Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
V: The Natural History of Morals explained
Nietzsche critiques the 'Science of Morals' as presumptuous and unhistorical, arguing that past moralists have merely rationalized prevailing values rather than analyzing morality's problematic nature.
What happens
Nietzsche critiques the 'Science of Morals' as presumptuous and unhistorical, arguing that past moralists have merely rationalized prevailing values rather than analyzing morality's problematic nature. He traces the origin of slave morality to a Jewish-led 'inversion of valuations' and examines morality as an expression of timidity, obedience, and the will to power. The chapter culminates in a vision of future philosopher-commanders who will enact a transvaluation of values to overcome humanity's degeneration into mediocrity.
Themes in this chapter
Master vs. Slave Morality
Explicitly details the 'slave-insurrection in morals' begun by the Jews, involving an inversion of valuations (e.g., 'poor' as 'saint') that redefined good and evil.
Will to Power
Described as the world's essence; moral systems are analyzed as 'recipes for passions' and 'expediencies' for those with the will to power who wish to play the master.
Psychology as the Fundamental Science
The psychologist of morals reads moral 'star-writing' as allegory; moral systems are decoded as expressions of their authors' psychological needs (for justification, revenge, power, etc.).
Characters to notice
- Arthur Schopenhauer
Critiqued for his naive moral principle of 'injure no one' and his sentimental, flute-playing pessimism, which contradicts the world's essence as will to power.
- Immanuel Kant
Mentioned as a moralist whose system may be designed to give an impression of rigor and duty, implying a psychological motive behind his philosophy.
- The Jews
Identified as the originators of the slave-insurrection in morals through an inversion of valuations, fusing 'rich,' 'godless,' and 'wicked' as reproaches.
- Baruch Spinoza
Referenced for his recommended destruction of emotions through analysis, cited as an example of a moral system of 'expediency mixed with stupidity.'
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Presented alongside Hafis as an example of the wise old codger who advocates a bold, surrendering licentia morum, a moral system for the exceptional.
- Cesare Borgia
Given as an example of the misunderstood 'man of prey' and 'tropical monster' whose health and power are falsely condemned as morbid by moralists.
Key passages
“it is with them that the slave-insurrection in morals commences.”
The Jewish people initiated the fundamental revolt in moral values, flipping traditional valuations on their head.
Identifies the historical origin point of slave morality.
“All the systems of morals... are but suggestions for behaviour adapted to the degree of danger from themselves in which the individuals live; recipes for their passions... insofar as such have the Will to Power...”
Moral codes are merely pragmatic strategies for managing human dangers and passions, all stemming from the underlying drive for power.
Reduces morality to expediency and an expression of the will to power.
“the need thereof is now innate in everyone, as a kind of formal conscience which gives the command 'Thou shalt.'”
Obedience has been so thoroughly bred into humanity that it manifests as an innate, formal sense of duty.
Explains the herd instinct of obedience as a cultivated, quasi-instinctual force.
“a new type of philosopher and commander will some time or other be needed... The image of such leaders hovers before our eyes”
The future requires a new breed of philosophical rulers to consciously shape humanity's destiny through a transvaluation of values.
Introduces the concept of the philosopher-commander as a future necessity.
