Back to TGE 1257 - Ethics in Applied Technology

Part 4I.2: Ethical Excavations (Nietzschean Ethics - Independent Exploration)

Authors: Clayn D. Lambert
License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Topic Outcomes

By the end of Part 4, you should be able to:

  • Excavate existing Nietzschean patterns in your personal reasoning (if choosing this module)

  • Analyze origins and development of your value-creation focused thinking (self-directed)

  • Navigate tensions between Nietzschean and other reasoning approaches (independently)

  • Apply self-directed archaeological analysis method to discover framework concepts (with minimal scaffolding)

  • Integrate Nietzschean insights into your ongoing conflict map (optionally, based on relevance)

Topic Summary

Excavate Existing Nietzschean Patterns in Personal Reasoning

Students will independently identify where value creation, perspectivism, and master/slave morality dynamics already appear in their ethical decision-making.

Evidence of Learning:

  • Takes initiative in recognizing existing tendencies toward creating personal values rather than accepting inherited moral systems

  • Identifies personal awareness of multiple perspectives on moral questions without predetermined frameworks

  • Discovers unconscious rejection of "herd morality" or conventional ethical expectations

  • Maps where perspectival reasoning conflicts with universal principle or objective truth approaches

Analyze Origins and Development of Nietzschean Thinking

Students will self-direct investigation into how their value-creation and perspectival reasoning patterns developed through personal experience.

Evidence of Learning:

  • Takes autonomous approach to connecting individual value-creation patterns to formative experiences or rebellious moments

  • Independently explains how rejection of inherited moral systems might have been shaped by personal history

  • Self-identifies sources of their approach to questioning moral authority and creating personal meaning

  • Recognizes experiential factors that encouraged skepticism toward universal moral claims

Navigate Tensions Between Nietzschean and Other Reasoning Patterns

Students will independently explore conflicts between value-creation thinking and moral universalism, care ethics, or social contract approaches.

Evidence of Learning:

  • Takes initiative in identifying specific conflicts between individual value-creation and collective moral agreements

  • Self-directs exploration of tensions between perspectivism and desire for moral certainty or community standards

  • Independently recognizes where Nietzschean logic conflicts with natural law universalism or utilitarian calculations

  • Analyzes situations where radical individualism feels isolating or socially destructive

Apply Self-Directed Archaeological Analysis Method to Philosophical Framework

Students will independently design and conduct excavation of Nietzschean concepts in their reasoning, with minimal external scaffolding.

Evidence of Learning:

  • Takes initiative in developing personalized approach to Nietzschean excavation based on conflict map needs

  • Creates original prompts and questions for AI-guided analysis rather than following provided templates

  • Engages in self-directed discovery with greater autonomy over the investigation process

  • Demonstrates independent assessment of whether Nietzschean analysis adds value to their ethical reasoning

Integrate Nietzschean Analysis into Ongoing Conflict Map (Optional)

Students may choose to add Nietzschean insights to their developing understanding of personal ethical complexity if the framework proves relevant to their dilemma.

Evidence of Learning:

  • Makes informed decision about whether Nietzschean analysis warrants inclusion in conflict map

  • Creates Nietzschean addendum only if it reveals significant patterns or tensions

  • Adds citations to existing conflict map if value-creation reasoning proves relevant

  • Builds cumulative analysis that selectively integrates frameworks based on personal relevance

Topic Sources

Topic Authors

Clayn D. Lambert