Nietzsche the Conscience - 1552 Words

Nietzsche: The Conscience In his second essay of the Geneaology of Morals, Nietzsche attempts to identify and explain the origin of the conscience. He does not adopt the view of the conscience that is accepted by the â€Å"English Psychologists†, such as Bentham, J. Mill, J.S. Mill and Hume, as the result of an innate moral feeling. Rather, it is his belief that the moral content of our conscience is formed during childhood under the influence of society. Nietzsche defines the conscience as an introspective phenomenon brought about by a feeling of responsibility, in which one analyzes their own morality due to the internalization of the values of society. This definition holds the position that the conscience is not something innate to†¦show more content†¦This distinction between meaning and act not only applies to punishment, but to almost all moral concepts. For example, the act of harming a person whether it is for the purpose of self-preservation, or to exercise power over another, is still the same act. The difference lies in the will of the person who is performing or interpreting the act. The will to power, which Nietzsche identifies as an instinct for freedom, is the drive to avoid being dominated by another. Man is forced to subdue this instinct, as well as other instincts and drives in order to participate in modern society. In a specific adaptation of the debitor-creditor relation that was discussed earlier, we owe our ancestors a debt of gratitude for making our society prosperous, at least to the extent that we continue to exist. The more prosperous the society in which an individual find himself, the more debt he find himself owing. It is this situation man is forced to suppress his natural instincts, particularly his will to power, in order to be a social animal reaping the benefits of society. This ironically is done for the sake of survival. â€Å"I regard the bad conscience as the serious illness that man was bound to contract under the stress of the most fundamental change he ever experienced—that change which occurred when he found himself finally enclosed within the walls of society and of peace... in this new worldShow MoreRelatedExamining Good and Bad Conscience in Friedrich Nietzsches Genealogy of Morals1625 Words   |  7 PagesFriedrich Nietzsche is recognized for being one of the most influential German philosophers of the modern era. He is known for his works on genealogy of morality, which is a way to study values and concepts. In Genealogy of Morals, Friedrich Nietzsche mentions that values and concepts have a history because of the many different meanings that come with it. Nietzsche focused on traditional ethical theories, especially those rooted in religion. Not being a religious man, he believed that human lifeRead MoreIn essay two of Nietzsche’s ‘On the Genealogy of Morality’, ‘Guilt’, ‘bad conscience’ and related700 Words   |  3 Pages‘On the Genealogy of Morality’, ‘Guilt’, ‘bad conscience’ and related matters, Nietzsche seeks to explore the origins and constructs of guilt and in doing so, presents us with an account where the concept of guilt has been misconstrued by the evolution of society. This very shift in our understanding of guilt has subsequently led to, what Nietzsche claims to be, â€Å"bad conscience†. To understand this evolution of guilt and the entity of â€Å"bad conscience† it is necessary to closely analyze Nietzsche’sRead MoreEssay on On the Genealogy of Morality1200 Words   |  5 PagesFriedrich Nietzsche’s â€Å"On the Genealogy of Morality† includes his theory on man’s development of â€Å"bad conscience.† Nietzsche believes that when transitioning from a free-roaming individual to a member of a community, man had to suppress his â€Å"will to power,† his natural â€Å"instinct of freedom†(59). The governing community threatened its members with punishment for violation of its laws, its â€Å"morality of customs,† thereby creating a uniform and predictable man (36). With fear of punishment curtailingRead MoreGenealogy Of Morals By Nietzsche790 Words   |  4 Pagesguilt in someone that has done some wrong. However, punishment does not su cceed in instilling bad conscience, or the sense of guilt, on the guilty person. When someone is punished, they do not receive a feeling of guilt. It can lead to two opposite things; either they are are able to become stronger and tougher and take the punishment, or they have their vitality destroyed and become dehumanized. Nietzsche suggests that when the person who is guilty sees the person that he wronged cast these acts ofRead MoreEssay Two of The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche651 Words   |  3 Pagesoverview of the text, to help with showing the content that the comment covers, the go deeper into the individual sections and relate them to Nietzsche’s way of thinking and also look into any problems or solutions offered by those arguments. Nietzsche starts this second essay by looking at and reviewing the importance of our ability to make and keep promises. To hold yourself and others to a promise means having the need of both a good memory, the ability to remember making said promise and aRead MoreThe Formula Of Universal Law Of The Categorical Imperative1322 Words   |  6 Pagesimpact. We can make things perfect with helping others. 7. What is the â€Å"slave revolt† in morality according to Nietzsche? Explain the slave revolt in detail. According to Nietzsche the â€Å"slave revolt† in morality is to take revenge from powerless. He privileged the revolt to Jewish people, specifically to all the priests. Then there comes the â€Å"revaluation† of noble values. According to Nietzsche he difference between the values of nobles with the values of priests. The â€Å"slave revolt is essentially a negativeRead MoreNietzsche s View On The Genealogy Of Morals1553 Words   |  7 Pageswith a surplus of energy simply because they could afford to do so, to the predominantly Judeo-Christian era of self-repression. This transition demonstrates a decline in our ability to make sense of our lives and understand our true human purpose. Nietzsche suggests that we have become out of touch with the truth – we are no longer present in our lives. He urges us to recognize the social constraints to which we sometimes unknowingly submit ourselves, whether they be religion or even the language weRead MoreMarx, Nietzsche, And Marx : A Critical Analysis Of The Hermeneutics Of Criticity1268 Words   |  6 PagesMarx, Nietzsche, and Freud do as critics; they provide us with strategies of critical thinking that can be applied to complex subjects; they teach us to apply a critical eye to different aspects in society to uncover these â€Å"truths,† and then provide a solution to these â€Å"truths.† Marx, through historical materialism and dialectical materialism, observes how capitalism leads to â€Å"commodity fetishism† that blinds us from seeing the true value of objects, leading to a class struggle. Nietzsche throughRead MoreNietzsche: Morality Essay1389 Words   |  6 PagesMorality Essay Have you ever asked yourself where your conscience comes from? The feeling that takes a hold of you when you do what you feel is wrong. This feeling is almost like a consequence when you tell a lie or commit a crime. Your conscience helps you sort out the good and bad and feels your mind with sorrow when you see a sad story on the news or gives you the initiative to donate money to a contribution. But where does it come from. Is it something you are naturally born with, taughtRead MoreComparing Nietzsche And Freud On Crime And Punishment931 Words   |  4 PagesConception of civilization in Nietzsche and Freud in relation to crime and punishment Nietzsche critiqued modern civilization since the entire scheme of modern society went against his philosophy. Nietzsche was afraid modern society and religion would bring the individuals to nihilistic voids, as they would eventually turn into uninteresting herds of controlled animals. Nietzsche wishes the individuals to achieve self-awareness, in that individuals would act upon themselves for what they truly