Histoire Involontaire: Towards a Benjaminian Politics of Awakening
Dominic Pizzolitto
Chiasma: A Site For Thought April 13, 2026 DOI: 10.5206/ch.2026.1.24958 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Benjamin's concept of awakening is not simply critical consciousness but a dialectical space of indeterminacy, charged with contradiction and latent political possibilities, requiring specific material, historical, and political conditions for the flashing up of dialectical images. |
Abstract
This paper explores the methodology behind the unique approach to historical materialism pioneered by Benjamin in his unfinished Arcades Project. By focusing on Benjamin's theory of awakening, this paper attempts to think through the necessary material, historical, and political conditions required for the periodic "flashing up" of dialectical images. Awakening is not, I argue, to be understood strictly as an achievement of critical consciousness. Instead, Benjamin turns to awakening as a textbook example of dialectical thinking because it is a space of indeterminacy—charged with contradiction and latent political possibilities.