Capital Quote by Mark Fisher
““Deleuze and Guattari describe capitalism as a kind of dark potentiality which haunted all previous social systems. Capital, they argue, is the ‘unnamable Thing’, the abomination, which primitive and feudal societies ‘warded off in advance’. When it actually arrives, capitalism brings with it a massive desacralization of culture. It is a system which is no longer governed by any transcendent Law; on the contrary, it dismantles all such codes, only to re-install them on an ad hoc basis.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Capitalist Realism, Mark Fisher, 2009
Capitalism is portrayed as a disruptive force that erodes traditional cultural and moral frameworks, replacing them with temporary, ad‑hoc rules.
In simple terms: Capitalism erodes old codes, creates new temporary ones.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question the fluid rules of modern society.
Themes
culture
economics
philosophy
power
change
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
theoretical
critical
When to use this quote
- social critique
- academic discussion
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
dark potentiality
desacralization
transcendence
ad hoc governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view change your perception of modern institutions?
- What temporary rules do you see emerging today?
A Different Perspective
Capitalism can also provide stability and predictability for some groups.
![“[W]hat counts as ‘realistic’, what seems possible at any point in the social field, is defined by a series of political determinations. An ideological position can never be really successful until it is naturalized, and it cannot be naturalized while it is still thought of as a value rather than a…” quote by Mark Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e92/mark-fisher-3649_capitalism_w-hat-counts-as-realistic-what-seems-pos_312976.jpg)
