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Single Idea 23234
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature
]
Full Idea
I cannot will the intention of making myself something other than what I am determined to be by nature, for I don't make myself at all but nature makes me and whatever I become.
Gist of Idea
I cannot change the nature which has been determined for me
Source
Johann Fichte (The Vocation of Man [1800], 1)
Book Ref
Fichte,Johann G.: 'The Vocation of Man', ed/tr. Preuss,Peter [Hackett 1987], p.19
A Reaction
I take this to be a lot more accurate than Sartre's claim that we can re-make ourselves, but Fichte doesn't seem quite right. Don't I get any credit at all if I give up smoking, or train myself to treat someone more sympathetically?
Related Ideas
Idea 433
For man character is destiny [Heraclitus]
Idea 23236
Freedom means making yourself become true to your essential nature [Fichte]
The
24 ideas
from 'The Vocation of Man'
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]
|
23232
|
Sufficient reason makes the transition from the particular to the general
[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]
|
23233
|
The will is awareness of one of our inner natural forces
[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]
|
23240
|
We can't know by sight or hearing without realising that we are doing so
[Fichte]
|
23241
|
I am myself, but not the external object; so I only sense myself, and not the object
[Fichte]
|
23247
|
The need to act produces consciousness, and practical reason is the root of all reason
[Fichte]
|
23244
|
Forming purposes is absolutely free, and produces something from nothing
[Fichte]
|
23246
|
Faith is not knowledge; it is a decision of the will
[Fichte]
|
23245
|
Knowledge can't be its own foundation; there has to be regress of higher and higher authorities
[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]
|