Single Idea 5540

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom]

Full Idea

It is already a great and necessary proof of cleverness or insight to know what one should reasonably ask.

Gist of Idea

Cleverness is shown in knowing what can reasonably be asked

Source

Immanuel Kant (Critique of Pure Reason [1781], B082/A58)

Book Reference

Kant,Immanuel: 'Critique of Pure Reason', ed/tr. Guyer,P /Wood,A W [CUO 1998], p.197


A Reaction

I admire the asking of unreasonable questions. They stretch the imagination, and the fixing of the limits of human thought requires some attempt to go beyond the limit. Kant sounds wise but conservative.