Abstract
The Internalization Hypothesis (I.H.), as expressed in GM II 16 of On the Genealogy of Morals, is
the essential albeit under-theorized principle of Nietzsche’s psychology. In the following essay, I investigate
the purpose I.H. serves concerning Nietzsche’s theory of drives as well as the Hypothesis’s epistemic warrant. I
demonstrate that I.H. needs a Neo-Darwinian underpinning for two reasons: 1) to answer the Time-Crunch Problem
of Transformation, and 2) in order to render it coherent with Nietzsche’s physiological determinism as articulated
in Twilight of the Idols. My re-examination of I.H., then, serves to underwrite the Hypothesis on solid empirical
footing. In addition, my analysis provides further evidence to think that Brian Leiter’s initial (but naïve) type-fact
reading of Nietzsche’s philosophy of psychology is accurate, deterministic warts and all.