Question

I am starting to get into Nietzsche's philosophy, through his book The joyful Wisdom/the gay science. In the first chapter, The Teachers of the Object of Existence, he writes:

Whether I look with a good or an evil eye upon men, I find them always at one problem, each and all of them: to do that which conduces to the conservation of the human species.
And after a few lines:
Even the most hurtful man is still perhaps, with respect to the conservation of the race, the most useful of all; for he conserves in himself or by his effect on others, impulses without which mankind might long ago have languished or decayed
The first thing that comes to my mind is people like Hitler and Stalin. Does this idea not ignore their presence? Or am I missing something?

Answer 1

Nietzsche challenges traditional morality with his will to power concept, suggesting that all human actions are ultimately driven by an egoistic desire for dominance, rather than altruism. He does not condone malevolent actions but identifies their complex role in species survival and evolution. His perspectives give rise to debates on the nature of human motivation and societal structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy, particularly in 'The Joyful Wisdom', contrasts traditional morality with his concept of the will to power. His genealogical approach deconstructs the origins of morality, as he believes morality originated from the power dynamics between social classes, namely the nobility and underclass, rather than from altruistic virtues. Nietzsche's criticism stems from his view that conventional morality stifles human achievement by allowing the 'weak' to constrain the 'strong', therefore impeding the natural human drive for excellence and dominance. This perspective is encapsulated by Nietzsche's foundational idea that humans possess an innate will to power, an egoistic drive to impose will upon others, which is the true motivator behind all actions, even those appearing altruistic.

Nietzsche's acknowledgment of the hurtful or 'evil' individual's role in species conservation is not an endorsement of their actions but an observation of how even detrimental behaviors can inadvertently contribute to human resilience and adaptation. Nietzsche's existential philosophy does not condone the actions of figures like Hitler or Stalin; rather, it highlights the complexity of human behavior and its impact on societal evolution. In emphasizing the will to power, Nietzsche does not ignore the presence of malevolent individuals but argues that their influence could, in a Darwinian sense, strengthen the species by challenging it to adapt and survive.

The will to power, Nietzsche's examination of human nature, and his thoughts on the genealogy of morals provoke robust debate. Nietzsche's philosophy challenges the traditional ethical framework and posits a more primal, egoistic view of human motivation and interaction shaped by an incessant struggle for dominance and power.