Nietzsche has a conception of culture that emphasizes unity of artistic style across all expressions of a people's life, plurality of expressions to allow different paths to perfection, and having a definite goal of producing genius. He views German culture as lacking these qualities. Nietzsche believes cultures should be assessed based on their productivity for human perfection, which he defines as exemplifying transcendence of our animal nature through figures like the philosopher, artist, and saint. Cultures are more valuable to Nietzsche the more they enable individuals to attain these high forms of human excellence.