Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
The Philosophers of the Future as Tempters explained
The narrator introduces the emerging 'new order of philosophers,' whom he tentatively and provocatively names 'tempters.' He emphasizes their enigmatic nature and their desire to remain somewhat puzzling.
What happens
The narrator introduces the emerging 'new order of philosophers,' whom he tentatively and provocatively names 'tempters.' He emphasizes their enigmatic nature and their desire to remain somewhat puzzling.
Themes in this chapter
The Philosopher of the Future
Direct focus on the characteristics of the emerging philosophers: their enigmatic, tempting nature and their resistance to being fully understood.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Introduces and attempts to name the new philosophers, acknowledging the danger and tentativeness of the label 'tempters.'
Key passages
“A new order of philosophers is appearing; I shall venture to baptize them by a name not without danger.”
A new type of philosopher is emerging, and I will risk giving them a potentially dangerous name.
Highlights the narrator's active role in defining this new group and the perceived risk involved.
“these philosophers of the future might rightly, perhaps also wrongly, claim to be designated as 'tempters.'”
These coming philosophers could, with some justification (or error), be called 'tempters.'
Emphasizes the provisional and ambiguous nature of the label, fitting their puzzling character.
“This name itself is after all only an attempt, or, if it be preferred, a temptation.”
The name is merely an experiment, or, put another way, it is itself a form of temptation.
Suggests the act of naming mirrors the function of the philosophers—it is an enticing probe, not a fixed dogma.