May Hegel's philosophy of absolute nonsense…
““May Hegel's philosophy of absolute nonsense - three-fourths cash and one-fourth crazy fancies - continue to pass for unfathomable wisdom without anyone suggesting as an appropriate motto for his writings Shakespeare's words: "Such stuff as madmen tongue and brain not," or, as an emblematical vignette, the cuttle-fish with its ink-bag, creating a cloud of darkness around it to prevent people from seeing what it is, with the device: mea caligine tutus. - May each day bring us, as hitherto, new systems adapted for University purposes, entirely made up of words and phrases and in a learned jargon besides, which allows people to talk whole days without saying anything; and may these delights never be disturbed by the Arabian proverb: "I hear the clappering of the mill, but I see no flour." - For all this is in accordance with the age and must have its course.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Philosophy can become obscure jargon that sounds profound but lacks real meaning, obscuring truth with complexity.
In simple terms: Complex jargon hides true meaning.
Key Takeaway
Seek clarity over pretentiousness.
Themes
philosophy
language
obfuscation
truth
criticism
Mood
skeptical
critical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- political speeches
- marketing copy
Key Concepts
semantic overload
intellectual pretension
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- When does specialized language become a barrier?
- How can we balance depth and clarity?
A Different Perspective
The critique may dismiss legitimate complexity in philosophical discourse.