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Single Idea 19590

[from 'Teplitz Fragments' by Novalis, in 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 5. Empiricism Critique ]

Full Idea

An empiricist is one whose way of thinking is an effect of the external world and of fate - the passive thinker - to whom his philosophy is given.

Gist of Idea

Empiricists are passive thinkers, given their philosophy by the external world and fate

Source

Novalis (Teplitz Fragments [1798], 33)

Book Reference

Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.107


A Reaction

Novalis goes on to enthuse about 'magical idealism', so he rejects empiricism. This is an early attack on the Myth of the Given, found in Sellars and McDowell.