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Single Idea 21966

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 3. Idealism / d. Absolute idealism ]

Full Idea

The immediate consciousness of myself is the condition of all other consciousness; and I know a thing only in so far as I know that I know it; no element can enter into the latter cognition which is not contained in the former.

Gist of Idea

Self-consciousness is the basis of knowledge, and knowing something is knowing myself

Source

Johann Fichte (The Vocation of Man [1800], p.37), quoted by A.W. Moore - The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics 06.2

Book Ref

Moore,A.W.: 'The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics' [CUP 2013], p.150

A Reaction

This strikes me as false, and a lot of intellectual contortion would be needed to believe it. Is knowing this pen is in front of me a case of knowing that I have knowledge of this pen, or is it just knowledge of this pen? [cf Kant 1781:A129]

The 24 ideas from 'The Vocation of Man'

23232 Sufficient reason makes the transition from the particular to the general [Fichte]
23227 Each object has a precise number of properties, each to a precise degree [Fichte]
23228 The principle of activity and generation is found in a self-moving basic force [Fichte]
23233 The will is awareness of one of our inner natural forces [Fichte]
23237 The capacity for freedom is above the laws of nature, with its own power of purpose and will [Fichte]
23235 I want independent control of the fundamental cause of my decisions [Fichte]
23230 Nature contains a fundamental force of thought [Fichte]
23234 I cannot change the nature which has been determined for me [Fichte]
23239 The self is, apart from outward behaviour, a drive in your nature [Fichte]
23238 If life lacks love it becomes destruction [Fichte]
23236 Freedom means making yourself become true to your essential nature [Fichte]
23229 Nature is wholly interconnected, and the tiniest change affects everything [Fichte]
23231 I immediately know myself, and anything beyond that is an inference [Fichte]
23242 Consciousness has two parts, passively receiving sensation, and actively causing productions [Fichte]
23243 Consciousness of external things is always accompanied by an unnoticed consciousness of self [Fichte]
23241 I am myself, but not the external object; so I only sense myself, and not the object [Fichte]
23240 We can't know by sight or hearing without realising that we are doing so [Fichte]
23246 Faith is not knowledge; it is a decision of the will [Fichte]
23244 Forming purposes is absolutely free, and produces something from nothing [Fichte]
23245 Knowledge can't be its own foundation; there has to be regress of higher and higher authorities [Fichte]
23247 The need to act produces consciousness, and practical reason is the root of all reason [Fichte]
21966 Self-consciousness is the basis of knowledge, and knowing something is knowing myself [Fichte]
21967 There is nothing to say about anything which is outside my consciousness [Fichte]
21969 Awareness of reality comes from the free activity of consciousness [Fichte]