Equality: A Different Perspective - Part 2

Nietzsche's Thus Spake Zarathustra, Chapter 29, "The Tarantulas"

This is a continuation from part 1 on Nietzsche's thoughts on equality from his book “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” (link for Part 1 is provided below)

To summarize Nietzsche's thoughts on equality as previously discussed, he says that the motivation for equality is based on envy, revenge, and resentment. Equality is always exalted by who don’t have power in order to take power from stronger people or institutions.

PEOPLE ARE NOT EQUAL

Nietzsche very boldly sums up his stance on equality when he states that:

“Men are not equal. And neither shall they become so!”

I think Nietzsche is simply saying that since men are not equal and will not become so, chasing after equality is pointless. If inequality is our reality, let’s accept that fact and continue along with our lives.

INEQUALITY EVERYWHERE

Nietzsche then also states:

…there is struggle and inequality even in beauty, and war for power and supremacy”

I think this is an excellent point, because it helps to clarify the reality that we live in. If mankind does truly exist in a state of equality, then why would we have the need to compete and outperform one another? Why would there be beauty contests, warfare between states and competing in the marketplace if we were all equal? If we were all equal there would be no point to competing, because we would all equally reach the same outcome. Since mankind is unequal, some people are more beautiful than others and some people are more economically more productive than others.

EQUALITY PREVENTS OUR OVERCOMING

The primary concept of Nietzsche’s “Thus Spake Zarathustra” book is overcoming and surpassing ourselves in order to evolve as human beings, i.e. to become Supermen. He viewed the idea of equality as a hinderance to self-surpassing when he states that:

“Men are not equal…what would be my love to the Superman, if I spake otherwise?”

With this passage, I think Nietzsche is saying that the push for equality opposes the idea of a Superman, or self-surpassing. If we are to ascend ourselves one day, equality will not be a step that can get us there; it will actually stop us from evolving. If less powerful or unaccomplished people are artificially brought up to the same level as more powerful and accomplished people, then the latter are being held back. Therefore, the push for equality holds us back from evolving since naturally some people will always perform better than others in life.

Also, if, according to Nietzsche, equality is based upon negative feelings of revenge and resentfulness and attacking excellent people, then the thirst for equality is not based upon noble feelings. Revenge and resentfulness and envy are feelings that derive from a weaker state of being and are not empowering feelings. Therefore, this highlights the fact that to surpass ourselves and become Supermen (or Overmen), equality should not be pursued since it is based upon weaker feelings.

CONCLUSION:

Nietzsche's perspectives on equality illuminates several criticisms. First, mankind is not equal, and we will never become so. Striving for equality is therefore pointless. Inequality is everywhere and a feature of our reality. Lastly, equality prevents us from surpassing ourselves by making us all equal, and in the end, we never evolve as humans.

REFERENCES:

Equality: A Different Perspective - Part 1 (substack.com)

Nietzsche, Friedrich (1883). Thus Spake Zarathustra, Chapter 29. Wordsworth Editions Limited.