Concept
Genealogy (philosophy)
Overview
In philosophy, genealogy is a historical technique in which one questions the commonly understood emergence of various philosophical and social beliefs by attempting to account for the scope, breadth, or totality of discourse, thus extending the possibility of analysis. Moreover, a genealogy often attempts to look beyond the discourse in question toward the conditions of their possibility (particularly in Michel Foucault's genealogies). It has been developed as a continuation of the works of Friedrich Nietzsche. Genealogy is opposed to the Marxist use of ideology to explain the totality of historical discourse within the time period in question by focusing on a singular or dominant discourse (ideology).
For example, tracking the lineages of a concept such as 'globalization' can be called a 'genealogy' to the extent that the concept is located in its changing constitutive setting. This entails not just documenting its changing meaning (etymology) but the social basis of its changing meaning.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
The three essays which constitute this genealogy are, as regards expression, aspiration, and the art of the unexpected, perhaps the most curious things that have ever been written. Dionysus, as you know, is also the god of darkness. In each case the beginning is calculated to mystify; it is cool, scientific, even ironical, intentionally thrust to the fore, intentionally reticent.
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, Ecce Homo Complete Works, Volume Seventeen
The chapter “"THE GENEALOGY OF MORALS: A POLEMIC"” is titled for Genealogy; states what Genealogy is.
It stands to reason that this must needs produce results which are removed from the truth by something more than a respectful distance. Have these current genealogists of morals ever allowed themselves to have even the vaguest notion, for instance, that the cardinal moral idea of "ought"[2] originates from the very material idea of "owe"? Or that punishment developed as a retaliation absolutely independently of any…
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.
The book is titled for Genealogy; the author is tied to Genealogy in the knowledge graph.
Position of man in the animal series—The natural system genealogical—Adaptive characters of slight value—Various small points of resemblance between man and the Quadrumana—Rank of man in the natural system—Birthplace and antiquity of man—Absence of fossil connecting links—Lower stages in the genealogy of man, as inferred, firstly from his affinities and secondly from his structure—Early androgynous condition of the…
Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex
The chapter “CHAPTER VI. ON THE AFFINITIES AND GENEALOGY OF MAN.” is titled for Genealogy; opens on Genealogy.
Philosophers who discussed Genealogy (philosophy)
Related ideas
- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Human sexuality
- Transcendence (philosophy)
- Archaeology
- Marxism
- Nihilism
- Morality
- Globalization
- Michel Foucault
- Etymology
- Linearity
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of German philosophy.