Single Idea 18323

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 4. Explanation Doubts / b. Rejecting explanation]

Full Idea

To trace something unknown back to something known is alleviating, soothing, gratifying and gives moreover a feeling of power. ...First principle: any explanation is better than none. ...Proof by pleasure ('by potency') as criterion of truth.

Gist of Idea

Any explanation will be accepted as true if it gives pleasure and a feeling of power

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 5.5)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1972], p.51


A Reaction

By 'proof by pleasure' he means that we find an explanation so satisfying that we cling to it. I assume it is a criterion of rationality (an epistemic virtue) to reject the principle 'any explanation is better than none'. Negative capability.