Single Idea 23721

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people]

Full Idea

Within the original tribal association the living generation always acknowledged a legal obligation towards the earlier generation, and in particular towards the earliest.

Gist of Idea

Old tribes always felt an obligation to the earlier generations, and the founders

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], II.§19)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'On the Genealogy of Morals', ed/tr. Diethe, Carol [CUP 1997], p.60


A Reaction

This is still a factor in modern politics, though the people remember are either military heroes or the great figures of a particular political movement. We remember the big artists and personalities, but don't feel obligated to them.