g.deleuze - desert islands and other texts

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Desert Islandsand Other Texts

1953-1974



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Speia" thans to 'e""o* trans"ators in this #o"me8 Christopher sh) Char"es Sti#a"e and e"issa

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and :eanine ,erman;s #ersions pre#ios"y p."ished in &e"ix <attari;s Chaosophy (e*or8

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Desert Islandsand Other Texts

1953-1974



<i""es e"e=e



6dited .y a#id apo@ade

Trans"ated .y ihae" Taormina

S6OT6AT(6 &OB6< !<6TS S6B6



SContents

7 ntrodtion

9 esert s"ands

15 :ean ,yppo"ite;s Logic and Existence

19 nstints and nstittions

9



22 ergson) 159-1941

32 ersson;s Coneption o' i''erene

52 :ean-:a?es Bossea8 +rersor o' >a'a) Ce"ine) and +onse

5D The dea o' <enesis in >ant;s 6sthetis

10



72 Baymond Bosse") or the !.horrent Eam

74 ,o* :arry;s +ataphysis Opened the %ay 'or +henomeno"osy

77 F,e %as my TeaherF

1 The +hi"osophy o' Crime o#e"s

11



D On <i".ert Simondon

90 ,mans8 ! .ios 6xistene

94 The ethod o' ramati=ation

117 Con"sions on the %i"" to +o*er and the 6terna" Betrn

12



12 iet=she;s rst o' ashter

131 ystiism and asohism

135 On iet=she and the mage o' Thoght

143 <i""es e"e=e Ta"s +hi"osophy

13



14D <ero"t;s <enera" ethod 'or Spino=a

15D The &issre o' !naxagoras and the oa" &ires o' ,era"its

1D2

,me

170

,o* o %e Beogni=e Strtra"ismG

14



193

Three <rop-Be"ated +ro."ems

204

F%hat Or +risoners %ant &rom /s$$$F

20D

nte""eta"s and +o*er

15



214

Bemars (on :ean-&ranoois yotard

21D

e"e=e and <attari &ight a$$$

230

,e"ene Cixos) or %riting in Stro.e

16



232

Capita"ism and Shi=ophrenia

242

or Speia" Fesiring-ahinesF8 %hat !re TheyG

244

,$$;s etters

17



247

,ot and Coo"

252

omadi Thoght

2D2

On Capita"ism and esire

18



274

&i#e +ropositions on +syhoana"ysis

21

&aes and Sr'aes

24

+re'ae to ,o?enghem;s LApres-Mai des faunes

19



29

! +"anter;s !rt

292

otes

313

ist o' Trans"ators

20



314

ndex

21



ntrodtion

This first volume gathers together almost all the texts which Gilles Deleue !u"lishe# i$ %ra$ce a$# a"roa# "etwee$

1953 a$# 1974& starti$g with Empiricism and Subjectivity, his first "oo'& a$# e$#i$g with the #e"ates followi$g Anti-

Oedipus, co(authore# with %elix Guattari) This collectio$ esse$tiall* co$tai$s articles& "oo' reviews& !refaces&

i$terviews& a$# co$fere$ces all !reviousl* !u"lishe# i$ %re$ch& "ut $ot fou$# i$ a$* o$e wor' "* Deleue)

+$ or#er to avoi# a$* "ias as to or#er or em!hasis& + have res!ecte# the strict chro$olog* of !u"licatio$ ,$ot of

com!ositio$-) . thematic orga$iatio$ woul# have /i"e# with the !revious collectio$ Negotiations, as well as the "i"(

liogra!hical !ro/ect u$#erta'e$ arou$# 1989& "ut it might have erro$eousl* suggeste# that this collectio$ co$stitute# a

"oo' "* Deleue& or at least o$e he was !la$$i$g)

The co$#itio$s for !u"licatio$ s!ecifie# "* Deleue have "ee$ res!ecte# $o texts !rior to 1953& a$# $o !reviousl*

u$!u"lishe# or !osthumous texts) Those texts !u"lishe# for the first time i$ this volume are all me$tio$e# i$ the 1989

"i"liogra!h*)

. seco$# volume will collect texts !u"lishe# "etwee$ 1975 a$# 1995 Two Regimes of Madness and oter te!ts

"#eu! regimes de fous et autres te!tes$%

Davi# a!ou/a#

22



eesert s"ands

Geogra!hers sa* there are two 'i$#s of isla$#s) This is valua"le i$formatio$ for the imagi$atio$

"ecause it co$firms what the imagi$atio$ alrea#* '$ew) or is it the o$l* case where scie$ce

ma'es m*tholog* more co$crete& a$# m*tholog* ma'es scie$ce more vivi#) &ontinenta' is'ands

are acci#e$tal& #erive# isla$#s) The* are se!arate# from a co$ti$e$t& "or$ of #isarticulatio$&

erosio$& fracture the* survive the a"sor!tio$ of what o$ce co$tai$e# them) Oceanic is'ands areorigi$ar*& esse$tial isla$#s) ome are forme# from coral reefs a$# #is!la* a ge$ui$e orga$ism)

thers emerge from u$#erwater eru!tio$s& "ri$gi$g to the light of #a* a moveme$t from the

lowest #e!ths) ome rise slowl* some #isa!!ear a$# the$ retur$& leavi$g us $o time to a$$ex

them) These two 'i$#s of isla$#s& co$ti$e$tal a$# origi$ar*& reveal a !rofou$# o!!ositio$

"etwee$ ocea$ a$# la$#) o$ti$e$tal isla$#s serve as a remi$#er that the sea is o$ to! of the

earth& ta'i$g a#va$tage of the slightest saggi$g i$ the highest structures ocea$ic isla$#s& that the

earth is still there& u$#er the sea& gatheri$g its stre$gth to !u$ch through to the surface) :e ca$

assume that these eleme$ts are i$ co$sta$t strife& #is!la*i$g a re!ulsio$ for o$e a$other) +$ this

we fi$# $othi$g to reassure us) .lso& that a$ isla$# is #eserte# must a!!ear pi'osopica''y

$ormal to us) ;uma$s ca$$ot live& $or live i$ securit*& u$less the* assume that the active struggle

"etwee$ earth a$# water is over& or at least co$tai$e#) <eo!le li'e to call these two eleme$ts

mother a$# father& assig$i$g them ge$#er roles accor#i$g to the whim of their fa$c*) The* must

somehow !ersua#e themselves that a struggle of this 'i$# #oes $ot exist& or that it has somehow

e$#e#) +$ o$e wa* or a$other& the ver* existe$ce of isla$#s is the $egatio$ of this !oi$t of view&

of this effort& this co$victio$) That =$gla$# is !o!ulate# will alwa*s come as a sur!rise huma$s

ca$ live o$ a$ isla$# o$l* "* forgetti$g what a$ isla$# re!rese$ts) +sla$#s are either from "efore

or for after huma$'i$#)

>ut ever*thi$g that geogra!h* has tol# us a"out the two 'i$#s of isla$#s& the imagi$atio$

'$ew alrea#* o$ its ow$ a$# i$ a$other wa*) The e'an that #raws huma$s towar# isla$#s exte$#s

the #ou"le moveme$t that !ro#uces isla$#s i$ themselves) Dreami$g of isla$#swhether with

/o* or i$ fear& it #oes$t matteris #reami$g of !ulli$g awa*& of "ei$g alrea#* se!arate& far from

a$* co$ti$e$t& of "ei$g lost a$# alo$eor it is #reami$g of starti$g from scratch& recreati$g&

"egi$$i$g a$ew) ome isla$#s #rifte# awa* from the co$ti$e$t& "ut the isla$# is also that towar#

which o$e #rifts other isla$#s origi$ate# i$ the ocea$& "ut te is'and is a'so te origin, ra#ical

23



a$# a"solute) ertai$l*& se!arati$g a$# creati$g are $ot mutuall* exclusive o$e has to hol# o$es

ow$ whe$ o$e is se!arate#& a$# ha# "etter "e se!arate to create a$ew $evertheless& o$e of the

two te$#e$cies alwa*s !re#omi$ates) +$ this wa*& the moveme$t of the imagi$atio$ of isla$#s

ta'es u! the moveme$t of their !ro#uctio$& "ut the* #o$t have the same o"/ective) +t is the same

moveme$t& "ut a #iffere$t goal) +t is $o lo$ger the isla$# that is se!arate# from the co$ti$e$t& it is

huma$s who fi$# themselves se!arate# from the worl# whe$ o$ a$ isla$#) +t is $o lo$ger the

isla$# that is create# from the "owels of the earth through the li?ui# #e!ths& it is huma$s who

create the worl# a$ew from the isla$# a$# o$ the waters) ;uma$s thus ta'e u! for themselves

"oth moveme$ts of the isla$# a$# are a"le to #o so o$ a$ isla$# that& !recisel*& lac's o$e 'i$# of

moveme$t huma$s ca$ #rift towar# a$ isla$# that is $o$etheless origi$ar*& a$# the* ca$ create

o$ a$ isla$# that has merel* #rifte# awa*) $ closer i$s!ectio$& we fi$# here a $ew reaso$ for

ever* isla$# to "e a$# remai$ i$ theor* #eserte#)

.$ isla$# #oes$t sto! "ei$g #eserte# sim!l* "ecause it is i$ha"ite#) :hile it is true that the

moveme$t of huma$s towar# a$# o$ the isla$# ta'es u! the moveme$t of the isla$# !rior to

huma$'i$#& some !eo!le ca$ occu!* the isla$#it is still #eserte#& all the more so& !rovi#e#

the* are sufficie$tl*& that is& a"solutel* se!arate& a$# !rovi#e# the* are sufficie$t& a"solute

creators) ertai$l*& this is $ever the case i$ fact& though !eo!le who are shi!wrec'e# a!!roach

such a co$#itio$) >ut for this to "e the case& we $ee# o$l* extra!olate i$ imagi$atio$ themoveme$t the* "ri$g with them to the isla$#) $l* i$ a!!eara$ce #oes such a moveme$t !ut a$

e$# to the isla$#s #eserte#$ess i$ realit*& it ta'es u! a$# !rolo$gs the e'an that !ro#uce# the

isla$# as #eserte#) %ar from com!romisi$g it& huma$s "ri$g the #eserte#$ess to its !erfectio$ a$#

highest !oi$t) +$ certai$ co$#itio$s which attach them to the ver* moveme$t of thi$gs& huma$s

#o $ot !ut a$ e$# to #eserte#$ess& the* ma'e it sacre#) Those !eo!le who come to the isla$#

i$#ee# occu!* a$# !o!ulate it "ut i$ realit*& were the* sufficie$tl* se!arate& sufficie$tl*

creative& the* woul# give the isla$# o$l* a #*$amic image of itself& a co$scious$ess of the

moveme$t which !ro#uce# the isla$#& such that through them the isla$# woul# i$ the e$#

"ecome co$scious of itself as #eserte# a$# u$!eo!le#) The isla$# woul# "e o$l* the #ream of

huma$s& a$# huma$s& the !ure co$scious$ess of the isla$#)

%or this to "e the case& there is agai$ "ut o$e co$#itio$ huma$s woul# have to re#uce themselves

to the moveme$t that "ri$gs them to the isla$#& the moveme$t which !rolo$gs a$# ta'es u! the

24



e'an that !ro#uce# the isla$#) The$ geogra!h* a$# the imagi$atio$ woul# "e o$e) To that

