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> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:46:14 -0400
> From: cb31450 at gmail.com
>
> The Western illusion of human nature: with reflections on the long
> history of hierarchy, equality and the sublimation of anarchy in the
> West, and comparative notes on other conceptions of the human
> condition
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What about the Western illusion of 'nature'?
The Madman. -- Have you ever heard of the madman who on a bright
morning lighted a lantern and ran to the market-place calling out unceasingly:
" I seek Nature! I seek Nature! " -- As there were many people standing about
who did not believe in Nature, he caused a great deal of amusement. Why!
is it lost? said one. Has it strayed away like a child? said another.
Or does it keep itself hidden? Is it afraid of us? Has it taken a sea
voyage? Has it emigrated? -- the people cried out laughingly, all in a
hubbub. The insane man jumped into their midst and transfixed them with
his glances. " Where is Nature gone? " he called out. " I mean to tell you!
We have killed it, -- you and I! We are all it's murderers! But how have
we done it? How were we able to drink up the sea? Who gave us the sponge
to wipe away the whole horizon? What did we do when we loosened this earth
from its sun? Whither does it now move? Whither do we move? Away from
all suns? Do we not dash on unceasingly? backwards, sideways, forwards,
in all directions? Is there still an above and below? Do we not stray,
as through infinite nothingness? Does not empty space breathe upon us?
Has it not become colder? Does not night come on continually, darker and
darker? Shall we not have to light lanterns in the morning? Do we not
hear the noise of the grave-diggers who are burying Nature? Do we not smell
the planetary putrefaction: -- for even planets putrefy? Nature is dead! Nature remains
dead! And we have killed it! How shall we console ourselves, the most
murderous of all murderers?
E.