synopsis:

This work comprises three essays. Written in 1887, it is a reflection of ethical matters regarding expression and intention. In this book he questions the belief that religion comes from the spirit but he feels that it is a "counter movement by its very nature." It also contrasts good and evil as characteristics of slave morality with good and bad as characteristic of master or noble morality. Nietzsche argues that slave morality, which is morality based on reason and religion, is born of resentment against the physical stronger ‘masters'and that evil is its primary concept, with good as an afterthought. In master morality, which is basically affirmative, "good" is primary and "bad" an afterthought, a term of contempt for what is undistinguished and not noble. Nietzsche is just mentioning the doctrine of slave and master moralities. He is not explaining with the intent of accepting or preaching. These are merely two types of moralities. Contemporary Western morality, according to Nietzsche, is an inconsistent mixture.

According to Nietzsche humans are driven by the Will to Power. Platonic, Christian and Jewish moral thinking have created the thought that acting by this Will, is wrong and should be abandoned. According to Nietzsche this is anti-natural and anti-life. He says we have to act according to the Will to power and our lusts, which is the old greek way of life.

About this bookThis book is strongly influenced by Schopenhauer. His coddemning of christianity, reason and religions in general, has had an enormous influence on twentieth century thinking. Nietzsche's style of philosophy is called ‘philosophy with the hammer', because he does not use arguments, he just claims certain facts with powerful aggression.