?uestio$ so #ear to the ol# ex!lorerswhich creatures live o$ #eserte# isla$#s@o$e coul#

o$l* a$swer huma$ "ei$gs live there alrea#*& "ut u$commo$ huma$s& the* are a"solutel*

se!arate& a"solute creators& i$ short& a$ +#ea of huma$it*& a !rotot*!e& a ma$ who woul# almost

"e a go#& a woma$ who woul# "e a go##ess& a great .m$esiac& a !ure .rtist& a co$scious$ess of

=arth a$# cea$& a$ e$ormous hurrica$e& a "eautiful witch& a statue from the =aster +sla$#s)

There *ou have a huma$ "ei$g who !rece#es itself) uch a creature o$ a #eserte# isla$# woul#

"e the #eserte# isla$# itself& i$sofar as it imagi$es a$# reflects itself i$ its first moveme$t) .

co$scious$ess of the earth a$# ocea$& such is the #eserte# isla$#& rea#* to "egi$ the worl# a$ew)

>ut si$ce huma$ "ei$gs& eve$ volu$taril*& are $ot i#e$tical to the moveme$t that !uts them o$

the isla$#& the* are u$a"le to /oi$ with the e'an that !ro#uces the isla$# the* alwa*s e$cou$ter it

from the outsi#e& a$# their !rese$ce i$ fact s!oils its #eserte#$ess) The u$it* of the #eserte#

isla$# a$# its i$ha"ita$t is thus $ot actual& o$l* imagi$ar*& li'e the i#ea of loo'i$g "ehi$# thecurtai$ whe$ o$e is $ot "ehi$# it) Aore im!orta$tl*& it is #ou"tful whether the i$#ivi#ual

imagi$atio$& u$ai#e#& coul# raise itself u! to such a$ a#mira"le i#e$tit* it woul# re?uire the

collective imagi$atio$& what is most !rofou$# i$ it& i)e) rites a$# m*tholog*)

+$ the facts themselves we fi$# at least a $egative co$firmatio$ of all this& if we co$si#er

what a #eserte# isla$# is i$ realit*& that is& geogra!hicall*) The isla$#& a$# all the more so the#eserte# isla$#& is a$ extremel* !oor or wea' $otio$ from the !oi$t of view of geogra!h*) This is

to its cre#it) The ra$ge of isla$#s has $o o"/ective u$it*& a$# #eserte# isla$#s have eve$ less) The

#eserte# isla$# ma* i$#ee# have extremel* !oor soil) Deserte#& the isla$# ma* "e a #esert& "ut

$ot $ecessaril*) The real #esert is u$i$ha"ite# o$l* i$sofar as it !rese$ts $o co$#itio$s that "*

rights woul# ma'e life !ossi"le& whether vegeta"le& a$imal& or huma$) $ the co$trar*& the lac'

of i$ha"ita$ts o$ the #eserte# isla$# is a !ure fact #ue to circumsta$ce& i$ other wor#s& the

isla$#s surrou$#i$gs) The isla$# is what the sea surrou$#s a$# what we travel arou$#) +t is li'e

a$ egg) .$ egg of the sea& it is rou$#) +t is as though the isla$# ha# !ushe# its #esert outsi#e)

:hat is #eserte# is the ocea$ arou$# it) +t is "* virtue of circumsta$ce& for other reaso$s tha$ the

!ri$ci!le o$ which the isla$# #e!e$#s& that shi!s !ass i$ the #ista$ce a$# $ever come ashore) The

isla$# is #eserte# more tha$ it is a #esert) o much so& that i$ itself the isla$# ma* co$tai$ the

liveliest of rivers& the most agile fau$a& the "rightest flora& the most amai$g $ourishme$t& the

har#iest of savages& a$# the castawa* as its most !recious fruit& it ma* eve$ co$tai$& however

mome$taril*& the shi! that comes to ta'e him awa*) %or all that& it is $ot a$* less a #eserte#

isla$#) To cha$ge this situatio$& we woul# have to overhaul the ge$eral #istri"utio$ of the

co$ti$e$ts& the state of the seas& a$# the li$es of $avigatio$)

25



This is to state o$ce agai$ that the esse$ce of the #eserte# isla$# is imagi$ar* a$# $ot actual&

m*thological a$# $ot geogra!hical) .t the same time& its #esti$* is su"/ect to those huma$

co$#itio$s that ma'e m*tholog* !ossi"le) A*tholog* is $ot sim!l* wille# i$to existe$ce& a$# the

!eo!les of the earth ?uic'l* e$sure# the* woul# $o lo$ger u$#ersta$# their ow$ m*ths) +t is at

this ver* mome$t literature "egi$s) iterature is the attem!t to i$ter!ret& i$ a$ i$ge$ious wa*& the

m*ths we $o lo$ger u$#ersta$#& at the mome$t we $o lo$ger u$#ersta$# them& si$ce we $o

lo$ger '$ow how to #ream them or re!ro#uce them) iterature is the com!etitio$ of

misi$ter!retatio$s that co$scious$ess $aturall* a$# $ecessaril* !ro#uces o$ themes of the

u$co$scious& a$# li'e ever* com!etitio$ it has its !ries) $e woul# have to show exactl* how

i$ this se$se m*tholog* fails a$# #ies i$ two classic $ovels of the #eserte# isla$#& Bo"i$so$ a$#

ua$$e) Su(anne and te )acific em!hasies the se!arate# as!ect of isla$#s& the se!aratio$ of

the *ou$g woma$ who fi$#s herself there1 Robinson &rusoe, the creative as!ect& the "egi$$i$g

a$ew) +t is true that the wa* m*tholog* fails is #iffere$t i$ each case) +$ the case of Girau#ouxsua$$e& m*tholog* #ies the !rettiest& most graceful #eath) +$ Bo"i$so$s case& its #eath is heav*

i$#ee#) $e ca$ har#l* imagi$e a more "ori$g $ovel& a$# it is sa# to see chil#re$ still rea#i$g it

to#a*) Bo"i$so$s visio$ of the worl# resi#es exclusivel* i$ !ro!ert* $ever have we see$ a$

ow$er more rea#* to !reach) The m*thical recreatio$ of the worl# from the #eserte# isla$# gives

wa* to the reco$stitutio$ of ever*#a* "ourgeois life from a reserve of ca!ital) =ver*thi$g is

ta'e$ from the shi!) othi$g is i$ve$te#) +t is all !ai$sta'i$gl* a!!lie# o$ the isla$#) Time is

$othi$g "ut the time $ecessar* for ca!ital to !ro#uce a "e$efit as the outcome of wor') .$# the

!rovi#e$tial fu$ctio$ of Go# is to guara$tee a retur$) Go# '$ows his !eo!le& the har#wor'i$g

ho$est t*!e& "* their "eautiful !ro!erties& a$# the evil #oers& "* their !oorl* mai$tai$e#& sha""*

!ro!ert*) Bo"i$so$s com!a$io$ is $ot =ve& "ut %ri#a*& #ocile towar#s wor'& ha!!* to "e a slave&

a$# too easil* #isguste# "* ca$$i"alism) .$* health* rea#er woul# #ream of seei$g him eat

Bo"i$so$) Robinson &rusoe re!rese$ts the "est illustratio$ of that thesis which affirms the close

ties "etwee$ ca!italism a$# <rotesta$tism) The $ovel #evelo!s the failure a$# the #eath of

m*tholog* i$ <urita$ism) Thi$gs are ?uite #iffere$t with ua$$e) +$ her case& the #eserte#

isla$# is a #e!ositor* of rea#*(ma#e& luxurious o"/ects) The isla$# "ears imme#iatel* what it has

ta'e$ civiliatio$ ce$turies to !ro#uce& !erfect& a$# ri!e$) >ut m*tholog* still #ies& though i$

ua$$es case it #ies i$ a !articularl* <arisia$ wa*) ua$$e has $othi$g to create a$ew) The

#eserte# isla$# !rovi#es her with the #ou"le of ever* o"/ect from the cit*& i$ the wi$#ows of the

sho!s it is a #ou"le without co$siste$c*& se!arate# from the real& si$ce it #oes $ot receive the

soli#it* that o"/ects or#i$aril* ta'e o$ i$ huma$ relatio$s& ami#st "u*i$g a$# selli$g& excha$ges

a$# !rese$ts) he is a$ i$si!i# *ou$g woma$) ;er com!a$io$s are $ot .#am& "ut *ou$g

ca#avers& a$# whe$ she ree$ters the worl# of livi$g me$& she will love them i$ a u$iform wa*&

li'e a !riest& as though love were the mi$imum threshol# of her !erce!tio$)

26



:hat must "e recovere# is the m*thological life of the #eserte# isla$#) ;owever& i$ its ver*

failure& Bo"i$so$ gives us some i$#icatio$ he first $ee#e# a reserve of ca!ital) +$ ua$$es case&she was first a$# foremost se!arate) .$# $either the o$e $or the other coul# "e !art of a cou!le)

These three i$#icatio$s must "e restore# to their m*thological !urit*) :e have to get "ac' to themoveme$t of the imagi$atio$ that ma'es the #eserte# isla$# a mo#el& a !rotot*!e of the collectivesoul) %irst& it is true that from the #eserte# isla$# it is $ot creatio$ "ut re(creatio$& $ot the

"egi$$i$g "ut a re("egi$$i$g that ta'es !lace) The #eserte# isla$# is the origi$& "ut a seco$#origi$) %rom it ever*thi$g "egi$s a$ew) The isla$# is the $ecessar* mi$imum for this re( "egi$$i$g& the material that survives the first origi$& the ra#iati$g see# or egg that must "e

sufficie$t to re(!ro#uce ever*thi$g) learl*& this !resu!!oses that the formatio$ of the worl#ha!!e$s i$ two stages& i$ two !erio#s of time& "irth a$# re("irth& a$# that the seco$# is /ust as

$ecessar* a$# esse$tial as the first& a$# thus the first is $ecessaril* com!romise#& "or$ forre$ewal a$# alrea#* re$ou$ce# i$ a catastro!he) +t is $ot that there is a seco$# "irth "ecause there

has "ee$ a catastro!he& "ut the reverse& there is a catastro!he after the origi$ "ecause there must "e& from the "egi$$i$g& a seco$# "irth) :ithi$ ourselves we ca$ locate the source of such a

theme it is $ot the !ro#uctio$ of life that we loo' for whe$ we /u#ge it to "e life& "ut itsre!ro#uctio$) The a$imal whose mo#e of re!ro#uctio$ remai$s u$'$ow$ to us has $ot *et ta'e$

its !lace amo$g livi$g "ei$gs) +t is $ot e$ough that ever*thi$g "egi$& ever*thi$g must "egi$ agai$o$ce the c*cle of !ossi"le com"i$atio$s has come to com!letio$) The seco$# mome$t #oes $ot

succee# the first it is the rea!!eara$ce of the first whe$ the c*cle of the other mome$ts has "ee$com!lete#) The seco$# origi$ is thus more esse$tial tha$ the first& si$ce it gives us the law of

re!etitio$& the law of the series& whose first origi$ gave us o$l* mome$ts) >ut this theme& eve$more tha$ i$ our fa$tasies& fi$#s ex!ressio$ i$ ever* m*tholog*) +t is well '$ow$ as the m*th of

the floo#) The ar' sets #ow$ o$ the o$e !lace o$ earth that remai$s u$covere# "* water& a circulara$# sacre# !lace& from which the worl# "egi$s a$ew) +t is a$ isla$# or a mou$tai$& or "oth ato$ce the isla$# is a mou$tai$ u$#er water& a$# the mou$tai$& a$ isla$# that is still #r*) ;ere we

see origi$al creatio$ caught i$ a re(creatio$& which is co$ce$trate# i$ a hol* la$# i$ the mi##le ofthe ocea$) This seco$# origi$ of the worl# is more im!orta$t tha$ the first it is a sacre# isla$#)Aa$* m*ths recou$t that what we fi$# there is a$ egg& a cosmic egg) i$ce the isla$# is a seco$#

origi$& it is e$truste# to ma$ a$# $ot to the go#s) +t is se!arate& se!arate# "* the massive ex!a$se

of the floo#) cea$ a$# water em"o#* a !ri$ci!le of segregatio$ such that& o$ sacre# isla$#s&exclusivel* female commu$ities ca$ come to "e& such as the isla$# of irce or al*!so) .fter all&the "egi$$i$g starte# from Go# a$# from a cou!le& "ut $ot the $ew "egi$$i$g& the "egi$$i$g

agai$& which starts from a$ egg m*thological mater$it* is ofte$ a !arthe$oge$esis) The i#ea of aseco$# origi$ gives the #eserte# isla$# its whole mea$i$g& the survival of a sacre# !lace i$ a

worl# that is slow to re("egi$) +$ the i#eal of "egi$$i$g a$ew there is somethi$g that !rece#es the "egi$$i$g itself& that ta'es it u! to #ee!e$ it a$# #ela* it i$ the !assage of time) The #esert isla$#

is the material of this somethi$g immemorial& this somethi$g most !rofou$#)(ean)y**olite+s Logic and Existence A

