Single Idea 20362

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / c. Unity as conceptual]

Full Idea

We borrowed the concept of unity from our 'ego' concept - our oldest article of faith. If we did not hold ourselves to be unified, we would never have formed the concept 'thing'. Now, somewhat late, we are convinced that the ego does not guarantee unity.

Gist of Idea

We saw unity in things because our ego seemed unified (but now we doubt the ego!)

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §635)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.338


A Reaction

Nietzsche tells a similar story about the emergence and subsequent undermining of truth. I am becoming an enthusiast for Nietzsche's account of how our psychology has generated out metaphysics - which doesn't make the metaphysics false.

Related Idea

Idea 20357 Truth was given value by morality, but eventually turned against its own source [Nietzsche]