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Single Idea 4411

[filed under theme 20. Action / A. Definition of Action / 1. Action Theory ]

Full Idea

Just as the popular mind separates the lightning from its flash and takes the latter for a 'action', so they separate strength from expressions of strength, but there is no such substratum; the deed is everything.

Gist of Idea

It is a delusion to separate the man from the deed, like the flash from the lightning

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], I.§13)

Book Ref

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.45

A Reaction

Of course, there is no reason why an analysis should not separate the doer and the deed (to explain, for example, a well-meaning fool), but it is a blunder to think of a human action as a merely physical event.

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]
4411 It is a delusion to separate the man from the deed, like the flash from the lightning [Nietzsche]
23718 If we say birds of prey could become lambs, that makes them responsible for being birds of prey [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]
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]