# The Olympian Vice explained — Beyond Good and Evil

> Chapter companion for Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

The chapter argues against the English philosopher Hobbes's condemnation of laughter, proposing instead that the capacity for laughter, especially a superior, 'golden' laughter, is a virtue. It playfully suggests that gods, if they philosophize, would laugh in an 'overman-like' way, even at sacred matters, revealing a divine perspective that mocks all seriousness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nobility and Order of Rank

Implied through the ranking of philosophers 'according to the quality of their laughing,' with 'golden laughter' and divine 'overman-like' laughter representing a higher order.

### Critique of Modernity

Critique of a modern, overly serious, and life-denying philosophical stance (exemplified by Hobbes) that seeks to overcome natural human expressions like laughter.

## Character check-ins

### The Englishman

Referenced via the philosopher Hobbes, who is cited as trying to bring laughter into 'bad repute' by calling it a 'bad infirmity of human nature' that thinking minds should overcome.

### Gods

Speculated to philosophize and laugh in an 'overman-like and new fashion,' finding amusement even in holy matters, which suggests a perspective beyond human moral seriousness.

### The Narrator

Directly counters Hobbes, ranks philosophers by their laughter, and expresses personal belief about the gods' philosophical and mocking nature.

## Key lines

> “Laughing is a bad infirmity of human nature, which every thinking mind will strive to overcome” (Hobbes)

Hobbes believed laughter was a harmful weakness that all rational people should try to eliminate.

_This is the view the narrator directly opposes, using it as a springboard for his own valuation of laughter._

> I would even allow myself to rank philosophers according to the quality of their laughing⁠—up to those who are capable of golden laughter.

I propose evaluating philosophers based on how well they laugh, with the highest rank going to those with a 'golden' laughter.

_Establishes laughter as a criterion for philosophical and personal superiority._

> Gods are fond of ridicule: it seems that they cannot refrain from laughter even in holy matters.

The gods love to mock; it appears they are compelled to laugh even at things considered sacred.

_Posits a divine perspective that transcends and mocks human conceptions of seriousness and sanctity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters/294
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters