Superior Man

Full Title and Meme

“The object of the Superior Man is the truth” – Confucius

The superior man is a man that stays true to himself. In that, he cultivates aspects of himself that cannot be stolen or sold. The inferior man cultivates aspects of himself for the sake of image and worldly value. In staying true to oneself the superior man understands the value of empowerment. The inferior man only understands control, resulting in abuse of power because of his inferiority.

Context

The concept of the "superior man" has been explored in various philosophical traditions. Here are a couple of notable interpretations:

Confucianism: In Confucian philosophy, the term "superior man" (君子, Junzi) refers to an ideal person who embodies virtues such as politeness, compassion, good manners, loyalty, respect, integrity, altruism, humaneness, and social harmony. Confucius believed that a superior man is modest in speech but excels in actions, sees the good in others, has a calm and steady mind, and finds beauty in the common1.

Nietzschean Philosophy: Friedrich Nietzsche used the term "Übermensch" (often translated as "superman" or "superior man") to describe an individual who transcends conventional morality and creates their own values rooted in life on earth. Nietzsche's superior man is not a product of long evolution but emerges when a person with superior potential masters themselves and rejects traditional Christian "herd morality"2.

These interpretations highlight different aspects of what it means to be a "superior man" in philosophy. Confucianism emphasizes ethical and moral virtues, while Nietzschean philosophy focuses on self-mastery and the creation of personal values.