Single Idea 6920

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / f. Primary being]

Full Idea

Being is the positing of essence. That which is my essence is my being. The fish exists in water; you cannot, however, separate its essence from this being.

Clarification

To 'posit' something is to propose it

Gist of Idea

Being posits essence, and my essence is my being

Source

Ludwig Feuerbach (Principles of Philosophy of the Future [1843], §27)

Book Reference

Feuerbach,Ludwig: 'Principles of the Philosophy of the Future', ed/tr. Vogel,M [Hackett 1986], p.42


A Reaction

This throws a different light on later (e.g. Heidegger) discussions of 'being', which may map onto Aristotelian discussions of essences.