# VI: We Scholars explained — Beyond Good and Evil

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters/vi-we-scholars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters