Nietzsche discusses the issue of spiritual freedom and finds that the definition of a free spirit is relative in that it is not a universal set of characteristics but must be demonstrated according to how the free spirit thinks differently from the dominant view of his age as in turn defined by his origin, environment, class, and profession. In other words, there is a prevailing culture in which the individual lives, and he is a free spirit to the degree that he differs from this prevailing view. The free spirit is thus judged against the norms of his environment (225). Nietzsche begins with a consideration of the meaning of community and the importance of community to a healthy society. The community is the locus where sound custom grows and becomes strong, and in the community the individual is subordinated to the groups. While this may sound idyllic, over time the danger is that the stable community will foster ignorance and stagnation. These communities actually depend on the free spirits, who are identified as unfettered, uncertain, and morally weaker (224). Nietzsche here is identifying morality with conformity to community standards, and those who are morally weaker do not so conform and so strike out on their own. They are thus innovative and serve as discoverers, and in this way they may change the community norms and so assert a future morality for the same community. Nietzsche states, "The strongest nature preserves the type, the weaker help it to evolve" (224). Nietzsche decides that the struggle for existence is thus not the only way to explain progress.
Spiritual freedom in this initial definition means moral weakness so that the individual does not conform to the norms of society in some way and thus strikes off on his own. The free spirit is independent from tradition. He is defined by this fact, differing from those who are fettered. He is the exception while they are the rule, and those in the majorit...