2022-11-09 Wed 10:37 AM
> It is not given to us to grasp the truth, which is identical with the divine, directly. We perceive it only in reflection, in example and symbol, in sin- gular and related appearances. It meets us as a kind of life which is incom- prehensible to us, and yet we cannot free ourselves from the desire to com- prehend it.
> —Goethe, quoted in [[Ref. James Hollis 1996 - Swamplands of the Soul - New Life in Dismal Places]]
No ultimate perspective, no perspectiveless perspective.
There is a reality independent of minds [[mind-independent reality]]. It just cannot be known or seen directly. [[Kant's noumenal vs phenomenal distinction]].
[[The perfect map is impossible]].
![[DALL·E 2022-11-09 11.20.23 - god's view of the universe, digital art.png]]
# [[Journal section]]
### 2023-07-27 Thu 11:18
What did Thomas Nagel have to say about the view from nowhere?
> [!ai]+ AI
>
> Thomas Nagel's "The View From Nowhere" is a philosophical examination of how individuals can reconcile their specific subjectivity (the individual's personal perspective) with an objective view of the world. He argued that, while our actions and experiences are inherently subjective, it is necessary for us to adopt a more objective, detached standpoint to fully understand the greater world around us - this is what he refers to as the "view from nowhere".
> However, Nagel also acknowledges the challenges in achieving this balance between subjective experience and objective truth – as both perspectives are integral but often at odds with each other.
> In essence, his philosophical discussions revolve around the difficulty and complexity of reconciling these two perspectives - that is, integrating one's specific point of view within an impersonal, objective understanding of reality.
Did Nagel believe it was possibe to really fully take a view from nowhere? Ie, I'm thinking of [[Kant's noumenal vs phenomenal distinction]] — the noumenal being [[Mind-independent reality]] itself, which is not accessible to us directly, but only through interpretation. It sounds like Nagel might disagree?
> [!ai]+ AI
>
> Nagel's viewpoints do seem to share some similarities with Kant's distinctions between noumenal and phenomenal reality. However, unlike Kant, Nagel does not completely reject the possibility of achieving an objective understanding of reality. Instead, he emphasizes the difficulty and complexity of this task.
> Nagel does not argue that we can fully achieve a 'view from nowhere' in the sense of having a completely detached, impersonal understanding of reality that is free from our subjective experiences or perspective. Rather, he suggests that we should strive towards objectivity as much as possible while recognizing and integrating our subjective viewpoint.
> Therefore, Nagel challenges the idea that we can never access mind-independent reality but suggests that our access to it will always be mediated by our subjective experiences. So while he believes it is possible to work towards an objective perspective, he acknowledges that this view from nowhere is never completely attainable due to our inherent subjectivity.
### 2024-03-10 Sun 18.12pm
> The world only exists in your apprehension of it.
> [[Ref. F. Scott Fitzgerald 1936 - The Crack-Up]]
Not found
This page does not exist