Full Idea
The history of ideas, like that of deeds, unfolds in a meaningless climate.
Gist of Idea
The history of ideas (and deeds) occurs in a meaningless environment
Source
E.M. Cioran (A Short History of Decay [1949], 3)
Book Reference
Cioran,E.M.: 'A Short History of Decay', ed/tr. Howard,Richard [Penguin 2010], p.123
A Reaction
This is the 'Tory' view of the history of ideas (as opposed to the 'Whig' view of directedness - a distinction made by historians). I would say there are periods where a certain inevitable sequence is worked out, but then there are dislocations.