Single Idea 14810

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

Full Idea

In the soul of the original ruling clans and castes, the man who has the power to requite goodness with goodness, evil with evil, and really does practice requital by being grateful and vengeful, is called 'good'.

Gist of Idea

Originally it was the rulers who requited good for good and evil for evil who were called 'good'

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Human, All Too Human [1878], 045)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Human, All Too Human', ed/tr. Faber,Marion [Penguin 1994], p.47


A Reaction

The idea that evil should indeed repay evil was very much a feature of goodness until the philosophers came in on the act. In those days no one else had any power, so they had no scope for goodness.

Related Ideas

Idea 5142 Oxen, horses and children cannot be happy, because they cannot perform fine deeds [Aristotle]

Idea 101 Slaves can't be happy, because they lack freedom [Aristotle]