I've seen several incels make reference to Nietzsche and the Master/Slave morality dichotomy, though it has never been defined and summarized in a single post. I hope to do that now.
What is the Master/Slave Morality?
Nietzsche argues that among oppressors and subordinated subjects, there exists a ‘master morality’ and a ‘slave morality’. While masters begin by judging themselves to be good before judging anyone different to be bad, slaves instead begin by judging the oppressive master to be evil and use that as the basis for judging themselves to be good. In doing so, a subordinated subject’s formation as ‘morally good’ becomes contingent on their identities being defined in opposition to their oppressor(s).
The Dangers of Slave Morality
Oppressed subjects who practice slave morality can only view themselves as good by comparing themselves to their oppressor, and judging their oppressor to be evil. This results in subjects becoming attached to their oppressed identities because the slave morality has defined their subordinated position as good, hence establishing suffering as the measure of social virtue. This self-inflicted re-subjugation is an instance of a “wounded attachment” whereby, while resisting its own subordination, a politicized identity grows attached to its own exclusion precisely because it is premised on this exclusion for its very existence”.
In simpler terms, you often see this with feminism, for example. The movement is fixated on demonizing men because feminists view themselves as good only by viewing those they deem oppressors as bad. Consequently, one's womanhood becomes contingent on being a victim, because it is within that victimhood that one understands themselves as good (and their "oppressor" as bad).
Inceldom Is Undeniably an Example of Slave Morality
I know many will disagree, but it is the truth. Incels only understand their identity as incels by viewing their "oppressors" (i.e. women and normies) as bad. As a result, inceldom will always be understood as a state of victimhood, and this victimhood will often be interpreted as a virtue. We take pride in being different to normies. Though we may complain about our lack of sex, we often pat ourselves on the back for not being like normies, because of course, normies are bad.
A Way Out of the Slave Morality for Incels
Here's the thing - the current prevailing understanding of inceldom isn't the only one. As it stands, inceldom is steeped in slave morality. But, I believe, there is a way out.
Part of the solution might lie in the ability of incels to learn to form their own identities not in relation to normies, but rather in relation to their own authentic values. This requires you to embrace a master morality rather than a slave morality, something which is possible because, as Nietzsche writes in Beyond Good and Evil (1886), both moralities can exist “even in the same person” (1998; 153). The slave, Nietzsche argues, “attributed to himself no other value than what his masters attributed to him” (1998; 157). Within the master morality, however, the noble person “feels himself as determining value – he does not need approval” (1998; 154).
Currently, we think of our position as wretched, in part because it genuinely is. However, to some degree, we have been taught to loathe inceldom. By embracing a new set of values - an authentic set - we could reinterpret our position and free ourselves from our misery. I believe some men have found this solution - wizards. On wizchan, virgins over 30 congregate, and while there are the occasional depressing posts, there is a greater sense of calmness and acceptance in that forum. I believe these men have found some degree master morality. Though they may be losers, they seem to not internalize it, and instead live by their own standards, and in their world, peace and quiet brings total fulfillment.
Some might say master morality is pure cope. But you could easily argue that only slaves would argue that.
What is the Master/Slave Morality?
Nietzsche argues that among oppressors and subordinated subjects, there exists a ‘master morality’ and a ‘slave morality’. While masters begin by judging themselves to be good before judging anyone different to be bad, slaves instead begin by judging the oppressive master to be evil and use that as the basis for judging themselves to be good. In doing so, a subordinated subject’s formation as ‘morally good’ becomes contingent on their identities being defined in opposition to their oppressor(s).
The Dangers of Slave Morality
Oppressed subjects who practice slave morality can only view themselves as good by comparing themselves to their oppressor, and judging their oppressor to be evil. This results in subjects becoming attached to their oppressed identities because the slave morality has defined their subordinated position as good, hence establishing suffering as the measure of social virtue. This self-inflicted re-subjugation is an instance of a “wounded attachment” whereby, while resisting its own subordination, a politicized identity grows attached to its own exclusion precisely because it is premised on this exclusion for its very existence”.
In simpler terms, you often see this with feminism, for example. The movement is fixated on demonizing men because feminists view themselves as good only by viewing those they deem oppressors as bad. Consequently, one's womanhood becomes contingent on being a victim, because it is within that victimhood that one understands themselves as good (and their "oppressor" as bad).
Inceldom Is Undeniably an Example of Slave Morality
I know many will disagree, but it is the truth. Incels only understand their identity as incels by viewing their "oppressors" (i.e. women and normies) as bad. As a result, inceldom will always be understood as a state of victimhood, and this victimhood will often be interpreted as a virtue. We take pride in being different to normies. Though we may complain about our lack of sex, we often pat ourselves on the back for not being like normies, because of course, normies are bad.
A Way Out of the Slave Morality for Incels
Here's the thing - the current prevailing understanding of inceldom isn't the only one. As it stands, inceldom is steeped in slave morality. But, I believe, there is a way out.
Part of the solution might lie in the ability of incels to learn to form their own identities not in relation to normies, but rather in relation to their own authentic values. This requires you to embrace a master morality rather than a slave morality, something which is possible because, as Nietzsche writes in Beyond Good and Evil (1886), both moralities can exist “even in the same person” (1998; 153). The slave, Nietzsche argues, “attributed to himself no other value than what his masters attributed to him” (1998; 157). Within the master morality, however, the noble person “feels himself as determining value – he does not need approval” (1998; 154).
Currently, we think of our position as wretched, in part because it genuinely is. However, to some degree, we have been taught to loathe inceldom. By embracing a new set of values - an authentic set - we could reinterpret our position and free ourselves from our misery. I believe some men have found this solution - wizards. On wizchan, virgins over 30 congregate, and while there are the occasional depressing posts, there is a greater sense of calmness and acceptance in that forum. I believe these men have found some degree master morality. Though they may be losers, they seem to not internalize it, and instead live by their own standards, and in their world, peace and quiet brings total fulfillment.
Some might say master morality is pure cope. But you could easily argue that only slaves would argue that.
