Nietzschean foundations and anthropological potential of foucault’s aesthetics of existence

Abstract

The aim of this paper and its underlying research project is to be a contribution to the grounding of the Foucaldian concept of aesthetics of existence from an aesthetic and anthropological standpoint using two referents of the philosophical tradition: 1) the thoughts of Nietzsche, particularly his criticism of metaphysics and his aesthetic ontology, and 2) the ancient Greek-Roman philosophy on the art of living, namely the Stoic and Epicurean Hellenistic schools, particularly their conception of philosophy as a way of life and the notions of joy (Stoics) and pleasure (Epicureans). As an added value, we derive some aspects of the anthropological potential of this Foucauldian concept. Finally, we highlight the importance of cynicism during the final stages of Foucault’s works, the relationship between Cynics and the concept of aesthetics of existence. We also explain why these are not included in the concept’s theoretical grounds.