Single Idea 2857

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 7. Status of Reason]

Full Idea

Since Plato all philosophers have followed moral 'instinct', or 'faith', or (as I call it) 'the herd'. One might exclude Descartes, the father of rationalism, who recognised only reason - but reason is only an instrument, and Descartes was superficial.

Gist of Idea

Since Plato all philosophers have followed the herd, except Descartes, stuck in superficial reason

Source

comment on René Descartes (Meditations [1641]) by Friedrich Nietzsche - Beyond Good and Evil §191

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Beyond Good and Evil', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1973], p.96