On the Genealogy of Morals

In this book, Nietzche explores the origins and evolution of human moral values, going deeper into the concept of guilt, responsibility and the very foundation of "good and "evil", where he argues that the concepts of good and evil have not always been understood as they are today, and that society's ethical frameworks has evolved to which it contradicts with our inherent drives and instincts. Historically, "good" was associated with the nobility—synonymous with power and strength. This perspective stands in contrast to the prevailing psychological theories of his time, which attempted to explain morality through an evolutionary framework centered on altruism. According to Nietzsche, our modern understanding of goodness comes from Christianity, which inverted the traditional value hierarchy—elevating what was once considered lower. This shift occurred because the oppressed, unable to overthrow their oppressors through force, instead redefined moral values to serve their position which he referred to as "slave morality," which emerged in opposition to the pre-Christian "master morality." As a result, virtues like compassion, selflessness, and humility are not inherent moral truths but rather products of an intellectual revolution. As he explores guilt, bad conscience, and asceticism. Nietzsche sees punishment as an expression of anger rather than justice, linking guilt (Schuld) to debt (Schulden), where the punisher takes pleasure in retribution, while also mentioning other ideas, like the Übermensch and will to power that also appeared in his other books like thus spake zarathustra. I especially enjoyed the final section on truth, science, and humanity's search for meaning, which critiques the growing blind faith in science