Starting out with a thoroughly courageous appreciation of our men of to-day:—we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by appearance: this mankind is much less effective, but it gives quite different pledges of lasting strength, its tempo is slower, but the rhythm itself is richer. Healthiness is increasing, the real conditions of a healthy body are on the point of being known, and will gradually be created, "asceticism" is regarded with irony. The fear of extremes, a certain confidence in the "right way," no raving: a periodical self-habituation to narrower values (such as "mother-land," "science," etc.).
This whole picture, however, would still be ambiguous: it might be a movement either of increase or decline in Life.
B.
The belief in "progress"—in lower spheres of intelligence, appears as increasing life: but this is self-deception;
in higher spheres of intelligence it is a sign of declining life.
Description of the symptoms.
The unity of the aspect: uncertainty in regard to the standard of valuation.
Fear of a general "in vain."
Nihilism.