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Single Idea 20368

[catalogued under 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 2. Self as Social Construct]

Full Idea

The 'individual' ...is an error: he does not constitute a separate entity, an atom, a 'link in the chain', something merely inherited from the past - he constitutes the entire single line 'man' up to and including himself.

Gist of Idea

There are no 'individual' persons; we are each the sum of humanity up to this moment

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 8.33)

A Reaction

I'm not sure I understand this, but you can sort of imagine yourself as a culmination of something, rather than as an isolated entity. I'm not sure how that is supposed to affect my behaviour.

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1972], p.86

Related Idea

Idea 20367 Individual development is more important than the state, but a community is necessary [Nietzsche]