Combining philosophical acuity, psychological insight, and a remarkably powerful prose style, Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morality remains an incisive attack on European "morality." David Owen provides a detailed analysis of the Genealogy, situating it in the context of the development of Nietzsche's philosophy as a whole, as well as providing a lucid account of Nietzsche's reasons for adopting a "genealogical" investigation of moral values. Highlighting the key features of Nietzsche's critique of morality and his call for a re-evaluation of values, Owen shows how the arguments and rhetoric of the Genealogy combine to undermine our modern understanding of moral agency.

A sophisticated and nuanced analysis of Nietzsche's great text, Owen's work is a distinctive and significant contribution to our understanding of a landmark work of western philosophy.