This quote suggests that philosophy, in its quest for understanding and knowledge, has only managed to get so far by sticking to what is solid and known – the rocks. The feelers represent the attempts of philosophy to reach out into the unknown, to explore new concepts and ideas. However, these attempts are often in vain, as they fail to grasp anything substantial or meaningful.

Thoreau’s metaphor of a creature clinging to rocks and extending its feelers into the unknown beautifully captures the essence of philosophical inquiry. Just like this creature, philosophy is in a constant state of exploration, trying to make sense of the world and our place in it. It clings to the rocks – the established knowledge and truths – as its foundation, but it’s always reaching out, trying to discover and understand more.

Applying this idea to today’s world or personal development, we can see that we often cling to what is known and comfortable, afraid of the unknown. We stick to the rocks of our beliefs, values, and experiences, hesitant to venture into the unknown waters of new ideas, perspectives, or experiences.

However, just like philosophy, we should not be afraid to put out our feelers and explore the unknown. Even if our attempts are in vain, they are not wasted. Every attempt to understand something new, to see things from a different perspective, to challenge our beliefs and assumptions, contributes to our growth and development.

In a rapidly changing world, being open to new ideas and perspectives is more important than ever. We can’t afford to just cling to the rocks. We need to put out our feelers, to explore, to learn, to grow. Even if we don’t always find what we’re looking for, the journey itself is valuable.

In conclusion, Thoreau’s quote is a reminder of the importance of intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness, both in philosophy and in life. It encourages us to venture into the unknown, to question, to explore, and to never stop learning.