Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
I: Criticism of Morality§254 An inquiiy into the origin of our moral valuations and tables of law has absolutely nothing to do with the criticism of them, though people persist in believing it has; the two matters lie quite apart, notwithstanding the fact that the knowledge of the pudenda origo of a valuation does diminish its prestige and prepares the way to a critical attitude and spirit towards it.
What is the actual worth of our valuations and tables of moral laws? What is the outcome of their dominion? For whom? In relation to what? Answer: for Life. But what is Life? A new and more definite concept of what “Life “is, becomes necessary here. My formula of this concept is: Life is Will to Power.
What is the meaning of the very act of valuing? Does it point back to another, metaphysical world, or does it point down? (As Kant believed, who lived in a period which preceded the great historical movement). In short: what is its origin? Or had it no human “origin “? Answer: moral valuations are a sort of explanation, they constitute a method of interpreting. Interpretation in itself is a symptom of definite physiological conditions, as also of a definite spiritual level of ruling judgments. What is it that interprets? Our passions.