Socrates is Ugly | Why Nietzsche Used Ad Hominem Attacks

Nietzsche called Socrates an ugly plebe ... and it was one of the most profound utterances in 20th century philosophy. Here's why:

Nietzsche claims that Socrates elevated his immaterial realm of forms over the material world because he had nothing in the material world: he was infamously ugly, poor, and low-born. It was his way of secretly securing victory over the beautiful, privileged, and powerful.

Nietzsche set off a psychologizing revolution in 20th century philosophy, to treat philosophies as mere "confessions" from their philosophers: telling us more about the psychology of the philosopher than the reality of the world. In doing so, he legitimized the Ad Hominem as a valid type of argument.

[Dino_Medici]

You should hop on a pod with essential salts. His work on Nietzsche is phenomenal

[ARMY-fhhb]

If i had the ugliest nose but the biggest brains in all of Athens, I too would spend all my time thinking. I too would devalue the material world and elevate this abstract ideas . I too would rank beautiful bodies as less beautiful & contemplate in the idea of beauty. I too would suggest a philosopher king. The shape of Socrates thought is determined by his uglyness. The Ad Hominem isn't just valid but necessary for us to properly understand the thought.

[anon_genZ]

Wouldn't this then apply to Nietzsche himself as well. His Philosophy would also be tainted by his own lived experiences and physical countenance. Nietzsche proves too much here and ends undermining his own argument.

[obitrsa]

So the question is, why do you like ideas so much Johnathan?

[bryanutility]

He’s dead now so technically “was” ugly.

[ubelmensch]

You sound like an AI-generated voiceover. Stop pretending you read books just to tell others you read them.