Texturalism and performance : Adorno's Theory of Truth
This thesis establishes a new reading of Adornoâs theory of truth. I argue that Adorno posits truth as being mutually constituted by dialectical philosophical texts, and the agentâs cognitive engagement and âperformanceâ of these texts. This reading is founded on an interpretation of Adorno as a transcendental philosopher, who grounds the transcendental necessity of concepts in the requirements of self-preservation. The agentâs performative interaction with the text is held to provide access to truth by virtue of interfering with the conceptual mediation of the agentâs experience. I go on to argue that this conception of truth is also at play in Adornoâs philosophy of art. I claim that the artwork, for Adorno, presents a dialectically constituted whole which, when performatively engaged with by the agent, disrupts the conceptual mediation of his or her experience, and provides access to the truth. While I show that Adorno considers his theory of truth content for art and philosophy to be unified, I also demonstrate that Adorno nonetheless maintains the differentiation between art and philosophy. I do this by providing a new interpretation of the relationship which Adorno draws between aesthetic
Hulatt, Owen
Texturalism and performance : Adorno's Theory of Truth. This thesis establishes a new reading of Adornoâs theory of truth. I argue that Adorno posits truth as being mutually constituted by dialectical philosophical texts, and the agentâs cognitive engagement and âperformanceâ of these texts. This reading is founded on an interpretation of Adorno as a transcendental philosopher, who grounds the transcendental necessity of concepts in the requirements of self-preservation. The agentâs performative interaction with the text is held to provide access to truth by virtue of interfering with the conceptual mediation of the agentâs experience. I go on to argue that this conception of truth is also at play in Adornoâs philosophy of art. I claim that the artwork, for Adorno, presents a dialectically constituted whole which, when performatively engaged with by the agent, disrupts the conceptual mediation of his or her experience, and provides access to the truth. While I show that Adorno considers his theory of truth content for art and philosophy to be unified, I also demonstrate that Adorno nonetheless maintains the differentiation between art and philosophy. I do this by providing a new interpretation of the relationship which Adorno draws between aesthetic
performance adorno theory_truth establishes new read adorno theory_truth argue adorno posit truth mutually constitute dialectical philosophical text agent cognitive engagement performance text reading found interpretation adorno transcendental philosopher ground transcendental necessity concept requirement self preservation agent performative interaction text hold provide access truth virtue interfere conceptual mediation agent experience argue conception truth also play adorno philosophy_art claim artwork adorno present dialectically constituted whole engage agent disrupt conceptual mediation experience provide access truth show adorno consider theory_truth content art_philosophy unify also adorno nonetheless maintain differentiation art_philosophy provide_new interpretation relationship adorno draw aesthetic