Friedrich Nietzsche regarded Plato and Socrates as detrimental to philosophy due to their strong emphasis on rationalism and idealism. He believed that Socrates’ prioritisation of the “will to truth” and relentless questioning undermined important myths and led to excessive rationality, stripping life of its mysterious and creative qualities. Plato extended this issue by promoting a dualistic separation of the material and ideal worlds, causing a devaluation of physical existence and fostering an ascetic, anti-sensory stance. According to Nietzsche, these philosophies repressed creativity and dynamism, favouring rigid dogmatism over the vibrant dynamism intrinsic to human experience. Exploring these critiques offers insights into the evolution of Western philosophical thought.
Nietzsche’s Critique of Socrates
Although Nietzsche admired Socrates‘ intellectual rigour, as seen in his earlier work, The Birth of Tragedy (1872), he sees Socrates as a figure marking a turning point in Greek culture. He describes Socrates as a “mystagogue of science,” implying respect for his rational inquiry. However, he also laments the loss of the tragic spirit in Greek culture, suggesting an underlying tension with Socratic rationalism.
“What is rational becomes hard and rigid as if it were frozen, and it confronts the passionate and intoxicated demands of the artistic man.” (From “David Strauss: the Confessor and the Writer”)
Nietzsche, Untimely Meditations (1873–1876).
He criticised his elevation of the ‘Will to Truth‘ as the highest societal value, arguing that it could lead to the loss of valuable illusions and a stifling of communal morality. His critique explored the Ancient Greek philosopher‘s relentless questioning and scrutiny, which, though revolutionary, he believed stripped human beings of the myths and narratives that shaped their existential and ethical frameworks.
In Human, All Too Human, Nietzsche offers a nuanced and evolving exploration of the Socratic drive for knowledge as follows:
- Nietzsche initially recognises the Socratic call for self-examination as valuable for breaking down harmful illusions and prejudices.
“If only you would first become your own adversaries and learn to doubt yourselves.”
In Human, All Too Human, (Section 619, R.J. Hollingdale translation).
Nietzsche saw Socrates’ method as emblematic of a broader philosophical pivot towards an overt rationalism that negated the intrinsic, often chaotic nature of human life. He argued that Socrates’ pursuit of an absolute, unblemished truth was not only futile but also detrimental to the cultural and spiritual health of a society. According to him, these pursuits led to a kind of philosophical dead end, where questioning undermined itself by eroding the very foundations it sought to clarify and strengthen.
- However, he warns that relentless self-scrutiny without a constructive end can lead to a kind of paralysis. Too much questioning can erode the foundation for action and belief.
“Who will ever be able to communicate a conception even approximately correct of what went on in the soul of that most enigmatic of all enigmatic beings, the founder of Christianity?”
In Human, All Too Human (Section 128).
This critique is quite different from the typical reverence afforded to Socrates in philosophical circles, which often celebrate his contributions to logical discourse and ethical inquiry. Even though Nietzsche acknowledged the intellectual depth of Socrates, he lamented the subsequent shift in focus from a philosophy that embraced life in all its messiness to one that sought to tame it through rigorous, often dogmatic, examination.
- He argues that the pursuit of absolute, objective knowledge undermines the vital illusions necessary for individuals and societies to function.
“All actions require forgetfulness.”
In Human, All Too Human (Section 99)
In essence, Nietzsche believed that the legacy of Socrates, and by extension, the Socratic method, restricted the vibrancy and dynamism that are essential for nurturing human creativity and communal bonds, favouring a sterile pursuit of truth over a fuller embrace of human experience.
- While critical of the unchecked Socratic thirst for knowledge, He doesn’t entirely dismiss its value. He emphasises the need for a balance between intellect and instinct, reason and passion.
“Consciousness is the last and latest development of the organic, and consequently also what is most unfinished and unstrong.”
and
“No artist tolerates reality.”
In Human, All Too Human (Sections 11 and 216)
Full Antagonism: Nietzsche’s Later Attacks
Twilight of the Idols (1888): Here,His critique becomes scathing. He calls Socrates “the buffoon of Athens” and denounces Socratic dialectics as a form of intellectual decadence
“I combat the dialectic drive… as a form of revenge by those poorly constituted.” (From “The Problem of Socrates”)
Twilight of the Idols (1888).
The Antichrist (1895): Continuing his virulent criticism, Nietzsche labels Socrates a “monster of the intellect” and sees his relentless questioning as a symptom of physiological degeneration:
“…one had only one choice: either to perish or — to be absurdly rational…” (From “The Problem of Socrates”)
The Antichrist (1895
Plato’s Detrimental Influence
Nietzsche’s critique of Plato centres on the philosopher’s introduction of a harmful dualism between the material world and the ideal world of forms. This separation, Nietzsche argued, led to a devaluation of the physical world and life itself, favouring instead a distant, unreachable ideal. By positing a higher world of perfect forms, Plato shifted the focus of philosophy from the tangible, everyday experiences to abstract, metaphysical contemplations that Nietzsche believed detracted from the richness of human life.
