12 research outputs found
Adorno on Hope
I argue that Theodor W. Adornoâs philosophy articulates a radical conception of hope. According to Lear, radical hope is âdirected toward a future goodness that transcends the current ability to understand what it isâ (2006:103). Given Adornoâs claim that the current world is radically evil, and that we cannot know or even imagine what the good is, it is plausible that his conception of hope must be radical in this sense. I develop this argument through an analysis of (i) Adornoâs engagement with Kantâs conception of hope, (ii) Adornoâs references to hope, and (iii) his critical diagnosis of a metaphysical need for hope. Having demonstrated that Adorno must reject both ordinary and Kantian hope, I examine why Adorno thinks that we still may have reasons for hope. I also show that Adornoâs conception of hope differs from Learâs in one important respect