But the Greeks were right: no doubt it may be an advantage to be able
to distinguish between two sides of the same thing, but that advantage
is more than neutralised if such distinction leads us to suppose that
these two sides are two different things. Let us avoid the very common
error that things which can be distinguished can therefore claim an
independent existence; we can distinguish between an orange and its
peel, but no orange can grow without peel, nor peel without the fruit.
Let it not be supposed that I am such a bigoted upholder of the
unity of the Ego as to wish to see all these names banished from our
philosophical dictionaries. Let us use the word Sense when speaking
of the Ego as perceiving. Let us use Intellect when the Ego is simply
conceiving; and the word language when it is speaking; let us even use
the word _memory_ when we wish to speak of the partial permanence of
the work done by sensation, perception, and conception; and let us use
Reason or Reasoning for the process which produces what the logicians
call propositions and syllogisms; but let us never forget that neither
to remember nor to reason implies the possession of a thing called
reason or memory. All our mental life will remain just the same though
we deny the existence of the terms which obscure our vision; let us
hold fast to the existence of the Ego, it exists in its entity, it only
is the worker, and it receives its highest expression in the Logos.
This truth, that thought and language are inseparable, that thought
without language is as impossible as language without thought has
only recently been affirmed by comparative philologists. Many learned
writers are still unwilling to admit that ideas without words are
impossible though at the same time they are quite willing to concede
that words are impossible without concepts.[32]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account