Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
Master-Morality and Slave-Morality explained
Nietzsche delineates two primary types of morality that have recurred throughout history: master-morality and slave-morality.
What happens
Nietzsche delineates two primary types of morality that have recurred throughout history: master-morality and slave-morality. Master-morality originates in a ruling caste that defines 'good' as noble, proud, and powerful, creating values from a feeling of plenitude. Slave-morality arises from the oppressed, defining 'good' as what is useful, sympathetic, and alleviates suffering, leading to the famous antithesis of 'good and evil.' The chapter explores their distinct traits, origins, and the confusion that arises when they are mixed in higher civilizations.
Themes in this chapter
Master vs. Slave Morality
The chapter is a foundational exposition of this theme, detailing the origin, traits, and value systems of both moralities, including their contrasting definitions of 'good' and 'bad/evil.'
Nobility and Order of Rank
Master-morality is explicitly tied to a ruling caste that determines values and honors what it recognizes in itself, establishing a clear order of rank and duties only to equals.
Psychology as the Fundamental Science
The analysis probes the psychological states and drives behind moral valuations—plenitude and power in masters, utility and suffering in slaves—to uncover their origins.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Presents the findings from a tour through moralities, revealing the two primary types and analyzing their characteristics.
- Gods
Referenced indirectly via 'Wotan' in an old Scandinavian Saga, which is quoted to illustrate the noble, hard-hearted disposition prized in master-morality.
- Europeans
Credited with the invention of love as a passion, a specialty of noble origin attributed to the Provençal poet-cavaliers.
Key passages
“There is master-morality and slave-morality... The distinctions of moral values have either originated in a ruling caste... or among the ruled class, the slaves and dependents of all sorts.”
Nietzsche identifies two fundamental sources for moral values: one from rulers (masters) and another from the ruled (slaves).
Introduces the core dichotomy of the chapter.
“The noble type of man regards himself as a determiner of values; he does not require to be approved of; he passes the judgment: 'What is injurious to me is injurious in itself;' he knows that it is he himself only who confers honour on things; he is a creator of values.”
The master creates his own values from a position of power and self-assurance, seeing himself as the source of honor and judgment.
Describes the value-creating, autonomous nature of the noble type.
“Slave-morality is essentially the morality of utility. Here is the seat of the origin of the famous antithesis 'good' and 'evil'...”
Morality arising from slaves is based on usefulness and what alleviates suffering; this is where the concept of 'evil' (as opposed to mere 'bad') originates.
Explains the utilitarian foundation and the specific moral dichotomy of slave-morality.