Eisenstein on the comic (2)

November 13, 1943

Alma-Ata

The Comic

Noted many times. [English in the original]

Pathos is that which fully reveals den Kern der Gesinnung [the kernel of the disposition]—of philosophies, beliefs, convictions [in] truths.

For example, during a certain period of the “Passionsspiel”—God in action [English in original].

Or for us—das Prinzip (nicht der Gegenstand) der Dialektik, als Konzepzionsprinzip. [The principle (not the object) of dialectics as a conceptual principle.]

The comic is all that which denies the basis of conviction.

For the metaphysics of Kant—a sudden surprise as a direct denial of the metaphysical order.

For Bergson—the mechanical as a negation of élan vital.

For the century of logic—alogism.

For the stage of dialectics—formalism.

 

[From: Sergei Eisenstein, Metod, Vol. 2 (Moscow: Muzei kino, 2002), 379.]