Single Idea 19631

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 1. History of Ideas]

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.