Single Idea 19599

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 1. History of Ideas]

Full Idea

In itself, every idea is neutral, or should be; but man animates ideas, projects his flames and flaws into them.

Gist of Idea

Ideas are neutral, but people fill them with passion and weakness

Source

E.M. Cioran (A Short History of Decay [1949], 1 'Genealogy')

Book Reference

Cioran,E.M.: 'A Short History of Decay', ed/tr. Howard,Richard [Penguin 2010], p.3


A Reaction

If it isn't neutral (if, say, it expresses love or hatred) then presumably it doesn't qualify as an 'idea'. Are ideas as neutral as mathematical theorems. It's a nice remark, and a good epigraph for a book on the history of ideas.