# Heracleitus — The Genealogy of Morals character guide

> Heracleitus in The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0011-first-essay

## Who they are

Pre-Socratic philosopher whose doctrine of flux is contrasted with ascetic denial of becoming.

## Relationships

### [the Germans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/the_germans)

_rivalry_

Heraclitus's doctrine of eternal becoming and strife contrasts with the Germans' static, moralistic worldview.

## In the story

### [The Origin of the Bad Conscience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/16)

Referenced as the philosopher who spoke of the 'big baby' (Zeus or Chance) to describe the cosmic drama of human development.

### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/7)

Listed among unmarried philosophers who exemplify the ascetic ideal.

### [The Ascetic Ideal and the Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/8)

Cited as an example of a philosopher who retreated to the temple of Artemis, shunning the noise and politics of the Ephesians.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters/heraclitus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/characters