It is thus quite simply false that whereof one cannot speak (in the sense of 'there is nothing to say about it that specifies it and grants it separating properties'), thereof one must be silent. It must on the contrary be named.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Badiou argues that just because something is hard to describe does not mean we should remain silent; we must find ways to name and define it.
- In plain terms
- Do not stay silent about things that are hard to explain; try to name them instead.
- What can you take from it?
- Name the things that seem unspeakable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What should we name that is currently silent?
- Is silence ever the right choice?
Another view
Some things may truly be beyond human language regardless of effort.
More from Alain Badiou
Without mathematics, we are blind.
Permalink to quote #2 The cinema is a place of intrinsic indiscernibility between art and non-art.
Permalink to quote #4 Truth is a new word in Europe (and elsewhere).
Permalink to quote #1
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