4.4: Nietzsche's Idea of Morality
4.4.1: The Social Construction of Morality
Listen to the interview. Play close attention to the discussion of what Nietzsche means when he says that there has been a slave revolt of morality. How is Nietzsche's argument a condemnation of Christianity? What does this argument say about some of our most important moral concepts, such as good and bad, or good and evil? Also, make a list of the differences between slave morality and master morality, as suggested by Nietzsche. How does society suppress our instincts, according to Nietzsche? What does guilt have to do with our morality?
4.4.2: The Social Construction of Values
Read Nietzsche's 1873 essay "On Truth and Lies in a Nonmoral Sense." As you read, consider the following questions: How are values socially constructed, according to Nietzsche? And, more importantly, why are they constructed in this way?
4.4.3: On Power
Listen to this interview. As you listen, consider the following questions: What are the specific myths regarding Nietzsche that are discussed here? Pay close attention to Dr. Leiter's explanation as to why these Nietzsche myths took hold during the first decades of the twentieth century. Consider Dr. Leiter's deconstruction of the Nietzsche myths, noting in particular Nietzsche's characterization of the Overman, or Superman. What is the will to power, according to Nietzsche? Write a short description of Nietzsche's notion of the will to power as it is described in the interview with Dr. Leiter.
4.4.4: Resentment as the Ground for Morality
Read the book's first essay, titled "Good and Evil, Good and Bad," beginning on page 6, followed by the second essay, titled "Guilt, Bad Conscience, and Related Manners," beginning on page 27. As you read, pay particular attention to Nietzsche's account of how values and morals are created. Then, consider the following questions: According Nietzsche, what is the origin of the concept "good"? What is the origin of the concept "evil"? How have these concepts changed through history? What precipitated that change? Finally, how does resentment become creative? How have the terms bad, evil, and good evolved, according to Nietzsche? And how does Nietzsche predict the restoration of these terms to their original meaning? In other words, what must happen in order for this restoration to take place?
Listen to this discussion of The Genealogy of Morals. As you listen to the lecture, reflect on how morality and perspectivism intersect. Consider the following questions: Are there absolute moral imperatives that we must all adhere to, according to Nietzsche? How does the Bible's moral imperative "thou shall not kill" fit in with Nietzsche's idea of morality?