Abstract

The aim of this paper is, firstly, to present some reasons why source criticism is a particularly promising methodological approach when applied to Nietzsche’s work. Starting from a first taxonomy, devoted to the various methodological approaches in the history of philosophy, I argue that source criticism is particularly well suited to dealing with Nietzsche’s work, due to the enthymematic nature of the ways he presents his arguments as well as to the nature of some of his substantive philosophical commitments (such as ethical perfectionism and descriptive fictionalism). Next, I propose a second taxonomy, which classifies the variety of connections Nietzsche establishes with his philosophical sources: spiritual affinity, programmatic commitment and instrumental appropriation.