"Theses on the Philosophy of History", also known as "On the Concept of History," is one of Walter Benjamin's last and most famous works. Written in 1940, Benjamin's thoughts on the concept and philosphy of history are a collection of aphoristic and often enigmatic statements that reflect on history, historiography, time, and revolutionary potential.
Central Topics in Benjamin's Philosohy of History
Critique of Historicism: Benjamin critiques the traditional approach to writing history, which he sees as continuous and progressive. He argues against a linear and deterministic view of history that champions the victors and overlooks the suffering of the oppressed.
Angel of History: One of the most famous images in the text is the "Angel of History," which sees the past as a series of catastrophes piling up, with the angel being propelled into the future by a storm from Paradise (progress). The angel would like to intervene and repair, but he's powerless to do so.
Redemptive Moments: For Benjamin, the task of the historian is to seize hold of "a memory as it flashes up at a moment of danger." This involves recognizing and redeeming the forgotten moments and struggles of the past, not for their contribution to the progress of history, but to disrupt the continuous narrative of history.
Messiah and Time: Drawing upon Jewish mysticism, Benjamin introduces the idea of messianic time. Unlike homogenous, empty time (chronological), messianic time is full of redemptive possibilities. It's not about awaiting a messiah but recognizing the potential for revolutionary change in every moment.
Barbarism and Civilisation: Benjamin contends that there's no document of civilization that's not simultaneously a document of barbarism. The cultural treasures that we venerate are often linked to oppression, conquest, and colonization.
Historical Materialism: While Benjamin draws upon Marxist thought, he offers a revision of its dialectical materialism. For him, it's not enough to await the inevitable march of progress or revolution. Instead, the historical materialist recognizes the potential for radical change in every moment and seeks to rupture the status quo.
Chess Analogy: Benjamin uses an analogy of automaton chess player to explain the relationship between theology and historical materialism. While materialism seems to be playing the game (of history), it's theology, hidden beneath, that guides its moves.
Use of the Past: Benjamin believes that every generation has a "weak messianic power" to redeem the past. This is not about romanticizing the past but recognizing its unfulfilled potentials and struggles that resonate with the present.