Good evening all,
Today we are going to talk about Master Morality!
Master-Slave Morality is a central theme of Friedrich Nietzsche’s works, in particular the first essay On the Genealogy of Morality (FNietzsche.com 2020), where Nietzsche argued that there were two fundamentally distinct types of morality in the world: Master Morality and Slave Morality (Approved Scholars 2020).
Master Morality values pride, strength and nobility, while Slave Morality values things like kindness, humility and sympathy (FNietzsche.com 2020). The former has always originated in the noble or aristocratic classes (Approved Scholars 2020) as well as influencers (Boring-Bray 2020). Slave Morality, however, originated in the weak, disenfranchised and poor. According to Nietzsche, the purest existing form of Slave Morality was found in Christ’s teachings, the best expression of the moralities core ideas being the Beatitudes (Big Think 2020).
The Master Moralists are strong, creative, wealthy and powerful and do whatever they like. They love themselves and see themselves and any others like themselves with strength of both mind and wealth, glory, ambition, excellence and self-actualization as good (Big Think 2020) Lots of times, as they have the power, they also influence the morality of others (Boring-Bray 2020).
Since the powerful or those with some strength favour Master Morality, its followers are few (Big Think 2020). This does not bother Master Moralists who are compelled to segregate themselves from the “lower beings” (Slave Moralists) anyway, whom they feel they do not have duties to, as they possess the opposite of their proud disposition. Therefore, Master Moralists proceed to act in whatever manner they wish towards the “lower beings” (Approved Scholars 2020).
Essentially, this morality type involves a lot of excess power and pride and they don’t care about or desire the approval of everyone and they reflect less, as they care more about the results they’ll get (Boring-Bray 2020).
The two value terms that are applied in Master Morality are “good” and “bad.” (Approved Scholars 2020). Master Moralists weigh actions on a scale of good or bad consequences. Slave Moralists, weigh actions on a scale of good or evil intentions (FNietzsche.com 2020). Interestingly in a shocking display of self-glorification (Approved Scholars 2020), Master Moralists conceive the idea of “good” spontaneously and out of themselves. The idea of “good” is the embodiment of the defining qualities of the noble classes (self-mastery, pride, physical strength, ambition, etc.) and the concept of “bad” is more of an afterthought. Simply put, they honour whatever they recognise in themselves (Approved Scholars 2020).
Can I ask you a question? Does this sound like anyone you know?
Xxx
Bibliography
Approved Scholars. 2020. ‘1. Describe Master Morality and Slave Morality in detail’ Approved Scholars Web site, at: <https://www.approvedscholars.com/1-describe-master-morality-and-slave-morality-in-detail/> 8 October 2020
Big Think. 2020. ‘The master and slave moralities: what Nietzsche really meant’ Big Think Web site, at: <https://bigthink.com/scotty-hendricks/the-master-and-slave-moralities-what-nietzsche-really-meant> 8 October 2020
Boring-Bray, W. 2020. ‘What Are Some Apsects Of Master Morality?’ Better Help, Web site, at <https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/morality/what-are-some-aspects-of-master-morality/#:~:text=Master%20Morality%20In%20Context.%20Master%20morality%20is%20a,the%20best%20way%20to%20live%20is%20through%20kindness.> 8 October 2020
FNietzsche.com. 2020. ‘Master-slave morality’ FNietzsche.com Web Site, at: <https://fnietzsche.com/master-slave-morality> 8 October 2020
Hope Like Rivers 