# Chapter 6: The Critique of Pity-Morality explained — The Genealogy of Morals

> Chapter companion for The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Nietzsche introduces the problem of pity and the pity-morality, arguing that it is not an isolated issue but one that opens up a vast new perspective. He calls for a critique of moral values themselves, questioning their origin, evolution, and worth. He speculates that the 'good man' might actually represent a symptom of retrogression, and that morality could be the greatest danger to human power and splendor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Altruism and Pity Morality

Nietzsche directly challenges the value of pity and the pity-morality, suggesting it may be a symptom of retrogression rather than progress.

### Ressentiment and the Revaluation of Values

Nietzsche calls for a revaluation of all moral values, questioning the assumed superiority of the 'good man' over the 'evil man'.

## Character check-ins

### Nietzsche

The author and speaker, who presents himself as an opponent of the modern emasculation of emotions and demands a critique of moral values.

## Key lines

> We need a critique of moral values, the value of these values is for the first time to be called into question

Nietzsche demands a fundamental examination of the worth of moral values themselves, something never before undertaken.

_This is the central demand of the chapter, setting the stage for the genealogical method._

> Suppose the converse were the truth! What? Suppose there lurked in the 'good man' a symptom of retrogression

Nietzsche provocatively suggests that what is traditionally considered 'good' might actually be harmful to human flourishing.

_This inversion of conventional morality is a key theme in Nietzsche's philosophy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/6
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters