Critique of the Dogmatic Mind: Volume One, by: Peter Sloterdijk

Why criticize the dogmatic mind? Meaning that talking about dogmatism is to subject it to a critical examination—an intellectual and moral scandal; after that, we will present the conditions for the possibility of exposing it. The current era is entirely dogmatic. Criticism lives in all its meanings, dark and turbulent days. Once again, an era of criticism begins disguised in attire where critical stances are subjected to professional roles. Criticism with limited responsibility, enlightened but monitored as a factor of success—that is the stance at the intersection point of new conformities and old ambitions. It is time for a new critique of moods. When enlightenment appears as (sad knowledge), it facilitates, despite itself, the numbness of depression. Therefore, criticism of the dogmatic mind awaits more than just entertainment, as it starts by ruling out that it is a work, but rather a break from work. And if enlightenment initially seems to necessarily lead to a dogmatic disappointment, this phase will soon be surpassed, and the test of dogmatism will become fundamentally a means of invalidating illusions in an appropriate way. Because dogmatism is the enlightened false consciousness. Number of pages: 414