more from Friedrich Nietzsche

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)

Book Reference

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


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.

Related Idea

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