Philosophy Paper 2 FA 3

a) Examine Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power as it relates to the genealogy of morals.
[10]

Friedrich Nietzsche is very well known for introducing the concept of the "will to power"
as a fundamental drive that shapes human behavior and underlies all existence.
This complex notion has been subject to much interpretation and debate, but its
significance in Nietzsche's philosophy cannot be overstated. The will to power is not a
mere desire for dominance or control over others; it is a deeper, more omnipresent force
that motivates individuals to express and assert themselves, to overcome challenges,
and to strive for self-actualization. It is the driving force behind creativity, ambition, and
the pursuit of excellence. Nietzsche argued that the will to power is not a conscious
choice but an inherent, instinctive drive. It is not a goal that one sets out to achieve but
rather a fundamental aspect of human existence. It is the force that compels us to push
our limits, to grow, and to become more than we are. He believed, contrary to the
majority of the world at the time, that humans were Dionysian in nature, and not
Apollonian. The will to power manifests itself in a myriad of ways, shaping our actions,
aspirations, and interactions with the world around us. It is evident in 3 main ways
according to Nietzsche. Firstly, through Creative Expression, which is the burning desire
to create, to express oneself artistically, intellectually, or in any other form, is a powerful
manifestation of the will to power. The artist's relentless pursuit of capturing beauty, the
musician's yearning to convey emotion through melodies, and the writer's struggle to
articulate profound thoughts – all stem from the deep-seated drive to leave a mark on
the world. Secondly, Ambition and Achievement, which talks about the striving for
success, the relentless pursuit of goals, and the unwavering desire to excel in various
endeavors are all hallmarks of the will to power. The entrepreneur's determination to
build a thriving business, the athlete's relentless pursuit of victory, and the scholar's
dedication to unraveling the mysteries of the universe – all reflect the will to power in
action. And finally, Self-Overcoming. The will to power is not merely about external
achievements; it is also about overcoming one's limitations, conquering obstacles, and
becoming the best version of oneself. It is the force that drives individuals to confront
their fears, to push their physical and mental boundaries, and to continuously evolve.
Self-overcoming was absolutely essential for Nietzsche, as he believed via
self-overcoming, or the will to power, people can become higher order men, or as he
called it, the Ubermensch. The Ubermensch were as Nietzsche defined them were
individuals, who were not controlled by societal pressures or other views, but rather
were knowledgeable enough to make their own logical and independent decisions and
more importantly principles, via which they would live by. This is where the will to power
relates to Nietzsche’s book, “On the Genealogy of Morals”.
“On the Genealogy of Morals," is a critical examination of the origins and development
of moral values. Nietzsche challenged the traditional notion of morality, arguing that it is
not an objective, universal truth but rather a product of historical and social forces.
Nietzsche distinguished between two distinct moral systems: master morality and slave
morality. Master morality, associated with the strong and powerful, values such as
strength, courage, nobility, and self-mastery. Slave morality, on the other hand, emerges
from the resentment and powerlessness of the weak, valuing humility, compassion,
altruism, and selflessness. Nietzsche argued that slave morality, with its emphasis on
pity and selflessness, has become the dominant moral system, thanks to Christianity,
and results in suppressing the life-affirming values of master morality. This dominance,
he believed, has led to a stifling of human potential, a denial of life's inherent struggles
and conflicts, and a culture of mediocrity. In the book Nietzsche critiques Christianity for
supporting and brainwashing humans to believe that the apollonian lifestyle is inherently
good, as a result, making the Dionysian lifestyle of the ubermensch seem bad.
Christianity, which’s roots are in resentment, tries to disprove ubermensch and the will
to power being a positive thing, but rather attempts to show them in a negative light,
which is what Nietzsche exposed the truth behind in his book, “On the Genealogy of
Morals”.
 b) To what extent does Nietzsche’s emphasis on the “will to power” challenges traditional
notions of morality and influences his critique of ethical systems. [15]

