The Ethical Revolt of Slave Morality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Ethical Revolt of Slave Morality - Essay ExampleIn Friedrich Nietzsches On The Genealogy of Morals, he explains how a slave revolt takes place in history, which is emphasized through the predominance of Christian morality. In this prove I shall explain how Nietzsche arrived at such a claim. I shall argue that despite Nietzsches criticisms on the dogmas of Christian morality, values, and tradition, he extols principles that contribute to the emancipation of the undivided self. It is in this regard that I agree with Nietzsche when he claims that a slave revolt has taken place, for along with this revolt was the degradation of the humanity subject as powerless, and thus stagnating ones potentials for self-actualization. However, in order to understand Nietzsches contentions, it is important to understand first, what dominated his thoughts. One of the elements which is central to Nietzsches thought is illustrated in his famous declaration that, God is Dead (Thus Spoke 77). This af firms a complete rejection of metaphysical and religious truths as grounds for reality. To Nietzsche, the existence of God, the afterlife, immortality are zippo but imaginary causes. In his view, such are nothing but mere projections of ones psychological desire for security and calculability in life. In line with this, Nietzsche believed that once the existence of God is unveiled as an illusion, then it follows that God could no longer be implemented as the foundation for human ethical conducts. This leads to the roamion that all morals will be founded on the subjective will of individual self. Thus, Nietzsche affirmed the individual self as the ground of all inquires and norms. Based on this argument, we are led to the question on how can the individual achieve its highest level of affirmation in a globe without a divine providence? The answer to this query is found in the Nietzsches theory of the will to power. Nietzsches will to power is defined as the drive to dominate the environment. This drive, so central is the will to power. This will to power is more than simply the will to survive. It is, rather, an inner drive to express a nimble affirmation of all a persons powers (Stumpf 380). Given this, the will to power can be characterized as the inner propensity to dominate and assert superiority over ones life. Furthermore, it allows individuals to reach their highest potentials through the overcoming of barriers and constraints. In this manner, individuals increase in power and vitality. However, Nietzsche cautioned us that if one decides to practice a genuine code of ethics, the will to power gradually declines. By this, the individual weakens and suffers. Herein, Nietzsche accused Christianity for advocating virtues that undermine and destabilize ones will to power. But prior to Nietzsches presentation of his criticisms towards the teachings of the Christian religion, he first explains how and why Christianity became the dominant religion in human society. get the better of Morality His explanation is found in his principle of the two-fold history of good and evil. This doctrine reveals that there were two types of moralities, which were practiced during the ancient Greeks. These are master morality or aristocratic morality and slave morality. For Nietzsche, Master morality is one that is founded upon the will to power. He claims What is good? All that heightens the touch sensation of power, the will to power, power itself in man. What is bad? All that proceeds from weakness. What is happiness? the feeling that power increases that a resistance is overcome (Twilight of 127). With this in mind, master morality advocates that good is identified to that which is powerful and noble. On the other hand, evil is think to weakness and cowardice. In line with this, In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche describes the temperament of the noblemen. To begin with, Nietzsche says,