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Full Idea
The more our senses are refined, the more capable they become of distinguishing between individuals. The highest sense would be the highest receptivity to particularity in human nature.
Gist of Idea
Refinement of senses increasingly distinguishes individuals
Source
Novalis (Miscellaneous Observations [1798], 072)
Book Ref
Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.34
A Reaction
I adore this idea!! It goes into the collection of support I am building for individual essences, against the absurd idea of kinds as essences (when they are actually categorisations). It also accompanies particularism in ethics.
Related Idea
Idea 9257 The complexities of life make it almost impossible to assess morality from a universal viewpoint [Prichard]
| 19571 | Delusion and truth differ in their life functions [Novalis] |
| 19572 | Experiences tests reason, and reason tests experience [Novalis] |
| 19573 | The seat of the soul is where our inner and outer worlds interpenetrate [Novalis] |
| 19574 | If man sacrifices truth he sacrifices himself, by acting against his own convictions [Novalis] |
| 19575 | Refinement of senses increasingly distinguishes individuals [Novalis] |
| 19576 | Religion needs an intermediary, because none of us can connect directly to a godhead [Novalis] |
| 19577 | Everything is a chaotic unity, then we abstract, then we reunify the world into a free alliance [Novalis] |
| 19578 | Only self-illuminated perfect individuals are beautiful [Novalis] |