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Single Idea 23718
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 1. Existentialism
]
Full Idea
Scientists …do not defend any belief more strongly than that the strong are free to be weak, and the birds of prey are free to be lambs: - in this way, they gain the right to make the birds of prey responsible for being birds of prey.
Gist of Idea
If we say birds of prey could become lambs, that makes them responsible for being birds of prey
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], I.§13)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals', ed/tr. Diethe, Carol [CUP 1997], p.26
A Reaction
This is a flat rejection of the Sartrean idea that we can what sort of person we want to be. He cares about birds of prey, but also lambs can't become eagles. I would say that adolescents have a reasonable degree of choice about what they will become.
Related Idea
Idea 3844
Existentialism says man is whatever he makes of himself [Sartre]
The
27 ideas
from 'On the Genealogy of Morals'
3793
|
We must question the very value of moral values
[Nietzsche]
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4407
|
Plato, Spinoza and Kant are very different, but united in their low estimation of pity
[Nietzsche]
|
3259
|
Nietzsche rejects impersonal morality, and asserts the idea of living well
[Nietzsche, by Nagel]
|
23715
|
Psychologists should be brave and proud, and prefer truth to desires, even when it is ugly
[Nietzsche]
|
4408
|
The concept of 'good' was created by aristocrats to describe their own actions
[Nietzsche]
|
4409
|
Only the decline of aristocratic morality led to concerns about "egoism"
[Nietzsche]
|
4410
|
The truly great haters in world history have always been priests
[Nietzsche]
|
23716
|
A strong rounded person soon forgets enemies, misfortunes, and even misdeeds
[Nietzsche]
|
23717
|
Modern nihilism is now feeling tired of mankind
[Nietzsche]
|
23718
|
If we say birds of prey could become lambs, that makes them responsible for being birds of prey
[Nietzsche]
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4411
|
It is a delusion to separate the man from the deed, like the flash from the lightning
[Nietzsche]
|
2930
|
The main aim of philosophy must be to determine the order of rank among values
[Nietzsche]
|
23719
|
Forgetfulness is a strong positive ability, not mental laziness
[Nietzsche]
|
4414
|
Philosophers invented "free will" so that our virtues would be permanently interesting to the gods
[Nietzsche]
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4416
|
Basic justice is the negotiation of agreement among equals, and the imposition of agreement
[Nietzsche]
|
4415
|
Guilt and obligation originated in the relationship of buying and selling, credit and debt
[Nietzsche]
|
4417
|
Only that which has no history is definable
[Nietzsche]
|
23720
|
Punishment makes people harder, more alienated, and hostile
[Nietzsche]
|
4418
|
A masterful and violent person need have nothing to do with contracts
[Nietzsche]
|
20142
|
The state begins with brutal conquest of a disorganised people, not with a 'contract'
[Nietzsche]
|
23721
|
Old tribes always felt an obligation to the earlier generations, and the founders
[Nietzsche]
|
20129
|
All animals strive for the ideal conditions to express their power, and hate any hindrances
[Nietzsche]
|
4419
|
People who think in words are orators rather than thinkers, and think about facts instead of thinking facts
[Nietzsche]
|
23722
|
Objectivity is not disinterestedness (impossible), but the ability to switch perspectives
[Nietzsche]
|
4420
|
There is only 'perspective' seeing and knowing, and so the best objectivity is multiple points of view
[Nietzsche]
|
4421
|
Philosophers have never asked why there is a will to truth in the first place
[Nietzsche]
|
20143
|
Scientific knowledge is nothing without a prior philosophical 'faith'
[Nietzsche]
|