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The Vitruvian Man , pen and ink drawing. Leonardo da Vinci     Introduction Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most radical thinkers of modernity, is often celebrated for declaring the death of God and confronting the spiritual vacuum of the modern age. Yet Nietzsche's provocation was not directed merely at religious believers. His criticism extended to secular institutions and ideologies—particularly science and atheism—which he believed were merely Christianity in new clothing. Although both claim to reject supernatural faith, Nietzsche argued that they retain the metaphysical assumptions and moral ideals of Christianity, thus failing to break truly from its worldview. In works such as The Antichrist , The Gay Science , and Beyond Good and Evil , Nietzsche develops the idea that rational atheism and empirical science, far from representing a radical departure from religious thinking, continue to perpetuate Christian values. This includes belief in absolute truth, univer...

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,...