Sunday, October 28, 2007

Thinking again about Zur Genealogie der Moral, one of the most insightful & stimulating things I've ever read, seems more relevant all the time. Has certainly been very helpful in dealing with being evil, at least conceptually, and that, after all, is what matters most.

'That lambs are annoyed at the great predatory birds is not a strange thing, and the fact that they snatch away small lambs provides no reason for holding anything against these large birds of prey. And if the lambs say among themselves, “These predatory birds are evil—and whoever is least like a predatory bird—and especially anyone who is like its opposite, a lamb—shouldn’t that animal be good?” there is nothing to find fault with in this setting up of an ideal, except for the fact that the birds of prey might look down with a little mockery and perhaps say to themselves, “We are not at all annoyed with these good lambs—we even love them. Nothing is tastier than a tender lamb.”'

Contrasts interestingly with Blake, also very stimulating treatment of good and evil, though less subtle and psychologically sound.

Hands are very cold.

Thinking about having a burger, should probably have some leftovers instead.

No comments: