Combining Texts

Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'On the Genealogy of Morals' and 'Dialectic of Enlightenment'

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2 ideas

2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 5. Objectivity
Objectivity is not disinterestedness (impossible), but the ability to switch perspectives [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: 'Objectivity' should be understood not as 'contemplation without interest' (a non-concept and an absurdity), but as having in our power the ability to engage and disengage our 'pros' and 'cons'; we can use the difference in perspectives for knowledge.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], III.§12)
     A reaction: Note that he will use perspectives to achieve knowledge. The idea that Perspectivalism is mere relativism is labelled as 'extreme' in Idea 4486. He is right that objectivity is a mental capacity and achievement of individuals.
2. Reason / D. Definition / 3. Types of Definition
Only that which has no history is definable [Nietzsche]
     Full Idea: Only that which has no history is definable.
     From: Friedrich Nietzsche (On the Genealogy of Morals [1887], II.§13)
     A reaction: Too subtle to evaluate! It sounds as if it could be right, that some things are definable, but when the accretions of human history are interwoven into an identity, we can forget it.