Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Parmenides', 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn)' and 'Unpublished Notebooks 1884-85'

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2 ideas

12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 11. Denying the A Priori
Strongly believed a priori is not certain; it may just be a feature of our existence [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: What we believe the most, everything a priori, is not for that reason more certain, just because it is so strongly believed. Rather, it is perhaps a consequence of the condition for the existence of our species.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1884-85 [1884], 25[307])
     A reaction: This is in defiance of Leibniz and Kant. His proposed explanation is not very convincing. Russell agreed with Nietzsche.
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 6. Inference in Perception
An affirmative belief is present in every basic sense impression [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: Belief is already present in every sense impression going back to the very moment it begins: a kind of Yes-saying first intellectual activity!
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1884-85 [1884], 25[168])
     A reaction: He seems right that there is an intrinsic commitment to believing sense impressions, even in animals. Presumably more of a default setting than an intellectual choice.