Start Date
6-3-2014 3:00 PM
End Date
6-3-2014 4:30 PM
Description
There are genres of reflection, one of which is constituted by the aphorism. These reflections are an art of ponderance, of pensiveness. Philosophy is not necessarily the best example, nor is it identical with the genre of reflection as such; it has had a hard time breaking with its derivative moments, and its history is of a catalogue of dogmas as well as progressive critiques. In logic, one of philosophy’s products, the continuous or infinite form of knowledge is condensed into the axiom or principle or formula, which carries the appearance of a statement of fact. Contrary to the latter, yet similar in form, produced by this tradition of doubt and certainty, is the aphorism, a moment of reflection concentrated into a phrase. A study of aphorisms here includes the exploration of their techniques of writing as compared to other similar generic forms. Specifically, the aphorism is compared to the fragment as it has been taken up by German idealism, and to the quotation post-Descartes.
Feelings Sustaining Text: Aphorisms and Inspiration
There are genres of reflection, one of which is constituted by the aphorism. These reflections are an art of ponderance, of pensiveness. Philosophy is not necessarily the best example, nor is it identical with the genre of reflection as such; it has had a hard time breaking with its derivative moments, and its history is of a catalogue of dogmas as well as progressive critiques. In logic, one of philosophy’s products, the continuous or infinite form of knowledge is condensed into the axiom or principle or formula, which carries the appearance of a statement of fact. Contrary to the latter, yet similar in form, produced by this tradition of doubt and certainty, is the aphorism, a moment of reflection concentrated into a phrase. A study of aphorisms here includes the exploration of their techniques of writing as compared to other similar generic forms. Specifically, the aphorism is compared to the fragment as it has been taken up by German idealism, and to the quotation post-Descartes.
