The importance of others in society in the concept of the good life has been greatly debated throughout history. Singer places a large amount of weight on the community in his concept of what achieve’s a good life while Nietzsche argues that a community minded view is counter productive in achieving the good life. Nietzsche argues that as humans we should focus on ourselves rather than focusing on the community unlike Singer who believes that as people we have a moral obligation to others and that the good life involves giving to others until marginal utility. Throughout this essay I will evaluate their views of the importance of the community in the good life, comparing their views to Abraham Maslow’s and his Hierarchy of needs. I will argue that the community is important to the level which Maslow places it, while Nietzsche does not place enough weight on the community and social interactions and Singer places too much importance on the needs of others.
Nietzsche believes that social interaction will not be conducive to living a good life. He believes that individuals need to focus on themselves and act on their wishes or as their heart dictates if they have any hope of achieving a good life. He does not view the ‘herd morality’ (the view of the majority of society) highly, arguing that herd morality has been created by the those who are unable to lead themselves to human flourishing. He argues that to live a good life one must remove themselves from other members of society. He does say that if one has a superfluity of influence their influence may overflow and positively impact others in society, however the benefit of others should not be the aim of the individual if they have any hopes of achieving the good life. Nietzsche puts forward the notion that those who have been able to break free from the mindset of the herd are the world’s greatest leaders as they allow for human fulfilment as they forge their own paths. He does not believe that as a society we have any obligations to each other and rather to live a good life you must remove yourself from society and disregard the wants of others.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for humans to live a good life conflicts with the views of Nietzsche in terms of the value of community. Maslow’s pyramid of needs is based on the concept that behind every action there is a need that we want satisfied. The pyramid has five levels of needs, beginning with basic physiological needs, moving to the needs of safety, love and belonging, esteem, and ending with the most complex need which Maslow labels as self-actualisation. While Maslow’s and Nietzsche’s views appear to converge on the importance of the concept of ‘self-actualisation’, their views do not align in terms of the importance of a sense of love and belonging. Maslow’s hierarchy is centered on a western view of society which involves an ‘organised culture’, meaning it includes ‘a set of beliefs [and] values … that are acquired through learning [and] socializing [with] members of [a] social unit’ (Rousseau 1990). This idea of an organised culture clearly conflicts with the views of Nietzsche as he believes that it is this exact social phenomena which allows for the herd morality to spread, and doesn’t allow for individuals to lead themselves to the good life. Maslow argues the counter point using psychology, contending that a lack of socialisation and a sense of belonging to a community can have serious negative psychological effects, leading to disorders such as depression and anxiety. While Maslow and Nietzsche’s views clash in terms of what will lead to the good life they both have similar views as to the good life’s ultimate goal. Maslow believes that the highest need in life is self-actualisation which he refers to as having a ‘purpose’ and ‘personal growth’ and are able to ‘act purely on their own volition’. This concept is similar to that of Nietzsche as he believes that someone living a good life will have a greater purpose and will have been able to flourish and act separately from others in society.
Singer’s argument differs to Nietzsche’s as he believes that we have a moral obligation to others in our society, meaning that we ought to help others in anyway we can or we will be morally condemned. Singer believes that the good life is one in which we help others to marginal utility, meaning we give to others up unto the point that we compromise our own morals or we put ourselves in a position below those who we are giving to. He argues that neither distance, nor the depth of a person’s relationship to those in need, nor the behaviour of others should impact one’s giving.