Nietzsche: Master and Slaves

Summary

In this video, Stephen Hicks explores Nietzsche's concept of 'master-slave morality,' suggesting that morality is a tool used by the 'herd' to suppress superior individuals. Nietzsche traces the origins of slave morality to the Judeo-Christian tradition, born out of the survival strategies of enslaved Jews. Slave virtues like obedience and humility became cultural, while resentment and self-hatred led to the 'bad conscience.' Priests, as leaders, used morality as a weapon against masters, aiming for spiritual revenge. Nietzsche challenges us to consider if morality is truly about coexistence or a power play by the oppressed.

Takeaways

• 📚 Nietzsche's philosophy suggests that morality is a human construct, not an inherent truth.
• 🤔 He proposes that morality developed as a survival strategy, particularly for those considered 'inferior' or 'slaves'.
• 🌱 The concept of 'slave morality' originates from the Judeo-Christian tradition, influenced by historical enslavement.
• 🔄 Nietzsche describes a bio-psychological and cultural development of morality, resonating with different types of individuals.
• 🐐 Slaves must suppress their natural instincts for survival, leading to virtues like obedience and humility.
• 🤯 The 'bad conscience' arises from internalized hatred and resentment, turning aggression inward.
• 🧐 Slaves who internalize this resentment most strongly may rise to leadership roles, such as priests, within their community.
• 🛡 Slave morality is used as a weapon by the oppressed to confront and undermine the 'masters'.
• 🔄 It serves as a form of spiritual revenge, aiming to diminish the masters' confidence and power.
• 🤝 Nietzsche challenges the conventional view of morality as a tool for harmonious coexistence, suggesting it's a tool for the powerless to resist the powerful.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented by Nietzsche in the script?

Nietzsche argues that morality, particularly slave morality, is a tool used by the 'herd' to restrain the superior individuals. He suggests that it originated as a survival strategy for those in subjugation, such as the enslaved Jews in Egypt, and became internalized as a cultural value.

What does Nietzsche mean by 'master morality' and 'slave morality'?

Nietzsche distinguishes between two types of morality: 'master morality' which is assertive, strong, and naturally inclined towards dominance, and 'slave morality' which is characterized by obedience, humility, forgiveness, and patience, developed as survival traits by those in servitude.

How does Nietzsche explain the development of slave morality?

Nietzsche explains that slave morality developed as a result of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt, where they had to adapt to survive by internalizing virtues like obedience and humility, which were necessary for their survival under oppressive conditions.

What are the psychological effects of slave morality on the enslaved, according to Nietzsche?

Nietzsche suggests that the psychological effects include self-hatred, resentment, and a 'bad conscience'. The enslaved develop a hatred for their own weakness and the masters, leading to an internal war and a desire for revenge.

How do the priests, as per Nietzsche, use morality as a weapon?

The priests, who Nietzsche sees as leaders among the slaves, use morality as a weapon to undermine the confidence of the masters and to exact spiritual revenge. They advocate for slave virtues and condemn the masters' pride and strength.

What is the 'bad conscience' according to Nietzsche?

The 'bad conscience' is a psychological state where individuals turn their natural instincts for assertiveness and strength against themselves due to the suppression required by their enslaved condition, leading to self-hatred and a desire for revenge.

How does Nietzsche view the role of Judeo-Christian tradition in the development of slave morality?

Nietzsche sees the Judeo-Christian tradition as a significant factor in the development of slave morality, particularly through the historical event of Jewish enslavement, which led to the internalization of a moral code suitable for survival under such conditions.

What does Nietzsche suggest about the nature of morality as a whole?

Nietzsche provocatively suggests that morality might not be about harmonious coexistence but rather a tool for the weak to survive and a strategy for the oppressed to strike back against the successful.

What are the slave virtues that Nietzsche identifies?

The slave virtues Nietzsche identifies include obedience, humility, forgiveness, and patience, which are seen as survival strategies for those in servitude.

How does Nietzsche describe the psychological reality of slaves who feel the internal war strongly?

Nietzsche describes the psychological reality of such slaves as one of hatred towards the strong, self-hatred, and fantasies of revenge to ease their pain, which can become ugly and poisonous over time.

What are Nietzsche's implications for the future of morality?

Nietzsche implies that morality, being a tool of power and survival, may continue to evolve as a means for the oppressed to challenge the powerful, suggesting a cyclical struggle between master and slave moralities.