Single Idea 23440

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

Full Idea

Nietzsche wants to judge actions not by what is done, but by the nature of the person who does them, and that is poisonous. We have to be horrified by what is done by Hitler and Stalin, without inquiring into their psychology.

Gist of Idea

Nietzsche's judgement of actions by psychology instead of outcome was poisonous

Source

comment on Friedrich Nietzsche (Beyond Good and Evil [1886]) by Philippa Foot - Interview with Philippa Foot p.37

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophy Now' [-], p.37


A Reaction

She says morality should focus on social needs, not on spontaneity, energy and passion. Nietzsche was very much a product of romanticism. Some of Nietzsche's heroes are military conquerors, so I think she is right.