Single Idea 7205

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / f. Altruism]

Full Idea

Behind the general praise for 'altruism' is the instinct that the individual will be best safeguarded if everyone looks after each other....it's the egoism of the weak that created the praise, the exclusive praise for altruism.

Gist of Idea

Altruism is praised by the egoism of the weak, who want everyone to be looked after

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 14[5])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.241


A Reaction

I don't understand why Nietzsche so strongly despises the weak. Callicles (in Plato's 'Gorgias') embodies the strong, but he is utterly unlovable, and appears to be motivated mainly by a desire to have fun at other people's expense.