Single Idea 7166

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / a. Human distinctiveness]

Full Idea

Man is above all a judging animal.

Gist of Idea

Man is above all a judging animal

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 04[8])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.104


A Reaction

This seems awfully close to Aristotle's supposed claim that we are the 'rational animal' (though see Idea 6559). To me it implies that if judging is our proper function, then judging well is our highest virtue. The highest good for man is understanding.

Related Idea

Idea 6559 Aristotle never actually says that man is a rational animal [Aristotle, by Fogelin]