In this thesis I provide an overview of Nietzsche's ethics with an emphasis on showing how his naturalistic approach to ethics leads him to advance an egoistic moral code. I argue that this, though radical in the light of conventional morality, is not irrational, unprincipled, or proscriptive of other-regarding moral considerations. On the contrary, it demands the highest degree of foresight and integrity. While Nietzsche's writings are meant for a select group of people, namely "higher men," whose flourishing may be undercut by their unwitting acceptance of a self-destructive morality. I explain that Nietzsche places the highest degree of value on the life of these individuals, the development of their character, and their flourishing. Further, I explain that Nietzsche extols as a great virtue "bestowing" or "gift-giving," and that he takes generosity to be more frequently practiced under an ethics of egoism.

The aim of this thesis is to define the character of higher man, the conditions and the process of his development and also his relationship with the lower man and his significance in the whole of Nietzsche's philosophy. I present an interpretation which envisions the main character traits of the higher man in his strength, will, creativity, relation to suffering and need of overcoming resistance. The thesis presents the process of becoming a higher man (so called flourishing) as a process of self-creation in the sense of forming himself in harmony with his own substance and realization of his dormant potential. Manifestation of already flourished higher man consists of self-expression and a constant attempt to overcome oneself which allows the higher man to increase his will to power. The thesis interprets the importance of the higher man in Nietzsche's philosophy as a critical element of balance in society and the development of that society toward greatness. In the conclusion, the thesis sees Nietzsche's philosophy as primarily pro-human and striving for realization of its authenticity, where the higher man is the only authentic human. Keywords: higher man, greatness, lower man, flourishing, self-creation, morality

"Nietzsche and aristocratic ranking" tries to address and interpret relatively incoherent topic of the higher man and, specifically, aristocratic ranking. Basic concepts of Nietzsche's thoughts are shown through the thesis, specifically from Genealogy of Morality, The Dawn or The Gay Science. Some of those concepts are listed as follows: morality of custom, gradation, individual, autonomous individual, noble or blond beast and these concepts are then intertwined with aristocratic ranking. By that not only those basic concepts are clarified, but especially aristocratic ranking as such. Thesis aims to interconnect each of these motives and take interpretation to some important motives of Will to Power, which then helps the reader to understand broader context. Aristocratic ranking is shown as integral part of Nietzsche's thoughs and is then implied as inherent part of all basic motives that Nietzsche's work imply.