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Between Vital Forces and Reason: Nietzsche’s Challenge to Socratic Rationalism

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I. Introduction Twilight of the Idols serves as Nietzsche’s incisive critique of Western intellectual traditions, targeting entrenched values in philosophy, ethics, and culture. Described as a “philosophical polemic,” the book dismantles long-held ideals, questioning their validity and dynamism. Within this work, The Problem of Socrates occupies a central role, launching Nietzsche’s broader attack on rationalism and what he sees as life-denying tendencies inherent in Western thought. Socrates, primarily through Plato’s depiction, becomes the embodiment of these issues. Nietzsche portrays him as a symbol of decadence, a figure whose commitment to reason and dialectics suppresses instinct and vitality. This section, therefore, sets the tone for his challenge to conventional notions of truth, wisdom, and morality. In this article, we will delve into Nietzsche’s portrayal of the Greek thinker, comparing it with historical interpretations, including those of Plato, Xenophon, and others,...