Single Idea 20103

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / d. Virtue theory critique]

Full Idea

You had to become your own master, and also the master of your own virtues. Previously, your virtues were your master; but they must be nothing more than your tools.

Gist of Idea

You are mastered by your own virtues, but you must master them, and turn them into tools

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Human, All Too Human [1878], 006)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Human, All Too Human', ed/tr. Faber,Marion [Penguin 1994], p.9


A Reaction

What on earth would Aristotle make of that? Nietzsche offers a sort of metatheory for virtues. I take this to be a form of particularism - that you live by your virtues, but occasionally you can discard a virtue if it seems right. Lie, steal...