daemon, n.Definitions

A Daemon (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠a power that comes upon man from outside like fate — yet leaves the ethical decision to him.

The Daemon (n.) cannot ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠be used as a familiar for one's own ends; its autonomy must be religiously respected, for it is the source of the fearful power that drives us toward individuation and is greater than our consciousness and will.

A Daemon (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠how common speech, now as in antiquity, names the source of destiny, the mighty and not always kindly hand guiding each life; calling it God or devil rightly expresses that the power shaping the psyche feels like an autonomous personality.

The Daemon (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠believed in not because of anything outside but from a naive awareness of the tremendous inner effect of autonomous systems; criticizing its name does not abolish that effect.

A Daemon (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the inner voice, at once our gravest danger and a help we cannot do without — growing a personality is a gamble, and whoever cannot lose his life will not save it.