A main point espoused by Nietzsche in the prologue of Genealogy of Morals is questioning the utility of pity as a pillar of the morality of the “good man”. Pity, Nietzsche argues, feeds into humanity’s temptation to embrace nothingness. This unjust glorification he argues risks turning the will against itself, sickening the individual. Nietzsche continues that this elevation of pity first appeared isolated, but as he thought on the matter, he saw how pervasive and detrimental it could be. He elaborated that the result could be a “European Buddhism” and a backwards glancing stalled society. He says this out of a profound understanding of the nature of man. Nietzsche understands the pull of sloth on the psyche of man. When that is combined with a glorification of the pitiful, a dangerous trap is armed that we are destined to step in to.
If this pillar of morality can be questioned, why can’t others? Nietzsche wants to explore the origins of morality critically in the hope of emerging with a more productive framework. He argues morality has always been taken as an eternal immutable concept. This has stifled warranted critique and therefore stifled man.
I am excited to see where Nietzsche takes us in this book. I will try to take his advice and dispense with the modern man in me as I ruminate on the text as if a cow. Retaining the meaning as he intended.