Night thoughts are the specters that haunt the philosopher in the twilight zone between sleeping and waking. Recent examples:
- Man is noble in that he thinks the thought and raises the question of the Absolute while questioning the question.
- Man is noble in that he is wretched. Only a spiritual animal can be wretched.
- Man is spirit in that he is capable of self-degradation. His nobility manifests itself in his self-abasement.
- Man is flesh and yet free.
- Man is a question he poses to himself.