Single Idea 24189

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 6. Criterion for Existence]

Full Idea

The contradictions the mind comes up against - these are the only realities: they are the criterion of the real. There is no contradiction in what is imaginary. Contradiction is the test of necessity.

Gist of Idea

The criterion of the real is contradictions

Source

Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace [1942], 'Contradiction')

Book Reference

Weil,Simone: 'Gravity and Grace', ed/tr. Crawford/De Ruhr [Routledge 1952], p.98


A Reaction

This seems to presume that reality contains contradictions, which I find incomprehensible. It is contradiction in the denial of a proposition which shows its necessity. So the contradictions are not in the real, but in the denial of the real.