Friedrich Nietzsche's Essay 'Genealogy Of Morals'

In the first essay of The Genealogy of Morals Friedrich Nietzsche addresses two types of opposing morality: those of the masters, and those of the slaves. Inherently, such a characterization carries with it the stigmatic impression of inequality. Rather than attempting to remedy this imbalance, Nietzsche both celebrates aristocratic values of master morality and laments their steady disappearance from the west. When comparing these two moralities, Nietzsche’s preference is clear. Nietzsche describes master morality (or herrenmoral) as one focused on strength, activity, and reflective of mans’ true nature: “All truly noble morality grows out of triumphant self-affirmation” (170). Additionally, master morality encourages subjugation of the weak or lesser and respect for one’s peers or equals (even enemies). Nietzsche argues this ‘noble morality’ not only determines the good through spontaneous notions (173), but also encourages the release of the “beast of prey, bent on spoil and conquest” that lurks “Deep within all noble races” (174). Since the master morality creates its own spontaneous conception of the good, the bad exists more as a byproduct rather than an antithesis (something to avoid not because of any inherent quality other than the fact that it is not useful or desired in that moment). Nietzsche represents the master morality
This essay brands Christianity as the main culprit behind this continuing trend. The initial spread of Christianity offered solace to the powerless and “transmuting weakness into merit” (180), which allowed the people to be satiated with the promise of future reward or justice. Rather than enacting vengeance themselves, the faithful forsake their own agency and instead entrust it with a transcendental being who will institute ultimate justice at the dawn of a new age, punishing those in power and elevating the many who lack