The Death of God and the Death of Morality

Abstract

Nietzsche famously proclaimed of God, but in so doing it was not God's death that was really notable -- Nietzsche assumes that most reflective, modern readers realize that the belief in Christian god has become unbelievable (GS 343) -- but implications of that belief becoming unbelievable, namely, much must collapse now that this faith has been undermined, in particular, the whole of our European morality (GS 343). What is connection between death of God and death of morality? I argue that Nietzsche thinks death of God will undermine that is central to modern morality, in both its deontological and utilitarian forms. I offer an account of how Nietzsche sees connection, arguing that no one has yet offered a non-theistic defense of moral egalitarianism (I focus, in particular but not only, on Rawls). I conclude with some skeptical considerations about whether Nietzsche was right that atheism would, in fact, undermine morality.