more from Friedrich Nietzsche

Single Idea 20234

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 1. Nature of Ethics / h. Against ethics]

Full Idea

Morality acts to prevent the rise of new and better mores: it stupefies.

Clarification

'mores' are customs

Gist of Idea

Morality prevents us from developing better customs

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Dawn (Daybreak) [1881], 019)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Dawn (Daybreak)', ed/tr. Smith, Brittain [Stanford 2011], p.20


A Reaction

Note that he wants 'better' customs, and not just different ones. So the deep question concerns the criteria for why some customs are better. He seems to want us to fulfil our natures more completely. Arts, sciences, great deeds...