In the first essay of his book On the Genealogy of Morality, Friedrich Nietzsche discusses the origins and the evolution of morality. His discussion leads to two central themes that become the driving force for his characterization of people's perception of "good" and "bad", master morality and slave morality. Master morality according to Nietzsche is the system of values and principles that is held by noble or powerful people[GM,I,3]. Their concept of morality is characterized by valuing strength, wealth and happiness as "good" and weakness and destitution as "bad". The priests and the poor who abide by slave morality on the other hand detest master morality due to the fact that they perceive the noble as the oppressors and thus develop a sense of anger towards their existence. .
Two important characteristics that are a byproduct of these systems are the concept of depth of thought and the valuation of an adherence to structure as opposed to the free-will of an individual[GM,II,10-12]. According to Nietzsche, masterful people display a sense of contempt and indifference to their "bad" of slavish counterparts while the slaves develop a strong sense of resentment and blame the masters for their own sufferings. This particular struggle leads to slavish as building a strong sense of passion and depth in thought while the masters are only consumed in gratification and a pursuit of happiness [GM,II,11]. Looking at these particular ideas through literary pieces offers a new dimension to the ideas of slave morality and master morality. The works of Poetics by Aristotle and Medea by Euripides offer contrasting styles possessed by both authors who each respectively show a strong sense of slave morality and master morality. Euripides' work is characterized by a flair for the dramatic and a sense of open-mindedness towards what a tragedy must be like while Aristotle surgically breaks down piece by piece what it takes to write an effective tragedy.
In Section 15 of the First Essay of the Genealogy of Morality, Thomas Aquinas talks a fair bit about Christianity. Nietzsche expresses his thoughts about it, and shares his opinions on Christianity. He talks about what he believes the true motivation behind the Christian belief is, and why people ch...
Both use morality as the basis for their argument and at their core, struggle with the concept, how it came to exist in society, and how it came to govern our present. ... For Nietzsche, morality is a concept developed by society. His "thesis, particularly that of slave morality, is one of the operation of desire, and of history. " He argues, "Morality challenges the belief in age which adds up to the challenge in the belief that excellence can emerge from democracy. " Thus, for Nietzsche, "democracy is a regression to progress. " On the other hand, for Freud morality is a natural process...
His view that Christian morality allows for the weak to take power, very often over the power of the strong, and this is completely "Anti-Nature,"" as he calls it. ... There is still discord on characteristic traits of the Übermensch, but it is generally assumed that he would have morality and virtue in accordance of that with Nietzsche, being of the master morality. ... On the Genealogy of Morals Another great field of philosophy that is pursued by Nietzsche is morality and ethics. He examines most thoroughly values of morality by comparison to that of "Master- and "Slave- morality. ......
In On the Genealogy of Morality, Nietzsche introduces two types of morality: "master morality " and "slave morality. " Master morality, as the term itself indicates, is the morality of the masters, nobles, and warriors who view themselves and their actions as "good. " Hence, such attributes or qualities as strength, wealth, and power are considered good. ... Slave morality originates in the weak. As the inverse of master morality, slave morality is thus characterized by pessimism; it does not seek to exert one's will by strength and defeat the masters. ... Using Nietzsche's concepts ...
Although Nietzsche was strongly against the Christian moral sentiment and German nationalism, Nietzsche himself is just as guilty for he himself was a master of manipulation with his work Genealogy of Morals. However, Nietzsche covers himself of this hypocrisy when he said "every artist arrives at the ultimate pinnacle of his greatness only when he comes to see himself and his art beneath him-when he knows how to laugh at himself" (Genealogy of Morals 99.) ... After a brief discussion of Wagner, Nietzsche concludes that we can learn little about the meaning of ascetic ideals from artists, b...
Marx's ideal of human emancipation, Marx's critique of contemporary morality and religion. ... In contrast, Nietzsche's On Genealogy of Morality argues that history has no underlying value and is ultimately meaningless when attempting to steer contemporary times. ... Because Nietzsche expresses strong individualist views throughout the Genealogy of Morality, he believes society must be rid of this idea of universal truth and inherit ideals of individual truth. ... In comparison to Marx, Nietzsche also believes morality is subjective to the historic era and is ultimately a manmad...
In Genealogy of Morality, Nietzsche argues that there is a distinction between the morality of the nobles and the slaves who are powerless, low-minded, and common compared to the nobles. ... By contrast, Goneril and Regan fit in the idea of slave morality. ... Another character that features Nietzsche's noble morality concept is King Lear. ... By contrast, Goneril and Regan are the ones who feature slave morality. ... The concept of noble morality and slave morality is not comparable because in Nietzsche's opinion they are different concepts. ...
Those who attempt, but do not follow through in understanding the ideas and views from his book Genealogy of Morals, do not create the opportunity to appreciate the interesting concepts expressed. ... A very well-known thinking of Nietzsche is the contrast between "Master Morality- and "Slave Morality."" Master Morality is the contrast between "good- and "bad,"" and Slave Morality is the contrast between "good- and "evil."" ... In contrast, Master Morality is closer to the truth; although valid, and though many people would assume that, up to this point, Nietzsche would favor Master Morality,...
His work on morality and its limitations is described in his essay "On the Genealogy of Morals, " where he questions and critiques the value of our moral judgments based on a genealogical method whereby Nietzsche examines the origins and meanings of our different moral concepts. ... Nietzsche's theory derived from the hypothesis of what he calls "master morality " and "slave morality. " A person that is strong, healthy, intelligent, and free is considered a master of morality. ... Nietzsche had the idea that survival of the fittest would take over and that master morality should be the on...
