Note Taking Traditions

Note Taking Traditions

Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten Method "One Pager" (1968)

An early description by Luhmann about the use and benefits of a zettelkasten

Chris Aldrich's avatar
Chris Aldrich
Jan 03, 2026
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The internet is now rife with what I call “zettelkasten method one pagers” that describe what many people rightly (or very often wrongly) think that Niklas Luhmann’s zettelkasten method entails.

While doing some research about Luhmann’s numbering system’s antecedents, I recently came across a “one pager” (typescript) written by Luhmann himself in the form of some lecture notes from 1968 that folks may appreciate.

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