In the first essay of Genealogy of Morals, Friedrich Nietzsche delves deep into the origins of morality, providing a provocative examination of how the concepts of good and evil, or noble and ignoble, came to be. Nietzsche argues that the roots of morality, particularly what he terms “ignoble morality,” lie in the resentment and weakness of those who were oppressed and subjugated by the stronger and more powerful members of society. In this commentary, I will explore Nietzsche’s main points in the first essay, examining how he claims the “weak” developed a morality based on resentment and its implications for the development of modern moral systems.
The Nobility and Their Morality
To understand Nietzsche’s argument, it is essential to first consider his distinction between noble morality and ignoble morality. For Nietzsche, the noble morality is born out of the actions and values of the strong, the aristocrats, and those in power. These individuals define good in terms of their own strength, vitality, and power. Nobility, for Nietzsche, is characterized by self-affirmation and the expression of power. The noble individual does not seek approval from others, nor do they feel guilt or shame in their actions. The concept of “good” emerges from their ability to act according to their own will, and their actions are evaluated on the basis of strength, creativity, and self-assertion.
For the noble individual, the distinction between good and evil is simple and based on the celebration of their own excellence. Good is equated with power, achievement, and the affirmation of life. Evil, by contrast, is associated with weakness, suffering, and the inability to shape one’s own destiny. In the noble moral order, the strong are celebrated, while the weak are dismissed and seen as lacking the ability to create their own values.
The Development of “Slave Morality”
The twist in Nietzsche’s argument comes when he turns his attention to the morality of the weak—what he calls “slave morality.” According to Nietzsche, the weak and oppressed members of society developed a new form of morality in response to their inability to assert themselves as the nobility did. Instead of embracing strength and power, these individuals developed what Nietzsche describes as resentment or ressentiment, a deep-seated feeling of bitterness toward the strong.
The origins of this slave morality lie in the powerlessness of the oppressed. Unable to challenge or overthrow the strong directly, the weak redirected their frustration inward, developing a morality that exalted traits contrary to strength. The weak began to see traits such as humility, meekness, and obedience as “good,” while strength, pride, and assertiveness were labeled “evil.” Nietzsche suggests that this shift was not an expression of compassion or kindness but a psychological coping mechanism to reconcile their inability to act on their desires for power and revenge.
In this sense, the slave morality is fundamentally reactive. It defines itself in opposition to the values of the powerful, adopting a set of traits that would never allow the weak to rise up against their oppressors. Instead of promoting qualities that encourage strength or self-assertion, slave morality encourages values that keep the weak submissive and compliant. Selflessness, humility, and meekness are revered, while dominance and self-assertion are vilified.
The Role of Resentment in Slave Morality
The key psychological element behind the development of slave morality, according to Nietzsche, is ressentiment. This term, which can be translated as “resentment” or “re-sentiment,” refers to the resentment that arises when an individual or group is unable to act on their desires. Nietzsche argues that when the weak are denied the ability to assert themselves and challenge the powerful, they redirect their frustration inward, and it becomes internalized as a deep sense of bitterness. This bitterness eventually transforms into a new moral system that elevates qualities associated with weakness and demonizes qualities associated with strength.
The weak, Nietzsche claims, were unable to physically overcome their oppressors, but through ressentiment, they could undermine the values of the strong by turning the idea of weakness into virtue. The moral revolution that took place in this process was not an act of goodness, as it might appear from a contemporary moral perspective, but a reaction to powerlessness. In this way, the slave morality represents a perversion of traditional morality, as it celebrates what is actually the opposite of strength, power, and vitality.
The Emergence of “Good and Evil” in Slave Morality
The inversion of values that Nietzsche describes is crucial to understanding how slave morality developed. In pre-Christian societies, the noble and powerful were those who set the standards of what was considered “good,” while the weak were seen as inferior, weak, and “evil.” However, with the rise of slave morality, the tables were turned. Those who were once labeled as “evil” because of their strength were now considered the embodiment of all that was bad. In contrast, the weak and the oppressed began to define themselves as “good.”
According to Nietzsche, this process reached its peak in the Christian tradition, where virtues like humility, meekness, and self-sacrifice were elevated to the highest moral ideals. Christian morality, in Nietzsche’s view, was the culmination of slave morality. It celebrated the weak and powerless, even going so far as to portray suffering as a form of salvation. For Nietzsche, this shift was not a movement toward higher moral ground but a form of moral cowardice designed to ensure that the weak would remain subjugated.
The Critique of Slave Morality
Nietzsche’s critique of slave morality is profound and multifaceted. First, he argues that it is fundamentally life-denying. By valorizing weakness, humility, and submission, slave morality suppresses the vitality and creativity that are necessary for human flourishing. Nietzsche believed that these values stifle the individual’s potential and limit the ability to assert oneself in the world. Instead of promoting the will to power, which drives individuals to overcome challenges and create new values, slave morality encourages self-denial and resignation.
Moreover, Nietzsche saw slave morality as a dangerous force that had infiltrated all aspects of Western culture, particularly through Christianity. He felt that this moral framework had taken over much of European thought and was responsible for the decay of individual strength, as people were encouraged to suppress their natural impulses in favor of submission and passivity. This form of morality, in Nietzsche’s view, would ultimately hinder human progress and prevent individuals from reaching their highest potential.
The Call for a Revaluation of Values
Nietzsche’s ultimate goal in discussing the origins of ignoble morality is to challenge people to undergo a revaluation of all values. He calls for a shift away from the values of slave morality and toward the affirmation of life, power, and creativity. In Nietzsche’s view, only through the rejection of slave morality can individuals begin to live authentically and realize their full potential.
By rejecting the values that have been imposed by the weak and the oppressed, Nietzsche proposes that humanity can move beyond the resentment-driven moral system that limits freedom and individual strength. Instead, he advocates for a new morality, one that celebrates the noble individual, who acts according to their own will and creates their own values.
Conclusion
Nietzsche’s exploration of the origins of ignoble morality in Genealogy of Morals Essay 1 provides a profound critique of traditional moral systems. By tracing the rise of slave morality to the resentment of the weak, Nietzsche sheds light on how power dynamics shaped the values we hold today. His call for a revaluation of values remains a powerful challenge to contemporary moral thought, urging individuals to reject the values of weakness and embrace strength, vitality, and self-assertion.
Through this lens, Nietzsche invites us to question the foundations of our moral beliefs and to reconsider the way we define good and evil. By understanding the origins of morality, Nietzsche hopes that we can move beyond the constraints of slave morality and embrace a more life-affirming approach to living.