Compare And Contrast Nietzsche's Theory Of Slave Mentality
Philosophy 1020
Final Paper
Seneca Cherry
12.2.14
Abstract
This paper will analyze the intense hold that borderlines enslavement that the bourgeoisie had on the individual. Any attempt that the individual made to surpass these limitations resulted in self-destruction. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche had a theory known as “slave morality” where “the weaker folk, the majority…frame the laws for their own advantage” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Anything that made the individual rise above others was considered immoral, by this thought the weak pulled down the stronger by moral judgment. This theory can be applied to the works of Horace Mann through the construction of Thomas Brudenbrook, the main character of his book who tries to …show more content…
Though he does not believe in the slave mentality being the predominate way of living in society; he does believe society needs a specific type of individual to lead them. This specific individual needs to be a perfectly accomplished man; only this man can be free from the chains of customs and truly understand autonomy. This individual, who is the embodiment of free will, will be able to redeem the bourgeoisie class. He will do this through giving life a new meaning and steering them from the rejection of all moral beliefs through his love. This is known as Nietzsche’s “superior man theory” where he believes that the individual described above will be the savior for mankind, but does not describe a set of values that would come from the common man. Despite the popularity of this thesis, Russian philosopher Fyodor Dostoyevsky contested it by illustrating how impossible it is for a single being to achieve to the level of perfection of free will that could overthrow the bourgeoisie mindset that imprisoned everyone
Final Paper
Seneca Cherry
12.2.14
Abstract
This paper will analyze the intense hold that borderlines enslavement that the bourgeoisie had on the individual. Any attempt that the individual made to surpass these limitations resulted in self-destruction. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche had a theory known as “slave morality” where “the weaker folk, the majority…frame the laws for their own advantage” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Anything that made the individual rise above others was considered immoral, by this thought the weak pulled down the stronger by moral judgment. This theory can be applied to the works of Horace Mann through the construction of Thomas Brudenbrook, the main character of his book who tries to …show more content…
Though he does not believe in the slave mentality being the predominate way of living in society; he does believe society needs a specific type of individual to lead them. This specific individual needs to be a perfectly accomplished man; only this man can be free from the chains of customs and truly understand autonomy. This individual, who is the embodiment of free will, will be able to redeem the bourgeoisie class. He will do this through giving life a new meaning and steering them from the rejection of all moral beliefs through his love. This is known as Nietzsche’s “superior man theory” where he believes that the individual described above will be the savior for mankind, but does not describe a set of values that would come from the common man. Despite the popularity of this thesis, Russian philosopher Fyodor Dostoyevsky contested it by illustrating how impossible it is for a single being to achieve to the level of perfection of free will that could overthrow the bourgeoisie mindset that imprisoned everyone