Single Idea 4513

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 6. Authentic Self]

Full Idea

A virtuous man is a lower species because he is not a "person" but acquires his value by conforming to a pattern of man that is fixed once and for all.

Gist of Idea

Virtuous people are inferior because they are not 'persons', but conform to a fixed pattern

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §319)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.176


A Reaction

A penetrating critque of virtue theory. If, even now, we are trying to conform to Aristotle's model, that is VERY conservative. The obliteration of individual identity is also a charge against Kant and Bentham. Virtues are more flexible than rules.