Western philosophy paired radical method with political quietism toward established institutions

Evidence

Ascending modern rationalism, in its speculative as well as empirical form, shows a striking contrast between extreme critical radicalism in scientific and philosophic method on the one hand, and an uncritical quietism in the attitude toward established and functioning social institutions. Thus Descartes’ ego cogitans was to leave the “great public bodies” untouched, and Hobbes held that “the present ought always to be preferred, maintained, and accounted best.” Kant agreed with Locke in justifying revolution if and when it has succeeded in organizing the whole and in preventing subversion. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 139

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s existing base on how knowledge systems serve established power — recall Adorno on irrationalism serving economic power, and Milgrom-style institutional formation. — connects to: Modern rationalism combined critical method with quietism toward institutions — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 139; Radicalized self-reflection can reveal the hidden practical roots of pure theory — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 2328
• DEFINE: Captures the historical baseline against which Marcuse’s later claim of a ‘closing dimension’ is measured.

Broader Connections

• Modern rationalism combined critical method with quietism toward institutions #corroborates (0.95) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 139
• Radicalized self-reflection can reveal the hidden practical roots of pure theory #expands (0.72) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 2328