Notice: this is not the complete edition of The Exquisite Contra the Mächtig, which will be hosted here when finished. This is a topically related new post.
I have come to observe something in the dealings and doings of the gentilhomme compared to the übermensch, which betrays the fundamental worldview differences between the two.
I. Daily Activities
The übermensch prefers to spend his time in nature: gardening, crafting from the materials of the forest, and so on. He holds an affection for art, insofar as art is the expreßion of the folk in their most primitive, superior state (the state of nature). He is a voracious reader, as reading in itself is (to him) a symbol of power, ripping the information from the book to himself. By forcibly taking this kennan, he has also proved himself the intellectual superior, not neceßarily before anyone one else except his weaker former self.
The gentilhomme, by contrast, only prefers nature as it appears within art or as a pleasant walking ground to clear the mind. He finds the cruder parts of nature grotesque. Instead of the powerful wolf, he loves the faithful dog, friendship over strength, loyalty over triumph. In place of gardening, and nature-oriented things, he delegates himself to reading, writing, and discourse of all varieties, not simply to attain kennan, or to prove anything, but to do as he most pleases at the moment.
II. Societal Change and Values
The übermensch and the gentilhomme both seek to change society in their own way, for their own ends. The mechanism which they engage in to best achieve these ends differs on two levels. The übermensch prioritises politics as the vehicle of ultimate societal development, whereas the gentilhomme disdains politics as the sport of conniving rats and power-insane bureaucrats. He regards culture as the primary cog of society, and devotes his efforts to cultural reformations, which shall in time lead to the ideal state and political climate (or do away with the need for politics altogether). The second difference between the two is the most desired value for society. The übermensch believes society should dedicate itself to ruthleß efficiency, and production through power. The gentilhomme, by contrast, thinks society ought to provide every person a life of decadence. Opposed to the Spartan, purposeful plans of the übermensch, the gentilhomme views the enjoyment and self-development of life as the most fulfilling endeavour of human existence.
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