Nietzsche's Understanding of Socrates

Abstract

<p>From Nietzsche's early writings to those marking the end of his intellectual life, Socrates remains a permanent figure for his scrutiny. In his own words, Nietzsche writes. "Socrates is so close to me that I am almost continually fighting him". As a physician, a gad-fly, and a philosopher, as a man of strong character, and yet also as a self-confessed decadent, Nietzsche both identifies with Socrates and opposes him. In the following investigation, I examine Nietzsche's philosophical and intellectual struggles against Socrates. In pursuit of Nietzsche's understanding of Socrates, I undertake a chronological study of the entire corpus of his writings, and I provide a detailed analysis of each reference made to Socrates, the "Socratic", the "Socratic schools", and "Socratism". By noting the various changes and continuities in Nietzsche's view of Socrates throughout his writing career, I illustrate how Nietzsche comes to understand his own "task" as a philosopher through this struggle against his most worthy adversary. Finally, through my critical analysis of his views concerning Socrates, I will demonstrate to what extent Nietzsche's own "task" is itself Socratic.</p>