Cea$ ;*!!olites earlier *enesis and Structure of +ege's )enomeno'ogy of Spirit was a

comme$tar* o$ ;egel& !reservi$g ;egel i$ its e$tiret*) 2 The i$te$tio$ "ehi$# ;*!!olites $ew

"oo' is ?uite #iffere$t)3 +$vestigati$g ogic& <he$ome$olog*& a$# the =$c*clo!e#ia& ;*!!olite

starts from a !recise i#ea to ma'e a !recise !oi$t )i'osopy must be onto'ogy, it cannot be

27



anyting e'se but tere is no onto'ogy of essence, tere is on'y an onto'ogy of sense% ;ere we

have& it seems& the thesis of this esse$tial "oo'& whose st*le alo$e is a tour #e force) +f ;*!(

!olites thesis !hiloso!h* is o$tolog* mea$s o$e thi$g a"ove all& it is that !hiloso!h* is $ot

a$thro!olog*)

.$thro!olog* as!ires to "e a #iscourse on huma$it*) .s such& it !resu!!oses the em!irical

#iscourse .huma$it*& i$ which the s!ea'er a$# the o"/ect of his s!eech are se!arate) Beflectio$

is o$ o$e si#e& while "ei$g is o$ the other) ee$ i$ this light& u$#ersta$#i$g is a moveme$t which

is $ot a moveme$t of the thi$g it remai$s outsi#e the o"/ect) E$#ersta$#i$g is thus the !ower to

a"stract a$# reflectio$ is merel* exter$al a$# formal) +t follows that em!iricism ultimatel* se$#s

us "ac' to formalism& /ust as formalism refers "ac' to em!iricism) =m!irical co$scious$ess is a

co$scious$ess #irecte# at !reexiste$t "ei$g& relegati$g reflectio$ to su"/ectivit*) u"/ectivit*

will thus "e treate# as a fact& a$# a$thro!olog* will "e set u! as the scie$ce of this fact) Fa$ts

legitimii$g su"/ectivit* #oes $ot cha$ge the esse$tial !oi$t)

ritical co$scious$ess is a co$scious$ess that reflects the '$owi$g self& "ut which

relegates "ei$g to the thi$g(i$(itself) Fa$t i$#ee# achieves the s*$thesis of the i#e$tit* of

su"/ect a$# o"/ect"ut o$l* a$ o"/ect relative to the su"/ect the ver* i#e$tit* is the s*$thesis of

the imagi$atio$ a$# is $ot !osite# i$ "ei$g itself) ;e goes "e*o$# the !s*chological a$# the

em!irical& all the while remai$i$g withi$ the a$thro!ological) o lo$g as the #etermi$atio$ is

o$l* su"/ective& we ca$$ot get outsi#e a$thro!olog*) Aust we get outsi#e it& a$# how #o we #o

so@ These two ?uestio$s are i$ fact o$e ?uestio$ the wa* to get outsi#e is also the $ecessit* to

#o so) To his cre#it& Fa$ts i$sight is that thought is !resu!!ose# as give$ thought is give$

"ecause it thi$'s itself a$# reflects itself& a$# it is !resu!!ose# as give$ "ecause the totalit* of

o"/ects !resu!!oses thought as that which ma'es u$#ersta$#i$g !ossi"le) Thus& i$ Fa$t& thought

a$# the thi$g are i#e$tical& "ut the thi$g i#e$tical to thought is o$l* a relative thi$g& $ot the

thi$g(as("ei$g& $ot the thi$g(i$(itself ;egel& therefore& as!ires to the verita"le i#e$tit* of what is

give$ a$# what is !resu!!ose#& i$ other wor#s& to the ."solute) +$ his <he$ome$olog*& we are

show$ that the ge$eral #iffere$ce "etwee$ "ei$g a$# reflectio$& of "ei$g(i$(itself a$# "ei$g(for(

itself& of truth a$# certai$t*& #evelo! i$ the co$crete mome$ts of a #ialectic whose ver*

moveme$t a"olishes this #iffere$ce& or !reserves it o$l* as a $ecessar* a!!eara$ce) +$ this se$se&

the <he$ome$olog* starts from huma$ reflectio$ to show that this huma$ reflectio$ a$# its

28



co$se?ue$ces lea# to the a"solute '$owle#ge which the* !resu!!ose) .s ;*!!olite remar's& it is

a ?uestio$ of re#uci$g a$thro!olog*& of removi$g the o"stacle of a '$owle#ge whose source

is foreig$) >ut it is $ot /ust at the fi$ish& or at the "egi$$i$g& that a"solute '$owle#ge is%

F$owle#ge is alrea#* a"solute i$ ever* mome$t a figure of co$scious$ess is a mome$t of the

co$ce!t& o$l* i$ a #iffere$t guise the exter$al #iffere$ce "etwee$ "ei$g a$# reflectio$ is& i$ a

#iffere$t guise& the i$ter$al #iffere$ce of >ei$g itself or& i$ other terms& >ei$g which is i#e$tical

to #iffere$ce& to me#iatio$) i$ce the #iffere$ce of co$scious$ess has retur$e# i$to the self&

these mome$ts are the$ !rese$te# as #etermi$e# co$ce!ts a$# as their orga$ic moveme$t which

is grou$#e# i$ itself)

;ow arroga$t& someo$e will sa*& to act li'e Go# a$# gra$t *ourself a"solute '$owle#ge)

>ut we have to u$#ersta$# what "ei$g is with res!ect to the give$) >ei$g& accor#i$g to

;*!!olite& is $ot essence "ut sense% a*i$g that this worl# is sufficie$t $ot o$l* mea$s that it

sufficie$t for us, "ut that it is sufficie$t unto itse'f a$# that the worl# refers to "ei$g $ot as the

esse$ce "e*o$# a!!eara$ces& a$# $ot as a seco$# worl# which woul# "e the worl# of the +$tel(

ligi"le& "ut as the se$se of this worl#) ertai$l*& we fi$# this su"stitutio$ of se$se for esse$ce

alrea#* i$ <lato& whe$ he shows us that the seco$# worl# is itself the su"/ect of a #ialectic that

ma'es it the se$se of this worl#& $ot some other worl#) >ut the great age$t of su"stitutio$ is

agai$ Fa$t& "ecause his criti?ue re!laces formal !ossi"ilit* with tra$sce$#e$tal !ossi"ilit*& the "ei$g of the !ossi"le with the !ossi"ilit* of "ei$g& logical i#e$tit* with the s*$thetic i#e$tit* of

recog$itio$& the "ei$g of logic with the logical $ature of "ei$gi$ a wor#& the criti?ue re!laces

esse$ce with se$se) .ccor#i$g to ;*!!olite& the great !ro!ositio$ of ;egels ogic is that there

is $o seco$# worl#& "ecause such a !ro!ositio$ is at the same time the ratio$ale for tra$sformi$g

meta!h*sics i$to logic& the logic of se$se) There is $o "e*o$# mea$s there is $o "e*o$# to the

worl# ,"ecause >ei$g is o$l* se$se- a$# that there is i$ the worl# "e*o$# to thought ,"ecause i$

thought it is "ei$g which thi$'s itself-

a$# fi$all*& that there is i$ thought $o "e*o$# of la$guage) Cea$ ;*!!olites "oo' is a reflectio$

o$ the co$#itio$s of a$ a"solute #iscourse a$# i$ this res!ect& those cha!ters o$ the i$effa"le

a$# o$ !oetr* are crucial) The same !eo!le who chitchat are those who "elieve i$ the i$effa"le)

>ut if >ei$g is se$se& true '$owle#ge is $ot the '$owle#ge of a$ ther& $or of some other thi$g)

29



."solute '$owle#ge is what is closest& so to s!ea'& what is most sim!le it is ere% >ehi$# the

curtai$ there is $othi$g to see& or as ;*!!olite sa*s the secret is that there is $o secret)

:e see the$ the #ifficult* which the author em!haticall* u$#erli$es if o$tolog* is a$

o$tolog* of se$se a$# $ot esse$ce& if there is $o seco$# worl#& how ca$ a"solute '$owle#ge "e

#isti$guishe# from em!irical '$owle#ge@ Do we $ot fall "ac' i$to the sim!le a$thro!olog*

which we /ust criticie#@ ."solute '$owle#ge must at o$e a$# the same time i$clu#e em!irical

'$owle#ge a$# $othi$g else& si$ce there is $othi$g else to i$clu#e& a$# *et it has to i$clu#e its

ow$ ra#ical #iffere$ce from em!irical '$owle#ge) ;*!!olites i#ea is this esse$tialism& #es!ite

a!!eara$ces& was $ot what !reserve# us from em!iricism a$# allowe# us to go "e*o$# it) %rom

the view!oi$t of esse$ce& reflectio$ is $o less exterior tha$ it is i$ em!iricism or !ure criti?ue)

=m!iricism !osite# #etermi$atio$ as !urel* su"/ective esse$tialism& "* o!!osi$g #etermi$atio$s

to o$e a$other a$# to the ."solute& lea#s o$l* to the "ottom of this limitatio$) =sse$tialism is o$

the same si#e as em!iricism) $ the other ha$#& however& the o$tolog* of se$se is total Thought

that '$ows itself o$l* i$ its #etermi$atio$s& which are mome$ts of form) +$ the em!irical a$# i$

the a"solute& it is the same "ei$g a$# the same thought "ut the em!irical& exter$al #iffere$ce of

thought a$# "ei$g has give$ wa* to the #iffere$ce which is i#e$tical to >ei$g& to the i$ter$al

#iffere$ce of >ei$g that thi$'s itself) Thus a"solute '$owle#ge is i$ effect #isti$ct from

em!irical '$owle#ge& "ut o$l* at the cost of #e$*i$g the '$owle#ge of $o$(#iffere$t esse$ce) +$logic& therefore& there is $o lo$ger& as there is i$ the em!irical realm& what + sa* o$ the o$e ha$#

a$# the se$se of what + sa* o$ the otherthe !ursuit of the o$e "* the other "ei$g the #ialectic

of <he$ome$olog*) $ the co$trar*& m* #iscourse is logicall* or !ro!erl* !hiloso!hical whe$ +

s!ea' the se$se of what + sa*& a$# whe$ >ei$g thus s!ea's itself) uch #iscourse& which is the

