Single Idea 20435

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 1. Philosophy]

Full Idea

Philosophy is in essence not summarisable. Otherwise it would be superfluous; that most of it allows its to be summarised speaks against it.

Gist of Idea

If philosophy could be summarised it would be pointless

Source

Theodor W. Adorno (Negative Dialectics [1966], p.34), quoted by Gerhard Richter - Benjamin and Adorno 3

Book Reference

'Key Thinkers in Aesthetics', ed/tr. Giovannelli,Alessandro [Continuum 2012], p.157


A Reaction

This seems contradict the Cicero quotation which I take to be the epigraph of my collection of ideas. Adorno has a very 'continental' view, placing philosophy much closer to poetry (Heidegger's later view) than to science. Not like advocacy either.

Related Idea

Idea 5891 Philosophy is the collection of rational arguments [Cicero]