According to Nietzsche, Plato’s emphasis on these eternal truths not only undermined the importance and beauty of the impermanent physical world but also promoted a disdain for the body and the senses. This, in Nietzsche’s view, fostered an ascetic attitude that denied the value of the immediate sensory experience, which is essential for a fulfilling human existence. The Platonic legacy, as a result, was seen as antithetical to the development of a philosophy that embraces and affirms life in all its chaotic and transient glory.
The Antichrist and Beyond Good and Evil: Plato, with his otherworldly focus and disdain for the physical, is seen as laying the foundation for Christian morality. Nietzsche calls Plato “the great slanderer of life” because his metaphysics provided philosophical justification for asceticism and the distrust of the senses.
Nietzsche on Platonism as Christianity’s Precursor
Furthermore, Nietzsche criticised the way Plato’s philosophical method prioritised reason over more instinctual and passionate human impulses. He believed that this rational dominance contributed to a culture of suppression, where the primal aspects of human nature were viewed with suspicion or outright hostility. In Nietzsche’s philosophy, such repression was counterproductive to the flourishing of a robust, vibrant culture that could engage with the world in a more holistic and creative manner.
Plato’s influence, therefore, was seen as a pivotal moment in the history of philosophy that steered it away from these more life-affirming values.
Reason Versus Creativity
In their philosophical pursuits, Plato and Socrates prioritised reason at the expense of creativity, a choice that Nietzsche argued severely limited the scope and dynamism of philosophical thought. This privileging of rationality, Nietzsche contended, not only confined philosophy to a narrow corridor of deductive reasoning but also stifled innovative and imaginative thinking that could lead to deeper insights and more profound truths. By reducing philosophy to a series of logical exercises, Plato and Socrates, in Nietzsche’s view, deprived it of its crucial potential and its capacity to inspire change and challenge conventional wisdom.
Nietzsche’s critique hinges on the idea that reason, as championed by Plato and Socrates, imposed unnecessary constraints on the free expression of individual will and creativity. This rigid adherence to logical structuring, he argued, precluded the exploration of ideas that did not conform to established rational patterns, thereby limiting the philosopher’s ability to engage with the unpredictable and often chaotic nature of human experience. For Nietzsche, such a limitation was antithetical to the very essence of philosophical inquiry, which should be vibrant, explorative, and deeply connected to human life.
Furthermore, Nietzsche believed that the suppression of creativity in favour of reason prevented philosophers from considering a broader range of perspectives and potentially valuable insights that could arise from more unconventional approaches. This, he posited, was detrimental not just to the evolution of individual thought but to the liveliness and progression of philosophical discourse as a whole.
Pursuit of Absolute Truth
Socrates and Plato’s quest for absolute truth, Nietzsche contended, undermined the richness and complexity of human life. He believed that their fixation on discovering a singular, unchanging truth about the world not only simplified the diverse human experience but also marginalised the subjective aspects of life that he viewed as equally crucial. Nietzsche criticised their approach as a form of nihilism, where the vigorous pursuit of truth led to a denial of the vibrant, chaotic, and often contradictory nature of human existence.
According to Nietzsche, the philosophical methodology espoused by Socrates and Plato imposed a rigid framework on thought and behaviour. This framework prioritised rationality and logic at the expense of emotions, instincts, and the creative chaos that Nietzsche found essential to life. He argued that their emphasis on the immutable and eternal truths discouraged the appreciation of the transient, the personal, and the perishable—elements that Nietzsche saw as central to a full embrace of life’s potential.
Furthermore, Nietzsche asserted that the quest for absolute truth promoted by Socrates and Plato stifled individual creativity and freedom. By venerating a fixed ideal of truth, their philosophy inadvertently devalued individual perspectives and experiences, which are often fluid and context-dependent. This, Nietzsche feared, led to conformity and suppressed the philosophical and cultural innovation that arises from embracing uncertainty and the unknown.
In essence, Nietzsche viewed the pursuit of absolute truth as a paradoxical obstacle to understanding the multifaceted and evolving nature of human reality, ultimately constraining the scope and dynamism of philosophical inquiry.
Consequences for Philosophy
Through their emphasis on metaphysical truths and rationality, Plato and Socrates inadvertently set the stage for a philosophical tradition that often overlooked the vibrant, experiential aspects of human life. Nietzsche’s critique highlights several significant consequences for philosophy emerging from this legacy:
- Devaluation of Life’s Aesthetics: The philosophical path charted by Plato and Socrates placed a higher value on abstract reasoning over the chaotic, sensuous experiences that constitute everyday life. This shift led to a view of philosophy that often disregards the immediacy and richness of human experience.
