My analysis of The Antchrist: An Attempted Criticism of Christianity-Friedrich Nietzsche

“Pity thwarts the whole law of evolution, which is the law of natural selection. It preserves whatever is ripe for destruction ; it fights on the side of those disinherited and condemned by life; by minting life in so many of the botched of all kinds, it gives life itself a gloomy and dubious aspect.”

A scary thought. When some philosophers argue that pity is the basis of all morality it seems bold if not devilish to say not to have any pity at all, yet I cannot see myself completely denying Nietzsche. If not for pity perhaps we would be stronger ( if weakness begets weakness the strong should also beget strength, if not is it truly strong? ), it is through pity that  the weak survive, it is through it that they deny natural selection and will perhaps overtake the strong, albeit just through their number. But it is imperative for us to look at the wider picture. What is truth, is that humans are weak creatures. There are strong ones no doubt, but no comparison to the predators in the wild. We pity not others but ourselves. Might I say that when we pity others, when values are created to be humble, to share with others, it is not created just by the weak for the weak, these are values are not noble just to fool others as I have understood Nietzsche applies in Twilight of the idols it is also because the human mind comprehends that the situation of strength and weakness are all but just a position in taken and let go off (usually not voluntarily) with the passage of time. Were it not for the “weak idols” human race would not have sustained for so long, so i must say this does not thwart natural selection at all but is the very result of it, for we are not immortal gods but mortal fiends.

“When the center of gravity of life is laid, not in life, but in beyond- in nonentity,- life is utterly robbed of its balance…The very meaning of life is not constructed as the effort to live in such a way that life no longer has any point…Why show any public spirit? Why be grateful for one’s origin and one’s forebears? Why collaborate with one’s fellows, and be confident? Why be concerned about the general weal or strive after it? “

 What a brilliant analysis. For this I have no criticism. What foolishness it is to let go of this life for an afterlife that has not been proved, this attempt to justify one's action for the afterlife is perhaps too an escapism of the weak, of those who perhaps are not happy with life so wish for another chance of life itself . Where the Orient seeked for a new chance in another life in this world the Christians seemed to have wished in another world, in the Kingdom of God.

“ By saying laws are revelations do we not discredit our ancestors?”

“ The point of fact, it matters greatly to what end one lies: Whether one preserves or destroys by means of falsehood.” 

 By saying this, has Nietzsche conceded that white lies are good? If so, what does it mean to preserve? If by preserve it means to save one's family, one’s nation then wouldn’t strategic manipulation of history to suit one’s own agenda to preserve one's own culture be justified? Or does he mean to preserve something else?

“ If Islam despises Christianity, it is justified a thousand times over; for Islam presupposes men”- Sec. 59

I would be grateful if anyone could make me wise, on what he meant. 

The lines I have quoted today are from The Antichrist: An Attempted Criticism of Christianity by Friedrich Nietzsche. A book that was short but would be sugar coated if called controversial. It was an easier read than Twilight of the Idols, was it because I read it first? I do not know. But the consistent theme of this book made it easier to grasp what Nietzsche was on about and had interesting takes that would be fun to ponder about.
Although I had said that I would be taking a break from Nietzsche due to heavy language in Twilight of the Idols, I found myself wanting to read it again and again as I went through other books. So now I will finish reading Ecce Homo before moving onto the other 2 books which I will be keeping in a hold.