!articular st*le of !hiloso!h*& ca$$ot "e other tha$ circular) +$ this co$$ectio$& we ca$$ot fail to

$otice those !ages ;*!!olite #evotes to the !ro"lem of "egi$$i$g i$ !hiloso!h*& a !ro"lem

which is $ot o$l* logical& "ut !e#agogical)

30



;*!!olite thus rises u! agai$st a$* a$thro!ological or huma$ist i$ter!retatio$ of ;egel) ."solute

'$owle#ge is $ot a reflectio$ of huma$it*& "ut a reflectio$ of the ."solute i$ huma$it*) The."solute is $ot a seco$# worl#& a$# *et a"solute '$owle#ge is i$#ee# #isti$ct from em!irical

'$owle#ge& /ust as !hiloso!h* is #isti$ct from a$* a$thro!olog*) +$ this regar#& however& if wemust co$si#er #ecisive the #isti$ctio$ ;*!!olite ma'es "etwee$ ogic a$# <he$ome$olog*& #oesthe !hiloso!h* of histor* $ot have a more am"iguous relatio$ to ogic@ ;*!!olite sa*s as much

the ."solute as se$se is "ecomi$g a$# it is certai$l* $ot a$ historical "ecomi$g) >ut what is therelatio$ of ogics "ecomi$g to histor*& if historical i$ this i$sta$ce #esig$ates a$*thi$g "ut thesim!le character of a fact@ The relatio$ of o$tolog* a$# em!irical huma$it* is !erfectl*

#etermi$e#& "ut $ot the relatio$ of o$tolog* a$# historical huma$it*) .$# if as ;*!!olite suggestsfi$itu#e itself must "e rei$tro#uce# i$to the ."solute& #oes this $ot ris' the retur$ of

a$thro!ologism i$ a $ew form@ ;*!!olites co$clusio$ remai$s o!e$ it o!e$s the wa* for a$o$tolog*) >ut + woul# o$l* !oi$t out that the source of the #ifficult*& !erha!s& was alrea#* i$

ogic itself) +t is i$#ee# tha$'s to ;*!!olite that we $ow realie !hiloso!h*& if it mea$s a$*thi$g&ca$ o$l* "e o$tolog* a$# a$ o$tolog* of se$se) +$ the em!irical realm a$# i$ the a"solute& it is the

same "ei$g a$# the same thought "ut the #iffere$ce "etwee$ thought a$# "ei$g has "ee$sur!asse# i$ the a"solute "* the !ositi$g of >ei$g which is i#e$tical to #iffere$ce& a$# which as

such thi$'s itself a$# reflects itself i$ huma$it*) This a"solute i#e$tit* of "ei$g a$# #iffere$ce iscalle# se$se) >ut there is o$e !oi$t i$ a'' this where ;*!!olite shows his ;egelia$ "ias >ei$g

ca$ "e i#e$tical to #iffere$ce o$l* i$ so far as #iffere$ce is ta'e$ to the a"solute& i$ other wor#s&all the wa* to co$tra#ictio$) !eculative #iffere$ce is self(co$tra#ictor* >ei$g) The thi$g

co$tra#icts itself "ecause& #isti$guishi$g itself from all that is $ot& it fi$#s its "ei$g i$ this ver*#iffere$ce it reflects itself o$l* "* reflecti$g itself i$ the other& si$ce the other is its other) This is

the theme ;*!!olite #evelo!s whe$ he a$al*es the three mome$ts of ogic "ei$g& esse$ce& a$#the co$ce!t) ;egel will re!roach <lato a$# ei"$i "oth for $ot goi$g a'' te way toco$tra#ictio$ <lato remai$s at sim!le alterit* a$# ei"$i& at !ure #iffere$ce) This su!!oses i$

the ver* least $ot o$l* that the mome$ts of <he$ome$olog* a$# the mome$ts of ogic are $otmome$ts i$ the same se$se& "ut also that there are two wa*s& !he$ome$ological a$# logical& toco$tra#ict o$eself) +$ the wa'e of this fruitful "oo' "* Cea$ ;*!!olite& o$e might as' whether a$

o$tolog* of #iffere$ce coul#$t "e create# that woul# $ot go all the wa* to co$tra#ictio$& si$ce

co$tra#ictio$ woul# "e less a$# $ot more tha$ #iffere$ce) ;*!!olite sa*s that a$ o$tolog* of !ure#iffere$ce woul# restore us to a !urel* formal a$# exterior reflectio$& a$# woul# i$ the e$# revealitself to "e a$ o$tolog* of esse$ce) ;owever& the same ?uestio$ coul# "e as'e# i$ a$other wa* is

it the same thi$g to sa* that >ei$g ex!resses itself a$# that >ei$g co$tra#icts itself@ :hile it istrue that the seco$# a$# thir# !arts of ;*!!olites "oo' esta"lish a theor* of co$tra#ictio$ i$

>ei$g& where co$tra#ictio$ itself is the a"solute of #iffere$ce& o$ the other ha$#& i$ the first !art,the theor* of la$guage- a$# throughout the "oo' ,allusio$s to forgetti$g& remem"eri$g& lost

mea$i$g-& #oes $ot ;*!!olite esta"lish a theor* of ex!ressio$& where #iffere$ce is ex!ressio$

itself& a$# co$tra#ictio$& that as!ect which is o$l* !he$ome$al@nstints andnstittions

:hat we call a$ i$sti$ct a$# what we call a$ i$stitutio$ esse$tiall* #esig$ate !roce#ures of

satisfactio$) $ the o$e ha$#& a$ orga$ism reacts i$sti$ctivel* to exter$al stimuli& extracti$g

from the exter$al worl# the eleme$ts which will satisf* its te$#e$cies a$# $ee#s these eleme$ts

31



com!rise worl#s that are s!ecific to #iffere$t a$imals) $ the other ha$#& the su"/ect i$stitutes a$

origi$al worl# "etwee$ its te$#e$cies a$# the exter$al milieu& #evelo!i$g artificial mea$s of

satisfactio$) These artificial mea$s li"erate a$ orga$ism from $ature though the* su"/ect it to

somethi$g else& tra$sformi$g te$#e$cies "* i$tro#uci$g them i$to a $ew milieu) o mo$e* will

li"erate *ou from hu$ger& !rovi#e# *ou have mo$e* a$# marriage will s!are *ou from searchi$g

out a !art$er& though it su"/ects *ou to other tas's) +$ other wor#s& ever* i$#ivi#ual ex!erie$ce

!resu!!oses& as a$ a priori, the existe$ce of a milieu i$ which that ex!erie$ce is co$#ucte#& a

s!ecies(s!ecific milieu or a$ i$stitutio$al milieu) +$sti$ct a$# i$stitutio$ are the two orga$ie#

forms of a !ossi"le satisfactio$)

There is $o #ou"t that te$#e$cies fi$# satisfactio$ i$ the i$stitutio$ sexualit* fi$#s it i$

marriage& a$# avarice i$ !ro!ert*) The exam!le of a$ i$stitutio$ li'e the tate& it will "e o"/ecte#&

#oes $ot have a te$#e$c* to which it corres!o$#s) >ut it is clear that such i$stitutio$s are

seco$#ar* the* alrea#* !resu!!ose i$stitutio$alie# "ehaviors& recalli$g a #erive# utilit* that is

!ro!erl* social) +$ the e$#& this utilit* locates the !ri$ci!le from which it is #erive# i$ the

relatio$ of te$#e$cies to the social) The i$stitutio$ is alwa*s give$ as a$ orga$ie# s*stem of

mea$s) +t is here& moreover& that we fi$# the #iffere$ce "etwee$ i$stitutio$ a$# law law is a

limitatio$ of actio$s& i$stitutio$ a !ositive mo#el for actio$) o$trar* to theories of law which

!lace the !ositive outsi#e the social ,$atural rights-& a$# the social i$ the $egative ,co$tractuallimitatio$-& the theor* of the i$stitutio$ !laces the $egative outsi#e the social ,$ee#s-& so as to

!rese$t societ* as esse$tiall* !ositive a$# i$ve$tive ,origi$al mea$s of satisfactio$-) uch a

theor* will affor# us the followi$g !olitical criteria t*ra$$* is a regime i$ which there are ma$*

laws a$# few i$stitutio$s #emocrac* is a regime i$ which there are ma$* i$stitutio$s& a$# few

laws) !!ressio$ "ecomes a!!are$t whe$ laws "ear #irectl* o$ !eo!le& a$# $ot o$ the !rior

i$stitutio$s that !rotect them)

>ut if it is true that te$#e$cies are satisfie# "* the i$stitutio$& the i$stitutio$ is $ot ex!lai$e#

"* te$#e$cies) The same sexual $ee#s will $ever ex!lai$ the multi!le !ossi"le forms of marriage)

either #oes the $egative ex!lai$ the !ositive& $or the ge$eral the !articular) The #esire to whet

*our a!!etite #oes $ot ex!lai$ #ri$'s "efore #i$$er& "ecause there are a thousa$# other wa*s to

whet *our a!!etite) >rutalit* #oes $ot ex!lai$ war i$ the least a$# *et "ru talit* #iscovers i$ war

its "est mea$s) This is the !ara#ox of societ* we are alwa*s tal'i$g a"out i$stitutio$s& "ut we are

32



i$ fact co$fro$te# "* !roce#ures of satisfactio$a$# the te$#e$cies satisfie# "* such !roce#ures

$either trigger $or #etermi$e the !roce#ures) Te$#e$cies are satisfie# "* mea$s that #o $ot

#e!e$# o$ them) Therefore& $o te$#e$c* exists which is $ot at the same time co$strai$e# or

harasse#& a$# thus tra$sforme#& su"limate#to such a$ exte$t that $eurosis is !ossi"le) :hat is

more& if $ee#s fi$# i$ the i$stitutio$ o$l* a ver* i$#irect satisfactio$& a$ o"li?ue satisfactio$& it

is $ot e$ough to sa* the i$stitutio$ is useful& o$e must still as' the ?uestio$ useful for whom@

%or all those who have $ee#s@ r /ust for a few ,the !rivilege# class-@ r o$l* for those who

co$trol the i$stitutio$ ,the "ureaucrac*-@ $e of the most !rofou$# sociological !ro"lems thus

co$sists i$ see'i$g out the $ature of this other i$sta$ce& o$ which the social forms of the

satisfactio$ of te$#e$cies #e!e$#) The rituals of a civiliatio$@ The mea$s of !ro#uctio$@

:hatever this other i$sta$ce is& huma$ utilit* is alwa*s somethi$g else tha$ mere a#va$tage) The

i$stitutio$ se$#s us "ac' to a social activit* that is co$stitutive of mo#els of which we are $ot

co$scious& a$# which are $ot ex!lai$e# either "* te$#e$cies or "* utilit*& si$ce huma$ utilit* !resu!!oses te$#e$cies i$ the first !lace) +$ this se$se& the !riest& the ma$ of ritual& alwa*s

em"o#ies the u$co$scious of the rituals users)

