On the Methodical Mutilation of the German Language Practiced for Some Years: A New Reader's Edition
The Collected Works of Arthur Schopenhauer Book 13 · Leo Press
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About this ebook
"Schopenhauer is the last great Western philosopher who could still think metaphysically." Heidegger Published during a period of notable linguistic transformation in the Germanic intellectual sphere, the work is a meticulously crafted critique of linguistic obfuscation, stylistic decay, and the progressive erosion of linguistic clarity that Schopenhauer observed in scholarly and administrative writing. In this scathing linguistic (but historically comedic) critique, Schopenhauer argues that modern German writers are systematically destroying the language through a misguided obsession with brevity and "letter counting". He contends that writers, primarily journalists and commercial authors, are intentionally abbreviating words, eliminating detailed linguistic distinctions, and adopting inappropriate French grammatical structures, all in an effort to save a syllable or two. This linguistic vandalism, in his view, reduces the precision and richness of German and shows a broader cultural decline, where writers mindlessly imitate each other's grammatical mistakes without regard for clarity, meaning, or linguistic tradition. The consequences of this linguistic degradation, Schopenhauer warns, are deep and possibly irreversible. By prioritizing superficial brevity over substantive communication, these writers are impoverishing the language, creating ambiguity, and eroding the ability to express difficult thoughts with precision. He predicts that if this trend continues, by the year 1900, readers will struggle to comprehend classical German texts, as the language will have devolved into a crude, simplified jargon stripped of its detail and grammatical sophistication. The text is finally a passionate defense of linguistic integrity, arguing that true economy in language comes not from eliminating syllables, but from thoughtful, precise expression.
"Schopenhauer is the last great Western philosopher who could still think metaphysically." Heidegger Published during a period of notable linguistic transformation in the Germanic intellectual sphere, the work is a meticulously crafted critique of linguistic obfuscation, stylistic decay, and the ...
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About the author
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 to 1860) was a German philosopher known for The World as Will and Representation. His writing treats perception, causation, human desire, ethics, aesthetics, and the relation between individual experience and the will.
Arthur Schopenhauer (1788 to 1860) was a German philosopher known for The World as Will and Representation. His writing treats perception, causation, human desire, ethics, aesthetics, and the relation between individual experience and the will.
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