Crossword Genius

He thought Zen ethics misplaced (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nietzsche

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'he thought' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'zen ethics misplaced' is the wordplay.
'misplaced' indicates an anagram.
'zen'+'ethics'='zenethics'
'zenethics' is an anagram of 'NIETZSCHE'.

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(Other definitions for nietzsche that I've seen before include "Influential German existentialist philosopher" , "German philosopher, wrote Beyond Good and Evil" , "Friedrich -, nineteenth century German philosopher" , "German poet" , "German philosopher, d. 1900, noted for his concept of superman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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