Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
Chapter 190 explained
The narrator analyzes the morality within Plato's philosophy, identifying a core of 'Socratism'—a utilitarian, populace-derived reasoning that evil is mere error and good is what is useful and pleasant—which he argues is beneath Plato's nob
What happens
The narrator analyzes the morality within Plato's philosophy, identifying a core of 'Socratism'—a utilitarian, populace-derived reasoning that evil is mere error and good is what is useful and pleasant—which he argues is beneath Plato's nobility. Plato is portrayed as an interpreter who refined and reinterpreted Socrates, imposing his own complexities onto the figure.
Themes in this chapter
Nobility and Order of Rank
Plato is explicitly described as 'too noble' for the populace-derived 'Socratism' at the core of his moral system, highlighting a tension between noble refinement and common utility.
Critique of Traditional Philosophy
The chapter dissects Plato's philosophy, exposing what the narrator sees as a base, utilitarian core ('Socratism') disguised and reinterpreted by a noble interpreter.
Characters to notice
- Plato
Described as too noble for the core 'Socratism' in his moral philosophy; portrayed as the 'most daring of all interpreters' who reinterpreted Socrates in his own image.
- Socrates
His teachings ('Socratism') are analyzed as a utilitarian, populace-based morality that equates evil with error and good with the useful and pleasant.
- Homer
Mentioned in the phrase 'in Homeric language,' used to frame the final, cryptic description of the Platonic Socrates.
Key passages
““No one desires to injure himself, hence all evil is done unwittingly. The evil man inflicts injury on himself; he would not do so, however, if he knew that evil is evil. The evil man, therefore, is only evil through error; if one free him from error one will necessarily make him—good.””
The Socratic argument that evil is solely a product of ignorance, and correcting that error automatically produces goodness.
Presented as the core of 'Socratism,' which the narrator traces to a populace, utilitarian mindset.
“This mode of reasoning savours of the populace , who perceive only the unpleasant consequences of evildoing, and practically judge that “it is stupid to do wrong”; while they accept “good” as identical with “useful and pleasant,” without further thought.”
This way of thinking comes from the common people, who see wrongdoing as merely foolish because of its bad results, and define goodness simply as what is useful and enjoyable.
The narrator's critique of the utilitarian origins of Socratic morality.
“Plato did all he could to interpret something refined and noble into the tenets of his teacher, and above all to interpret himself into them—he, the most daring of all interpreters...”
Plato attempted to read refinement and nobility into Socrates's teachings, and, more importantly, to inject his own personality into them—he was the boldest interpreter.
Describes Plato's philosophical method as a personal, imposing reinterpretation.