Single Idea 21968

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 3. Idealism / d. Absolute idealism]

Full Idea

We must be rid of the thing-in-itself; for whatever we may think, we are that which thinks therein, and hence nothing could ever come to exist independently of us, for everything is necessarily related to our thinking.

Gist of Idea

Abandon the thing-in-itself; things only exist in relation to our thinking

Source

Johann Fichte (works [1798], I:501), quoted by A.W. Moore - The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics 06.3

Book Reference

Moore,A.W.: 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics' [CUP 2013], p.154


A Reaction

Some statements of idealism are understandable, or even quite plausible, but this one sounds ridiculous. The idea that if human beings die out then reality ceases to exist is absurd humanistic vanity.

Related Idea

Idea 21973 Fichte believed in things-in-themselves [Fichte, by Moore,AW]