The Dissenter

#1177 Mark Alfano: Nietzsche on Virtue

Nov 17, 2025
Dr. Mark Alfano, a philosophy professor and author, delves into the nuances of Nietzsche's conception of virtue. He explains virtues as drives that must harmonize with one's character, emphasizing their diversity across human types. The discussion covers the concept of Procrustean moralism, the role of social feedback in self-knowledge, and the importance of humor and curiosity for personal growth. Alfano also explores how solitude can serve as cultural criticism and the idea of 'amor fati,' accepting one's fate while allowing for personal change.
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INSIGHT

Systematic Reading Reveals Hidden Virtues

  • Alfano used computational co-location analysis to read all of Nietzsche's published work and identify recurring themes about virtue.
  • This systematic method revealed neglected virtues like solitude, humor, curiosity, and intellectual courage.
INSIGHT

Virtue As Type-Relative Drives

  • Nietzsche treats virtues as drives rather than universal acquired habits, and virtues vary by individual.
  • A drive counts as a virtue when it harmonizes with an individual's other drives and supports agency.
INSIGHT

An Abundance Of Human Types

  • Nietzsche endorses a rich plurality of human types rather than a simple higher/lower binary.
  • Different types embody different virtues, so moral ideals must fit individual constitutions.
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