Nietzsche and Morality | The Higher Man and The Herd | Academy of Ideas
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updated 21 Aug 2023
Friedrich Nietzsche's contemplation of the impact of morality and the rise of an "anti-natural" morality form the basis of this transcript. Nietzsche criticizes the dominant moral judgments of good and evil that have prevailed in Western civilization for the past two millennia. He identifies the dangers of an anti-natural morality and explores the impact of this morality on different types of individuals: the higher man and the herd.
Nietzsche challenges the uncritical acceptance of moral values and questions why certain actions are considered morally good or evil.
He warns against an "anti-natural" morality that turns against life's instincts and stifles the potential for greatness and splendor in individuals.
The dominant morality in the West, according to Nietzsche, pressures individuals into becoming smaller, more conformist, and less ambitious.
Nietzsche's concerns about anti-natural morality center on its potential to lead to mediocrity, comfort-seeking, and the loss of individual greatness.
Categorizing Individuals: Higher Man vs. Herd:
Nietzsche categorizes individuals into two main types: the higher human beings and the herd.
Higher human beings include creative geniuses and others with a unifying life project driven by the desire to actualize lofty goals.
Higher humans have a vast historical perspective and are willing to engage in work that may not offer short-term gratification but will have lasting effects.
Herd morality, driven by envy and resentment, seeks to bring down higher individuals and promote comfort and mediocrity. The herd consists of last men and slaves who are contemptible and weak.
The Perils of Herd Morality:
Herd morality suppresses the potential for greatness and creativity by pressuring individuals to conform to mediocrity.
Nietzsche warns that the dominant morality seeks to level down and negate higher values.
The higher man must resist herd morality and discover his own higher values that are unique to him.
Nietzsche recognizes the challenge of promoting higher values and warns against imposing these values on the herd, as they may not be understood or appreciated.
Conclusion:
Nietzsche's exploration of morality's impact on human potential and greatness continues to hold relevance today. His critique of anti-natural morality and his distinction between the higher man and the herd highlight the ongoing tension between individual excellence and societal pressure for conformity. Nietzsche's concerns about the dominance of herd morality remain a cautionary message about the potential dangers of stifling human potential and creativity in the pursuit of comfort and equality.