Adorno and Negative Theology, by Martin Shuster
This article elaborates Theodor W. Adorno’s understanding of “negation” and “negative theology.” It proceeds by introducing a typology of negation within modern philosophy roughly from Descartes onwards, showing how Adorno both fits and also stands out in this typology. Ultimately, it is argued that Adorno’s approach to negation and thereby to negative theology is throughout distinguished and infused by an ethical commitment.
Article available through Philosophy Documentation Center, here.
Martin Shuster is Director of Judaic Studies at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. He specializes in 18-20th century European philosophy, Jewish philosophy, Stanley Cavell, and ordinary language philosophy. In addition to many articles, he is the author of Autonomy after Auschwitz: Adorno, German Idealism, and Modernity (University of Chicago, 2014). His new book, titled New Television is forthcoming with University of Chicago and deals with the aesthetic and political significance of what he terms “new television” (shows like The Wire, The Sopranos, Weeds, Justified, and others).
Martin Shuster, “Adorno and Negative Theology,” Graduate Faculty Philosophy Journal 37:1 (2016), pp. 97–130.