Connecting the Dots

"An account of the nature of knowledge can be, at most a description of human behavior" (Rorty, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature, 182).

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"For [Nietzsche], knowledge is...a series of linguistic signs that designate and describe the world in light of our evolving needs, interests and purposes" (Cornel West, "Nietzsche's Prefiguration of Postmodern American Philosophy", from The Cornel West Reader, 205).

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"What use are descriptions that leave spirit and heart cold, lifeless descriptions of lifeless nature" (Novalis, Philosophical Writings, 165).


Knowledge is what we describe, a description of human behavior; describe the world in light of our needs; spiritually empty descriptions leave us lifeless; our need is for meaning. The best philosophers and scientists will allow us to meet such needs...