Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
II: Criticism of Morality§266 A. Morality as the work of Immorality.
In order that moral values may attain to supremacy a host of immoral forces and passions must assist them.
The establishment of moral values is the work of immoral passions and considerations.
B. Morality as the work of error.
C. Morality gradually contradicts itself. Truthfulness, Doubt, Judging, the “Immorality “of belief in morality. The steps.
Absolute dominion of morality: all biological phenomena measured and judged according to its values.
The attempt to identify Life with morality (symptom of awakened scepticism: morality must no longer be regarded as the opposite of Life); many means are sought even a transcendental one.
The opposition of Life and Morality. Morality condemned and sentenced by Life.
D. To what extent was morality dangerous to Life?
It depreciated the joy of living and the gratitude felt towards Life, etc.
It checked the tendency to beautify and to ennoble Life.
It checked the knowledge of Life.
It checked the unfolding of Life, because it tried to set the highest phenomena thereof at variance with itself.
E. Contra-account: the usefulness of morality to Life.
Morality may be a preservative measure for the general whole, it may be a process of uniting dispersed members: it is useful as an agent in the production of the man who is a “tool”.
Morality may be a preservative measure mitigating the inner danger threatening man from the direction of his passions: it is useful to “mediocre people?
Morality may be a preservative measure resisting the life-poisoning influences of profound sorrow and bitterness: it is useful to the “sufferers?
Morality may be a preservative measure opposed to the terrible outbursts of the mighty: it is useful to the “lowly?