Single Idea 7177

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

Full Idea

The virtues are as dangerous as the vices, to the extent that one allows them to rule as authority and law from outside instead of generating them from within oneself.

Gist of Idea

Virtues from outside are dangerous, and they should come from within

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 07[6])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.132


A Reaction

Nietzsche was a romantic, who thought things only have worth if they are authentic, individual, autonomous, original. Existentialism is the last fling of romanticism, and expresses an adolescent yearning for 'freedom'. From what?