Depression constitutes a theory of the world, marshaling instances as evidence

Evidence

Depression is, after all and above all, a theory about the world, about life. The stupidity and venality of politicians (‘Leaders of Men’), the idiocy and cruelty of war (‘Walked in Line’) are pointed to as exhibits in a case against the world, against life, that is so overwhelming, so general, that to appeal to any particular instance seems superfluous. — Mark Fisher, Ghosts of My Life, 138

Categorization

• XREF: Echoes the depressive-as-certain framing and connects conceptually to the Schopenhauer reading developed in this chapter. — connects to: Depression is a philosophical disposition, not merely sadness or a state of mind — Mark Fisher, Ghosts of My Life: Writings on…, 141; Depressive ontology seduces because it is half true — Mark Fisher, Ghosts of My Life: Writings on…, 144; Depression’s danger lies in its claim to reveal final truth — Mark Fisher, Ghosts of My Life: Writings on…, 139 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Capitalist realism’s self-diagnosed realism mirrors the fatalism of depressive realism #complicates (0.85) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 2217
• Depression’s felt realism mirrors capitalist realism’s lowered expectations #complicates (0.82) — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk, 1489