;ow #iffere$t is i$sti$ct@ :ith i$sti$ct& $othi$g goes "e*o$# utilit*& exce!t "eaut*) :hereas

te$#e$cies were i$#irectl* satisfie# "* the i$stitutio$& the* are #irectl* satisfie# "* i$sti$ct) There

are $o i$sti$ctive !rohi"itio$s& or i$sti$ctive coercio$s o$l* re!ug$a$cies are i$sti$ctive) +$ thiscase& it is the te$#e$cies themselves& i$ the form of i$ter$al !s*chological factors& that trigger

certai$ "ehaviors) E$#ou"te#l*& too& these i$ter$al factors will $ot ex!lai$ how the*& eve$ if the*

were the self(same factors& trigger #iffere$t "ehaviors i$ #iffere$t s!ecies) +$ other wor#s&

i$sti$ct fi$#s itself at the i$tersectio$ of a #ou"le causalit*& that of i$#ivi#ual !s*chological

factors a$# that of the s!ecies itselfhormo$es a$# s!ecies(s!ecificit*) Thus& we as' ourselves

o$l* to what exte$t i$sti$ct ca$ "e re#uce# to the sim!le i$terest of the i$#ivi#ual i$ which case&

if we ta'e it to the limit& we shoul# $o lo$ger s!ea' of i$sti$ct& "ut rather of reflex& of tro!ism& of

ha"it a$# i$tellige$ce) r is it that i$sti$ct ca$ "e u$#erstoo# o$l* withi$ the framewor' of a$

a#va$tage to the s!ecies& a goo# for the s!ecies& a$ ultimate "iological cause@ Eseful for

whom@ is the ?uestio$ we re#iscover here& "ut its mea$i$g has cha$ge#) +$sti$ct& see$ from "oth

a$gles& is give$ as a te$#e$c* lau$che# i$ a$ orga$ism at s!ecies(s!ecific reactio$s)

33



The !ro"lem commo$ to i$sti$ct a$# to i$stitutio$ is still this how #oes the s*$thesis of

te$#e$cies a$# the o"/ect that satisfies them come a"out@ +$#ee#& the water that + #ri$' #oes $ot

resem"le at all the h*#rates m* orga$ism lac's) The more !erfect a$ i$sti$ct is i$ its #omai$& the

more it "elo$gs to the s!ecies& a$# the more it seems to co$stitute a$ origi$al& irre#uci"le !ower

of s*$thesis) >ut the more !erfecti"le i$sti$ct is& a$# thus im!erfect& the more it is su"/ecte# to

variatio$& to i$#ecisio$& a$# the more it allows itself to "e re#uce# to the mere !la* of i$ter$al

i$#ivi#ual factors a$# exterior circumsta$cesthe more it gives wa* to i$tellige$ce) ;owever& if

we ta'e this li$e of argume$t to its limit& how coul# such a s*$thesis& offeri$g to the te$#e$c* a

suita"le o"/ect& "e i$tellige$t whe$ such a s*$thesis& to "e realie#& im!lies a !erio# of time too

lo$g for the i$#ivi#ual to live& a$# ex!erime$ts which it woul# $ot survive@

34



:e are force# "ac' o$ the i#ea that i$tellige$ce is somethi$g more social tha$ i$#ivi#ual& a$# that

i$tellige$ce fi$#s i$ the social its i$terme#iate milieu& the thir# term that ma'es i$tellige$ce !ossi"le) :hat #oes the social mea$ with res!ect to te$#e$cies@ +t mea$s i$tegrati$g

circumsta$ces i$to a s*stem of a$tici!atio$& a$# i$ter$al factors i$to a s*stem that regulates theira!!eara$ce& thus re!laci$g the s!ecies) This is i$#ee# the case with the i$stitutio$) +t is $ight "ecause we slee! we eat "ecause it is lu$chtime) There are $o social te$#e$cies& "ut o$l* those

social mea$s to satisf* te$#e$cies& mea$s which are origi$al "ecause the* are social) =ver*i$stitutio$ im!oses a series of mo#els o$ our "o#ies& eve$ i$ its i$volu$tar* structures& a$# offersour i$tellige$ce a sort of '$owle#ge& a !ossi"ilit* of foresight as !ro/ect) :e come to the

followi$g co$clusio$ huma$s have $o i$sti$cts& the* "uil#s i$stitutio$s) The ;uma$ is a$ a$imal#ecimati$g its s!ecies) Therefore& i$sti$ct woul# tra$slate the urge$t $ee#s of the a$imal& a$# the

i$stitutio$ the #ema$#s of huma$it* the urge$c* of hu$ger "ecomes i$ huma$it* the #ema$# for "rea#) +$ the e$#& the !ro"lem of i$sti$ct a$# i$stitutio$ will "e gras!e# most acutel* $ot i$

a$imal societies& "ut i$ relatio$s of a$imal a$# huma$s& whe$ the #ema$#s of me$ come to "ear o$ the a$imal "* i$tegrati$g it i$to i$stitutio$s ,totemism a$# #omesticatio$-& whe$ the

urge$t $ee#s of the a$imal e$cou$ters the huma$& either fleei$g or attac'i$g us& or !atie$tl*

waiti$g for $ourishme$t a$# !rotectio$)Bergson, 1859-194V

. great !hiloso!her creates $ew co$ce!ts these co$ce!ts simulta$eousl* sur!ass the #ualities of

or#i$ar* thought a$# give thi$gs a $ew truth& a $ew #istri"utio$& a $ew wa* of #ivi#i$g u! the

worl#) The $ame >ergso$ remai$s associate# with the $otio$s of duration, memory, e'an vita',a$# intuition% ;is i$flue$ce a$# his ge$ius are evaluate# accor#i$g to the wa* i$ which these

co$ce!ts have "ee$ im!ose# a$# use#& have e$tere# a$# remai$e# i$ the !hiloso!hical worl#)

:ith Time and .ree /i'' the origi$al co$ce!t of #uratio$ was forme# i$ Matter and memory, a

co$ce!t of memor* i$ &reative Evo'ution, that of e'an vita'% The relatio$shi! of these three

$eigh"ori$g $otio$s ca$ show us the #evelo!me$t a$# the !rogress of >ergso$ia$ !hiloso!h*)

:hat& the$& is this relatio$shi!@

To "egi$ with& + will set out to exami$e i$tuitio$ o$l*& $ot "ecause it is the esse$tial $otio$&

"ut "ecause it ca$ i$struct us i$ the $ature of >ergso$ia$ !ro"lems) +t is $ot "* cha$ce that& whe$

s!ea'i$g of i$tuitio$& >ergso$ shows us the im!orta$ce& i$ the life of the mi$#& of a$ activit* that

sets u! a$# orga$ies !ro"lems there are false !ro"lems more tha$ there are false solutio$s&

more tha$ there are false solutio$s for true !ro"lems)2 ow& if a certai$ i$tuitio$ is alwa*s at the

heart of a !hiloso!hers #octri$e& o$e of the origi$al thi$gs a"out >ergso$ is that i$ his ow$

#octri$e& he orga$ie# i$tuitio$ itself as a true metho#& a metho# for elimi$ati$g false !ro"lems&

35



for setti$g u! !ro"lems truthfull*& a metho# that sets them u!& the$& i$ terms of #uratio$)

uestio$s relate# to the su"/ect a$# to the o"/ect& to their #isti$ctio$ a$# their u$io$& must "e set

u! i$ terms of time rather tha$ s!ace)3 o #ou"t it is #uratio$ that /u#ges i$tuitio$& as >ergso$

recalls o$ $umerous occasio$s& "ut it $o$etheless remai$s the case that it is o$l* i$tuitio$ that

ca$& whe$ it has "ecome co$scious of itself as a metho#& see' #uratio$ i$ thi$gs& a!!eal to

#uratio$& i$vo'e #uratio$& !recisel* "ecause it owes #uratio$ all that it is) +f& therefore& i$tuitio$

is $ot a sim!le !leasure& $or a !rese$time$t& $or sim!l* a$ affective !rocess& we must first

#etermi$e what its trul* metho#ological character is)

The first characteristic of i$tuitio$ is that i$ it a$# through it somethi$g is !rese$te#& is give$

i$ !erso$& i$stea# of "ei$g i$ferre# from somethi$g else a$# co$clu#e#) ;ere& alrea#*& the

ge$eral orie$tatio$ of !hiloso!h* comes i$to ?uestio$& for it is $ot e$ough to sa* that !hiloso!h*

is at the origi$ of the scie$ces a$# that it was their mother rather& $ow that the* are grow$ u!

a$# well esta"lishe#& we must as' wh* there is still !hiloso!h*& i$ what res!ect scie$ce is $ot

sufficie$t) <hiloso!h* has o$l* ever res!o$#e# to such a ?uestio$ i$ two wa*s& #ou"tless "ecause

there are o$l* two !ossi"le res!o$ses) $e sa*s that scie$ce gives us a '$owle#ge of thi$gs& that

it is therefore i$ a certai$ relatio$ with them& a$# !hiloso!h* ca$ re$ou$ce its rivalr* with

scie$ce& ca$ leave thi$gs to scie$ce a$# !rese$t itself solel* i$ a critical ma$$er& as a reflectio$

o$ this '$owle#ge of thi$gs) $ the co$trar* view& !hiloso!h* see's to esta"lish& or ratherrestore& an oter relatio$shi! to thi$gs& a$# therefore an oter '$owle#ge& a '$owle#ge a$# a

relatio$shi! that !recisel* scie$ce hi#es from us& of which it #e!rives us& "ecause it allows us

o$l* to co$clu#e a$# to i$fer without ever !rese$ti$g& givi$g to us the thi$g i$ itself) +t is this

seco$# !ath that >ergso$ ta'es "* re!u#iati$g critical !hiloso!hies whe$ he shows us i$ scie$ce&

i$ tech$ical activit*& i$tellige$ce& ever*#a* la$guage& social life& !ractical $ee# a$#& most

im!orta$tl*& i$ s!acethe ma$* forms a$# relatio$s that se!arate us from thi$gs a$# from their

i$teriorit*)

>ut i$tuitio$ has a seco$# characteristic u$#erstoo# i$ this wa*& it !rese$ts itself as a retur$&

"ecause the !hiloso!hical relatio$shi!& which !uts us i$ thi$gs i$stea# of leavi$g us outsi#e& is

restore# rather tha$ esta"lishe# "* !hiloso!h*& re#iscovere# rather tha$ i$ve$te#) :e are

se!arate# from thi$gs the imme#iate give$ is therefore $ot imme#iatel* give$) >ut we ca$$ot "e

se!arate# "* a sim!le acci#e$t& "* a me#iatio$ that woul# come from us& that woul# co$cer$

36



o$l* us) The moveme$t that cha$ges the $ature of thi$gs must "e fou$#e# i$ thi$gs themselves

thi$gs must "egi$ "* losi$g themselves i$ or#er for us to e$# u! losi$g them "ei$g must have a

fu$#ame$tal la!se of memor*) Aatter is !recisel* that i$ "ei$g which !re!ares a$# accom!a$ies

s!ace& i$tellige$ce a$# scie$ce) ;e$ce >ergso$ #oes somethi$g e$tirel* #iffere$t from

!s*cholog*& "ecause matter is more a$ o$tological !ri$ci!le of i$tellige$ce tha$ some mere

i$tellige$ce is a !s*chological !ri$ci!le of matter itself or of s!ace) 4 %or the same reaso$& he

refuses scie$tific '$owle#ge $othi$g& $ot o$l* telli$g us that it se!arates us from thi$gs a$# from

their true $ature& "ut also that it gras!s at least o$e of the two halves of "ei$g& o$e of the two

si#es of the a"solute& o$e of the two moveme$ts of $ature& the o$e i$ which $ature relaxes a$#

