Single Idea 7143

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / d. Purpose of consciousness]

Full Idea

Consciousness is just a 'tool' and nothing more - in the same sense that the stomach is a tool.

Gist of Idea

Consciousness is a 'tool' - just as the stomach is a tool

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 37[4])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.29


A Reaction

Nietzsche was very critical of Darwin, but he absorbed his teachings quicker than anyone. I agree with this, and with Fodor (Idea 2508), that to understand a mind you must think about why we have minds.

Related Idea

Idea 2508 The function of a mind is obvious [Fodor]