T.W. Adorno : the memory of utopia
This thesis has two principal aims: to demonstrate the centrality of memory to the philosophy and aesthetics of T. W. Adorno, and to assess its philosophical significance. Although in recent years Adorno's work has been the object of increased scrutiny within Anglo-American philosophical circles, as yet little sustained attention has been devoted to the concept of memory within Adorno's oeuvre. However, in Dialectic of Enlightenment Adorno and Horkheimer proclaimed that it is ~by virtue of this memory of nature in the subject~ that ~enlightenment is universally opposed to domination. ~Given that all of Adorno's work is concerned to redeem enlightenment from domination, the importance of a philosophical interpretation of the concept of memory is pivotal for an engagement with the legacy of Adorno's thought today. It will be argued that, for Adorno, memory always operates in relation to reification. The construal of this relation enjoins the consideration of a number of significant categories within Adorno's work: notably tradition, experience, mimesis and utopia; and further, it serves to situate and distance Adorno from those thinkers - Kant, Hegel, Heidegger and Benjamin - with whom he incessantly engages.
Thomas, Colin
BD Speculative Philosophy
T.W. Adorno : the memory of utopia. This thesis has two principal aims: to demonstrate the centrality of memory to the philosophy and aesthetics of T. W. Adorno, and to assess its philosophical significance. Although in recent years Adorno's work has been the object of increased scrutiny within Anglo-American philosophical circles, as yet little sustained attention has been devoted to the concept of memory within Adorno's oeuvre. However, in Dialectic of Enlightenment Adorno and Horkheimer proclaimed that it is ~by virtue of this memory of nature in the subject~ that ~enlightenment is universally opposed to domination. ~Given that all of Adorno's work is concerned to redeem enlightenment from domination, the importance of a philosophical interpretation of the concept of memory is pivotal for an engagement with the legacy of Adorno's thought today. It will be argued that, for Adorno, memory always operates in relation to reification. The construal of this relation enjoins the consideration of a number of significant categories within Adorno's work: notably tradition, experience, mimesis and utopia; and further, it serves to situate and distance Adorno from those thinkers - Kant, Hegel, Heidegger and Benjamin - with whom he incessantly engages.
adorno memory utopia two_principal aim centrality memory philosophy aesthetic adorno assess philosophical significance although adorno work object increase scrutiny within anglo_american philosophical circle yet_little sustained attention_devote concept memory within adorno oeuvre however dialectic enlightenment adorno proclaim virtue memory nature subject enlightenment universally oppose domination given adorno work concern enlightenment domination importance philosophical interpretation concept memory pivotal engagement legacy adorno think today argue adorno memory always operate relation reification construal relation consideration number_significant category within adorno work notably tradition experience mimesis utopia serve situate distance adorno thinker kant_hegel heidegger benjamin engage