Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Towards a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy', 'Merely Possible Propositions' and 'Against the Professors (six books)'

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2 ideas

2. Reason / C. Styles of Reason / 1. Dialectic
Each proposition has an antithesis, and truth exists as its refutation [Feuerbach]
     Full Idea: Every intellectual determination has its antithesis, its contradiction. Truth exists not in unity with, but in refutation of its opposite.
     From: Ludwig Feuerbach (Towards a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy [1839], p.72)
     A reaction: This appears to be a rejection of the 'synthesis' in Hegel, in favour of what strikes me as a rather more sensible interpretation of the modern dialectic. Being exists in contrast to nothingness, and truth exists in contrast to its negation?
A dialectician has to be his own opponent [Feuerbach]
     Full Idea: A thinker is a dialectician only insofar as he is his own opponent.
     From: Ludwig Feuerbach (Towards a Critique of Hegel's Philosophy [1839], p.72)
     A reaction: Quite an inspirational slogan for beginners in philosophy. How many non-philosophers are willing to be their own opponent. In law courts and the House of Commons we assign the roles to separate persons. Hence rhetoric replaces reason?