Objections to equality and democracy: difference as basis of aristocratic education

Abstract

Equality, a constant in mass education and a reason to justify democracy, levels human development on a low standard, weakening society. Aristocratic education, on the other hand, focus on developing the individual’s autonomy; in this case, difference becomes an aim to be achieved by the philosopher. It is not about thinking on difference as opposed to equality, apart from anything else; nevertheless, difference exists precisely within equality. In this article there will be presented Nietzsche’s critique to democracy, as well as his critique to equality. Furthermore, there will be analyzed the meaning of aristocratic education in the context of Prussian hegemony, beside some fundamental aspects of Nietzsche’s philosophy, specially the will to power. With these elements, it is intended to assert that, paradoxically, mass education reveals itself as an important teaser to aristocratic education, in the same way that equality indicates the need for difference as a possibility of fulfillment for the future philosopher, very free, so that it is in difference that aristocratic education is based on.