1001Philosophers

Jacques Ranciere Quotes

Jacques Ranciere is a French philosopher, a former pupil of Althusser who broke decisively with his master in his collaboration with workers' archives in the 1970s. The Ignorant Schoolmaster recounted the story of the eighteenth-century pedagogue Joseph Jacotot to advance the radical thesis of intellectual equality as a starting point rather than an outcome of education. The quotes below are attributed to Jacques Ranciere, organized by topic.

Jacques Ranciere on Freedom

  • Attributed to Jacques Ranciere:

    “The presupposition of the equality of intelligences is the foundation of every emancipation.”

Jacques Ranciere on Justice

  • Attributed to Jacques Ranciere:

    “Equality is not a goal to be reached; it is a starting point.”

Jacques Ranciere on Politics

  • Attributed to Jacques Ranciere:

    “Politics begins when those without a part claim a part.”

  • Attributed to Jacques Ranciere:

    “Aesthetics is a distribution of the sensible.”

  • Attributed to Jacques Ranciere:

    “Democracy is the regime of the part of those who have no part.”