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Adorno on the ethical and the ineffable

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posted on 2023-06-07, 23:38 authored by Gordon FinlaysonGordon Finlayson
The thesis is that Adorno has a normative ethics, albeit a minimal and negative ethics of resistance. However Adorno’s ethical theory faces two problems: the problem of the availability of the good and the problem of whether a normative ethics is consistent with philosophical negativism. The author argues that a correct of understanding the role of the ineffable in Adorno’s Negative Dialectics solves both problems: it provides an account of the availability of the good that is consistent with his philosophical negativism. The author counters the prevalent objection that Adorno’s aporetic philosophy, like some negative theology, leads to irrationalism and mysticism. The parallel with negative theology is developed by means of a comparison with Nicholas of Cusa. Drawing on Wittgentstein’s saying/showing distinction and Adrian Moore’s work the author argues that Nicholas and Adorno can be seen to share a philosophically defensible notion of ineffable knowledge.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

European Journal of Philosophy

ISSN

0966-8373

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

10

Page range

1-25

Pages

25.0

Department affiliated with

  • Philosophy Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-08-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-08-06

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