Matt Yglesias Considered As The Nietzschean Superman
Aug 22, 2024
auto_awesome
In this discussion, Matt Yglesias, a commentator on political and social issues, dives into Nietzsche's controversial 'slave morality.' He argues that rejection of this morality often leads to a misunderstanding of good and bad, emphasizing a noble desire to help others. The conversation critiques the influence of moral philosophies on society and explores the duality of ambition and humility in morality. Yglesias also examines modern figures like Andrew Tate and the implications of effective altruism, all while questioning the deeper meaning behind competition and individual virtues.
The podcast discusses Nietzsche's slave morality as a moral framework arising from feelings of oppression, valuing humility and altruism over strength and ambition.
It critiques the cultural shift towards prioritizing harm reduction, arguing that it can undermine excellence and stifle individual ambition within society.
The synthesis of master and slave morality proposed by Nietzsche encourages individuals to strive for greatness while maintaining social responsibility and compassion.
Deep dives
Slave Morality as a Defense Mechanism
The concept of slave morality is presented as a defense mechanism employed by individuals who feel dominated or oppressed by those in positions of power. It develops as a means to cope with feelings of inadequacy, creating a moral framework where the oppressed deem the virtues of the oppressors, such as strength and ambition, as negative qualities. Instead, they promote humility, altruism, and self-denial, suggesting that these traits are superior. This shifting of values creates a narrative where victimhood becomes a form of moral superiority, allowing individuals to maintain a sense of dignity despite their lack of power.
The Dichotomy Between Master and Slave Morality
The podcast delves into Nietzsche’s dichotomy of master and slave morality, contrasting two fundamentally different approaches to ethics. Master morality celebrates strength, power, and individual excellence, deriving values from successful and accomplished figures, while slave morality arises from the resentment of the weak, transforming their impotence into a moral structure that values meekness and compassion. Nietzsche theorizes that as slave morality gains dominance, society risks creating individuals that worship mediocrity, focusing solely on avoiding harm rather than pursuing greatness. This cultural shift raises questions about the effectiveness of each moral framework in fostering human flourishing and progress.
Psychological Dynamics of Slave Morality
The podcast highlights how slave morality can manifest as a psychological avoidance strategy, preventing individuals from facing judgment based on their accomplishments. By focusing on perceived harm rather than benefits, slave moralists create a moral landscape where failure is less about success and more about not causing offense. This avoidance leads to a culture of mediocrity where individuals prioritize conformity and altruism over ambition and achievement. The resulting environment stifles personal growth and discourages striving for excellence, leading to a society that may become stagnant and unambitious.
Contemporary Implications of Slave Morality
Contemporary discussions around social justice, equality, and altruism are examined through the lens of slave morality, suggesting that these movements often prioritize harm reduction over the pursuit of excellence. The podcast critiques the effectiveness and implications of this perspective, arguing that focusing solely on preventing harm can undermine the celebration of human potential and achievement. The critique extends to cultural phenomena such as anti-capitalist sentiments, which can sometimes lead to hostility against those who excel. These dynamics influence the societal narrative, shifting from one that embraces progress to one that seeks to equalize outcomes, potentially dampening motivation for innovation and development.
The Role of the 'Superman' and Higher Aspirations
The podcast asserts that Nietzsche's idea of the 'Superman' suggests a synthesis between master and slave morality, motivating individuals to aspire to greatness while being mindful of their impact on others. This archetype encourages the pursuit of excellence while still embracing elements of compassion and altruism, potentially leading to a more balanced ethical perspective. Strategies that foster both personal achievement and social responsibility can prevent the negative repercussions associated with either extreme of the moral spectrum. However, the challenge remains in overcoming societal tendencies towards envy and mediocrity that slave morality propagates, inspiring individuals to strive for their highest potential while contributing positively to humanity.
Nietzsche’s concept of “slave morality” (he writes) is just a dysphemism for the usual morality where you’re not bad and cruel. Right-wing edgelords use “rejection of slave morality” as a justification for badness and cruelty:
When people object to slave morality, they are just objecting to morality. They are objecting to the notion that you should care about others and doing the right thing, even when doing so doesn’t materially benefit you. Now, one can consistently object to those things, but it doesn’t make them any sort of Nostradamus. It makes them morally deficient, and also generally philosophically confused.
The tedious whinging about slave morality is just a way to pass off not caring about morality or taking moral arguments seriously as some sort of sophisticated and cynical myth-busting. But it’s not that in the slightest. No one is duped by slave morality, no one buys into it because of some sort of deep-seated ignorance. Those who follow it do so because of a combination of social pressure and a genuine desire to help out others. That is, in fact, not in any way weak but a noble impulse from which all good actions spring.
