The Relationship between Moral Overridingness and Ethical Egoism in Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy

Aghagoli, F.; Fazeli, S.F.

doi:10.58209/jpt.5.4.449

The Relationship between Moral Overridingness and Ethical Egoism in Nietzsche’s Moral Philosophy

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

F. Aghagoli

S.F. Fazeli ^¶

Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

https://doi.org/10.58209/jpt.5.4.449

Abstract

Despite the implicit contradiction between “moral overridingness” and “egoism” in moral philosophy, these two concepts are fundamentally connected in Nietzsche’s ethics. Relying on the notions of the “will to power” and the “Übermensch,” Nietzsche emphasizes morality as grounded in individuality and liberation from traditional constraints. In this context, egoism is closely linked to the will to power, which serves as a means for attaining the Übermensch—an individual capable of creating new values and achieving moral overridingness. Such moral overridingness empowers one to transcend prevailing social values. Given the reciprocal relationship between the will to power and the Übermensch, Nietzsche’s thought presents the possibility of analyzing the connection between egoism and moral overridingness not as oppositional, but as two constructive forces that advance individual freedom and emancipation from social constraints within moral philosophy.

Keywords

Egoism

Moral Overridingness

Will to Power

bermensch

Nietzsche&‌‌rsquo

s Moral Philosophy

Subjects

Philosophy of Ethics (Modern)

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