3 ideas
15663 | Adorno and Horkheimer subjected the Enlightenment to 'critical theory' analysis [Adorno/Horkheimer, by Finlayson] |
Full Idea: Adorno and Horkheimer's analysis of Enlightenment sets the agenda for the subsequent development of critical theory. | |
From: report of T Adorno / M Horkheimer (Dialectic of Enlightenment [1944]) by James Gordon Finlayson - Habermas Ch.1:07 |
4869 | Experience does not teach us any essences of things [Spinoza] |
Full Idea: Experience does not teach us any essences of things. | |
From: Baruch de Spinoza (Letters to De Vries [1664], 1664?) | |
A reaction: This, along with Leibniz's claim that experience cannot reveal necessities, may constitute a striking criticism of empiricism, but it invites the obvious reply 'so much the worse for essences'. An essence seems to be a theoretical concept, not a priori. |
20572 | De Sade said it was impossible to rationally argue against murder [Adorno/Horkheimer] |
Full Idea: De Sade trumpeted far and wide the impossibility of deriving from reason any fundamental argument against murder. | |
From: T Adorno / M Horkheimer (Dialectic of Enlightenment [1944], p.118) | |
A reaction: [They focus on 'Juliette'] This is a big problem for utilitarians, because murdering an unhappy person may maximise happiness. Presumably a maniac could will universal carnage, and thus thwart Kant. |