RE: The problem of the soul
July 31, 2021 at 4:11 pm
(This post was last modified: July 31, 2021 at 4:11 pm by vulcanlogician.)
I think metaphysical dualism is problematic. But I think it's possible to retain an idea of "the soul" even after one accepts materialism. As Nietzsche playfully posits: "soul is only a word for something about the body."
***
"Body am I, and soul" — thus speaks the child. And
why should one not speak like children?
But the awakened and knowing say: body am I entirely,
and nothing else; and soul is only a word for
something about the body.
The body is a great reason, a plurality with one
sense, a war and a peace, a herd and a shepherd. An
instrument of your body is also your little reason, my
brother, which you call "spirit" — a little instrument
and toy of your great reason.
"I," you say, and are proud of the word. But greater
is that in which you do not wish to have faith — your
body and its great reason: that does not say "I," but
does "I."
--Friedrich Nietzsche
***
"Body am I, and soul" — thus speaks the child. And
why should one not speak like children?
But the awakened and knowing say: body am I entirely,
and nothing else; and soul is only a word for
something about the body.
The body is a great reason, a plurality with one
sense, a war and a peace, a herd and a shepherd. An
instrument of your body is also your little reason, my
brother, which you call "spirit" — a little instrument
and toy of your great reason.
"I," you say, and are proud of the word. But greater
is that in which you do not wish to have faith — your
body and its great reason: that does not say "I," but
does "I."
--Friedrich Nietzsche
