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Single Idea 20139
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites
]
Full Idea
Every elevation of the type 'man' has thitherto been the work of an aristocratic society - and so it will always be: a society which believes in a long scale of orders of rank and differences of worth between man and man, and needs slavery in some sense.
Gist of Idea
Only aristocratic societies can elevate the human species
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Beyond Good and Evil [1886], §257)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Beyond Good and Evil', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1973], p.173
A Reaction
The aim of 'elevating the type "man"' does not figure in works of political philosophy very much! I doubt whether one could base a political party on the idea, and win a general election. Could the people still be sold the idea of aristocracy?
The
36 ideas
from 'Beyond Good and Evil'
7080
|
Metaphysics divided the old unified Greek world into two
[Nietzsche, by Critchley]
|
7079
|
Nietzsche resists nihilism through new values, for a world of becoming, without worship
[Nietzsche, by Critchley]
|
23440
|
Nietzsche's judgement of actions by psychology instead of outcome was poisonous
[Foot on Nietzsche]
|
7078
|
The freedom of the subject means the collapse of moral certainty
[Nietzsche, by Critchley]
|
6869
|
Nietzsche thinks the human condition is to overcome and remake itself
[Nietzsche, by Ansell Pearson]
|
1568
|
Nietzsche felt that Plato's views downgraded the human body and its brevity of life
[Nietzsche, by Roochnik]
|
2860
|
The most boring and dangerous of all errors is Plato's invention of pure spirit and goodness
[Nietzsche]
|
2867
|
Christianity is Platonism for the people
[Nietzsche]
|
11090
|
Why do we want truth, rather than falsehood or ignorance? The value of truth is a problem
[Nietzsche]
|
20140
|
We shouldn't object to a false judgement, if it enhances and preserves life
[Nietzsche]
|
20355
|
The ranking of a person's innermost drives reveals their true nature
[Nietzsche]
|
7834
|
Great philosophies are confessions by the author, growing out of moral intentions
[Nietzsche]
|
2868
|
Nature is totally indifferent, so you should try to be different from it, not live by it
[Nietzsche]
|
2291
|
A thought comes when 'it' wants, not when 'I' want
[Nietzsche]
|
2871
|
Wanting 'freedom of will' is wanting to pull oneself into existence out of the swamp of nothingness by one's own hair
[Nietzsche]
|
20381
|
It is psychology which reveals the basic problems
[Nietzsche]
|
2872
|
In the earliest phase of human history only consequences mattered
[Nietzsche]
|
20137
|
The great person engages wholly with life, and is happy to endlessly relive the life they created
[Nietzsche]
|
2874
|
Man is the animal whose nature has not yet been fixed
[Nietzsche]
|
2875
|
That which is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil
[Nietzsche]
|
2876
|
The thought of suicide is a great reassurance on bad nights
[Nietzsche]
|
2877
|
Morality becomes a problem when we compare many moralities
[Nietzsche]
|
2859
|
The idea of the categorical imperative is just that we should all be very obedient
[Nietzsche]
|
2878
|
We see an approximation of a tree, not the full detail
[Nietzsche]
|
20134
|
Moralities extravagantly address themselves to 'all', by falsely generalising
[Nietzsche]
|
2879
|
In ancient Rome pity was considered neither good nor bad
[Nietzsche]
|
2880
|
The greatest possibilities in man are still unexhausted
[Nietzsche]
|
22394
|
Democracy diminishes mankind, making them mediocre and lowering their value
[Nietzsche]
|
2881
|
Virtue has been greatly harmed by the boringness of its advocates
[Nietzsche]
|
20139
|
Only aristocratic societies can elevate the human species
[Nietzsche]
|
20373
|
A healthy aristocracy has no qualms about using multitudes of men as instruments
[Nietzsche]
|
2882
|
Morality originally judged people, and actions only later on
[Nietzsche]
|
2883
|
Noble people see themselves as the determiners of values
[Nietzsche]
|
2884
|
The morality of slaves is the morality of utility
[Nietzsche]
|
20382
|
The four virtues are courage, insight, sympathy, solitude
[Nietzsche]
|
2885
|
The noble soul has reverence for itself
[Nietzsche]
|