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Single Idea 23719
[filed under theme 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 4. Memory
]
Full Idea
Forgetfulness is not just a vis inertiae, as superficial people believe, but is rather an active ability to suppress, positive in the strongest sense of the word.
Clarification
'vis inertiae' is laziness
Gist of Idea
Forgetfulness is a strong positive ability, not mental laziness
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], II.§01)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals', ed/tr. Diethe, Carol [CUP 1997], p.35
A Reaction
It is unimpressive when people remember small slights and grievances for a long time - and even being owed small sums - so the ability to forget such things is admirable. But wilfully forgetting some things is obviously shameful.
Related Idea
Idea 23716
A strong rounded person soon forgets enemies, misfortunes, and even misdeeds [Nietzsche]
The
27 ideas
from 'On the Genealogy of Morals'
3793
|
We must question the very value of moral values
[Nietzsche]
|
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]
|
4409
|
Only the decline of aristocratic morality led to concerns about "egoism"
[Nietzsche]
|
4408
|
The concept of 'good' was created by aristocrats to describe their own actions
[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]
|
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]
|
4415
|
Guilt and obligation originated in the relationship of buying and selling, credit and debt
[Nietzsche]
|
4416
|
Basic justice is the negotiation of agreement among equals, and the imposition of agreement
[Nietzsche]
|
4417
|
Only that which has no history is definable
[Nietzsche]
|
23720
|
Punishment makes people harder, more alienated, and hostile
[Nietzsche]
|
20142
|
The state begins with brutal conquest of a disorganised people, not with a 'contract'
[Nietzsche]
|
4418
|
A masterful and violent person need have nothing to do with contracts
[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]
|
4420
|
There is only 'perspective' seeing and knowing, and so the best objectivity is multiple points of view
[Nietzsche]
|
23722
|
Objectivity is not disinterestedness (impossible), but the ability to switch perspectives
[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]
|