On the Genealogy of Morals

“We are unknown to ourselves, we men of science, and for good reason. Since we have never searched for ourselves, how should we ever find ourselves?”

Nietzsche asserts that humans and scientists have a responsibility to question everything, especially those beliefs and concepts that are accepted as true and fundamental. When humans accept ideas passively—such as notions about morality, good, and evil—they are strangers to themselves and the world in which they exist. Nietzsche suggests that the greatest value to humanity is the desire and ability to think and acquire knowledge; conformity and unthinking acceptance deny this value.

“My curiosity and my suspicion were eventually bound to lead me to the question of what was the true origin of our ‘Good’ and of our ‘Evil.’”

The philosopher asserts that the more one seeks answers to questions, the more questions one uncovers. In the Preface, Nietzsche presents these questions and more about the nature, origin, and development of morality. Instead of accepting that there are inherently good virtues, such as honesty and bravery, Nietzsche emphasizes the importance of questioning everything. Instead of limiting his inquiry into what types of actions are “good” or “bad,” Nietzsche asks whether the construct of morality itself is a destructive force.

“‘Good’ was mistakenly identified, and thus sought in vain, for the judgement ‘Good’ did not originate among those to whom goodness was shown! Rather it has been the ‘good men’ themselves, that is, the noble, the powerful, those of high degree, the high-minded, who have felt that they themselves were good.”

Central to Nietzsche’s argument is the idea that good and evil, or badness, are both social constructs built upon the links between Morality and Power. He asserts that the creation of these categories was born out of the desire of the wealthier and powerful classes to distinguish themselves from others.