Single Idea 2546

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 5. Metaphysics beyond Science]

Full Idea

Philosophy marks the limits of human theoretical intelligence. Philosophy is an attempt to overstep our cognitive bounds, a kind of magnificent failure.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy is a magnificent failure in its attempt to overstep the limits of our knowledge

Source

Colin McGinn (The Mysterious Flame [1999], p.209)

Book Reference

McGinn,Colin: 'The Mysterious Flame' [Basic Books 1999], p.209


A Reaction

No one attempts to overstep boundaries once they are confirmed as such. The magnificent attempts persist because failure is impossible to demonstrate (except, perhaps, by Gödel's Theorem).