Single Idea 4520

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 1. Philosophy]

Full Idea

I do not wish to persuade anyone to philosophy: it is inevitable, it is perhaps also desirable, that the philosopher should be a rare plant.

Gist of Idea

I don't want to persuade anyone to be a philosopher; they should be rare plants

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §420)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.226


A Reaction

My immediate reaction is disagreement, but 'what if everybody' became a philosopher. The fear is that philosophy paralyses action, but it need not. Good philosophy is time-consuming. History would come to an end. The excitement of medieval history!