U4 AOS1 - NIETZSCHE Flashcards
what does Nietzsche say about obedience in humans?
mankind has always existed in herds, and there’s always a small number who control while the rest obey.
As a result of this long history of obedience, the need to be commanded has been ingrained as a sort of innate quality in humans, who will eagerly and unconditionally seek out a command to follow. Ie. we look to be told to do something.
what does Nietzsche say is the implication of humans always living in herds and being obedient?
Neitzsche views this herd instinct as being responsible for decadence of society: It is the ‘extraordinary limitation of human development. Because of this need to obey, we hesitate, regress, and delay. It prevents us from moving forward and advancing. We lose the ability to make decisions and be independent, it holds us back.
what does nietzsche say commanders are actually doing?
‘modern hypocrisy of the commanding class’.
Even those who are meant to be commanders/leaders are actually obeying something else eg. a constitution, predecessors, the law, god, or they make decisions based on the current opinions of the herd.
what is the gregarious european man?
‘gregarious European man’ is someone who elevates the traits that are the result of the need to obey and benefit the herd - eg. public spirit, kindness, deference, temperance, modesty, sympathy, moderation -
These are traits that are useful to the herd and we call them ‘virtues’. We glorify these qualities and these are what we look for in a leader.
Every time we have a true leader, we get rid of them and replace them with someone who perpetuates these qualities.
But when we do have a real or unconditional commander, like Napoleon, it’s a blessing for society.
where does Nietzsche say morality comes from?
Neitzsche asserts that what is usually considered moral is that which preserves the herd, and what is considered immoral is that which threatens the herd. Ie. Right and wrong is based on maintenance of the community.
He is pointing out that there is not a consistent moral system and it’s constantly changing based on what is useful to the herd. Thus, it’s ultimately fear that determines what is considered moral. ‘Fear is the mother of morals’
what are the instincts that are distinguished by the herd as virtues?
Instincts, which are distinguished by the community as ‘virtues’ and seen as ‘morality’ are things like consideration, sympathy, fairness, mutual assistance, but really these are not moral, they are just what’s deemed beneficial for the preservation of the herd.
We call these instincts that benefit the herd virtues and exaggerate them to morality.
Things are only praised if they benefit the community. Good or bad based on impact on the herd.
Thus, moral judgements are tied to what the community views as threatening, in other words, moral judgements arise out of fear.
what does the herd label as evil according to Nietzsche?
when an individual acts on instincts other than what is sanctioned by the herd, and elevates above the herd, they are labelled as evil. As soon as there is an individual who rises above the herd, people fear for the consequence it may have for the preservation of the community and brand them as evil.
Additionally, under any peaceful circumstances, there is less need to cultivate the more dangerous, sterner instincts, and such instincts begin to trouble the conscience. Thus, those who are passive, mellow, and sheepish win respect.
what does Nietzsche say comes to dominate the herd in times of safety?
those who are passive, mellow, and sheepish win respect under any peaceful circumstances
He then claims that there is a point in which the mellowness and tenderness comes to dominate a society, and it will take the part of society that poses a threat and labels it as a criminal and punishes it.
what does Nietzsche say about punishment?
society will take the part of society that poses a threat and labels it as a criminal and punishes it.
However, everyone in the herd is disturbed by punishment and thinks it’s unfair or dreadful, so why do we still do it? Nietzsche says it’s because the herd wishes that there be nothing more to fear - this is the ultimate goal of society, we call eliminating things to be afraid of progress - so we would rather punish ‘criminals’ than face what may happen if we didn’t.
what does Nietzsche say about democracy?
He regards the democratic system as a degenerating form of political organisation, and see it as indicative of man’s decay and increasing mediocrity,
to Nietzsche who are the new philosophers/free spirits?
‘new philosophers’ are those who have the strength to re-evaluate the herd values and ‘teach man the future of man as will’.
These new philosophers see how bad democracy is for realising man’s potential and they carry huge pain because of this. To change the system they must be strong enough to bear the weight of such responsibility, but they will because the guilt of not doing anything is worse to them.
what modes of thinking does Nietzsche dislike?
Nietzsche questions the value of modes of thinking (eg. hedonism, pessimism, utilitarianism, or eudaimonism) that reduce assessments of value to pleasure and pain.
He says that in society, we seek pleasure and avoid pain, and we show sympathy for those suffering. However, he says we fail to recognise the significance of suffering to human greatness. Suffering produces all the elevations of humanity, it motivates us to become better,
what does Nietzsche say about moral philosophy?
Nietzsche acknowledges that moral philosophy up til now has a usefulness and place in philosophy but we should move forward. Philosophy simply is regurgitating old ideas. Debating ideas of right and wrong is not very useful now so we shouldn’t put too much effort into it as it just holds us back.
He says that moral philosophy fails to understand that no single principle can be applicable for all human beings
He claims that there is an order of rank between men and consequently what is right for one man cannot be right for another.
to Nietzsche what are qualities of the master morality?
goes with noble, strong willed people
Master morality originates in the ruling class. They determine what is good and noble and are held in high regard.
In the master morality perspective, noble = good, the way they see the world = good. Others = bad. For such individuals, good and bad are synonymous with noble and despicable respectively.
creators who are not victims to their reality, whilst being self controlled and resilient. They see themselves as good and slaves as bad. They are powerful and tough. They have control of their sympathy and pity those who pity suffering (they pity slave morality)
open-mindedness, courage, truthfulness, trust, and an accurate sense of one’s self-worth.
what are qualities of the slave morality?
Slave morality refers to those who are cowardly and timid and based on a reaction rather than action. They are humble and friendly. They pity those who experience suffering and see master morality as evil and themselves as good, they also believe that master morality happiness is disingenuous
Master morality sees the slave morality as bad because it’s despicable, slave morality sees master morality as evil becase they despise what they are able to do to them.
