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Single Idea 20141

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / f. Übermensch ]

Full Idea

What distinguishes the higher human being from the lower is that the former see and hear immeasurably more, and see and hear thoughtfully - and precisely this distinguishes human beings from animals, and the higher animals from the lower.

Gist of Idea

Higher human beings see and hear far more than others, and do it more thoughtfully

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay (Joyful) Science [1882], §301)

Book Ref

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Gay Science', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1974], p.241

A Reaction

Since most people are well equipped with eyes and ears, I take it that this phenomenon, if true, arises from the 'higher' type of person having more interest in what they experience.

The 18 ideas with the same theme [moral visionaries as the source of ethical systems]:

4115 Plato found that he could only enforce rational moral justification by creating an authoritarian society [Williams,B on Plato]
5234 For the great-souled man it is sometimes better to be dead [Aristotle]
23358 Every species produces exceptional beings, and we must just accept their nature [Epictetus]
20138 Christianity is at war with the higher type of man, and excommunicates his basic instincts [Nietzsche]
23440 Nietzsche's judgement of actions by psychology instead of outcome was poisonous [Foot on Nietzsche]
2883 Noble people see themselves as the determiners of values [Nietzsche]
23208 Caesar and Napoleon point to the future, when they pursue their task regardless of human sacrifice [Nietzsche]
23193 Napoleon was very focused, and rightly ignored compassion [Nietzsche]
20141 Higher human beings see and hear far more than others, and do it more thoughtfully [Nietzsche]
4408 The concept of 'good' was created by aristocrats to describe their own actions [Nietzsche]
23716 A strong rounded person soon forgets enemies, misfortunes, and even misdeeds [Nietzsche]
14810 Originally it was the rulers who requited good for good and evil for evil who were called 'good' [Nietzsche]
20136 There is an extended logic to a great man's life, achieved by a sustained will [Nietzsche]
20358 The highest man can endure and control the greatest combination of powerful drives [Nietzsche]
20369 The highest man directs the values of the highest natures over millenia [Nietzsche]
8041 The superman is a monstrous oddity, not a serious idea [MacIntyre on Nietzsche]
20135 Nietzsche's higher type of man is much more important than the idealised 'superman' [Nietzsche, by Leiter]
18293 The noble man wants new virtues; the good man preserves what is old [Nietzsche]