Jonas Holst

Finding the balance

  • Dansk
  • Español
  • Deutsch
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About me
  • Blog
  • Books and Papers
  • Talks and research
  • Events
  • Jonas Holst
  • Publications
  • The double nature of being human: Beyond animality and divinity

The double nature of being human: Beyond animality and divinity

2018
English
Publication's URL:
Since the ancient Greek tradition, the question of what it means to be human has most often been answered by defining humans with reference to animality or divinity. The paper will offer an alternative understanding of the meaning of human ʻnatureʼ by reinterpreting the ancient Greek philosophy of logos as a way towards self-knowledge, which human beings can approach and perhaps reach, not in idle isolation, but together through dialogue and friendship. The thesis of the paper is that true human self-knowledge, in so far as it is accomplishable, goes beyond the alternative of being a beast or a god and allows humans to access their own humaneness together. Yet, reaching that point, all human duplexity is not dissolved. Another sort of duality will appear which will be examined, in opposition to the simple dichotomy of either-or, under the form of the double nature of being human.

Tag cloud

architecture Aristotle balance calmness commons contest coolness earth embodiment emotions ethics fortælling friendship Gadamer good Heidegger historie Homer hospitality Levinas love Løgstrup measures mind Niezsche Peter Seeberg Phantasia philosophy Plato Plessner public rationality re-education Rilke self-knowledge society soul tectonics transcendence truth urban space Utzon well-being Wittgenstein yin-yang

Contact me

Sending

Copyright © 2026 · Monta tu Blog · construido con el framework Genesis | Login

Copyright © 2026 · Jonas til Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use our own and third-party cookies to ensure the website works properly, measure usage, and improve our services. You can accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or configure your preferences. Cookie policy

Configure cookies

Required for the website to work correctly. They cannot be disabled from this panel.

Help measure site usage and improve its content.

Allow advertising, campaign measurement, or ad personalization.

Store preferences or enable non-essential external content.