The porcupines (parable)
The porcupines is a parable that was published in 1851 by Arthur Schopenhauer in Parerga and Paralipomena with further aphorisms on wisdom.
content
On a cold day, a group of porcupines develops a common need for warmth. In order to satisfy it, they seek mutual closeness. But the closer they get together, the more painful the neighbors' spines. But since moving apart is again associated with freezing, they change their distance until they have found the most bearable distance.
interpretation
The optimization of a more complex situation is described in an abstract reading, but Arthur Schopenhauer offers his own interpretation after the story: The porcupines represent the people. Their need for solidarity and community makes them seek closeness to their fellow men. At the same time, however, they are repelled by their bad character traits.
In the area of tension between these poles, a balance is established through the commandment of courtesy and custom (right through to regulations, laws, etc.). So the need for solidarity is not completely satisfied, but only to the extent that the advantage (warmth, harmony) still outweighs the disadvantage associated with it (thorns, quarrels).
Thus, the parable contains a moral and indicates to maintain a "healthy distance", because the closer you get, the more unpleasant characteristics emerge. However, one should maintain a certain level of social interaction in order to avoid a lonely path in life.
literature
- Arthur Schopenhauer: Complete works / text critic. edit and ed. by Wolfgang Frhr. von Löhneysen; [Stuttgart] [u. a.]: Cotta [u. a.], Vol. 5: Parerga and Paralipomena: small philosophical writings, part 2, chap. 31: Parables, Parables and Fables, § 396; 1965 (p. 765)