Single Idea 21974

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason]

Full Idea

To him who looks at the world rationally, the world looks rationally back; the two exist in reciprocal relationship.

Gist of Idea

The world seems rational to those who look at it rationally

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Lectures on the Philosophy of (World) History [1837], Intro p.29), quoted by A.W. Moore - The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics 07.4

Book Reference

Moore,A.W.: 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics' [CUP 2013], p.170


A Reaction

This is a nice variation on the stoic idea that nature is essentially rational. If we are capable of rationality, then nature has made us that way. Romantics seem to prefer looking at nature less rationally, so what do they see in nature?