It has taken me quite some time to journey through this book, and now it is festooned with a myriad of brightly coloured, pointy post-it notes. The pages resemble a chaotic saw-blade, each tab marking a moment of insight or intrigue, creating a whimsical and somewhat bewildering display. What follows, is the result of my addled brain.
Ah, Beyond Good & Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche’s magnum opus that has caused more existential crises than a mid-life birthday party. This is the book that every philosophy student flaunts to seem intellectually superior while secretly Googling the definition of “Übermensch” on the sly. Nietzsche’s work, which masquerades as a profound philosophical treatise, is, in reality, a scathing self-help manual designed to convince you that you, too, can rise above the petty morality of the common folk. Spoiler alert: you probably can’t, but let’s dive in anyway.
Nietzsche kicks things off by essentially telling everyone that their beliefs are rubbish. He criticises philosophers, theologians, and basically anyone who’s ever had a thought that wasn’t his own. It’s like Nietzsche is the ultimate internet troll, but with a spectacular moustache and a penchant for existential dread. He accuses past philosophers of being too dogmatic and claims they lack the creativity to think outside their moralistic boxes. Nietzsche’s message is clear: If you’ve ever believed in anything, you’re probably wrong.
Central to Nietzsche’s work is the concept of the Übermensch, or overman, a being who transcends the simplistic dualities of good and evil. The Übermensch is essentially Nietzsche’s fantasy football pick for the ultimate human being – strong, independent, and utterly free of society’s silly little morals. Nietzsche encourages us all to strive for this ideal, but let’s be real: most of us can barely decide what to watch on television, let alone transcend our ethical frameworks. Still, it’s a nice thought.
In what feels like an intellectual wrestling match, Nietzsche pits Slave Morality against Master Morality. Slave Morality is for the weak, the herd, those who follow societal rules like sheep because they’re too afraid to break out and assert their will. Master Morality, on the other hand, is for the brave, the few, the Übermensch wannabes who create their own values and live by their own rules. Nietzsche doesn’t mince words here – if you’re living by society’s rules, you’re doing it wrong. But don’t worry, you can still be an Übermensch in your mum’s box-room.
Let’s not forget Nietzsche’s less-than-progressive views on women. In a move that would get him cancelled faster than you can say Chauvinism, Nietzsche describes women in ways that make even the most out-of-touch Victorian patriarch look like Germaine Greer. His advice for dealing with women can be summed up as: Don’t. If you’re looking for an enlightened take on gender relations, keep looking. Nietzsche’s approach to women is best left in the 19th century, alongside cholera and corsets.
The Will to Power is Nietzsche’s way of saying, “Get off your lazy backside and do something with your life.” It’s the driving force behind all human action, according to Nietzsche. This is not your average motivational speech; it’s more like a drill sergeant screaming in your face to seize control of your destiny. Nietzsche’s Will to Power is about asserting dominance, making your own rules, and generally acting like you’re the star of your own action movie. Just don’t try this at home, kids.
In conclusion, Beyond Good & Evil is Nietzsche’s way of throwing shade at the entire human race while offering a dubious roadmap to becoming an Übermensch. It’s a work that’s equal parts profound and perplexing, a masterclass in philosophical trolling. Whether you see Nietzsche as a genius or a madman, one thing’s for sure: he definitely knew how to stir the pot. So, next time you’re feeling morally superior or existentially confused, just remember Nietzsche’s sage advice: abandon your values, strive for greatness, and whatever you do, don’t listen to anyone but him.
Wording 