Nietzsche and "Fasting"

Nietzsche (1886) wrote that industrious races often find it difficult to be idle. He also mentions that the English made Sunday a day of rest to look forward to the work week ahead. Nietzsche saw this as a fast similar to those found in ancient cultures. He felt that a fast was defined as "powerful habits and influences were controlled through periods of restraint" (Nietzsche 1886). Nietzsche (1886) saw fasting as not being limited to food and that it also referred to abstaining from certain impulses or habits, which purified and sharpened them.

Nietzsche also wrote that fasting had been practiced by religious and philosophical groups throughout history as a way to control impulses and purify the mind. He believed that fasting could help to reduce cravings and distractions, and provide an opportunity for introspection and reflection. He mentions the Stoics in ancient Greece who believed that the key to happiness was to live in accordance with nature, and how they believed that fasting could help to strengthen their willpower and discipline.

Nietzsche (1886) also wrote that this fasting concept could be applied to love and the sexual impulse. He writes that during the Christian period of European history, because of the pressure of Christian sentiments, the urge for sex was modified into a more socially acceptable form called love. Nietzsche (1886) wrote that this was a form of fasting, where the impulse is controlled and refined. In other words, he was saying that by fasting from instant sexual gratification, the impulse would be more refined in the form of love. This fasting of instant sexual gratification would lead to a deeper and more meaningful relationship between two people.

In conclusion, Nietzsche was claiming that fasting could be a powerful tool, not just in relation to eating. By taking a break from certain behaviors, we actually have time to reflect and sharpen our minds.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494

 

 

Morality as a Sign Language of the Emotions

In a passage from Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche (1886) argues that systems of morality are not objective truths, but rather expressions of the emotions of the people who create them. He says that there are many different systems of morality and that each one is designed to serve a different purpose.

Some systems of morality are meant to justify the author in the eyes of others. For example, a person who believes that they are superior to others might create a system of morality that emphasizes the importance of obedience. This system of morality would help the author to feel good about themselves and to make themselves feel like they are in control (Nietzsche 1886).

Other systems of morality are meant to tranquilize the author and make them feel self-satisfied. For example, a person who is afraid of death might create a system of morality that emphasizes the importance of avoiding pain and suffering. This system of morality would help the author to feel safe and secure and to avoid thinking about their own mortality (Nietzsche 1886).

Nietzsche (1886)
also argues that systems of morality can be used to express anger, revenge, or a desire for power. For example, a person who has been wronged by someone else might create a system of morality that emphasizes the importance of punishment. This system of morality would help the author to feel like they are getting revenge on the person who wronged them.

Nietzsche (1886) concludes by saying that systems of morality are nothing more than a "sign language of the emotions." They are not objective truths, but rather expressions of the values and beliefs of the people who create them.

Nietzsche's view of morality is controversial, but it is also thought-provoking. It challenges us to think critically about our own moral beliefs, and to question where they come from. It also reminds us that morality is not always easy or straightforward and that there is no single "right" way to live.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1886). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press. https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494

Nietzsche on Morality

 Nietzsche on Morality

 In his book Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche argues that morality is not a fixed or objective set of rules, but rather a product of human culture and history. He criticizes the traditional view of morality as being based on universal truths, arguing that it is instead based on the specific values and interests of particular groups or individuals.

Nietzsche argues that there are no such things as "good" and "evil" in themselves, but that these terms are simply labels that we apply to things that we approve of or disapprove of. He says that morality is "a sign-language of the emotions," and that it is used to express our own needs and desires, as well as to control the behavior of others.

Nietzsche also argues that morality is often used to justify our own actions, even when those actions are harmful to others. He says that we often use morality as a "tyranny against nature" and "reason," in order to justify our own prejudices and biases.

Nietzsche concludes by arguing that we should not take morality too seriously. He says that we should not be afraid to question traditional moral values and that we should be open to new ways of thinking about morality. He believes that we should create our own morality, based on our own needs and desires, rather than blindly following the morality of others.

Nietzsche's views on morality have been controversial, but they have also been influential. His work has been praised by some for its insights into the nature of morality, and it has been criticized by others for its relativism and amorality.

Regardless of one's opinion of Nietzsche's views, there is no doubt that he was a brilliant thinker who challenged our traditional understanding of morality. His work is still relevant today, and it continues to be debated and discussed by philosophers and scholars.

Here are some additional thoughts on Nietzsche's views on morality:

Nietzsche's view that morality is a product of human culture and history is supported by the fact that different cultures have different moral codes. For example, what is considered moral in one culture may be considered immoral in another.

Nietzsche's view that morality is based on the specific values and interests of particular groups or individuals is supported by the fact that different groups and individuals have different moral beliefs. For example, a religious group may believe that it is moral to follow the teachings of their religion, while a secular group may believe that it is moral to live a life of reason and self-determination.

Nietzsche's view that morality is often used to justify our own actions, even when those actions are harmful to others, is supported by the fact that we often use moral arguments to justify our own prejudices and biases. For example, we may argue that it is moral to discriminate against certain groups of people because we believe that they are inferior.

Nietzsche's view that we should not take morality too seriously is supported by the fact that morality can often be used to control our behavior and prevent us from living our lives to the fullest. For example, we may be afraid to do something that we want to do because we think it is immoral.

Nietzsche's views on morality are complex and challenging, but they are also thought-provoking and insightful. They offer a new perspective on morality that can help us to understand our own moral beliefs and to question the traditional moral values of our society.

References

Nietzsche, F. W. (1903). Beyond Good and Evil. Hayes Barton Press.

         https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/L-999-71494