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The Blonde Beast in Chains: How Stoicism Tamed an Emperor

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Objective "This article explores Friedrich Nietzsche’s concepts of master and slave morality, their roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition, and their relationship to the Apollonian and Dionysian dichotomy. It will then argue that Stoicism operates within the framework of slave morality, drawing parallels with Christianity. Finally, it will examine how Marcus Aurelius, as both emperor and Stoic, represents a paradox: a man embodying both the noble ‘blonde beast’ and the ascetic self-denial of the plebeian.” Introduction Friedrich Nietzsche distinguished between two fundamental moral perspectives: master and slave morality. The first, associated with strength and nobility, originates from rulers who define virtue in terms of power, vitality, and self-affirmation. The second, emerging from the oppressed, is a reaction against the dominance of the strong, elevating humility, obedience, and self-denial. This inversion of values, deeply embedded in the Judeo-Christian tradition, ...

Beyond Good and Evil: Nietzsche and the Deconstruction of Moral Values

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Introduction In the late 19th century, Friedrich Nietzsche experienced a period of personal isolation and commercial failures that profoundly influenced his intellectual production. Amid this adversity emerged one of his most emblematic works, Beyond Good and Evil , a book that challenges the foundations of Western philosophy and questions traditional ethical values. In this work, Nietzsche argues that the moral dichotomies and value antitheses that have dominated philosophical thought are not absolute but conventional constructions that must be overcome. This argument paved the way for new ways of thinking, later influencing movements like existentialism, poststructuralism and Jacques Derrida's deconstruction, among others. The radical and provocative nature of Beyond Good and Evil led to its being perceived as a “dangerous” work—a label that does not censor the philosopher but underscores his capacity to revolutionize traditional ideas. The depth and boldness of the book ...