The Genealogy of Morals · Chapter
Preface explained
Nietzsche opens by reflecting on the paradoxical nature of self-knowledge, arguing that we remain strangers to ourselves precisely because our intellectual pursuits turn our attention outward, not inward.
What happens
Nietzsche opens by reflecting on the paradoxical nature of self-knowledge, arguing that we remain strangers to ourselves precisely because our intellectual pursuits turn our attention outward, not inward. He suggests that knowers are unknown to themselves, and that our true treasure lies in the hives of knowledge, not in introspection.
Characters to notice
- Nietzsche
The author and speaker, reflecting on the condition of knowers and their estrangement from themselves.
Key passages
“We are unknown, we knowers, ourselves to ourselves: this has its own good reason.”
We who seek knowledge do not know ourselves, and there is a valid reason for this ignorance.
Opening statement establishing the theme of self-estrangement among intellectuals.
“Of necessity we remain strangers to ourselves, we understand ourselves not, in ourselves we are bound to be mistaken, for of us holds good to all eternity the motto, 'Each one is the farthest away from himself'—as far as ourselves are concerned we are not 'knowers.'”
We are inevitably alien to ourselves, misunderstand ourselves, and are always mistaken about our own nature; the saying 'each person is furthest from himself' applies to us eternally, so we are not truly knowers when it comes to ourselves.
Concluding reflection that reinforces the paradox of the knower's ignorance of self.