ABSTRACT
The structure of Part 1 is as follows. In chapter one, I explore a character-ideal central to Nietzsche's philosophical project - that of 'sovereign individuality' - along with Kierkegaard's anticipation and criticism of that ideal. I argue that this Nietzschean ideal can be understood in one of three ways: as a 'hyper-existentialist' ideal; as a biologistic ideal; or as a synthesis of these. Although this last alternative is philosophically the most cogent, and I think best reflects Nietzsche's own position, I go on to argue that it remains vulnerable and ultimately cannot be upheld. My argument throughout is crucially informed by Anti-Climacus' text, The Sickness unto Death, in which Nietzsche's character-ideal is subject to protracted criticism.
