Lecture 4 (Wk 19): OGM, The First Essay (I)

1. Lecture 4 (Wk 19): OGM, The First Essay (I) Nietzsche (PY432) Matt Bennett

2. Last 3 weeks • Nietzsche’s critique of morality • Nietzsche’s psychology • Death of god and nihilism • Creating one’s own values

3. This week • Why does Nietzsche think that morality is motivated by ressentiment? • The origin of one moral principle • The concepts of good and evil • The difference between good/bad and good/evil • Sometimes referred to as master and slave moralities • The psychology of good/evil • Ressentiment • The slave revolt

4. Good/bad and good/evil • Sometimes also called “master and slave moralities” (e.g. BGE 260) • “Master morality” • An ethic that precedes modern morality • Central values are “good” and “bad” • “Slave morality” • Modern morality aka Christian morality • Central values are “good” and “evil”

5. Good and bad • Good/bad are values created by a superior class • Good = a distinguishing feature of that superior class • Bad = the distinguishing feature of the lower or common class (OGM I 2) • Examples given by Nietzsche (OGM I 5): • esthlos; Good = truthfulness / bad = deceitful • fin; Good = blond / malus bad = dark skinned • bonus Good = warrior (ability in battle)

6. Good and evil • Good/evil are values created by an inferior class • Those inferiors • Evil = whatever their superiors have called “good” (OGM I 7) • Good = whatever makes life easier for those who suffer • Examples: • Good = pity, patience, humility, friendliness (BGE 260)

7. What distinguishes “the masters” from “the slaves”? • Inferior strength • “slave morality” comes from those who are in some sense “weaker” by nature • Physical strength? Spiritual or psychological fortitude? Courage? Natural selfishness? • “evil” is reserved for those who are naturally stronger • Political or social inferiority • “slave morality” comes from a class that is socially subordinate, perhaps literally enslaved • “evil” is reserved for those who have political or social power • Inferior ability to create values (see next slide)

8. Active and Reactive values • The values of the nobles are based first on affirming their own virtue • Good/bad are values that are an expression of the noble’s self-satisfaction • “bad” is a derivative of “good”, and is created only to reinforce the noble’ self-esteem • The values of the slaves are based first on denying the virtue of the nobles • Good/evil are values that express a hatred for the nobility, for the suffering of the inferior, and for the world at large • “Evil” – condemning the satisfaction of the privileged • “Good” – endorsing behaviour that helps the suffering • Reactive values – values that are based on a denial of the virtue of an enemy

9. Ressentiment and the slave revolt • The slaves suffer both from an unequal and oppressive society, and from their own weakness • Ressentiment • Frustration with inability to do anything about suffering • Envy of those who lead a less painful existence • The slave revolt • Replacing good/evil with good/bad • Make moral claims about the virtue of the weak and the vice of the strong • Eventually this moral claims become accepted not just by the weak, but by the strong as well (more of which next week)

10. The Psychology of the Slave Revolt • How does adopting different values help the slaves? • Nietzsche suggests that “good/evil” were invented as a solution to the slaves’ psychological problems • Finding a way to cope with suffering, weakness, and a lack of power • An imaginary revenge (at least to begin with) • Change weakness into a virtue • Can’t win the game? Change the game to your advantage

11. The Psychology of Morality • Why does Nietzsche think that morality is motivated by ressentiment? • Morality = inter alia good/evil • OGM I: good/evil a creation of ressentiment • The implication: that any use of good/evil distinction is motivated by frustration and envy • This applies when we • Praise pity, patience, humility, friendliness • Condemn cruelty, selfishness, pride, power

12. 21st century example? • Tax avoidance • Tax avoidance has recently become a moral issue • Alleged to be selfish and damaging to those less fortunate • But are moral arguments against tax avoidance motivated by frustration in poverty and envy of the rich?

13. Next week • Free will • Reading: • Re-read OGM Essay I • Bernard Williams ‘Nietzsche’s Minimalist Moral Psychology’ European Journal of Philosophy (available for free on EJP website)