Philosophy 201 - Ethics
Class Notes for Wed. 3/5/03

Discussion of scores on test #2, Professor will curve test, add 5% to all grades. Lowest grade of three tests will be dropped.

Final Exam will cover Aristotle, Nietzsche and a grab bag of questions from Applied Ethics (Ch. 13)

Read Chapter 13 for next week.

Discussion Question #7 on Virtue Ethics due Friday 3/7/03

Discussion Question #8 on Applied Ethics Due of Friday 3/14/03

NIETZSCHE - Genealogy of Morals:

Master Morality - created by the ruling class. The Ideal person would be the "Viking Warrior". virtues are strength, courage, independence, creativity, self control, individuality, callousness.

Opposite of Master Morality is Slave Morality - created by the peasant rabble. This way of thinking becomes "Christian Morality" The Ideal person would be Jesus. Virtues of this morality )considered vices by Nietzsche) are weakness (meekness), cowardice (turn the other cheek), dependence (on God and the state), conformity, being controlled by others (herd mentality).

Nietzsche called Christianity a "religion of castration" and Christians a "race of dog men"

Exemplars (role models) of Master Morality are great generals, scholars, artists, scientists.

Nietzsche believed that people will fall into one category or the other. They will either contribute to mankind or become part of the "rabble"

Perhaps Nietzsche and Rand would share some thoughts on personal accomplishment and achievement.

Nietzsche had a certain level of contempt for the common man eve though the common man is useful for some things he has his place. Analogy given of eagles and lambs. The common man is there to serve the "masters"