Friedrich Nietzsche's concept of the "will to power" stands as a pivotal and controversial element
of his philosophical thought, offering an aggressively contrasting view from traditional notions
of Christian morality and influencing his critique of ethical systems. His emphasis on the will to
power has exerted a profound influence on philosophical discourse, sparking intense debates and
challenging the very foundations of morality, for which he has put forward a detailed argument
on, via several of his writings.
Nietzsche's assertion that the will to power is the fundamental drive underlying human behavior
stands in stark contrast to traditional Christian moral theories that emphasize notions of good and
evil, duty and obligation. He argues that morality is not an objective set of principles inherent to
human nature, like what Christianity has manipulated the world to believe, but rather is a product
of human history, power relations, the struggle for survival, and individuality from person to
person.
Nietzsche's critique of traditional morality is deeply rooted in his concept of slave morality. He
contends that traditional Christian morality, with its emphasis on values such as humility,
compassion, and selflessness, emerged from the resentment and powerlessness of the weak to
suppress the strong. These values, according to Nietzsche, serve as a protective mechanism for
the weak, enabling them to coexist with the strong Dionysian members in a society marked by
power imbalances.
While Nietzsche acknowledges the potential benefits of slave morality in maintaining social
order and protecting the vulnerable, he ultimately rejects it as a hindrance to human flourishing.
He argues that slave morality, with its emphasis on self-denial and conformity, stifles human
potential, denies the inherent struggles and conflicts that shape human existence, and promotes a
culture of weakness.
In contrast to slave morality, Nietzsche advocates for a master morality or the will to power, a
system of values that celebrates creativity and self-overcoming. Master morality values strength,
courage, nobility, and self-mastery, qualities that Nietzsche believes are essential for human
flourishing and the pursuit of excellence. He believes that true Ubermensch create their own
morals which they live by, and are not limited by society, like Christianity does.
Nietzsche's emphasis on the will to power extends to his critique of ethical systems such as
utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. He argues that utilitarianism, with its focus on
maximizing happiness, fails to account for the complexities of human behavior, the importance
of individual self-actualization, and the potential conflicts between individual and collective
happiness.
Similarly, Nietzsche criticizes deontology, with its emphasis on following moral rules, for being
overly rigid and inflexible, failing to consider the context and consequences of actions, and
potentially leading to actions that contradict the overall well-being of individuals or society.
Virtue ethics, which emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits, fares better in
Nietzsche's eyes but still falls short of his ideal ethical framework. He argues that virtue ethics
fails to provide a clear and objective standard for determining which virtues are truly valuable,
leaving individuals to grapple with subjective and often conflicting interpretations of virtuous
behavior.
Despite his profound influence, Nietzsche's philosophy has not been without its critics. Some
argue that his emphasis on the will to power leads to a moral relativism that undermines the
possibility of meaningful moral judgments and the existence of any universal ethical principles.
Others criticize his concept of the will to power as vague and ill-defined, lacking the clarity and
precision necessary for a robust ethical theory that can guide human behavior in a consistent and
meaningful manner. Furthermore, Nietzsche's critique of slave morality has been criticized for
overlooking the potential benefits of compassion and selflessness, which can contribute to social
harmony, alleviate suffering, and promote the well-being of individuals and communities.
Additionally, his advocacy for master morality has been seen as elitist and potentially justifying
oppressive or exploitative behavior, raising concerns about the potential consequences of
embracing a philosophy that celebrates power and self-assertion without adequate consideration
for the rights and well-being of others.

To conclude, Nietzsche's emphasis on the "will to power" has undoubtedly challenged traditional
notions of morality and ethical systems. His critique has prompted a re-evaluation of moral
foundations, inspired ongoing philosophical debates about the nature of morality, the role of
power in human behavior, and the possibility of a truly objective ethical framework in a world
shaped by personal desires, power dynamics, and individual self-assertion. While his ideas have
been met with criticism and ethical concerns, Nietzsche's contribution to philosophical discourse
remains undeniable. His emphasis on the will to power forces us to confront the complexities of
human nature, the challenges of establishing a meaningful moral system, and the delicate balance
between individual self-actualization and the well-being of others in a world where power and
personal aspirations play a significant role.