Single Idea 4409

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / A. Egoism / 1. Ethical Egoism]

Full Idea

It was only when aristocratic value judgements declined that the whole antithesis of "egoistic" and "unegoistic" obtruded itself more and more on the human conscience.

Clarification

"Egoism" is selfishness

Gist of Idea

Only the decline of aristocratic morality led to concerns about "egoism"

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], I.§02)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.26


A Reaction

But Aristotle, who is no aristocrat, has a balanced and sensible view of 'egoism', where it isn't the patronising arrogance that Nietzsche seems to like, but a proper concern with one's own character.