advantages of Nietzschean genealogy are adduced.