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Single Idea 7176

[from 'Writings from Late Notebooks' by Friedrich Nietzsche, in 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / b. Limited purposes ]

Full Idea

The case of every purposive action is like the supposed purposiveness of the sun's heat - the huge mass of it is wasted, and a part barely worth considering has 'purpose', has 'meaning'.

Gist of Idea

'Purpose' is like the sun, where most heat is wasted, and a tiny part has 'purpose'

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 07[1])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.128


A Reaction

A very nice metaphor for human life, where you might discern a purpose in certain large events, but you certainly won't find it in the myriad of small actions that make up nearly all of our existence.