On the Genealogy of Morals

Nietzsche opens the first essay by criticizing English “psychologists.” In this passage, he refers to Western thinkers who have adhered to a traditional, utilitarian view of morality. A utilitarian doctrine suggests that there is such a thing as definitive good and evil; good is determined by that which helps rather than what causes harm to others. Nietzsche asserts that utilitarian morality fails to acknowledge the full scope of history. Right action is often categorized as selfless action, and Nietzsche suggests that this is due to the fact that morality serves a purpose for those who benefit from it. The longer certain actions were praised as good, the more they became associated with goodness itself. These actions formed values which created the mistaken concept of “good.” Those who benefit from morality are those who hold privilege and power. This group of people began to equate their own values with goodness and the values of the lower classes with vulgarity. Nietzsche argues that human perceptions of good and evil are all born out of the power of one group of people in comparison to another.

Examining the language of “good” contributes to an understanding of its relationship with power. The concept of “nobility,” related to “noble,” supports the idea that good is aligned with aristocracy.