We have all been insulted in our lives. Whether it was behind our back or in our face, everyone has experienced some form of degradation of our self-worth. The most savage form of insults though, as far as I've seen, has been existential. It is no small thing to say to someone that they have been living a lie or that their motives and feelings are worthless. Someone who has mastered the art of destroying worldviews and self-image of others are worthy of the title "savage." If this is the case, then Friedrich Nietzsche can be labeled the "ultimate savage."

Recently I have been finishing up Nietzsche's "Will to Power." This grand work of western criticism and philosophy goes through Western ideas and religion and deconstructs them. Nietzsche attempts to find the original motives and values of Christianity, philosophy, progressivism, science, moralism, and other worldviews and beliefs of the 19th century. While reading the "Will to Power" I have at several points been forced to laugh at Nietzsche's fanatical pessimism and cynicism. The book itself is essentially a criticism of everything. This work is not for the faint of heart, and if one bears a serious mind while reading they can easily be offended.

For the sake of brevity, I will go over one aphorism of the "Will to Power," which Nietzsche titles: The origin of moral values. Altruism is defined as the belief in or practice of self-less concern for the well being of others. Altruistic behaviors may include involvement in charity, churches, non-profits, etc. Altruism is viewed as good moral conduct today, and to be egoistic and self-centered is instead immoral. In short, to be altruistic is to be a "good person." Nietzsche has a different view of altruism.

According to Nietzsche, altruism begins when one comes to the conclusion that he is "botched and bungled." Once the altruistic person concludes that "I am not worth much" this "valuation gets translated, according to the particular culture of these classes, into a moral religious principle." The person then tries to "justify himself." This justification turns into blame as "the socialist, the anarchist, and the Nihilist are conscious that their existence is something for which some one must be guilty." The socialist blames "his wretched constitution when he has found someone he can hold responsible for it."

The idea of doing good in the world and helping others is not, according to Nietzsche, an act of good intentions and morality but "a means of enduring life, as a self-preservative measure." In short, "the cult of altruism is merely a particular form of egoism, which regularly appears under certain definite physiological circumstances." In essence, Nietzsche concludes that the altruist establish meaning in the world by making themselves and others around him a "victim" of "some external force" and persist justify his physiological situation in the world through revenge. The altruist is not someone who selflessly wishes to better mankind, but only to preserve himself with the false image that he is helpless as a result from outside forces.

In the end of this aphorism, Nietzsche begins to lay down the hammer. "When a socialist, with righteous indignation, cries for 'justice,' 'rights,' 'equal rights,' it only shows that he is oppressed by his inadequate culture, and is unable to understand why he suffers." He also finds "pleasure in crying". The Christian, however, doesn't blame the external world for his suffering but "prefers to feel himself a sinner rather than feel bad for nothing." The Christian "curses, condemns, and slanders the 'world'- and does not even except himself." Ultimately Nietzsche concludes that "we are in the presence of invalids who feel better for crying, and who find relief in slander." The altruist find pleasure and self-victimization and hate to preserve themselves, according to Nietzsche.

Although I don't agree with Nietzsche on many of his points, his criticisms are vicious and horribly degrading. He is not afraid to tell someone their "life is a lie." Nietzsche simply could not refrain from insulting and attempting to destroy every idea of the past and of his age. It is no wonder that Nietzsche invented the phrase "God is dead." Whether you agree with Nietzsche or not, one will find that he is a philosopher of roasting who exempts no one from his criticism.