ABSTRACT
This chapter explores why more is achieved for cognizance of the essence of humanity by poetry than by history; to that extent, more real instruction is to be expected from the former than from the latter. In every species and genus of things the facts are innumerable, of individual beings there are infinitely many, the multiplicity of their differences unreachable. With an eye to this, the inquisitive mind becomes dizzy: however far it may inquire, it sees itself condemned to ignorance. The Hegelians, who even view the philosophy of history as the principal purpose of all philosophy, should be referred to Plato, who untiringly repeats that the object of philosophy is the inalterable and ever permanent, not that which is now thus and then otherwise. Writing prevents the breakup of the human race and its consciousness into a myriad of ephemeral individuals and thus defies unceasingly onrushing time, proceeding hand in hand with forgetfulness.
