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Single Idea 4505
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / f. Altruism
]
Full Idea
What does it mean that the welfare of my neighbour ought to possess for me a higher value than my own? But that my neighbour ought to subordinate his welfare to my welfare?
Gist of Idea
How can it be that I should prefer my neighbour to myself, but he should prefer me to himself?
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §269)
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.153
A Reaction
Interestingly, this is Nietzsche using a Kantian tool to criticise Christian morality. He is pointing out a logical inconsistency. It seems to me an excellent question, though Christians could say it is benignly circular. The most benign circle possible.
The
16 ideas
with the same theme
[placing the concerns of others before one's self]:
1590
|
The just man does not harm his enemies, but benefits everyone
[Plato]
|
90
|
All altruism is an extension of self-love
[Aristotle]
|
3553
|
Stoic morality says that one's own happiness will lead to impartiality
[Stoic school, by Annas]
|
6244
|
Human nature seems incapable of universal malice, except what results from self-love
[Hutcheson]
|
3926
|
The human heart has a natural concern for public good
[Hume]
|
3717
|
Reverence is awareness of a value which demolishes my self-love
[Kant]
|
3720
|
We may claim noble motives, but we cannot penetrate our secret impulses
[Kant]
|
4185
|
Altruistic people make less distinction than usual between themselves and others
[Schopenhauer]
|
14831
|
No one has ever done anything that was entirely for other people
[Nietzsche]
|
7205
|
Altruism is praised by the egoism of the weak, who want everyone to be looked after
[Nietzsche]
|
4505
|
How can it be that I should prefer my neighbour to myself, but he should prefer me to himself?
[Nietzsche]
|
5316
|
We undermine altruism by rewarding it, but we reward it to encourage it
[Wilson,EO]
|
5318
|
Pure hard-core altruism based on kin selection is the enemy of civilisation
[Wilson,EO]
|
3263
|
If our own life lacks meaning, devotion to others won't give it meaning
[Nagel]
|
21830
|
For Darwinians, altruism is either contracts or genetics
[Flanagan]
|
9781
|
Tolerance and love are strategies to avoid encountering our neighbours
[Zizek]
|