Kantian self-discipline and Sadean criminal planning share formal structure

Evidence

In regard to self-control, her directions are at times related to Kant’s as the special application is to its basic proposition: “Therefore virtue, to the extent that it is founded upon inner freedom, also contains an affirmative commandment for men, which is to bring all their abilities and inclinations under its control [i.e., of reason], and therefore under self-control, which prevails over the negative commandment not to be ruled by one’s emotions and inclinations [the duty of apathy]; because, unless reason takes the reins of government into its hand, emotions and inclinations will be in control.” Juliette preaches on the self-discipline of the criminal: “Work out your plan a few days beforehand; consider all its consequences; be attentive to what might assist you … what might betray you, and weigh up all these things with the same callousness you would apply if you were certain to be discovered.” The murderer’s face must display the greatest calm. — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 83

Categorization

• XREF: Mirrors the culture industry thesis: the same formal rationality serves enlightened morality and enlightened evil.
• DEEPTHINKING: The startling parallel between Kant’s duty of apathy and Sade’s instruction to the murderer to suppress conscience is the chapter’s core dialectical move — formal reason stripped of content serves virtue and crime alike.