On the Genealogy of Morals Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

On the Genealogy of Morals Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Memory - "Guilt," "Bad Conscience," And The Like

Nietzsche writes, “These Germans employed terrible means to make for themselves a memory, to enable them to master their rooted plebeian instincts and the brutal crudity of those instincts: think of the old German punishments, for instance, stoning (as far back as the legend, the millstone falls on the head of the guilty man), breaking on the wheel…It was by the help of such images and precedents that man eventually kept in his memory five or six "I will nots" with regard to which he had already given his promise." Beholding the terrible punishments inflicted on the wrongdoers influences the society members' memory. They are conscious of the pain that awaits them should they be involved in wrongdoing. The pain inherent in the punishments makes the memories permanent and indelible. Accordingly, the punishments are sufficient deterrents because they are recorded in the Germans' memories.

Sensuality - “What Is The Meaning Of Ascetic Ideals?”

Nietzsche expounds, “Feuerbach's motto of "healthy sensuality" rang in the ears of Wagner during the thirties and forties of the century, as it did in the ears of many Germans (they dubbed themselves "Young Germans"), like the word of redemption." Characterizing sensuality as 'healthy' indicates that he endorses pleasure as long as it is sought responsibly. Furthermore, sensuality is not overall sinful for human bodies were formed with inherent needs.

Aristocratic - "Good And Evil," "Good And Bad."

Nietzsche elucidates, “The guide-post which first put me on the right track was this question—what is the true etymological significance of the various symbols for the idea "good" which have been coined in the various languages? I then found that they all led back to the same evolution of the same idea—that everywhere "aristocrat," "noble" (in the social sense)." Here, nobility and goodness are synonymous; thus, good bids an absolutely positive connotation. Individuals with noble hearts are honored and venerated.

Responsibility - "Guilt," "Bad Conscience," And The Like.

Nietzsche explicates, “The proud knowledge of the extraordinary privilege of responsibility, the consciousness of this rare freedom, of this power over himself and over fate, has sunk right down to his innermost depths, and has become an instinct, a dominating instinct.” Here, Nietzsche is referring to the conscience which motivates human beings to be responsible. Therefore, individuals who behave irresponsibly are deemed to have a ‘bad conscience.’ The conscience, which is an instinctual aspect, largely dictates individuals’ decision-making.

Punishment - "Guilt," "Bad Conscience," And The Like.

Nietzsche remarks, “Throughout the longest period of human history punishment was never based on the responsibility of the evil-doer for his action, and was consequently not based on the hypothesis that only the guilty should be punished;—on the contrary, punishment was inflicted in those days for the same reason that parents punish their children." Punishments should not be exploited to inflict injury on wrongdoers. Instead, punishments should be used to uphold responsibility. Nietzsche equates punishments to the prize for one's actions. Parents should discipline their children through justifiable punishments which should not amount to emotional and physical abuse of the children.

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