more from Friedrich Nietzsche

Single Idea 4533

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / C. Sources of Mathematics / 9. Fictional Mathematics]

Full Idea

Logic (like geometry and arithmetic) applies only to fictitious entities that we have created.

Gist of Idea

Logic and maths refer to fictitious entities which we have created

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §516)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.280


A Reaction

This finds Nietzsche on the relativist wing of logical empiricism. The thing is, fictitious entities can have a close relationship with truth, as in a great novel. I believe in necessary logical truth, but there are many ways of slicing it.