Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
VI: We Scholars explained
This chapter contrasts the true philosopher—a commander, lawgiver, and creator of values who embodies the will to power—with the modern specialized scholar, who is characterized by industriousness, modesty, and a lack of ruling, authoritati
What happens
This chapter contrasts the true philosopher—a commander, lawgiver, and creator of values who embodies the will to power—with the modern specialized scholar, who is characterized by industriousness, modesty, and a lack of ruling, authoritative instincts. Nietzsche diagnoses the contemporary age as suffering from a paralysis of will, masked by objectivism and skepticism, and calls for a new kind of philosopher who is solitary, beyond good and evil, and capable of setting goals for humanity millennia ahead.
Themes in this chapter
The Philosopher of the Future
Defined as a commander, lawgiver, and creator whose 'knowing is creating' and whose will to truth is will to power. Must be solitary, concealed, and beyond good and evil.
Will to Power
Explicitly stated as the genuine philosopher's 'will to truth.' The chapter contrasts this with the weak-willed, specialized scholar.
Critique of Modernity
Scathing critique of modern ideas that confine people to specialties, the 'herding-animal' morality, and the pervasive skepticism and paralysis of will in Europe.
Nobility and Order of Rank
True philosopher determines rank by the amount one can bear and responsibility one can stretch. Greatness is redefined as being noble, divergent, and master of one's virtues.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Directly addresses 'my friends' and critiques the state of modern philosophy and scholars.
- Socrates
Presented as an ironic physician of his age, cutting into the 'noble' Athenians of his time who had worn-out instincts.
- Immanuel Kant
Implicitly referenced in the critique of philosophy reduced to a timid 'theory of knowledge.'
- Arthur Schopenhauer
Referenced indirectly via the critique of the 'desensualized, desecularized visionary' often confused with a philosopher.
- Frederick the Great
Parable references the 'King of Prussia' who brought into being a 'military and skeptical genius,' alluding to Frederick's influence.
- Europeans
Collectively diagnosed with skepticism and paralysis of will, with national variations in strength of will analyzed.
Key passages
“The real philosophers, however, are commanders and lawgivers; they say: 'Thus shall it be!'”
True philosophers are not mere scholars; they are authoritative creators who dictate the direction and purpose of humanity.
Core definition of the philosopher's role.
“Their 'knowing' is creating, their creating is a law-giving, their will to truth is—Will to Power.”
For the genuine philosopher, knowledge is an act of creation and legislation, and the drive behind seeking truth is ultimately the will to power.
Explicit link between philosophy, creation, and the will to power.
“At present... it belongs to the conception of 'greatness' to be noble, to wish to be apart, to be capable of being different, to stand alone...”
In today's egalitarian age, true greatness means being aristocratic, solitary, divergent, and self-reliant.
Redefines greatness against modern 'herding-animal' values.
“The disease of the will is diffused unequally over Europe... in France... the will is most infirm... in Russia... the power to will has been long stored up and accumulated...”
Europe suffers from a weakness of will, most advanced in France but stored as a massive, threatening potential in Russia.
Diagnosis of European national characters and a geopolitical warning.
