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Single Idea 24341

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 9. Limits of Reason]

Full Idea

We cease to think when we do not want to do it within linguistic contraints. …Rational thought is an interpreting according to a schema that we are unable to shake off.

Gist of Idea

Thinking is only possible with linguistic contraints, and reasoning is trapped in a schema

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Fragments from 1886-87 (v 17) [1887], 5[022])

A Reaction

Most people think Wittgenstein was the first to entertain such ideas. Both thinkers fail to acknowledge that we can extend the language, and push the boundaries of the schema. And a lot of good thinking is non-linguistic.

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Fragments from 1886-87 (v 17)', ed/tr. Leiner, George H. [Stanford 2025], p.10

Related Idea

Idea 2938 The limits of my language means the limits of my world [Wittgenstein]