Rationality and Beyond

Abstract

Man, possibly right, claimed himself to be the crown of all creatures. An impostor, however, has to pretend to be an anointed man. Status quo will not be sufficient. Then belief in man’s distinguished position ought to be proved strongly. This necessity opens a large field for intellectuals, who may qualify to show that indeed Caesar is the best and the most honourable among the all possible emperors, either because of the thumb of the Lord, or his genealogy, his faculties, his beautiful voice, etc. Except the flatterers there are critics as well. Fine critique makes flattery more credible. Both, the flatterer and the critic, know well that upon success of one of these different methods, depends prosperity of their camarilas and themselves. A recipe for success must be obviously founded on a well-done classification. Every classification is based upon a suitable principle. If one of them is finely tuned we may have a temptation to find ourselves in the situation described by Quine in his famous anecdote about the cyclopedic. Let, the principle of our classification be claimed as a priori, necessary and objective metaphysical reason. The consequences must be imminent.

Die Welt ist Meine Empfindung.A. Schopenhauer