The Invisible Elements of Human Nature and Practical Life

When discussing the practical significance of the invisible, especially the invisible in human nature, perhaps a comparison can illustrate what is meant. Practical people are those who direct their gaze and their perception toward the supersensible perception of existence, while impractical people are those who want to remain stuck with the merely external, the merely physical. Is the person who has before them a horseshoe-shaped piece of iron that has been made into a magnet, and who then uses this thing for whatever purpose it seems useful for based on its outward appearance, truly a practical person? Or is such a person not to be called impractical in the true sense of the word, and practical only the one who says to himself: In this piece of iron there is something that makes it possible for me to use it in a much higher, nobler way than mere sensory perception would suggest. — Of course, this is only a comparison, for we must not compare the higher powers we are discussing today with any natural force. But only those who seek out the inner powers of things and can use things according to their true values are practical. In contrast to those who are guided by a certain practical sense, one could cite J. G. Fichte's words on the practical significance of ideals. Fichte attempted to explain the destiny of humankind in terms of high ideals. In the introduction to his lectures on “The Vocation of the Scholar,” he refrains from the outset from speaking as if someone who speaks from such high idealistic standpoints did not know what objections could be raised against them, namely that ideals cannot be directly represented in practical life. Those who establish these ideals know this perhaps better than their opponents. "We only claim that reality must be judged according to them and modified by those who feel the strength to do so. Even if they cannot convince themselves of this, they lose very little in the process, since they are what they are; and humanity loses nothing in the process. It merely becomes clear that they alone are not counted on in the plan for the ennoblement of humanity. Humanity will undoubtedly continue on its path; may benevolent nature rule over them and grant them rain and sunshine at the right time, wholesome food and undisturbed circulation of juices, and at the same time – wise thoughts!"