The Base of All Metaphysics
The Base of All Metaphysics - meaning Summary
Human Love as Foundation
Whitman presents a plain lesson: beneath high philosophies, classical thinkers, and Christian doctrine lies a more basic truth—the affectionate bonds between people. Framed as a professor's final word to students, the poem names friendships, marriage, family, and civic attachments as the real "base" and ending point for metaphysics. It insists human connection grounds and outlasts abstract systems of thought.
Read Complete AnalysesAND now, gentlemen, A word I give to remain in your memories and minds, As base, and finale too, for all metaphysics. (So, to the students, the old professor, At the close of his crowded course.) Having studied the new and antique, the Greek and Germanic systems, Kant having studied and stated—Fichte and Schelling and Hegel, Stated the lore of Plato—and Socrates, greater than Plato, And greater than Socrates sought and stated—Christ divine having studied long, I see reminiscent to-day those Greek and Germanic systems, See the philosophies all—Christian churches and tenets see, Yet underneath Socrates clearly see—and underneath Christ the divine I see, The dear love of man for his comrade—the attraction of friend to friend, Of the well-married husband and wife—of children and parents, Of city for city, and land for land.
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