In one sense Nietzsche may be perceived as rejecting Darwinism, but it seems more that he misunderstood Darwin's work. Nietzsche intended to study chemistry, physics and biology but never did so. In a Darwinian tone, Nietzsche argued that the quality of a product could actually be measured by the nature of the products origin.
Consequently, as applied to the area of morality, Nietzsche proposed that the background of a particular moral perspective is indicative of the quality of morality contained in the perspective. In this sense, Nietzsche's conclusions reflect the typical nineteenth century perspective. Also, it was in this respect that Nietzsche was Darwinian, with a twist so to speak, the difference being that Nietzsche adapted Darwin's conclusions regarding evolution and applied them on a cultural level whereas Darwin applied his conclusions primarily if not exclusively in the realm of biology.
In light of the foregoing conclusion of Nietzsche regarding morality, he concluded that different values are appropriate for different individuals. It should also be remember that that Nietzsche was suspicions of and rejected the morality of the herd. Nietzsche was suspicious of "rules" since they tend to limit the creative.
He argued that individuals are entitled to individual knowledge and individual types of behavior. Knowledge according to Nietzsche is not absolute and morality cannot therefore be universally applied from one context to another in the form of "rules." Each civilization is entitled to the morality which it can bear according to Nietzsche. Related to this idea, Nietzsche acknowledge that certain civilizations simply cannot bear certain standards of morality and these civilizations may in turn destroy themselves.
Further, Nietzsche contended that morality is always historically based and he pointed to the founding of morality upon belief in God as a historical external standard for morality. However, Nietzsche proposed that humanity had lost belief in God and religion and matters of faith, and in reality humanity has lost belief in all metaphysical perspectives, and as a consequence values and morality must be reevaluated or reconstructed from the bottom up. This reconstruction is necessary in order to replace the older metaphysical foundations for morality.
Following this line of thought, in his search for a new foundation for morality, Nietzsche called for the individual to "be himself." The individual was to live his life fully and adventurously. Nietzsche's refrain was, "Be thou thyself." This is the premise from which the individual was to work and the goal toward which ethics ought to be directed.
An inadequacy in Nietzsche's thought appears at this point. His conclusions were inadequate with regard to social, cultural or corporate existence. This partly resulted from the previously stated reality that Nietzsche evidenced a dislike for "rules." He especially exhibits a disdain for "the herd" mentality. Consequently, there is difficulty in living together peaceably in society and culture. Nietzsche argued that the individual must create his or her own values, saying "yes" to live, but he failed to articulate how this might be done beyond the personal or individual level.
Finally, Nietzsche's conclusions tended to conflict with Christianity as previously stated. He called upon the individual to conquer all that is cowardly within himself. To look beyond oneself for a basis for embracing life and living life to its fullest was, according to Nietzsche, an act of cowardice.
Rather than looking to an external force which would enable the individual to live abundantly, Nietzsche demanded that the individual must conquer that which is weak in himself by finding his own personal source of strength, stamina and vitality within his own person. To do otherwise is to reflect pathetic weakness.
It should be said at this point that Nietzsche was not advocating that which was contrary to moral standards. He was simply rejecting an external basis, such as belief in God or religion, as the foundation for moral determination and self-discovery. For Nietzsche morality ought to derive from the determination to life the full and purposeful life.
Nietzsche found examples for this type of individual, which he would designate as the Ubermensch, in such historical personalities as Napoleon, Goethe, Luther, and even Socrates though Nietzsche possessed a disdain for the ethical proposals of the Ancient Greeks. These individuals were each personifications of the Ubermensch, a term sometimes translated as the Superman or the Overman.
