Section seven focuses on Nietzsche condemnation of pity. He writes "pity stands in antithesis to the tonic emotions which enhances the energy of the feeling of life: it has a depressive effect…..suffering becomes contagious.” (130)
Nietzsche sees pity as one of those present aspects of morality that is actually an inversion of true morality. By regarding pity as a grand virtue it has made people weaker. He sees pity as problematic because it multiplies sorrow, weakens everyone, and preserves that which is "ripe for destruction."
I find it interesting that Nietzsche uses the word "pity" as opposed to compassion or sympathy. The word pity has a connotation of power within it. To pity someone is to be above them looking down; it draws images of the rich looking down upon the poor pitying that they were not born so lucky. Pity also has an inactive sense about it, to pity someone usually denotes a passive twinge of guilt or sadness. Easily done, ”Oh I feel bad," while walking by the homeless man on the street.
When a tragedy befalls someone it is common to hear "I don't want anyone's pity," but I have never heard someone say "I don't want anyone's compassion." Nietzsches use of the word pity is a straw-man technique. Pity isn't a virtue that should be preserved, it is self-righteous and has a feeling of power engrained within it.
Compassion on the other hand is a virtue that should be preserved and does not have a depressing effect, does not increase sorrow, and does not preserve that which should be destroyed.
Nietzsche seems to have a keen interest in evolution; if he looked at the evolution of homo sapiens he would see that we are social animals; the only reason our species survived is through preserving of the group. (ie: alarm calling)
While I agree that pity is a waste of emotion compassion has ensured the survival of our species and will continue to be a cornerstone on what brings comfort and peace when tragedy befalls people.
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ReplyDeleteI liked your exploration of the word pity, however, why would you agree with Nietzsche that "pity is a waste of emotion?" Empathy, sympathy, and compassion remind me of some utopian vision of society where everyone lives in harmony and their isn't a hierarchical societal structure. But, that world is a fiction, and most people are motivated by pity (and their sense of power), and view the less fortunate as being below them in some respect (I think you expressed this nicely with your homeless person example). Most of the commercials for nonprofit programs operate by requesting pity for their cause. What is more pitiful than throwing money at an organization and allowing them to handle serious social issues? Without pity, however, these issues probably wouldn't be addressed at all.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting the way Sean and Lexiey applied Nietzsche's "pity" to people helping others in need. Do all humanitarian organizations work with the concept of feeling pity over the other?
ReplyDeleteIf I undersand correctly, regarding the homeless person or the people in need, Nietzsche would label them "ripe for destruction," and would not want anyone to intervene since it would increase suffering overall for both parties, and by stating that pitying upon these people thwarts evolution, he is saying that it is better to let them pass away to retain a healthy "selection" of people alive, then to keep them and conserve "everything miserable" (130).
However, one can easily see how this argument is problematic!
Thus, I find Nietzsche's argument on pity way too underdeveloped to apply it to such complex social issues.
Wow I didn't even think about applying pity on such a grand scale, its interesting to take it in that direction and try to apply it 'complex social issues' as Roy said.
ReplyDeleteIn those terms you are completely right, it does seem to me that a lot of charities and humanitarian projects operate in terms of pity, and so pity is a good instrumental virtue (I could be wrong this is what I have observed in my limited experience with charity goers).
I was thinking in a more close to home sense; tragedy befalling someone within a community, lets say a parent losing a child. Now those parents may not be able to continue onward if left to their own devices. They may not be able to continue on if just given shallow pity either. It is through compassion and support that these parents will be able to survive such a tragedy and continue onward. This does not weaken but strengthens eveyrone. The survival of individuals depends on the survival of the whole community