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Nietzsche, Culture and the Fiction of the Artist

ABSTRACT This article enquires into the rationale of cultural studies from a Nietzschean perspective. Contrary to some views, I will show that Nietzsche's writing is inimical to the aims of the institutional project of cultural studies. The central feature of my argument is Nietzsche's idea of the ‘reactive force’ of slave morality that separates an ‘active force’ from what it can do. This idea aptly describes the representation of power in cultural studies. The relationship between active and reactive forces in Nietzsche's philosophy is complex and certain nuances will be glossed over for want of space, but the aim is to show that ‘fiction’ plays a decisive role in this separation. In contrast to this, and drawing on Alexander Nehamas’ study of Nietzsche's philosophy, I will argue that the fictional character exemplifies what Nietzsche sees as the highest achievements of art and literature inasmuch as they can be understood as active forces. Whilst I do not examine the concept, this article can be understood as an apology for creativity.