Single Idea 6924

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / d. Biological ethics]

Full Idea

Plotinus, according to his biographers, was ashamed to have a body.

Gist of Idea

Plotinus was ashamed to have a body

Source

Ludwig Feuerbach (Principles of Philosophy of the Future [1843], §29)

Book Reference

Feuerbach,Ludwig: 'Principles of the Philosophy of the Future', ed/tr. Vogel,M [Hackett 1986], p.48


A Reaction

When Feuerbach draws our attention to this, we see what an astonishing state it is for a human being to have got into. Modern thought is appalled by it, but it also has something heroic about it, like swimming all the time because you want to be a fish.