Deck 23: Moral and Political Reformers: The Happiness of All, Including Women

Question 1

Nietzsche looks to Greek tragedy

A) for a portrayal of how to live morally in an indifferent universe.
B) to teach us what pessimism really means.
C) for a solution to the problem of the value of existence.
D) where Apollo is shown to conquer Dionysus, to the benefit of all.

Answer 1

for a solution to the problem of the value of existence.

Question 2

In his early book The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche relies on Schopenhauer for

A) an understanding of how to quiet the will and get relief from the suffering of desire.
B) the concept of a primal oneness underlying the phenomenal world of individuals.
C) the principle of individuation, which makes individuals into the ultimate realities.
D) his music dramas, which Nietzsche thought indicated a rebirth of tragedy in the modern world.

Answer 2

the concept of a primal oneness underlying the phenomenal world of individuals.

Question 3

The problem of the value of existence can only be solved, Nietzsche believes,

A) by making our lives into works of art.
B) by recognizing the values inherent in things as they are placed on the Great Chain of Being.
C) by living according to a strict moral code.
D) by belief in a loving God.

Answer 3

by making our lives into works of art.

Question 4

When real worlds become fables,

A) we need to invent new ones.
B) we are left with only the apparent world.
C) there has been a failure of reason, and we need to try to be more rational.
D) we have reached the high point of humanity.

Question 5

What does it mean that God is dead?

A) It is obvious to all that there is no God.
B) Nihilism threatens.
C) We need to invent new gods.
D) Christ died on the cross for our sins.

Question 6

A revaluation of values

A) would ask the question, What values does true morality endorse?
B) cannot be accomplished because it would involve you in a circle, assuming some values to judge others.
C) is needed because of the death of God.
D) would criticize present values as degenerate and try to bring us back to the values of our ancestors.

Question 7

The main difference between master morality and slave morality is that

A) the masters think of the slaves as evil.
B) the slaves think of the masters as bad.
C) one morality is founded in affirmation and the other in resentment.
D) only master morality, the morality of the powerful, has survived to the present day.

Question 8

An Overman, as Nietzsche portrays him,

A) remains faithful to the earth.
B) overcomes selfishness in himself and fosters equality.
C) must kill God over and over.
D) agrees with the soothsayer that all is the same and nothing is worthwhile.

Question 9

An Overman, as Nietzsche portrays him,

A) is a rope, a rope over an abyss.
B) is first a child, then a camel, then a lion.
C) creates himself first, and then makes all his disciples into Overmen, too.
D) is the poet of his life.

Question 10

An Overman, as Nietzsche portrays him,

A) is possessed of a deep seriousness about life that makes it all worthwhile.
B) is the meaning of the earth.
C) is a master of taking revenge on those who try to belittle him.
D) pities those not fortunate enough to be blessed with the health and strength to be Overmen, too.

Question 11

Affirming eternal recurrence

A) serves as a test of your intelligence; only those bright enough to understand it can become Overmen.
B) causes nausea in Overmen.
C) is what the small man does, the man of little brain and no virtue.
D) is a sign that you are well disposed toward your life.

Question 12

What kind of solution to the problem of "the value of existence" does Nietzsche envisage?

Question 13

How does Nietzsche use the metaphysics of Schopenhauer to explain the "metaphysical consolation" that tragedy supplies?

Question 14

Why does Nietzsche think "real worlds" have become a fable? What replaces them?

Question 15

What does it mean that God is dead? And what danger threatens after God's death?

Question 16

What would be an Overman's reaction to learning of the death of God?

Question 17

Describe slave morality.

Question 18

What would be an Overman's relation to will to power?

Question 19

What does Zarathustra say about friends and neighbors?

Question 20

What does Zarathustra say about equality?

Question 21

What is an Overman's opinion of selfishness?

Question 22

How does an Overman react to news of eternal recurrence?

Question 23

What is Zarathustra's reaction to nihilism?

Question 24

What do Zarathustra and the Overman say about pity?

Question 25

It is unlikely that you are an Overman (or Overwoman). But you now know a good bit about what such a person would be like. Imagine that you have arrived at that exalted status and are being interviewed on the topics listed here. What do you say about each?
• God
• meaning in life
• values
• equality
• will to power
• selfishness
• eternal recurrence

Question 26

Nietzsche advises, become who you are, and Kierkegaard describes the human goal as being willing to be oneself. These sound remarkably alike, yet they must not be, for there are so many differences between these two thinkers. Spell out how they understand these phrases.

Question 27

Suppose you are struggling with nihilism. Describe what that is like, and then review Nietzsche's prescription for dealing with it. Does it work?