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Single Idea 14873
[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / b. Ultimate explanation
]
Full Idea
The feeling of certainty is the most difficult to develop. Initially one seeks explanation: if a hypothesis explains many things, we draw the conclusion that it explains everything.
Gist of Idea
If we find a hypothesis that explains many things, we conclude that it explains everything
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1872-74 [1873], 19 [238])
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Unpublished of 'Unfashionable Obs' period (v 11)', ed/tr. Gray,Richard T. [Stanford 1995], p.75
A Reaction
As so often, a wonderful warning from Nietzsche to other philosophers. They love to latch onto a Big Idea, and offer it as the answer to everything (especially, dare I say it, continental philosophers).
The
30 ideas
from 'Unpublished Notebooks 1872-74'
14859
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If philosophy controls science, then it has to determine its scope, and its value
[Nietzsche]
|
14860
|
Kant has undermined our belief in metaphysics
[Nietzsche]
|
14861
|
Philosophy ennobles the world, by producing an artistic conception of our knowledge
[Nietzsche]
|
14862
|
Philosophy is more valuable than much of science, because of its beauty
[Nietzsche]
|
14863
|
Unlike science, true wisdom involves good taste
[Nietzsche]
|
14864
|
The Greeks lack a normative theology: each person has their own poetic view of things
[Nietzsche]
|
14865
|
We do not know the nature of one single causality
[Nietzsche]
|
14866
|
It always remains possible that the world just is the way it appears
[Nietzsche]
|
14867
|
It is just madness to think that the mind is supernatural (or even divine!)
[Nietzsche]
|
14868
|
Our primary faculty is perception of structure, as when looking in a mirror
[Nietzsche]
|
14869
|
If some sort of experience is at the root of matter, then human knowledge is close to its essence
[Nietzsche]
|
14870
|
We experience causation between willing and acting, and thereby explain conjunctions of changes
[Nietzsche]
|
14871
|
Laws of nature are merely complex networks of relations
[Nietzsche]
|
14872
|
Our knowledge is illogical, because it rests on false identities between things
[Nietzsche]
|
14873
|
If we find a hypothesis that explains many things, we conclude that it explains everything
[Nietzsche]
|
14875
|
Belief matters more than knowledge, and only begins when knowledge ceases
[Nietzsche]
|
14876
|
Philosophy is always secondary, because it cannot support a popular culture
[Nietzsche]
|
14878
|
It would better if there was no thought
[Nietzsche]
|
14880
|
Logic is just slavery to language
[Nietzsche]
|
14879
|
The most extreme scepticism is when you even give up logic
[Nietzsche]
|
14881
|
Why do people want philosophers?
[Nietzsche]
|
14882
|
Protest against vivisection - living things should not become objects of scientific investigation
[Nietzsche]
|
14883
|
We should evaluate the past morally
[Nietzsche]
|
14884
|
The shortest path to happiness is forgetfulness, the path of animals (but of little value)
[Nietzsche]
|
14885
|
The first aim of a philosopher is a life, not some works
[Nietzsche]
|
14886
|
Education is contrary to human nature
[Nietzsche]
|
14887
|
You should only develop a philosophy if you are willing to live by it
[Nietzsche]
|
14888
|
Wisdom prevents us from being ruled by the moment
[Nietzsche]
|
14889
|
Philosophy is pointless if it does not advocate, and live, a new way of life
[Nietzsche]
|
14890
|
Suffering is the meaning of existence
[Nietzsche]
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