We Philogists

“We Philologists” is an early text written by Friedrich Nietzsche around 1874, but it was only published after his death in 1900. The title refers to philology - the study of ancient languages - which was Nietzsche’s academic specialty prior to venturing into philosophy full-time. In this intriguing early paper, Nietzsche describes his fellow philologists’ physical and mental proclivities with the barbed frankness which soon became his signature style. This book is considered by scholars to be a series of drafted notes sketching out the principles of a book rather than a standalone treatise in their own right.