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Single Idea 20360

[from 'The Gay (Joyful) Science' by Friedrich Nietzsche, in 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / c. Becoming ]

Full Idea

We Germans are Hegelians insofar as we instinctively attribute a deeper sense and richer value to becoming and development than to what 'is'.

Gist of Idea

We Germans value becoming and development more highly than mere being of what 'is'

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay (Joyful) Science [1882], §357)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Gay Science', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1974], p.306


A Reaction

I always doubt Nietzsche's claims about 'we Germans' or 'we philosophers'. They say that, intellectually, everyone is either French or German, and my immediate response was to embrace being German. So becoming is where it's at.