more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
Whenever we encounter a morality we find an estimation and order of rank of human drives and actions. These are always the expression of the needs of a community and herd. The individual is valued only as a function of the herd.
Gist of Idea
A morality ranks human drives and actions, for the sake of the herd, and subordinating individuals
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay (Joyful) Science [1882], §116)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Joyful Science, and 1881-82 fragments (v 6)', ed/tr. Del Caro,Adrian [Stanford 2023], p.123
A Reaction
A particularly clear summary of Nietzsche's understanding of modern morality (which he rejects). I tend to see values as what is important, but Nietzsche sees them as a ranking. Could be both. I see the individualism here as existentialist.
122 | Moral rules are made by the weak members of humanity [Plato] |
23239 | The self is, apart from outward behaviour, a drive in your nature [Fichte] |
20956 | Ultimately, all being is willing. The nature of primal being is the same as the nature of willing [Schelling] |
24076 | A morality ranks human drives and actions, for the sake of the herd, and subordinating individuals [Nietzsche] |
20129 | All animals strive for the ideal conditions to express their power, and hate any hindrances [Nietzsche] |
4506 | There is a conspiracy (a will to power) to make morality dominate other values, like knowledge and art [Nietzsche] |
4514 | The basic tendency of the weak has always been to pull down the strong, using morality [Nietzsche] |
20353 | The 'will to power' is basically applied to drives and forces, not to people [Nietzsche, by Richardson] |