All sciences are now under the obligation to prepare the ground

In the vast expanse of human knowledge, one truth has remained: the search for meaning and value has always been the highest calling. Friedrich Nietzsche’s words, “All sciences are now under the obligation to prepare the ground for the future task of the philosopher, which is to solve the problem of value, to determine the true hierarchy of values,” offer a profound insight into the role of philosophy in understanding not just the world as it is, but the values that underpin our lives and actions. Nietzsche’s vision suggests that the sciences, with their empirical approach to understanding the natural world, must lay the groundwork for the philosopher who will later determine how those truths should be applied in the realm of human experience—particularly in the area of value. This is no mere intellectual exercise but a matter of great consequence, for the values we choose to live by will shape not only our individual lives but the course of history itself.

The ancient Greeks were among the first to seek an understanding of the values that should guide human life. Socrates, perhaps the greatest philosopher of the ancient world, was obsessed with the concept of virtue and goodness. In his dialogues, particularly in the Apology, Socrates repeatedly questioned his fellow citizens about their understanding of the good life. He believed that understanding what is good was crucial to understanding how to live well and create a just society. Yet, Socrates did not claim to have the answers; rather, he sought the truth through dialogue, showing that the search for value was not a fixed task but a living process—one that required constant questioning and reflection. Nietzsche’s vision extends this quest into the future, where the scientific knowledge of today must be harnessed to help us understand the moral and philosophical implications of our choices.

Consider the story of Plato, Socrates’ student, who in his work The Republic proposed a vision of a just society built on a hierarchy of values. Plato believed that society’s structure should reflect a deeper truth about human nature, one where wisdom, courage, and moderation were the highest virtues. For Plato, the philosopher-king was the ideal ruler because only those who could understand the true nature of justice could govern justly. In this way, Plato understood that values were not just abstract ideas but the foundation upon which society itself was built. Nietzsche echoes this idea by suggesting that the future task of philosophy is to determine which values are truly life-affirming and worthy, for values shape both individuals and the societies they create.

Nietzsche’s call for philosophers to determine the true hierarchy of values can be seen as an evolutionary step in the history of thought. Just as Descartes sought certainty in the foundation of knowledge through the famous “Cogito, ergo sum” ("I think, therefore I am"), Nietzsche challenges future thinkers to determine what is truly worthy of pursuit in a world that is often filled with confusion and contradiction. The question of value, as Nietzsche sees it, is not just a matter of personal morality but the metaphysical foundation for the future of humanity. What do we value? Truth, freedom, happiness? And how do those values shape the world in which we live? For Nietzsche, this is the central question for the philosopher of the future.

The scientific revolution of the Renaissance, with thinkers like Galileo and Newton, radically changed our understanding of the physical world, but it also raised new questions about the nature of knowledge and value. As science advanced, the world seemed less mysterious and more predictable—but this very predictability raised questions about the nature of free will, morality, and meaning. With the enlightenment came the belief that reason could solve all human problems, yet Nietzsche, like Kant before him, recognized that reason alone was insufficient for addressing the deeper, philosophical questions of life. Nietzsche calls upon future philosophers to examine not just what is known, but how it is valued. Science can tell us how the world works, but philosophy must guide us in understanding how we should live in that world.

In the modern era, we can look to the example of Albert Einstein, whose groundbreaking work in physics revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and matter. Yet, Einstein was also deeply concerned with the moral implications of his discoveries, particularly the creation of the atomic bomb. While the sciences offered us unprecedented knowledge, it was philosophy that guided Einstein in addressing the moral dilemmas posed by such power. Just as Einstein sought to understand the ethical consequences of his scientific work, so too must we look to philosophy to address the deeper questions of value—questions that shape our collective future and our relationship to each other and the world around us.

The lesson we can draw from Nietzsche’s reflection is clear: the work of science and philosophy must be seen as intertwined. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe, we must also question the values that govern our lives and our actions. Just as the ancient philosophers sought to understand the nature of virtue and justice, we too must examine what is truly worthy of our pursuit in a world filled with new technologies, discoveries, and ethical challenges. The future task of the philosopher, as Nietzsche suggests, is to bring wisdom to the rapidly advancing knowledge of the sciences, to determine the true hierarchy of values that will guide us through the complexities of the future.

Thus, let us remember that value is not something to be taken lightly. Whether in our personal lives or in the grand sweep of history, the values we choose to embrace shape the future in profound and lasting ways. Let us, then, approach these questions with the seriousness and thoughtfulness they deserve, always aware that the answers we find will shape the world for generations to come. Just as the ancient philosophers laid the groundwork for future wisdom, so must we prepare the foundation for those who will continue the search for the true values that will guide humanity in the future.