Church Quote by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
“Some speak of the public as if it were someone with whom they have had dinner at the Leipzig Fair in the Hotel de Saxe. Who is this public? The public is not a thing, but rather an idea, a postulate, like the Church.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On the Public", 1795
The public is an idea, not a concrete entity, similar to a postulate like the Church.
In simple terms: The public is a concept, not a thing.
Key Takeaway
Treat the public as a dynamic idea.
Themes
philosophy
political theory
public sphere
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- political campaigning
- public policy formation
- media analysis
- civic education
Key Concepts
social construct
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines the public in modern media?
- How can we include marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective
Over‑defining the public can ignore diverse voices.
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