more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
The problem of reconciling the objective and subjective points of view takes its purest form in a sense of incredulity that one should be anyone in particular.
Gist of Idea
Inner v outer brings astonishment that we are a particular person
Source
Thomas Nagel (Subjective and Objective [1979], p.206)
Book Ref
Nagel,Thomas: 'Mortal Questions' [CUP 1981], p.206
A Reaction
Nice observation. This idea has always struck me forcibly, and seems to be one of those basic intuitions which motivates philosophy, and yet the subject has almost nothing to say about it. Of course you are you, or you wouldn't be amazed by it…
| 3292 | The most difficult problem of free will is saying what the problem is [Nagel] |
| 3293 | If you assert that we have an ego, you can still ask if that future ego will be me [Nagel] |
| 3294 | As far as possible we should become instruments to realise what is best from an eternal point of view [Nagel] |
| 3295 | Inner v outer brings astonishment that we are a particular person [Nagel] |
| 3296 | Sense-data are a false objectification of what is essentially subjective [Nagel] |