Abram John A. Limpin

Book: Contemporary Moral Problems

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon Reference: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0534584306/

Quote: “The noble type of man regards himself as a determiner of values; he does not require to be approved of; he passes judgment”

Learning Expectations:

• to understand what master and slavery morality is all about
• to be more aware of philosophical terms
• to understand how important it is to view morality in different ways
• to determine how should this philosophical moral problems are important
• to learn new ideas about philosophers

Review:

          This chapter discussed about morality who are 'defined' by a German philosopher named Friedrch Nietzsche in two ways.This chapter was one of Nietzsche's main theme of some parts of the book, On The Genealogy of Morality. In this chapter, Friedrich NIetzshce argued that there are two types of morality, which is master morality and slavery morality.

          In master morality, the 'power of the will' takes place. It requires more actions than those from slavery morality, thus weighing itself from what is bad is what is harmful. Master morality comes from 'strong-willed' men - they create noble acts. They categorize weak and cowardice as something 'bad', and consider nobility and powerful as something 'good'. They believe that morality is something that is created in such a way that it protects people who have 'strong-willed' values. What makes master morality different from slavery morality is that master morality stands for itself - they take full credit and recognitions to their works or actions - which make himself think that he value himself so much. According to the discussion, a man's values determines on what he's experiencing being a 'noble man' - without questions asked. Bottomline, they are perceive as the 'creator of values'.

          On the other hand, slavery morality is far different from master morality. They are the ones being oppressed. They are considered as weak in a sense that they heed the 'morality of principles' rather than 'morality of persons', which master morality acquires. Weak-willed, what they think are weak are good, which in the case, they think that what are strong are bad. They maybe called self deceptive people, but these people chose this kind of path where equality cannot cleary be observed. What makes them different probably is how obssessed they are looking for equality and freedom. 

What I’ve learned:

• Master morality is almost the same as egoism.
• Will power makes the world more meaningful.
• Learn to fear from masters, allowing yourself to follow on the rules

Integrative Questions:

1. What does master morality mean?
2. What does slavery morality mean?
3. What should people do about it?
4. Does the two types of morality affect the welfare of the citizen?
5. What should be done in order to create a 'balance' between slaves and masters?

Review Questions:

1. How does Nietzsche characterize a good and healthy society?
   • "A good and healthy society, allows superior individuals to live their desired life whether it is subjected to bad side. In this society, there exist master- and slave- morality."
2. What is Nietzsche’s view of injury, violence, and exploitation?
   • "To avoid injury, violence, and exploitation is not acceptable. In order for a person to survive, he/she must injure, bring violence, and exploit others or else he/she will be in that place."
3. Distinguish between master-morality and slave-morality.
   • Master-morality “emphasizes power, strength, egoism, and freedom”.
   • Slave-morality "calls for weakness, submission, sympathy, and love”
4. Explain the Will to Power.
   • "A "cosmic" inner force acting in and through both animate and inanimate objects."
   • "It refers to the superiors having to exercise their power towards the inferior"

Discussion Questions: 

1. Some people view Nietzsche’s writing as harmful and even dangerous. For example, some have charged Nietzsche with inspiring Nazism. Are these charges justified or not? Why or why not?
   • Yes. Nietzsche's definition of master slavery ispires Nazis feeded by injury, violence, and exploitation.
2.  What does it mean to be “a creator of values”?
   • “He honours whatever he recognises in himself". You take every action counts for everybody.