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Single Idea 20376

[filed under theme 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences ]

Full Idea

The overlooking of individuals gives us the concept and with this our knowledge begins: in categorising, in the setting up of kinds. But the essence of things does not correspond to this.

Gist of Idea

We begin with concepts of kinds, from individuals; but that is not the essence of individuals

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Works (refs to 8 vol Colli and Montinari) [1885], p.51)

Book Ref

Richardson,John: 'Nietzsche's System' [OUP 2002], p.231

A Reaction

[dated c1873] Aha! So Nietzsche agrees with me in my defence of individual essences, against kind essences (which seem to me to obviously derive from the nature of individuals). Deep in my heart I knew I would find this quotation one day.

The 26 ideas from 'Works (refs to 8 vol Colli and Montinari)'

7846 Nietzsche thinks philosophy makes us more profound, but not better [Nietzsche, by Ansell Pearson]
20107 How many mediocre thinkers are occupied with influential problems! [Nietzsche]
20352 Nietzsche has a metaphysics, as well as perspectives - the ontology is the perspectives [Nietzsche, by Richardson]
20106 Nietzsche was fascinated by a will that can turn against itself [Nietzsche, by Safranski]
20128 Each person has a fixed constitution, which makes them a particular type of person [Nietzsche, by Leiter]
22503 Nietzsche could only revalue human values for a different species [Nietzsche, by Foot]
8041 The superman is a monstrous oddity, not a serious idea [MacIntyre on Nietzsche]
20135 Nietzsche's higher type of man is much more important than the idealised 'superman' [Nietzsche, by Leiter]
22475 Moral generalisation is wrong, because we should evaluate individual acts [Nietzsche, by Foot]
22476 Nietzsche thought our psychology means there can't be universal human virtues [Nietzsche, by Foot]
7847 Initially nihilism was cosmic, but later Nietzsche saw it as a cultural matter [Nietzsche, by Ansell Pearson]
9782 Nietzsche urges that nihilism be active, and will nothing itself [Nietzsche, by Zizek]
20371 Nietzsche thinks we should join a society, in order to criticise, heal and renew it [Nietzsche, by Richardson]
20104 Nietzsche tried to lead a thought-provoking life [Safranski on Nietzsche]
20353 The 'will to power' is basically applied to drives and forces, not to people [Nietzsche, by Richardson]
20108 Every culture loses its identity and power if it lacks a major myth [Nietzsche]
20367 Individual development is more important than the state, but a community is necessary [Nietzsche]
20105 Storms are wonderful expressions of free powers! [Nietzsche]
20113 Friendly chats undermine my philosophy; wanting to be right at the expense of love is folly [Nietzsche]
22501 Nietzsche classified actions by the nature of the agent, not the nature of the act [Nietzsche, by Foot]
22500 Nietzsche failed to see that moral actions can be voluntary without free will [Foot on Nietzsche]
20102 Flight from boredom leads to art [Nietzsche]
20124 Reliving life countless times - this gives the value back to life which religion took away [Nietzsche]
20123 First see nature as non-human, then fit ourselves into this view of nature [Nietzsche]
20379 Reason is just another organic drive, developing late, and fighting for equality [Nietzsche]
20376 We begin with concepts of kinds, from individuals; but that is not the essence of individuals [Nietzsche]