Critique is a Philosophy of the Spirit
This article is primarily concerned with the question of critique in Benjamin’s philosophy with reference to his theory of experience. I seek to show that Benjamin’s theories of literary criticism and aesthetic critique exceed the boundaries of commentary and contain the seeds of a political program...
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| Gepubliceerd in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/am, |
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| Formaat: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Taal: | Anglais |
| Gepubliceerd in: |
Anthropology + Materialism
2017
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| Online toegang: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Samenvatting: | This article is primarily concerned with the question of critique in Benjamin’s philosophy with reference to his theory of experience. I seek to show that Benjamin’s theories of literary criticism and aesthetic critique exceed the boundaries of commentary and contain the seeds of a political programme. I argue that Benjamin’s conception of critique is deeply influenced by Fichte’s conception of self-activity (Tathandlung) developed in his On the Spirit and the Letter in Philosophy, A Series of Letters, 1795. In fact, Benjamin’s obsession with history and experience has roots in German Idealist philosophy, the aim of which is to construct the conditions of possibility of experience within a concrete history. Benjamin inherits this view of the political function of philosophy, which he appropriates and modifies in his writings on the notion of critique. I aim to demonstrate that Benjamin and Fichte’s views concerning the affective relation that the philosopher entertains with her object of study are remarkably close. Both are convinced that political emancipation has to be rooted in the critical skills of the readers, rather than being suggested by external discourses, even the most persuasive ones. |
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