Ideas Quote by Stanley Cavell
“I don't run away from the idea of philosophy as seductive. I want the sentences to be prose but intense prose, to show that, like life, thinking is not linear.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: Philosophy and Prose, Stanford University, 1995
Philosophy should be written as intense, non‑linear prose, mirroring life's complexity rather than a tidy argument.
In simple terms: Philosophy needs vivid, messy language.
Key Takeaway
Embrace complexity in philosophical writing.
Themes
philosophy
writing
complexity
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic essays
- creative nonfiction
- public talks
Key Concepts
literary style
non‑linear thought
intensity
Questions to Reflect On
- Can philosophy be both intense and accessible?
- How does non‑linear structure affect comprehension?
A Different Perspective
Intense prose can alienate readers seeking clarity.
![“Philosophy... is indeed outrageous, inherently so. It seeks to disquiet the foundations of our lives and to offer us in recompense nothing better than itself- and this on the basis of no expert knowledge, of nothing closed to the ordinary human being, once... [one] lets himself or herself be…” quote by Stanley Cavell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/42e/stanley-cavell-33068_ambition_philosophy-is-indeed-outrageous-inherent_1061620.jpg)