!laces itself outsi#e of itself)5 >ergso$ will go eve$ further& "ecause u$#er certai$ co$#itio$s

scie$ce ca$ "e u$ite# with !hiloso!h*& that is to sa*& reach& together with it& a total com!re(

he$sio$)6 >e that as it ma*& we ca$ alrea#* sa* that there will $ot "e i$ >ergso$s wor' a$*thi$g

li'e a #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ two worl#s& o$e se$si"le& the other i$telligi"le& "ut o$l* twomoveme$ts& or eve$ /ust two #irectio$s of o$e a$# the same moveme$t the o$e is such that the

moveme$t te$#s to co$geal i$ its !ro#uct& i$ its result& that which i$terru!ts it a$# the other

tur$s "ac' a$# retraces its ste!s& re#iscovers i$ the !ro#uct the moveme$t from which it resulte#)

The two #irectio$s are $atural as well& each i$ its ow$ wa* the former occurs accor#i$g to

$ature& though $ature ris's losi$g itself i$ it at each !ause& at each "reath the latter occurs

co$trar* to $ature& "ut $ature re#iscovers itself i$ it& starts over agai$ i$ the te$sio$) The latter

ca$ o$l* "e fou$# "e$eath the former& a$# it is alwa*s thus that it is re#iscovere#) :e re#iscover

the imme#iate "ecause we must retur$ to fi$# it) +$ !hiloso!h* the first time is alrea#* the

seco$# such is the $otio$ of fou$#atio$) o #ou"t it is the !ro#uct that is, i$ a wa*& a$# the

moveme$t that is $ot& that is $o lo$ger) >ut it is $ot i$ these terms that the !ro"lem of "ei$g must

"e set u!) .t ever* i$sta$t& the moveme$t is $o more& "ut !recisel* "ecause it is $ot ma#e u! of

i$sta$ts& "ecause i$sta$ts are o$l* its real or virtual cessatio$s& its !ro#uct a$# the sha#ow of its

!ro#uct) >ei$g is $ot ma#e u! of !rese$ts) +$ a$other wa*& the$& it is the !ro#uct that is $ot a$#

the moveme$t that a'ready was% +$ o$e of .chilles ste!s& the i$sta$ts a$# the !oi$ts are $ot

#ivi#e# u!) >ergso$ shows us this i$ his most #ifficult "oo' it is $ot the !rese$t that is a$# the

!ast that is $o lo$ger& rather the !rese$t is useful "ei$g is the !ast& "ei$g use# to "e)7 :e will see

that far from elimi$ati$g the u$foreseea"le a$# the co$ti$ge$t& such a thesis la*s the fou$#atio$

for them) +$ #isti$guishi$g the two worl#s& >ergso$ re!lace# them "* the #isti$ctio$ of two

moveme$ts& two #irectio$s of o$e a$# the same moveme$t& s!irit a$# matter& two times i$ the

same #uratio$& the !ast a$# the !rese$t& which he '$ew how to co$ceive as coexiste$t !recisel*

"ecause the* were i$ the same #uratio$& the o$e beneat the other& a$# $ot the o$e after the

other) :e must simulta$eousl* u$#ersta$# the $ecessar* #isti$ctio$ as a #iffere$ce of time& "ut

also u$#ersta$# the #iffere$t times& the !rese$t a$# the !ast& as co$tem!orar* with o$e a$other&a$# formi$g the same worl#) :e will $ow see i$ what wa*)

37



:h* is what we re#iscover calle# the imme#iate@ :hat is imme#iate@ +f scie$ce is a real

'$owle#ge of the thi$g& a '$owle#ge of realit*& what it loses or sim!l* ris's losi$g is $ot exactl*

the thi$g) :hat scie$ce ris's losi$g& u$less it is i$filtrate# "* !hiloso!h*& is less the thi$g itself

tha$ the #iffere$ce of the thi$g& that which ma'es its "ei$g& that which ma'es it this rather tha$

that& this rather tha$ somethi$g else) >ergso$ e$ergeticall* #e$ou$ces what seem to him false

!ro"lems wh* is there somethi$g rather tha$ $othi$g& wh* or#er rather tha$ #is( or#er@8 +f such

!ro"lems are false& "a#l* set u!& it is for two reaso$s) %irst "ecause the* ma'e of "ei$g a

ge$eralit*& somethi$g immova"le or u$#iffere$tiate# that& i$ the immo"ile e$sem"le i$ which it

is set& ca$ o$l* "e #isti$guishe# from $othi$g$ess& from $o$("ei$g) u"se?ue$tl*& eve$ if o$e

tries to give a moveme$t to the immova"le "ei$g thus !osite#& this moveme$t woul# o$l* "e

co$tra#ictio$ or#er a$# #isor#er& "ei$g a$# $othi$g$ess& the si$gular a$# the multi!le) >ut i$

fact& "ei$g ca$$ot "e com!ose# with two co$tra#ictor* !oi$ts of view a$* more tha$ moveme$t

is com!ose# of !oi$ts of s!ace or of i$sta$ts the stitchi$g woul# "e too loose)9

>ei$g is a "a#co$ce!t to the exte$t that it serves to o!!ose ever*thi$g there is to $othi$g$ess& or the thi$g itself

to ever*thi$g that it is $ot) +$ "oth cases "ei$g has left& it has #eserte# thi$gs& a$# it is $o more

tha$ a$ a"stractio$) The >ergso$ia$ ?uestio$ is therefore $ot wh* somethi$g rather tha$

$othi$g& "ut wh* this rather tha$ somethi$g else@ :h* this te$sio$ of #uratio$@ :h* this

s!ee# rather tha$ a$other@ :h* this !ro!ortio$@12 .$# wh* will a !erce!tio$ evo'e a give$

memor*& or !ic' u! certai$ fre?ue$cies rather tha$ others@ 13 +$ other wor#s& "ei$g is #iffere$ce

a$# $ot the immova"le or the u$#iffere$tiate#& $or is it co$tra#ictio$& which is merel* false

moveme$t) >ei$g is the #iffere$ce itself of the thi$g& what >ergso$ ofte$ calls the nuance% .$

em!iricism worth* of the $ame ) ) ) woul# measure out for the o"/ect a co$ce!t a!!ro!riate to

o$l* that o"/ect& a co$ce!t of which o$e coul# "arel* sa* that it was still a co$ce!t "ecause it

woul# a!!l* o$l* to that thi$g)1 .$# there is a$ o## text i$ which >ergso$ attri"utes to

Bavaisso$ the goal of o!!osi$g i$tellectual i$tuitio$ to the ge$eral i#ea& li'e white light to the

sim!le i#ea of color +$stea# of #iluti$g his thought i$ the ge$eral& the !hiloso!her shoul#

co$ce$trate it o$ the i$#ivi#ual ) ) ) The o"/ect of meta!h*sics is to reca!ture i$ i$#ivi#ual

existe$ces& a$# to follow to the source from which it ema$ates& the !articular ra* that& co$ferri$g

u!o$ each of them its ow$ $ua$ce& reattaches it there"* to the u$iversal light) 15 The imme#iate

is !recisel* the i#e$tit* of the thi$g a$# its #iffere$ce as !hiloso!h* re#iscovers or reca!tures

it) >ergso$ #e$ou$ces a commo$ #a$ger i$ scie$ce a$# i$ meta!h*sics allowi$g #iffere$ce to

esca!e"ecause scie$ce co$ceives the thi$g as a !ro#uct a$# a result& while meta!h*sics

co$ceives "ei$g as somethi$g u$mova"le that serves as a !ri$ci!le) >oth see' to attai$ "ei$g or

to recom!ose it starti$g from resem"la$ces a$# ever greater o!!ositio$s& "ut resem"la$ce a$#

o!!ositio$ are almost alwa*s practica', $ot o$tological& categories) :he$ce >ergso$s i$siste$ce

o$ showi$g us that for the sa'e of resem"la$ce we ris' !utti$g extremel* #iffere$t thi$gs& thi$gsthat #iffer i$ $ature& u$#er the same wor#)>ei$g i$ fact is o$ the si#e of #iffere$ce& $either

si$gular $or multi!le) >ut what is $ua$ce& the #iffere$ce of the thi$g& what is the #iffere$ce of a

sugar cu"e@ +t is $ot sim!l* its #iffere$ce from a$other thi$g there we woul# have o$l* a !urel*

exterior relatio$& lea#i$g us& i$ the fi$al i$sta$ce& "ac' to s!ace) or is it its #iffere$ce with

ever*thi$g that it is $ot we woul# "e le# "ac' to a #ialectic of co$tra#ictio$) <lato alrea#* #i#$t

wa$t alterit* a$# co$tra#ictio$ to "e co$fou$#e#) >ut for >ergso$& alterit* is still $ot e$ough to

ma'e it so that "ei$g re/oi$s thi$gs a$# reall* is the "ei$g of thi$gs) ;e re!laces the <lato$ic

co$ce!t of alterit* with a$ .ristotelia$ co$ce!t of alteratio$& i$ or#er to ma'e of it su"sta$ce

38



itself) >ei$g is alteratio$& alteratio$ is su"sta$ce) 17 .$# that is what >ergso$ calls duration,

"ecause all the characteristics "* which he #efi$es it& after Time and .ree /i'', come "ac' to this

#uratio$ is that which #iffers or that which cha$ges $ature& ?ualit*& heteroge$eit*& what #iffers

from itself) The "ei$g of the sugar cu"e will "e #efi$e# "* a #uratio$& "* a certai$ ma$$er of

!ersisti$g& "* a certai$ relaxatio$ or te$sio$ of #uratio$)

;ow #oes #uratio$ have this !ower@ r !ut the ?uestio$ a$other wa* if "ei$g is the

#iffere$ce of the thi$g& what results from this for the thi$g itself@ :e e$cou$ter a thir#

characteristic of i$tuitio$& more !rofou$# tha$ the !rece#i$g o$es) +$tuitio$ as a metho# is a

metho# that see's #iffere$ce) +t !rese$ts itself as see'i$g a$# fi$#i$g #iffere$ces i$ $ature& the

articulatio$s of the real) >ei$g is articulate# a false !ro"lem is o$e that #oes $ot res!ect these

#iffere$ces) >ergso$ loves to cite <latos text com!ari$g the !hiloso!her to the goo# coo' who

cuts thi$gs u! accor#i$g to their $atural articulatio$s he co$sta$tl* re!roaches scie$ce as well as

meta!h*sics for havi$g retai$e# o$l* #iffere$ces of #egree where there use# to "e somethi$g

e$tirel* #iffere$t& of thus "ei$g !art of a "a#l* a$al*e# com!osite) $e of >ergso$s most

famous !assages shows us that i$te$sit* i$ fact covers u! #iffere$ces of $ature that i$tuitio$ ca$

re#iscover)18 >ut we '$ow that scie$ce a$# eve$ meta!h*sics #o $ot i$ve$t their ow$ errors or

their illusio$s somethi$g fou$#s them i$ "ei$g) +$#ee#& to the exte$t that we fi$# ourselves

"efore !ro#ucts& to the exte$t that the thi$gs with which we are co$cer$e# are still results& weca$$ot gras! #iffere$ces of $ature for the sim!le reaso$ that there are$t a$* there "etwee$ two

thi$gs& "etwee$ two !ro#ucts& there are o$l* a$# there o$l* coul# "e #iffere$ces of #egree& of

