more from Friedrich Nietzsche

Single Idea 4416

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / B. Contract Ethics / 1. Contractarianism]

Full Idea

Justice on the elementary level is good will among parties of approximately equal power to come to terms with one another, and to compel parties of lesser power to reach a settlement among themselves.

Gist of Idea

Basic justice is the negotiation of agreement among equals, and the imposition of agreement

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], II.§08)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals/ Ecce Homo', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1969], p.70


A Reaction

This pinpoints a key problem with the social contract as a moral theory - that it requires equals, and recognises only terror of superiors, and indifference to useless inferiors who have nothing to offer (paraplegics and animals).