Single Idea 22017

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / E. Structures of Logic / 2. Logical Connectives / c. not]

Full Idea

To adopt any kind of normative stance is to commit oneself necessarily to the possibility of negation. It involves doing something correctly or incorrectly, so there must exist the possibility of denying or affirming.

Gist of Idea

Normativity needs the possibility of negation, in affirmation and denial

Source

report of Johann Fichte (The Science of Knowing (Wissenschaftslehre) [1st ed] [1794]) by Terry Pinkard - German Philosophy 1760-1860 05

Book Reference

Pinkard,Terry: 'German Philosophy 1760-1860' [CUP 2002], p.115


A Reaction

This seems to be the key idea for understanding Hegel's logic. Personally I think animals have a non-verbal experience of negation - when a partner dies, for example.