Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy

Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy

Share this post

Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy
Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy
The Thing

The Thing

Since you had no input to your constitution, you could be considered a thing.

Martin Butler's avatar
Martin Butler
Feb 20, 2025
∙ Paid
2

Share this post

Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy
Martin Butler's Negative Philosophy
The Thing
Share

white robot on tray wall decor
Photo by CJ Dayrit on Unsplash

It should be no surprise that you are the result of a purely biological process. Your parents had a good time (we assume) one day, and about nine months later you appeared as a separate entity. You didn't ask for this and had no input on your constitution. In other words, you are a thing produced by nature. The process of shaping you as a thing continues as the environment shapes you, along with the input from parents and other major influencers. You didn't ask for any of this either; it simply adds to your "thingness".

So, here you are, a thing that believes it's a person. The illusion of selfhood is a brilliant strategy on nature's part, ensuring you will strive all the harder to serve this thing's primary drives: survival and procreation. You didn't choose these drives; they are integral to your thingness.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Martin Butler
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share