Single Idea 20956

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / g. Will to power]

Full Idea

In the last and highest instance there is no other being but willing. Willing is primal being, and all the predicates of primal being only fit willing: groundlessness, eternity, being independent of time, self-affirmation.

Gist of Idea

Ultimately, all being is willing. The nature of primal being is the same as the nature of willing

Source

Friedrich Schelling (On the Essence of Human Freedom [1809], I.7.350), quoted by Andrew Bowie - Introduction to German Philosophy 5 'Reason'

Book Reference

Bowie,Andrew: 'Introduction to German Philosophy' [Polity 2003], p.104


A Reaction

Insofar as this says that 'primal being' must be active in character, I love this idea. Not the rest of the idea though! Bowie says this essay clearly influenced Schopenhauer. It looks as if Nietzsche must be read it too.