Introduced by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, master–slave morality describes two very different ways people decide what is right and wrong.
Master morality is the mindset of the powerful: those who see themselves as noble, strong, and life-affirming.
For these individuals (“masters”), “good” means whatever reflects their strength, confidence, and pursuit of excellence, while “bad” simply describes what is ordinary, weak, or the opposite of their own values—it does not mean evil.
They create values based on what helps them thrive, guided by traits like courage, honesty, and self-assertion, all of which serve their “will to power,” or drive to realize their potential.
Slave morality, in contrast, forms as a reaction against the masters by those without power (“slaves”). Because the weak are envious or resentful (a feeling Nietzsche labels ressentiment), they invert the master’s values.
The very traits the powerful admire become “evil,” while humility, kindness, and pity become “good.”
Slave morality values what is useful for everyone rather than just the strong, emphasizing equality and compassion.
Over time, Nietzsche argues, slave morality became dominant in Western culture, especially through Christianity and democratic movements, which promote ideas of universal human worth and freedom.
In this way, every society’s view of right and wrong reflects a struggle between these two moral outlooks and the groups that support them.
Online Resources
- Master–slave morality / Wikipedia
- The master and slave moralities: what Nietzsche really meant / Big Think
Please Note: This is my personal summary of the topic, shared both for my own records and in the hope it may be helpful to you. AI was used in parts to assist with the process.