Single Idea 22394

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / f. Against democracy]

Full Idea

To us the democratic movement is ...a form of decay, namely the diminution, of man, making him mediocre and lowering his value.

Gist of Idea

Democracy diminishes mankind, making them mediocre and lowering their value

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Beyond Good and Evil [1886], §203), quoted by Philippa Foot - Nietzsche: the Revaluation of Values p.88

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.88


A Reaction

It is not clear how a society of natural aristocrats followed by sheep would increase the value of mankind. Nor if the talented people are given total freedom, and the rest of us are servants. The value of humanity cannot reside in a few individuals.