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From: Kenneth Johnson <kenn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 19:39:58 -0700
So since every place is the starting place for this subject, the
"subject" of the unconscious body, let's start at the random left of
the middle right center, at that exact and exacting point where
philosopher's and others have traditionally thought consciousness to be
supremely and intrinsically valuable.
Whereas Nietzsche writes:
"In relation to the vastness and multiplicity of the life of every
organism, the conscious world of feelings, intentions, and valuations
is a small section. We have NO right whatever to posit this piece of
consciousness as the aim and purpose of this total phenomenon of life.
Becoming conscious is obviously only one more means toward the
unfolding and extension of the power of life. Therefore, it is a piece
of naivete to posit pleasure, or spirituality, or morality, OR ANY
OTHER PARTICULAR OF THE SPHERE OF CONSCIOUSNESS as the highest value,
and perhaps, even to justify the World by means of this. This is my
basic objection to all 'wherefores' and 'highest values' in philosophy
and theology hitherto. One kind of MEANS has been MISUNDERSTOOD as an
end. Conversely, Life, and the ENHANCEMENT of its POWER, has been
debased to a means. The fundamental mistake is simply, that instead of
understanding CONSCIOUSNESS AS A TOOL, and particular aspect of the
total life, we posit it as the standard of value and take it to be the
condition of life that is of supreme value."
(today's mice - tomorrow's men)
Kenneth
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