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WORKSHOP: Nietzsche's Socrates

By Don Finkel

Divide up into groups of four. Select one member of each group to be a scribe and another member to be a clock-watcher. The group's answers to all the questions should be written down by the scribe for use in class discussion during the afternoon.

Each of the first 5 questions should be preceded by the words, "According to Nietzsche."

1. (15 mins.) What is the Apollonian state (or mode of experiencing)?

As a means to answering this question do the following three things: (a) gather key quotations from Nietzsche's discussion, (b) explain to each other in your own words the meaning of these quotations, and (c) try to think of your own examples, distinct from the ones Nietzsche provides.

2. (15 mins.) What is the Dionysiac state (or mode of experiencing)? (Repeat the 3 procedures from question 1 in answering this question.)

3. (10 mins.) How are the Apollonian and Dionysiac states (or modes of experiencing) connected in the phenomenon of Greek (Attic) tragedy? (Repeat the first 2 of the 3 procedures from question 1 in answering this question.)

4. (10 mins.) What process (not who) destroyed Greek tragedy?

5. (10 mins.) What was Socrates' role in this destruction?

READ QUESTIONS 6 AND 7 BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER QUESTION 6.

6. (20 mins.) How would you summarize Nietzsche's overall critique of Socrates?

First discuss this question. Then answer question 6b. Then return to this question and write a paragraph or two summarizing Nietzsche's overall critique of Socrates.

6b. Nietzsche refers to Socrates as the "archetype" of all "dyed-in-the-wool optimists (p. 96) and he claims that "Socratic culture is rooted in an optimism which believes itself omnipotent." (p. 110) In addition, he calls the optimistic spirit "the baneful virus of our society." (p. 110) Why does the concept of optimism play such a central role in Nietzsche's critique of Socrates?

[Now return to 6., and write your paragraphs(s).]

(OVER)

7. (25 mins.) What is the account or interpretation of Socrates on which Nietzsche's critique relies?

First discuss this question. Then answer questions 7b and 7c. Then return to this question and write a paragraph or two summarizing the account or interpretation of Socrates on which Nietzsche's critique relies.

7b. According to Nietzsche (see p. 84), what does the role of Socrates' daimon (or daimonion) in his life show about the man? Do you agree that this makes Socrates "truly a monstrosity"?

7c. On p. 92, Nietzsche elaborates the metaphor of "unveiling the truth" as a means to contrast the artist and the theoretical man. How does this metaphor shed light on Nietzsche's understanding of Socrates? Do you think Nietzsche is on target here, or not?

[Now return to 7., and write your paragraph(s).]

8. (15 mins.) Critically evaluate Nietzsche's account of Socrates.

9. (10 mins.) What do you think of Nietzsche's critique of Socrates?

LUNCH BREAK: It should now be about 12:15. Take a break for lunch and return to Lib. 2116 at 1:30 for a discussion of the results of your work.