...the absolute consciousness of romantic irony is an affirmation of the superiority of the transcendent Self that stands above and is contemptuous of all existing things that are finite and empirical. It rejects all purposes, and thus rejects Hegelian dialectics. If one does anything, it is not for meaning or reason. However, it is not nihilism; contrarily, it discovers meaning in the self-consciousness that seriously plays with meaningless things, being fully aware of their meaninglessness. There is no possible defeat in this position, since it assumes defeat from its beginning. That is to say, irony is an absolute victory by accepting absolute powerlessness.
- Kojin Karatani
