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Single Idea 23756
[filed under theme 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 1. Thought
]
Full Idea
At the very best, a mind is enclosed in language as in a prison. It is limited to the number of relations which words can make simultaneously present to it; and remains in ignorance of thoughts which involve the combination of a greater number.
Gist of Idea
The mind is imprisoned and limited by language, restricting our awareness of wider thoughts
Source
Simone Weil (Human Personality [1943], p.89)
Book Ref
Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.89
A Reaction
This seems to be a germ of the type of view of language which blossoms in Derrida. But she is on to something. None of us grasp fully, I think, the non-linguistic nature of good thinking.
The
18 ideas
from 'Human Personality'
23747
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What is sacred is not a person, but the whole physical human being
[Weil]
|
23748
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The sacred in every human is their expectation of good rather than evil
[Weil]
|
23749
|
The problem of the collective is not suppression of persons, but persons erasing themselves
[Weil]
|
23750
|
It is not more money which the wretched members of society need
[Weil]
|
23751
|
Rights are asserted contentiously, and need the backing of force
[Weil]
|
23752
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Giving centrality to rights stifles all impulses of charity
[Weil]
|
23753
|
People absurdly claim an equal share of things which are essentially privileged
[Weil]
|
23754
|
The only choice is between supernatural good, or evil
[Weil]
|
23755
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Genius and love of truth are always accompanied by great humility
[Weil]
|
23756
|
The mind is imprisoned and limited by language, restricting our awareness of wider thoughts
[Weil]
|
23758
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Beauty is an attractive mystery, leaving nothing to be desired
[Weil]
|
23757
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The spirit of justice needs the full attention of truth, and that attention is love
[Weil]
|
23761
|
Justice (concerning harm) is distinct from rights (concerning inequality)
[Weil]
|
23759
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Everything which originates in love is beautiful
[Weil]
|
23760
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All we need are the unity of justice, truth and beauty
[Weil]
|
23762
|
Evil is transmitted by comforts and pleasures, but mostly by doing harm to people
[Weil]
|
23764
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The only thing in society worse than crime is repressive justice
[Weil]
|
23763
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Punishment aims at the good for men who don't desire it
[Weil]
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