The Genealogy of Morals

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Overview

Written in response to a book on the origins of morality by his erstwhile friend Paul Ree, the three essays comprising The Genealogy of Morals -- all three advancing the critique of Christian morality set forth in Beyond Good and Evil -- are among Nietzsche's most sustained and cohesive work. In the first essay -- starting from a linguistic analysis of words such as "good," "bad," and "evil" -- Nietzsche sets up a contrast between what he calls "master" morality and "slave" morality and shows how strength and action have often been replaced by passivity and nihilism. The next essay, looking into the origins of guilt and punishment, shows how the concept of justice was born -- and how internalization of this concept led to the development of what people called "the soul." In the third essay, Nietzsche dissects the meaning of ascetic ideals. It is not Nietzsche's intention to reject ascetic ideals, "slave" morality, or internalized values out of hand; his main concern is to show that culture and morality, rather than being eternal verities, are human-made. Whether or not you agree with all of his conclusions, his writing is of such clarity and brilliance that you will find reading The Genealogy of Morals nothing short of exhilarating.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420977295
Publisher:	Digireads.com Publishing
Publication date:	09/21/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. His attempts to unmask the motives that underlie traditional Western religion, morality, and philosophy deeply affected generations of theologians, philosophers, psychologists, poets, novelists, and playwrights. He thought through the consequences of the triumph of the Enlightenment's secularism, expressed in his observation that "God is dead," in a way that determined the agenda for many of Europe's most--celebrated intellectuals after his death. He was an ardent foe of nationalism, anti--Semitism, and power politics. Nietzsche once wrote that some men are born posthumously, and that is certainly true in his case. The history of philosophy, theology, and psychology since the early 20th century is unintelligible without him. Nietzsche's great influence is due not only to his originality but also to the fact that he was one of the German language's most--brilliant prose writers.

Table of Contents

	Preface	1
I	"Good and Evil," "Good and Bad"	9
II	"Guilt," "Bad Conscience," and the Like	34
III	What Is the Meaning of Ascetic Ideals?	67

Editorial Reviews

An extended introduction sets Nietzsche's controversial, seminal 1887 work in context. The new translation aims at giving readers, as nearly as is possible, the experience of readers of the German original. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

'Fired with a fearless iconoclasm which surpassed the wildest dreams of contemporary free thought' - The New York Times

'One way to think of The Genealogy of Morals is as among the greatest horror novels ever written. Nietzsche's mission was staggering: cosmic regime change.' - The Irish Times

From the Publisher