Single Idea 19586

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / d. Philosophy as puzzles]

Full Idea

The philosopher lives on problems as the human being does on food. An insoluble problem is an indigestible food. What spice is to food, the paradoxical is to problems.

Gist of Idea

Philosophers feed on problems, hoping they are digestible, and spiced with paradox

Source

Novalis (Logological Fragments II [1798], 09)

Book Reference

Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.68


A Reaction

Novalis would presumably have disliked Hegel's dialectic, where the best food seems to be the indigestible.