THE PROBLEM OF PROGRESS IN WALTER BENJAMIN

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) is a philosopher who is “out of all philosophical movements” like Theodor W. Adorno (1903-1969) put forward once. It is not that Benjamin was not inspired any philosophical movement; on the contrary, it is because he is a kind of philosopher who can not be placed in any movement of philosophy. Walter Benjamin has developed a unique position regarding the thought of progress as he did in every subject. This paper is interested in determining his position directed to the thought of progress by departing from his own ideas. By doing so, this study wil discuss the problem at hand on the basis of his works, such as “On the Concept of History”, “The Storyteller”, and “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” since Benjamin’s position directed to the idea of progress will be set forth on the works mentioned above. And, in this study, the other works written by Benjamin will be made reference to if necessary