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Single Idea 24339

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / i. Deflating being]

Full Idea

The more our interest is touched the more we believe in the reality of a thing. …The 'being' is thus understood by us as that which acts upon us, that which proves itself through its activity.

Gist of Idea

We believe in realities that affect us, and 'being' is where we detect activity

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Fragments from 1886-87 (v 17) [1887], 5[019])

A Reaction

Nietzsche is not an anti-realist. These comments are about 'the world that concerns us'. I see no reason why we should not speculate about being which does not affect us, and especially if it figures in complex explanations. What care I of quarks?

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Fragments from 1886-87 (v 17)', ed/tr. Leiner, George H. [Stanford 2025], p.9