Women want to become independent, so they are beginning to enlighten men about the “woman an sich” – this is one of the worst developments in Europe’s general trend towards increasing ugliness. Just imagine what these clumsy attempts at female scientificity and self-disclosure will bring to light! Women have so much cause for shame; they contain so much that is pedantic, superficial, and schoolmarmish as well as narrowmindedly arrogant, presumptuous, and lacking in restraint (just think about their interactions with children!), all of which has been most successfully restrained and kept under
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Nietzsche seems to think of women as superficial being
CHATGPT
Nietzsche's views on women, as expressed in this passage, are controversial and reflect his tendency to challenge the norms and prevailing views of his time, as well as to employ exaggeration, irony, and aphoristic style to make his points. Here's a breakdown of the passage:
1. **Women's Independence**: Nietzsche begins by critiquing the burgeoning women's movement in Europe, which was pushing for greater rights and recognition. He views the "enlightenment" about the "woman as such" (or "woman per se") as a negative trend.
2. **Female Nature**: Nietzsche paints a disparaging picture of women's nature. He associates them with negative traits such as pedantry, superficiality, and narrow-mindedness. He seems to argue that women's "fear" or respect for men has kept these negative traits in check.
3. **Loss of Feminine Grace**: Nietzsche worries about the loss of what he sees as traditional feminine qualities: grace, playfulness, the ability to chase away cares, and the ability to inspire pleasant desires.
4. **Women and Truth**: Nietzsche controversially asserts that women have an aversion to truth and an affinity for appearance and beauty. He claims men value women for these qualities because they offer a respite from the seriousness of the male world.
5. **Women's Self-Perception**: Nietzsche suggests that women themselves have not historically valued the depth or justice of the female mind and heart. He even posits that women have been the most significant critics of their gender.
6. **Conclusion**: Nietzsche wraps up by expressing his wish that women would abstain from trying to enlighten others about their nature. He references historical proclamations that advised women to remain silent in religious and political matters, suggesting that women should also remain silent about themselves.
The overall message is provocative and reflects Nietzsche's skepticism about the women's movement of his time. He seems to fear that the push for equality and self-enlightenment could lead to a loss of the qualities he values in women. However, it's essential to recognize that Nietzsche's writings are layered, often ironic, and can be interpreted in various ways. Some scholars argue that passages like this should be read with an understanding of Nietzsche's broader philosophy and his method of challenging readers rather than as straightforward statements of his personal beliefs. Regardless, this particular passage has been a source of criticism and has contributed to debates about Nietzsche's views on gender and women.
