--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Philosophy is not in a state of external…" description: "\"Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on other domains, but in a state of active and internal alliance with them, and it is neither more ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg" --- # Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on… ![“Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on other domains, but in a state of active and internal alliance with them, and it is neither more abstract nor more difficult.” quote by Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg) > “Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on other domains, but in a state of active and internal alliance with them, and it is neither more abstract nor more difficult.” [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Philosophy actively engages with other fields, forming internal alliances, not merely abstract reflection. **In simple terms:** Philosophy works with other domains, not just abstract thought. Key Takeaway Integrate philosophical thinking into practical areas. Themes philosophy interdisciplinary practice Mood analytical inquisitive Type theoretical practical When to use this quote - education reform - technology design - policy analysis - artistic creation - scientific research Key Concepts conceptual integration critical theory Questions to Reflect On - How can philosophy inform your daily decisions? - What fields benefit most from philosophical insight? A Different Perspective Philosophy can become overly theoretical, losing practical relevance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Active Internal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-internal-638927/) [Alliances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alliances/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Domain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/domain/) [Internal Alliance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internal-alliance-638925/) [Internals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internals/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-state-638924/) [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) [State Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-active-638926/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) ## Related quotes > [“State philosophy reposes on a double identity: of the thinking subject, and of the concepts it creates and to which it lends its own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/state-philosophy-reposes-on-a-double-identity-of-the-thinking-subject/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [In my view, the state should be active and work in cooperation with private businesses to spur growth that's sustainable and inclusive. The policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-mazzucato/in-my-view-the-state-should-be-active-and-work-in-cooperation-with/) [Mariana Mazzucato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-mazzucato/) > [The state has an active role to play in ensuring that there is equilibrium between the constituent parts of the economy, the consumers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/the-state-has-an-active-role-to-play-in-ensuring-that-there-is/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [Philosophy is a state of fermentation a process without final outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esa-saarinen/philosophy-is-a-state-of-fermentation-a-process-without-final-outcome/) [Esa Saarinen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esa-saarinen/) > [Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/behind-the-ostensible-government-sits-enthroned-an-invisible/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it. A great power like the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/an-alliance-is-like-a-chain-it-is-not-made-stronger-by-adding-weak/) [Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/) > [You cannot lead an alliance if you say you're going alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/you-cannot-lead-an-alliance-if-you-say-you-re-going-alone/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I prayed for the first time in a very long time today. I explained to God that unless he wanted the Marxist-Islamic alliance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-behring-breivik/i-prayed-for-the-first-time-in-a-very-long-time-today-i-explained-to/) [Anders Behring Breivik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-behring-breivik/) > [...to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of the statesmanship of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/to-befoul-the-unholy-alliance-between-corrupt-business-and-corrupt/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Love and friendship, two of life's abiding rewards, are endangered species in Hollywood. People crave both, mistaking alliance for friendship, lust for love, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-obst/love-and-friendship-two-of-life-s-abiding-rewards-are-endangered/) [Lynda Obst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-obst/) > [We are very wrong to think that some fault or other can exclude virtue, or to consider the alliance of good and evil as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luc-de-clapiers/we-are-very-wrong-to-think-that-some-fault-or-other-can-exclude/) [Luc de Clapiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luc-de-clapiers/) > [I would be quite happy to see the Northern Alliance steam across northern Afghanistan and take Kabul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-hoon/i-would-be-quite-happy-to-see-the-northern-alliance-steam-across/) [Geoff Hoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-hoon/) > [The U.S. always needs an enemy. It comes and goes. Today it is Islam. According to this plan or ideology of the born-again Christians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walid-jumblatt/the-u-s-always-needs-an-enemy-it-comes-and-goes-today-it-is-islam/) [Walid Jumblatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walid-jumblatt/) > [Men since the beginning of time have sought peace...military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn have failed, leaving the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-macarthur/men-since-the-beginning-of-time-have-sought-peace-military-alliances/) [Douglas MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-macarthur/) > [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/) [Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/) ## More by Gilles Deleuze > [“Philosophy is the theory of multiplicities, each of which is composed of actual and virtual elements. Purely actual objects do not exist. Every actual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/philosophy-is-the-theory-of-multiplicities-each-of-which-is-composed/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [I have no admiration for culture. I have no reserve knowledge, no provisional knowledge. And everything that I learn, I learn for a particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/i-have-no-admiration-for-culture-i-have-no-reserve-knowledge-no/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [A leftist government doesn't exist because being on the left has nothing to do with governments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/a-leftist-government-doesn-t-exist-because-being-on-the-left-has/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [“The best one can hope for is a government favorable to certain claims and demands from the Left.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/the-best-one-can-hope-for-is-a-government-favorable-to-certain-claims/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [Things never pass where you think, nor along the paths you think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/things-never-pass-where-you-think-nor-along-the-paths-you-think/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [ Either it is the fold of the infinite, or the constant folds \[replis\] of finitude which curve the outside and constitute the inside. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/either-it-is-the-fold-of-the-infinite-or-the-constant-folds-replis-of/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [“The modulating principle of “salary according to merit” has not failed to tempt national education itself. Indeed, just as the corporation replaces the factory,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/the-modulating-principle-of-salary-according-to-merit-has-not-failed/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [The various forms of education or ‘normalization’ imposed upon an individual consist in making him or her change points of subjectification, always moving towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/the-various-forms-of-education-or-normalization-imposed-upon-an/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [External images act on me, transmit movement to me, and I return movement: how could images be in my consciousness since I am myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/external-images-act-on-me-transmit-movement-to-me-and-i-return/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [A concept is a brick. It can be used to build a courthouse of reason. Or it can be thrown through the window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/a-concept-is-a-brick-it-can-be-used-to-build-a-courthouse-of-reason/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [The problem is no longer getting people to express themselves, but providing little gaps of solitude and silence in which they might eventually find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/the-problem-is-no-longer-getting-people-to-express-themselves-but/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [Intensities are implicated multiplicities, 'implexes,' made up of relations between asymmetrical elements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/intensities-are-implicated-multiplicities-implexes-made-up-of/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [There’s no democratic state that’s not compromised to the very core by its part in generating human misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/there-s-no-democratic-state-that-s-not-compromised-to-the-very-core/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [Photography, if there is photography, is already snapped, already shot, in the very interior of things and for all points of space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/photography-if-there-is-photography-is-already-snapped-already-shot/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) > [The use of philosophy is to sadden. A philosophy which saddens no one, that annoys no one, is not a philosophy. It is useful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/the-use-of-philosophy-is-to-sadden-a-philosophy-which-saddens-no-one/) [Gilles Deleuze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) [Explore all 120 Gilles Deleuze quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) [Anthony W. Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-w-ivins/) > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on other domains, but in a state of active and internal alliance with them, and it is neither more abstract nor more difficult.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gilles Deleuze" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external-reflection-on-other-domains/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstract" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external-reflection-on-other-domains/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b9/gilles-deleuze-3530_abstract_philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external_840674.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Philosophy is not in a state of external reflection on other domains, but in a state of active and internal…” — Gilles Deleuze", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gilles Deleuze", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilles-deleuze/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Philosophy is not in a state...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external-reflection-on-other-domains/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilles-deleuze/philosophy-is-not-in-a-state-of-external-reflection-on-other-domains/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```