Walter Benjamin und die Zahl. Anmerkungen zum Verhältnis von mathematisch-logischer Denkform und essayistischer Schreibweise bei Walter Benjamin

Abstract

A perceptible tendency in Walter Benjamin’s philosophy is the mutual substitution and overlapping of the two distinct unities – that of the number (as an identity of idea) and that of configuration (as a picture). Therefore, as already Adorno observed, Benjamin in lieu of a ,binding statement‘ postulates a figurative statement, for even though he talks of an idea, he presents it in visual terms, as a picture. The paper aims to demonstrate that lack of a sufficiently precise distinction between myth and history, criticism of technique and fascination with meta-technical space – which appears to be Benjamin’s intention – has its source in his ambivalent attitude to the number (as an indispensable boundary).