- Suppression of Individual Creativity: By establishing a framework that prioritises immutable truths and ideal forms, there was less room for personal interpretation and creative thought within philosophy. Nietzsche saw this as a stifling of the human spirit and its creative capacities.
- Promotion of Dualistic Worldviews: Their teachings reinforced a division between the perceived perfection of the ‘forms’ and the flawed reality of the physical world. This separation can lead to a disdain for the physical and practical aspects of life, which Nietzsche believed should be celebrated rather than denigrated.
- Inhibition of Philosophical Dynamism: The influence of Plato and Socrates contributed to a philosophical environment that was less flexible and more dogmatic. Nietzsche argued that this hindered the development of philosophies that embrace change, complexity, and the flux of life.
In essence, Nietzsche believed that the legacies of Plato and Socrates had redirected philosophy away from a fuller engagement with life towards a more restricted, less vibrant intellectual pursuit.
Final Words
Personally, when considering Nietzsche’s critique of Plato and Socrates, it’s clear that his original perspective was overly simplistic. These figures were more than mere obstacles to a vibrant philosophy; they were harbingers of a tradition that, in Nietzsche’s view, stifles and misdirects human potential.
The Socratic demand for relentless questioning and Plato’s ideal forms, while born of admirable intentions, became tools that devalued the very essence of existence. By elevating pure reason above instinct, passion, and the chaotic beauty of lived experience, they laid the foundation for a worldview that mistrusts the senses, the body, and the ever-changing flow of life itself.
Though Nietzsche forces me to question the assumption that the ceaseless pursuit of absolute knowledge is inherently good,. Can we truly know the world objectively without suppressing the vital illusions and creative forces that shape our experience? Should reason be the ultimate arbiter, or do we lose something essential when we stifle the dynamic, and often irrational, drives that give life its urgency and meaning?
To embrace Nietzsche’s critique is to recognise the dangers of a philosophy that seeks to tame and categorise the fundamental forces of human existence. To do so is to open a space for an approach that celebrates the will to power, the artistic impulse, and the messiness of embodied life—all that Socrates and Plato sought to transcend with their idealised systems.
While a life fully aligned with Nietzsche’s philosophy might be chaotic, even self-contradictory, it offers profound liberation. It’s a call to reject sterile asceticism and to embrace the vibrant, unpredictable forces that shape our humanity. To follow Nietzsche is not to have the answers but to ask more daring questions, to live with bold and often disruptive uncertainty, and to affirm life in its most vital, unfiltered forms.
Further Reading and Resources
1. "Nietzsche versus Socrates" K. J. L. Kjeldsen: provides a comprehensive criticism of Nietzsche's arguments against Socrates.
2. "Nietzsche's Rereading of Plato" Catherine Zuckert: offers insights and commentaries on Nietzsche's reading of Plato.
3. The Nietzsche Channel: This website offers translations of Nietzsche's works, correspondence, and various secondary resources that can help readers gain a deeper understanding of his views on other philosophers, including Plato and Socrates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Nietzsche blame the problems of philosophy on Socrates?
Nietzsche blames Socrates for philosophy’s problems because he views Socrates’ prioritisation of rationality and objective truth as detrimental to the philosophical endeavour. He argues that Socrates’ method suppresses instinctual and emotional insights, limiting philosophical exploration to a narrow, dogmatic framework. This, Nietzsche contends, stifles creative and subjective approaches that are essential for a vibrant and dynamic philosophical discourse, ultimately hindering the evolution of diverse philosophical thought.
What Does Nietzsche Accuse Socrates Of?
Nietzsche accused Socrates of excessively prioritising rationality and the pursuit of truth, which he believed undermined the more instinctual and emotional elements of human experience. He argued that Socrates’ emphasis on the inseparability of knowledge and virtue stifled individual creativity and contributed to a societal overvaluation of logic at the expense of life-affirming values. This philosophical approach, according to Nietzsche, led to a decline in cultural and individual energy and creativity.
Why Is Socrates Called the First Martyr of Philosophy?
Socrates is often hailed as the first martyr of philosophy due to his unwavering commitment to truth and his ultimate sacrifice for it. He chose death over abandoning his philosophical inquiries, epitomizing moral courage. This act of defiance against conforming to societal pressures not only marked a significant philosophical stance but also set a precedent for maintaining integrity in the pursuit of wisdom, inspiring future generations to value and defend their beliefs rigorously.
What Did Nietzsche Say About Philosophers?
Friedrich Nietzsche critiqued traditional philosophers for their emphasis on abstract reasoning and objective truths, which he believed undermined the intrinsic value of individual experience and creativity. His philosophy advocated for a more dynamic, perspectival approach, emphasising the importance of personal interpretation and the vibrancy of life. Nietzsche’s critique extends particularly to figures like Plato and Socrates, whom he saw as perpetuating a philosophy that constrained human potential and freedom.