Theodor Adorno
Theodor Adorno
Theodor W. Adornowas a German philosopher, sociologist, and composer known for his critical theory of society...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth11 September 1903
CountryGermany
problem
Because thought has by now been perverted into the solving of assigned problems, even what is not assigned is processed like a problem.
aspiration exclusive totality
The specific is not exclusive: it lacks the aspiration to totality.
men spirit harm
No harm comes to man from outside alone: dumbness is the objective spirit.
self entwined existence
Not only is the self entwined in society; it owes society its existence in the most literal sense.
people humanity culture
Only a humanity to whom death has become as indifferent as its members, that has itself died, can inflict it administratively on innumerable people.
pride ideology goods
If across the Atlantic the ideology was pride, here it is delivering the goods.
powerful names able
The most powerful person is he who is able to do least himself and burden others most with the things for which he lends his name and pockets the credit.
lying deceit needs
Lies are told only to convey to someone that one has no need either of him or his good opinion.
time men yesterday
The man for whom time stretches out painfully is one waiting in vain, disappointed at not finding tomorrow already continuing yesterday.
mean break-through coercion
Dialectic thought is an attempt to break through the coercion of logic by its own means.
art survival different
Art is permitted to survive only if it renounces the right to be different, and integrates itself into the omnipotent realm of the profane.
men good-man doe
The good man is he who rules himself as he does his own property: his autonomous being is modelled on material power.
advice
Advice to intellectuals: let no-one represent you.
obsolete
Happiness is obsolete: uneconomic.