Norman O. Brown Quotes

A collection of quotes by Norman O. Brown.

Norman O. Brown (1913-2002) was an influential American philosopher and cultural critic. Recognized for his explorations of Freudian and Marxist theories, he gained prominence through his groundbreaking work, Life Against Death: The Psychoanalytical Meaning of History, which challenged prevailing views on civilization and the human condition. Brown's interdisciplinary approach drew connections between psychology, mythology, literature, and philosophy. His ideas often sparked controversy, but his innovative thinking made a lasting impact on fields such as literary theory, anthropology, and psychoanalysis.

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement,

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement, psychoanalysis becomes the first science to state what common sense and the poets have long known - that the essence of money is in its absolute worthlessness.

Norman O. Brown


Freedom is poetry, taking liberties with words, breaking the

Freedom is poetry, taking liberties with words, breaking the rules of normal speech, violating common sense. Freedom is violence.

Norman O. Brown


Love without attachment is light.

Love without attachment is light.

Norman O. Brown

Love

The money complex is the demonic, and the demonic is God's a

The money complex is the demonic, and the demonic is God's ape; the money complex is therefore the heir to and substitute for the religious complex, an attempt to find God in things.

Norman O. Brown

Money

I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal prop

I am what is mine. Personality is the original personal property.

Norman O. Brown

Personality

The human body is not a thing or substance, given, but a con

The human body is not a thing or substance, given, but a continuous creation. The human body is an energy system which is never a complete structure; never static; is in perpetual inner self-construction and self-destruction; we destroy in order to make it new.

Norman O. Brown

Man Mankind

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement,

In its famous paradox, the equation of money and excrement, psychoanalysis becomes the first science to state what common sense and the poets have long known -- that the essence of money is in its absolute worthlessness.

Norman O. Brown

Money

The dynamics of capitalism is postponement of enjoyment to t

The dynamics of capitalism is postponement of enjoyment to the constantly postponed future.

Norman O. Brown

Capitalism

All currency is neurotic currency.

All currency is neurotic currency.

Norman O. Brown

Money