Friedrich Nietzsche: The "bad boy" of Western philosophy

Extract

[...] He states how there is a sudden sense of jealousy, accompanied by involuntary silence, a hesitation of the eye, a cessation of all gestures, by which it is indicated that a soul feels the nearness of what is worthiest of respect.” He credits the “highest advance towards humanity” to one's refined manners while amongst such things. This is referring to gestures like taking off one's shoes before a religious ceremony. However, “modern ideas” conflict with this. He states that today there is a lack of this with people and their “lack of shame, the easy insolence of eye and hand with which they tough, taste, and finger everything.” Even so, this does not completely reflect negatively upon those with “modern ideas,” as he states that these may have “more relative nobility of taste” than the intellectual class. [...]

[...] Such higher education, he would say, would be used by the student to deceive others of their true origins. (Nietzsche, 272) Nietzsche concludes with his views on the truly noble soul. Its essence is egoism. This individual will find it completely justified that “other beings must naturally be in subjection, and have to sacrifice themselves.” This person does not question such feelings, as they are justice itself. He soon settles his questions of rank, and will then interact with his equals. [...]

[...] This is how the concept of nobility within society works; it is indifferent of the moral and ethical aspects of the creature. It merely discriminates by means of physicality and power. This noble man is now considered the “more complete man.” One may see that this view of nobility and society possesses corruption, which he next visits. (Nietzsche, 265) Nietzsche's views on corruption can be considered very unique. While many consider this word to be synonymous with things like injustice and malpractice, Nietzsche views corruption as something that is relative to what it belongs to. [...]

[...] The morality of the powerful is typical of “belief and prejudice in favor of ancestors and unfavorable to newcomers.” (Nietzsche, 268) The second reoccurring morality Nietzsche describes is slave-morality. He explains their ideals: “probably a pessimistic suspicion with regard to the entire situation of man.” The person of this morality will have negative views on power and anything traditionally labeled They will, however, have feelings of sympathy, patience, diligence, and humility, amongst other things. This is because such ideas support their “burden of existence, calling this morality the morality of utility. [...]