!ro!ortio$) :hat #iffers i$ $ature is $ever a thi$g& "ut a te$#e$c*) . #iffere$ce of $ature is $ever

"etwee$ two !ro#ucts or "etwee$ two thi$gs& "ut in one and te same ting "etwee$ the two

te$#e$cies that traverse it& i$ o$e a$# the same !ro#uct "etwee$ two te$#e$cies that e$cou$ter

o$e a$other i$ it)19 +$#ee#& what is !ure is $ever the thi$g the thi$g is alwa*s a com!osite that

must "e #issociate# o$l* the te$#e$c* is !ure& which is to sa* that the true thi$g or the

su"sta$ce is the te$#e$c* itself) +$tuitio$ a!!ears ver* much li'e a true metho# of #ivisio$ it

#ivi#es the mixe# i$to two te$#e$cies that #iffer i$ $ature) ;e$ce we see the mea$i$g of the

#ualisms #ear to >ergso$ $ot o$l* the titles of ma$* of his wor's& "ut each of the cha!ters& a$#

the hea#i$g that !rece#es each !age& exhi"it such a #ualism) ua$tit* a$# ?ualit*& i$tellige$ce

a$# i$sti$ct& geometric or#er a$# vital or#er& scie$ce a$# meta!h*sics& the close# a$# the o!e$

are its most '$ow$ figures) :e '$ow that i$ the e$# the* lea# "ac' to the alwa*s re#iscovere#

#isti$ctio$ of matter a$# #uratio$) Aatter a$# #uratio$ are $ever #isti$guishe# as two thi$gs "ut

as two moveme$ts& two te$#e$cies& li'e relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$) >ut we must go further if

the theme a$# the i#ea of !urit* have a great im!orta$ce i$ the !hiloso!h* of >ergso$& it is

"ecause i$ ever* case the two te$#e$cies are $ot !ure& or are $ot e?uall* !ure) $l* o$e of the

two is !ure& or simp'e, the other !la*i$g& o$ the co$trar*& the role of a$ im!urit* that comes to

com!romise or to #istur" it)20 +$ the #ivisio$ of the com!osite there is alwa*s a right half it is

39



that which lea#s us "ac' to #uratio$) Aore tha$ there ever reall* "ei$g a #iffere$ce of $ature

"etwee$ the two te$#e$cies that #ivi#e the thi$g u!& the #iffere$ce itself of the thi$g was o$e of

the two te$#e$cies) .$# if we rise to the #ualit* of matter a$# #uratio$& we see ?uite clearl* that

#uratio$ shows us the ver* $ature of #iffere$ce& #iffere$ce of self from self& whereas matter is

o$l* the u$#iffere$tiate#& that which is re!eate#& or the sim!le #egree& that which ca$ $o lo$ger

cha$ge its $ature) Do we $ot at the same time see that #ualism is a mome$t alrea#* sur!asse# i$

>ergso$s !hiloso!h*@ %or if there is a !rivilege# half i$ the #ivisio$ it must "e that this half

co$tai$s i$ itself the secret of the other) +f all the #iffere$ce is o$ o$e si#e& it must "e that this

si#e com!rehe$#s its #iffere$ce from the other a$#& i$ a certai$ wa*& the other itself or its

!ossi"ilit*) Duratio$ #iffers from matter& "ut it #oes so "ecause it is first that which #iffers i$

itself a$# from itself& with the result that the matter from which it #iffers is still esse$tiall* of

#uratio$) .s lo$g as we remai$ withi$ #ualism& the thi$g is where two moveme$ts meet

#uratio$& which "* itself has $o #egrees& e$cou$ters matter as a co$trar* moveme$t& as a certai$o"stacle& a certai$ im!urit* that mixes it u!& that i$terru!ts its im!ulse 0e'an1, that gives it such

a$# such a #egree here& a$other o$e over there) 21 >ut more !rofou$#l*& #uratio$ is i$ itself

susce!ti"le to #egrees "ecause it is that which #iffers with itself& so that ever* thi$g is e$tirel*

#efi$e# i$ #uratio$& i$clu#i$g matter itself) %rom a still #ualis( tic !ers!ective& #uratio$ a$#

matter were o!!ose# as that which #iffers i$ $ature a$# that which has o$l* #egrees "ut more

!rofou$#l* there are #egrees of #iffere$ce itself matter is the lowest& the ver* !oi$t where

!recisel* #iffere$ce is no 'onger anyting but a #iffere$ce of #egree)22 +f it is true that

i$tellige$ce is o$ the si#e of matter accor#i$g to the o"/ect o$ which it "ears& we still ca$$ot

#efi$e it i$ itself exce!t "* showi$g i$ what wa* it !ersists& that which #omi$ates its o"/ect) .$#

if it is a ?uestio$ of fi$all* #efi$i$g matter itself& it will $ot "e e$ough to !rese$t it as a$ o"stacle

a$# as a$ im!urit* it will alwa*s "e $ecessar* to show how it !ersists& its vi"ratio$ still

occu!*i$g multi!le i$sta$ces) Thus a$* thi$g is com!letel* #efi$e# from the right si#e& "* a

certai$ #uratio$& "* a certai$ #egree of #uratio$ itself)

. com!osite "rea's #ow$ i$to two te$#e$cies& o$e of which is #uratio$& sim!le a$#

i$#ivisi"le "ut at the same time #uratio$ is #iffere$tiate# i$ two #irectio$s& the other of which is

matter) !ace "rea's #ow$ i$to matter a$# #uratio$& "ut #uratio$ is #iffere$tiate# i$to

co$tractio$ a$# ex!a$sio$& ex!a$sio$ "ei$g the !ri$ci!le of matter) Thus& if #ualism is sur!asse#

i$ favor of mo$ism& mo$ism gives us a $ew #ualism& this time mastere#& #omi$ate#) >ecause the

com!osite #oes $ot "rea' #ow$ i$ the same wa* that the sim!le is #iffere$tiate#) Therefore the

metho# of i$tuitio$ has a fourth a$# fi$al characteristic it is $ot co$te$t to follow $atural

articulatio$s whe$ carvi$g thi$gs u! it also follows u! li$es of fact& li$es of #iffere$tiatio$& i$

or#er to re#iscover the sim!le as a co$verge$ce of !ro"a"ilities it $ot o$l* carves u! 0decoupe1

"ut co$firms 0recoupe1%2 Differe$tiatio$ is the !ower of what is sim!le& i$#ivisi"le& of what

!ersists) ;ere we see how #uratio$ itself is a$ e'an vita'% >ergso$ fi$#s i$ "iolog*& !articularl* i$

40



the evolutio$ of s!ecies& the mar' of a certai$ !rocess esse$tial to life& !recisel* that of

#iffere$tiatio$ as the !ro#uctio$ of real #iffere$ces& a !rocess whose co$ce!t a$# !hiloso!hical

co$se?ue$ces he will !ursue) The a#mira"le !ages he wrote i$ &reative Evo'ution a$# i$ Two

Sources show us such a life activit*& lea#i$g to !la$ts a$# a$imals& or to i$sti$ct a$# i$tellige$ce&

or to #iverse forms of the same i$sti$ct) +t seems to >ergso$ that #iffere$tiatio$ is the mo#e of

that which is realie#& actualie#& or ma#e& i$ other wor#s& that which gives rise to #iverge$t

series& li$es of evolutio$& s!ecies) The esse$ce of a te$#e$c* is to "e #evelo!e# i$ the form of a

sheaf& creati$g through the sole fact of its growth #iverge$t #irectio$s)24 E'an vita' woul#

therefore "e #uratio$ itself to the exte$t it is actualie#& is #iffere$tiate#) E'an vita' is #iffere$ce

to the exte$t that it !asses i$to act) ;e$ce #iffere$tiatio$ #oes $ot come sim!l* from matters

resista$ce& "ut more !rofou$#l* from a force that #uratio$ carries i$ itself #ichotom* is the law

of life) .$# >ergso$ criticies mecha$ism a$# fi$alism i$ "iolog*& as he #oes the #ialectic i$

!hiloso!h*& for alwa*s com!osi$g moveme$t from !oi$ts of view& as a relatio$ "etwee$ actualterms i$stea# of seei$g i$ it the actualiatio$ of somethi$g virtual) >ut if #iffere$tiatio$ is thus

the origi$al a$# irre#uci"le mo#e through which a virtualir* is actualie#& a$# if e'an vita' is

#uratio$ #iffere$tiate#& the$ #uratio$ itself is virtualit*) &reative Evo'ution "ri$gs to Time and

.ree /i'' a $ecessar* #ee!e$i$g as well as a $ecessar* exte$sio$) >ecause& si$ce Time and .ree

/i'', #uratio$ was !rese$te# as the virtual or the su"/ective& "ecause it was less that which ca$$ot

"e #ivi#e# tha$ that which cha$ges its $ature "* "ei$g #ivi#e#)25 :e must u$#ersta$# that the

virtual is $ot somethi$g actual "ut is for that $o less a mo#e of "ei$g& a$# is& moreover& i$ a wa*&

"ei$g itself $either #uratio$& $or life& $or moveme$t is actual& "ut that i$ which all actualit*& all

realit* is #isti$guishe# a$# com!rehe$#e# a$# ta'es root) To "e actualie# is alwa*s the act of a

whole that #oes $ot "ecome e$tirel* actual at the same time& i$ the same !lace& or i$ the same

thi$g co$se?ue$tl*& it !ro#uces s!ecies that #iffer i$ $ature& a$# it is itself this #iffere$ce of

$ature amo$g the s!ecies it has !ro#uce#) >ergso$ co$sta$tl* sai# that #uratio$ is a cha$ge of

$ature& of ?ualit*) >etwee$ light a$# #ar'$ess& "etwee$ colors& "etwee$ $ua$ces& #iffere$ce is

a"solute) The !assage from o$e to the other is itself also a$ a"solutel* real !he$ome$o$)26

:e therefore gras! #uratio$ a$# e'an vita', the virtual a$# its actualiatio$& as two extremes)

till& it must "e sai# that #uratio$ is alrea#* e'an vita' "ecause it is the esse$ce of the virtual to "e

actualie# we therefore re?uire a thir# as!ect that shows it to us& o$e i$ some wa* i$terme#iar*

to the two !rece#i$g) +t is !recisel* u$#er this thir# as!ect that #uratio$ is calle# memory%

Through all of its characteristics& #uratio$ is i$#ee# a memor* "ecause it !rolo$gs the !ast i$ the

!rese$t& whether the !rese$t #isti$ctl* e$closes the ever(growi$g image of the !ast or whether it

rather "ears wit$ess& through its co$ti$ual cha$gi$g of ?ualit*& of the ever(weightier "ur#e$ o$e

lea#s "ehi$# o$eself as o$e grows ol#er)27 et us recall that memor* is alwa*s !rese$te# "*

>ergso$ i$ two wa*s recollectio$(memor* a$# co$tractio$(memor*& a$# that the seco$# is the

esse$tial o$e)2 :h* these two figures& which will give to memor* a$ e$tirel* $ew !hiloso!hical

41



status@ The first retur$s us to somethi$g that has survive# from the !ast) >ut amo$g all the theses

of >ergso$& !erha!s the most !rofou$# a$# least u$#erstoo# is the o$e accor#i$g to which the

!ast survives i$ itself)29 >ecause this survival itself is #uratio$& #uratio$ is i$ itself memor*)

