Julien Benda Quotes


Philosophy, which formerly raised man to feel conscious of himself because he was a thinking being and to say, 'I think therefore I am," now raises him to say ... "I think, therefore I am not," (unless he takes thought into consideration only in that humble region where it is confused with action).


Citations

Benda, Julien. The Treason of the Intellectuals. Translated by Richard Aldington, William Morrow, 1928.

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Julien Benda
Julien Benda
  • Born: December 26, 1867
  • Died: June 7, 1956
  • Nationality: French
  • Profession: Philosopher, Writer, Critic

Julien Benda was a French philosopher and novelist, known as an essayist and cultural critic. He is best known for his short book, La Trahison des Clercs from 1927 (The Treason of the Intellectuals or The Betrayal by the Intellectuals).