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[ded_maxim]

From Susan Sontag, On Photography:

Buñuel, when asked once why he made movies, said that it was "to show that this is not the best of all possible worlds."

In your face, Leibniz!

Comments

[kapahel.livejournal.com]

Did you misspell Leibovitz?

[ded-maxim.livejournal.com]

I must have, yes.

[boriskogan.livejournal.com]

Sontag vs. Leibniz...that's like a pubic louse vs. an elephant.

[ded-maxim.livejournal.com]

A vivid simile, but isn't it rather Buñuel vs. Leibniz?

[boriskogan.livejournal.com]

Assuming Sontag is quoting him accurately, sure. I don't know enough about Bunuel to compare him to Leibniz, though.

[ded-maxim.livejournal.com]

I'm not trying to compare them. Neither was Sontag, for that matter. Among other things, Leibniz is known for his argument that this world is the best of all possible worlds. Bunuel merely said that what he wanted to accomplish with his films was to refute Leibniz's thesis. Clearly, his means of expression (artistic and emotional) are not on the same plane with Leibniz's (philosophical and logical), but does this imply that he should not even attempt to dispute Leibniz's theodicy?