Master Morality and Slave Morality
The title of this post is a subject often discussed in relation to Gorean philosophy. It is mentioned by name in the beginning of Maruaders of Gor, during a long bout of introspection done by Tarl.
The basic concept itself comes from Friedrich Nietzsche, as has been shown in this thread. Norman develops this idea as a central theme within Gorean philosophy and contrasts Gor and Earth through it.
But what is meant by the idea itself?
First off... what is not meant is "morality" within a Master/slave relationship. The topic itself is not addressing Masters and slaves from the viewpoint of consensual relationship slavery, BDSM, legalized slavery, or any other notions what commonly come to mind when hearing those terms Online. It has little to do with these things and should not be confused as some sort of morality system to be followed by Gorean slave girls or indicative of them. The "Morality of the Master" is supported and promoted by Gorean philosophy, while the "Morality of the Slave" is refuted.
What is being addressed by these terms is the seeming moral systems of various societies. Nietzsche choose the specific titles because in his eyes they were reflective of each particular system.
The "Morality of the Slave" is a moral system of ressentiment and self-denial - "Thou shalt not's" - currently depicted by our present day society... civilization based upon Judeo-Christian (Kantian) ethics. But not just present day society... basically society as based upon these ethical systems for as long as they have existed and dominated thought (returning to western society of 200 years ago is not the embracing of an age more in tune with Gorean philosophy).
The "Morality of the Master" is a moral system of personal excellence and affirmation - "Become who you are" - seen by Nietzsche as being epitomized by the Heroic Age of the Greeks and portrayed by Norman as being the ideal of Gorean society (ideal, not always reality, for the whole of any society - its people - will never be all fitting to the ideal. In the case of the Gorean novels, Norman uses examples clearly contrasted with the ideal of Gorean philosophy as a tool to makes statements not only of what should be, but what should not).
- Arius
