Single Idea 20118

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / e. Cause of consciousness]

Full Idea

Only conscious thinking takes the form of words, which is to say signs of communication, and this fact uncovers the origin of consciousness.

Gist of Idea

Only our conscious thought is verbal, and this shows the origin of consciousness

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay (Joyful) Science [1882], §354)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Gay Science', ed/tr. Kaufmann,Walter [Vintage 1974], p.299


A Reaction

Chicken-and-egg question here. Persinally I take consciousnes to be associated with meta-thought, which bestows huge power, and I take language to arise from meta-thought.

Related Idea

Idea 20117 Only the need for communication has led to consciousness developing [Nietzsche]