Nietzsche's Critique of Philosophers: Static Being

Nietzsche's Critique of Traditional Philosophy

Using conceptual mummies, philosophers construct a reality that is pure evolution in a static, unreal, lifeless form, yet with the appearance of reality and truth. Ceaseless change is rejected by philosophy as something unreal. All features of reality are perceived through the senses, including death, old age, and change. However, for Nietzsche, the change we perceive daily contradicts the notion that reality is immutable. Philosophers attempt to resolve this objection with the following argument: true reality is aesthetic. However, since our senses show us a world of becoming, such a world is deemed apparent and unreal.

Philosophical Hatred of Becoming

The first peculiarity of philosophers is their invention of static beings, and thus their hatred of becoming. The second feature is ontological transmutation (confusing the latter with the former). Reality shows us becoming, change, and development—all contrary to the beliefs of philosophers. Philosophers respond that it is the senses, which are constantly changing, that deceive us and are therefore unreliable. Thus, the belief in "static being" is supported by another belief: "the senses deceive."

The senses are not only a source of deception but are also considered immoral. Philosophers have linked the corporeal senses to sensuality, passion, desire, and all that has been described as bad.

Senses as a Source of Error

Senses are a source of error because, instead of showing the true nature of things, they show change. This leads to devaluing everything that shows the self as becoming (senses, history, etc.) and despising those who believe that the senses are a reliable source of knowledge (the non-philosophers, the "people"). Philosophers, therefore, contend that common sense knowledge is inferior, and that their understanding is more elevated.

The Philosopher's Constructed Reality

The philosopher buries true reality and replaces it with one invented by their reason. What is truly real is represented as unreal. God appears as the supreme synthesis of all that is eternal and immutable, representing static being. The hatred of the senses becomes materialized in the hatred of the body. Despite this, the body's needs remain evident. Therefore, neither the dominant ontology nor morality in society can ultimately eliminate the body.