/lit/ - Literature

[Anonymous No.11864980]

How do I start with him? Can I just dive into his works?

[Anonymous No.11864990]

I often have Buck-Morss' Dialectics of Seeing recommended to me, but I think it might be a slightly pedestrian or slanted account of Benjamin's thought, from a pure philosopher's perspective. Benjamin is also often appropriated for cynical ends these days. People like to read the Mechanical Age in some college intro class and then spout off about a digest version of his thought for years. They also like to appropriate certain aspects of him, like Taussig does, for their own ends. Very trendy these days. As Heidegger once said about Holderlin, he would be better off neglected by the "professional thinkers."

I would start with something like Buck-Morss but keep one foot firmly planted in "this is probably a simplification." Then look for more serious engagements at higher levels once you've waded in a bit.

[Anonymous No.11865243]

>>11864980
try to start reading Dune, its his most comfy work thought

[Anonymous No.11865252]

>>11864990
thanks for the recommendation, but assuming im not well acquainted with Marx, is it good to read him first?

[Anonymous No.11866596]

Bump

[Anonymous No.11866625]

>>11864980
>>11865252

Start here. Benjamin is not just a Marxist, but heir to the broader tradition of 19th century poetic historiography. Michelet, Hegel, Burckhardt, Nietzsche.
https://thecharnelhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/roland-barthes-michelet.pdf

[Anonymous No.11866626]

Make sure you combine your readings of Benjamin with chapter 5 of Culture of Critique on the Frankfurt School.

Pdf: http://www.kevinmacdonald.net/chap5.pdf

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B3G9g4VuLw

[Anonymous No.11866672]

>>11864980
Just get a copy of Illuminations, read the very clear Arendt Introduction, then begin with the essay upon Unpacking [his] Library.