Abstract

I examine Nietzsche's ambivalent view of Socrates in relation to what he calls the problem of decadence. For Nietzsche, the act of creating moralities is necessary for our survival as a species because it demonstrates our ability to affirm at least a part of life. He also felt that this very act of creation could, and usually has, led to periods of decline of the species. This paradox is the Nietzschean problem of decadence. ;I argue that Nietzsche's view of Socrates was ambivalent because he saw in Socrates a paradigmatic case of this paradox. Nietzsche respected the ancient Greek for trying to save his culture by instituting a new morality, but he also blamed Socrates for causing the decay of his own culture, and of subsequent cultures which adopted the Socratic method of valuation. Through a careful exegesis of Nietzsche's late works, I demonstrate that Nietzsche held Socrates forth as a philosopher who fell into the trap of decadence, realized it, but was unable to overcome it. With this image of Socrates, Nietzsche wanted to differentiate himself from his ancient predecessor, and demonstrate his own superiority as a physician of his culture. ;I also argue that Nietzsche painted such a complex portrait of Socrates because he wanted his readers to understand that some rationales, and by extension, cultures, are going to be better than others in helping their adherents to affirm life, and the more of reality the rationales accept and affirm, the more prepared and the stronger its adherents will be in dealing with the terrifying nature of existence. Truly strong cultures then will be able to give birth to individuals who perform great deeds and are symbols that the species is not merely surviving but flourishing. In short, I contend that Nietzsche saw the problem of Socrates as a "case study" of the problem of decadence, and by investigating his view of the ancient Greek, I elucidate his "tragic" solution for "curing" his own culture