The intended audience for "The Genealogy of Morals" seems to be Paul Ree and his proponents in an apparent attempt to transcend the emotional anguish Nietzsche still feels five years after their friendship is broken. Previously Nietzsche praises Ree on his book as a "decisive turning-point in the history of moral philosophy" when it is published in 1877 and they are still close friends before Lou's appearance in 1882.