Combining Texts

Ideas for 'The Problem of the Soul', 'Fifteen Sermons' and 'Writings from Late Notebooks'

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2 ideas

18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 3. Emotions / f. Emotion and reason
Emotions are usually very apt, rather than being non-rational and fickle [Flanagan]
     Full Idea: One can question the idea that emotions are non-rational, fickle and flighty; on the contrary, emotions normally seem to be very apt.
     From: Owen Flanagan (The Problem of the Soul [2002], p. 16)
     A reaction: This is the modern view of emotion which is emerging from neuroscience, which is greatly superior to traditional views, apart from Aristotle, who felt that wisdom and virtue arose precisely when emotions were apt for the situation.
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / a. Rationality
Rationality is a scheme we cannot cast away [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: Thinking rationally is interpreting according to a scheme we cannot cast away.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 05[22])
     A reaction: We can turn the tables on this one: how could Nietzsche know that this is the case if he cannot criticise his own rationality? The brain is a truth machine, and truth is (mostly) vital for survival.