Single Idea 7138

[catalogued under 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 4. Denial of the Self]

Full Idea

I take the 'I' itself to be a construction of thinking, of the same rank as matter, thing, substance, individual, purpose, number: that is, only a regulative fiction used to insert a kind of 'knowability' into a world of becoming.

Gist of Idea

The 'I' is a fiction used to make the world of becoming 'knowable'

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 35[35])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.20


A Reaction

Ah. I have always defended the Self, the thing that is in charge when the mind is directed to something. I suddenly see that this is compatible with the Self not being the thinker! It is just the willer, and the controller of the searchlight. Self = will?