more from Friedrich Nietzsche

Single Idea 4408

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / f. Übermensch]

Full Idea

The judgement 'good' did not first originate with those to whom goodness was shown! Rather it was the 'good' themselves, that is to say the noble, powerful, high-stationed and high-minded who established themselves and their action as good.

Gist of Idea

The concept of 'good' was created by aristocrats to describe their own actions

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], I.§02)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.25


A Reaction

This may be right, but not very profound. Virtually all concepts are created by the most educated classes. The first recipient of charity may not have had the concept, but they would have been gobsmacked by the novelty.