Theodor Ludwig Wiesengrund, who is distinguished as Theodor W. Adorno, was a German sociologist, music composer and philosopher, who lived in the 20th century and is particularly famous for propounding the critical theory of society. He studied sociology, philosophy and psychology at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University and is regarded among the most important members of the Frankfurt School of critical theory. His theories were known to be far more advanced than the sociologists of his time and it is not a surprise that Adrorno’s works are still revered by sociologists of all hues across the world. On the other hand, he was a passionate critic of fascism and wrote withering books on the same. Some of the more famous ones include ‘Negative Dialectics’, ‘Dialectic of Enlightenment’ and ‘Minima Moralia’ among others and it is often stated that his works had a profound influence on the development of the ideas of the left wing in Europe. Adorno was a multi-talented man, who was not only among the leading sociologists of his time but also a talented music composer who created number of well received musical compositions during his lifetime. We bring to you a treasure trove of quotes that have been excerpted from his work, books and writings. Read on to explore a compilation of some of the best known quotes by Theodor W. Adorno.
Beauty today can have no other measure except the depth to which a work resolves contradictions. A work must cut through the contradictions and overcome them, not by covering them up, but by pursuing them.
Theodor W. Adorno
In the innermost recesses of humanism, as its very soul, there rages a frantic prisoner who, as a Fascist, turns the world into a prison.
Theodor W. Adorno
Of the world as it exists, it is not possible to be enough afraid.
Theodor W. Adorno
Art respects the masses, by confronting them as that which they could be, rather than conforming to them in their degraded state.
Theodor W. Adorno
It is not the office of art to spotlight alternatives, but to resist by its form alone the course of the world, which permanently puts a pistol to men's heads.
The very wish to be right, down to its subtlest form of logical reflection, is an expression of the spirit of self-preservation which philosophy is precisely concerned to break down.
Theodor W. Adorno
Ich fürchte nicht die Rückkehr der Faschisten in der Maske der Faschisten, sondern die Rückkehr der Faschisten in der Maske der Demokraten.
Theodor W. Adorno
The recent past always presents itself as if destroyed by catastrophes. The expression of history in things is no other than that of past torment.
The only true thoughts are those which do not grasp their own meaning
Theodor W. Adorno
The glorification of splendid underdogs is nothing other than the glorification of the splendid system that makes them so.
Theodor W. Adorno
Estrangement shows itself precisely in the elimination of distance between people.
Theodor W. Adorno
In principle everyone, however powerful, is an object.
Theodor W. Adorno
Nowadays most people kick with the pricks.
Theodor W. Adorno
A landscape becomes uglier when an admirer disrupts it with the words 'how beautiful'.
Theodor W. Adorno
A film which followed the code of the Hays Office to the strictest letter might succeed in being a great work of art, but not in a world in which a Hays Office exists.