>ergso$ shows us that recollectio$ is $ot the re!rese$tatio$ of somethi$g that was the !ast is

that i$ which we !ut ourselves from the outset i$ or#er to recollect ourselves)30 The !ast #oes $ot

have to survive !s*chologicall*& $or !h*siologicall* i$ our "rai$s& "ecause it has $ot cease# to

"e& it has o$l* cease# to "e usefulit is it survives i$ itself) .$# this "ei$g i$ itself of the !ast is

"ut the imme#iate co$se?ue$ce of a goo# setting up of the !ro"lem "ecause if the !ast ha# to

wait to "e $o more& if it were $ot imme#iatel* a$# he$ceforth !ast& 2past i$ ge$eral& it woul#

$ever "e a"le to "ecome what it is& it woul# $ever "e tis !ast) The !ast is therefore the i$(itself&

the u$co$scious or more !recisel*& as >ergso$ sa*s& the virtua'%2 >ut i$ what se$se is it virtual@ +t

is here that we e$cou$ter the seco$# figure of memor*) The !ast is $ot co$stitute# after it has

"ee$ !rese$t it coe!ists wit itse'f as present% +f we reflect u!o$ it& we see that i$#ee# the !hiloso!hical #ifficult* of the ver* $otio$ of the !ast comes from the fact that it is i$ some wa*

stuc' "etwee$ two !rese$ts the !rese$t that it was a$# the curre$t !rese$t i$ relatio$ to which it

is $ow !ast) The mista'e of !s*cholog*& which "a#l* sets u! the prob'em, is to have retai$e# the

seco$# !rese$t a$# therefore to have sought the !ast starti$g from somethi$g curre$t& a$# fi$all*&

to have more or less situate# it i$ the "rai$) >ut i$ fact& memor* #oes $ot at all co$sist of a

regressio$ from the !rese$t to the !ast)2 :hat >ergso$ shows us is that if the !ast is $ot !ast at

the same time that it is !rese$t& $ot o$l* will it $ever "e a"le to "e co$stitute#& "ut it coul# also

$ever thereafter "e reco$stitute# starti$g from a later !rese$t) This& the$& is the se$se i$ which the

!ast coexists with itself as !rese$t #uratio$ is "ut this coexiste$ce itself& this coexiste$ce of itself

with itself) Thus the !ast a$# the !rese$t must "e thought as two extreme #egrees coexisti$g i$

#uratio$& the o$e #isti$guishe# "* its state of relaxatio$& the other "* its state of co$tractio$) .

famous meta!hor tells us that at each level of the co$e there is the whole of our !ast& "ut to

#iffere$t #egrees the !rese$t is o$l* the most co$tracte# #egree of the !ast) The same !s*chic

life woul# therefore "e re!eate# a$ i$#efi$ite $um"er of times& at successive stages of memor*&

a$# the same me$tal act coul# "e !la*e# out o$ ma$* #iffere$t levels ever*thi$g ha!!e$s as if

our memories were re!eate# a$ i$#efi$ite $um"er of times i$ these thousa$#s a$# thousa$#s of

!ossi"le re#uctio$s of our !ast life ever*thi$g is a cha$ge of e$erg*& of te$sio$& a$# $othi$g

else)35 .t each #egree ever*thi$g is there& "ut ever*thi$g coexists with ever*thi$g& that is to sa*

with the other #egrees) :e see therefore fi$all* wat is virtual the coexiste$t #egrees themselves

a$# as such)4 +t is right to #efi$e #uratio$ as a successio$& "ut wro$g to i$sist o$ it it is& i$ effect&

a real successio$ o$l* "ecause it is virtua' coe!istence% .s for i$tuitio$& >ergso$ writes $l*

the metho# of which we s!ea' allows us to go "e*o$# i#ealism as well as realism& to affirm the

existe$ce of o"/ects i$ferior a$# su!erior to us& while at the same time i$ a certai$ se$se i$teriorto us& to ma'e them coexist together without #ifficult*)35 .$# i$ fact if we !ursue the

co$$ectio$s "etwee$ Matter and Memory a$# &reative Evo'ution, we see that coexiste$t #egrees

are simulta$eousl* what ma'es #uratio$ somethi$g virtual a$# what ma'es it so that #uratio$

$o$etheless is actualie# at ever* i$sta$t& "ecause the* #eli$eate so ma$* !la$es a$# levels that

#etermi$e all the !ossi"le li$es of #iffere$tiatio$) +$ short& actuall* #iverge$t series give "irth to&

i$ #uratio$& coexiste$t virtual #egrees) >etwee$ i$tellige$ce a$# i$sti$ct there is a #iffere$ce of

$ature "ecause the* arise from two #iverge$t series "ut what #oes this #iffere$ce of $ature

fi$all* ex!ress if $ot two #egrees that coexist i$ #uratio$& two #iffere$t #egrees of relaxatio$ or

42



of co$tractio$@ +t is thus that each thi$g& each "ei$g is the whole& "ut the whole realie# to a

certai$ #egree or a$other) +$ >ergso$s first wor's& #uratio$ coul# a!!ear a$ emi$e$tl*

!s*chological realit* "ut what is !s*chological is o$l* our #uratio$& that is to sa*& a certai$ well(

#etermi$e# #egree) +f& i$stea# of see'i$g to a$al*e #uratio$ ,that is& at "ottom& to s*$thesie it

with co$ce!ts-& o$e i$ha"its it i$itiall* through a$ effort of i$tuitio$& o$e has the feeli$g of a

certai$ well( #etermi$e# tension, whose #etermi$atio$ itself a!!ears as a choice amo$g a$

i$fi$it* of !ossi"le #uratio$s) Thereafter& o$e !erceives as ma$* #uratio$s as o$e

li'es& all ver* #iffere$t from o$e a$other ) ) ))))))))))) ))) ) )This is wh* the secret of >ergso$(

ism is $o #ou"t i$ Matter and Memory >ergso$ tells us& moreover& that his wor' co$siste# of

reflecti$g o$ the fact that $ot ever*thi$g is give$) >ut what #oes such a realit* sig$if*@

imulta$eousl* that the give$ !resu!!oses a moveme$t that i$ve$ts it or creates it& a$# that thismoveme$t must $ot "e co$ceive# i$ the image of the give$)37 :hat >ergso$ criti?ues i$ the i#ea

of the possib'e is that it !rese$ts us a sim!le co!* of the !ro#uct& !ro/ecte# or rather retro/ecte#

o$to the moveme$t of !ro#uctio$& o$to i$ve$tio$)3 >ut the virtual is $ot the same thi$g as the

!ossi"le the realit* of time is fi$all* the affirmatio$ of a virtualit* that is actualie#& for which

to "e actualie# is to i$ve$t) >ecause if ever*thi$g 0tout1 is $ot give$& it remai$s that the virtual

is the whole 0'e tout1% et us recall that the e'an vita' is fi$ite the whole is what is realie# i$

s!ecies& which are $ot i$ its image a$* more tha$ the* are the image of o$e a$other) =ach

simulta$eousl* corres!o$#s to a certai$ #egree of the whole a$# #iffers i$ $ature from the

others& such that the whole itself is !rese$te# at the same time as the #iffere$ce of $ature i$

realit*& a$# as the coexiste$ce of #egrees i$ the mi$#)

43



+f the !ast coexists with itself as !rese$t& if the !rese$t is the most co$tracte# #egree of the

coexiste$t !ast& the$ this same !rese$t& "ecause it is the !recise !oi$t at which the !ast is casttowar# the future& is #efi$e# as that which cha$ges $ature& the alwa*s $ew& the eter$it* of life) 39 +t

is u$#ersta$#a"le that a l*ric theme ru$s through >ergso$s wor' a verita"le h*m$ i$ !raise ofthe $ew& the u$foreseea"le& of i$ve$tio$& of li"ert*) Therei$ lies $ot a re$u$ciatio$ of !hiloso!h*& "ut a !rofou$# a$# origi$al attem!t to #iscover the !ro!er #omai$ of !hiloso!h*& to attai$ the

thi$g itself "e*o$# the or#er of the !ossi"le& of causes a$# e$#s) %i$alit*& causalit*& !ossi"ilit* arealwa*s i$ relatio$ to the thi$g o$ce it is com!lete& a$# alwa*s !resu!!ose that ever*thi$g isgive$) :he$ >ergso$ criti?ues these $otio$s& whe$ he s!ea's to us of i$#etermi$ac*& he #oes $ot

i$vite us to a"a$#o$ reaso$ "ut to reco$$ect with the true reaso$ of the thi$g i$ the !rocess of "ei$g ma#e& the !hiloso!hical reaso$ that is $ot #etermi$atio$ "ut #iffere$ce) :e fi$# the whole

moveme$t of >ergso$ia$ thought co$ce$trate# i$ Matter and Memory i$ the tri!le form of#iffere$ce of $ature& coexiste$t #egrees of #iffere$ce& a$# #iffere$tiatio$) >ergso$ first shows us

that there is a #iffere$ce of $ature "etwee$ the !ast a$# the !rese$t& "etwee$ recollectio$ a$# !erce!tio$& "etwee$ #uratio$ a$# matter !s*chologists a$# !hiloso!hers have "ee$ wro$g "*

"ei$g i$ ever* case comi$g from a "a#l* a$al*e# com!osite) ;e the$ shows us that it is still $ote$ough to s!ea' of a #iffere$ce of $ature "etwee$ matter a$# #uratio$& "etwee$ the !rese$t a$#

the !ast& "ecause the whole ?uestio$ is !recisel* to '$ow wat is a #iffere$ce of $ature he showsthat #uratio$ itself is this #iffere$ce& such that it com!rehe$#s matter as its lowest& most relaxe#

#egree& as a$ infinite'y di'ated past, a$# com!rehe$#s itself i$ co$tracti$g itself as an e!treme'ynarrow, tensed present% %i$all*& he shows us that if #egrees coexist i$ #uratio$& #uratio$ is at each

i$sta$t that which is #iffere$tiate#& that it is #iffere$tiate# i$to !ast a$# !rese$t& or& if *ou !refer&that the !rese$t is #ou"le# i$ two #irectio$s& o$e towar# the !ast& the other towar# the future)

These three times corres!o$#& i$ the whole of the wor'& to the $otio$s of #uratio$& memor*& a$#e'an vita'% The !ro/ect we fi$# i$ >ergso$s wor'& that of reco$$ecti$g thi$gs "* "rea'i$g withcritical !hiloso!hies& was $ot a"solutel* $ew& eve$ i$ %ra$ce& "ecause it #efi$e# a ge$eral

co$ce!tio$ of !hiloso!h*& a$# i$ ma$* of its as!ects !artici!ate# i$ =$glish em!iricism) >ut the

metho# was !rofou$#l* $ew& as well as the three esse$tial co$ce!ts that gave it its mea$i$g) 1

ergsors Coneption o' i''erene;

The $otio$ of #iffere$ce !romises to throw light o$ the !hiloso!h* of >ergso$& a$# i$versel*&

>ergso$ism !romises to ma'e a$ i$estima"le co$tri"utio$ to a !hiloso!h* of #iffere$ce)

uch a !hiloso!h* is alwa*s at wor' o$ two #iffere$t !la$es the o$e metho#ological& a$# the

other o$tological) $ the o$e ha$#& we must #etermi$e the #iffere$ces of $ature "etwee$

thi$gs o$l* i$ this wa* will we "e a"le to retur$ to the thi$gs themselves& to accou$t for

them without re#uci$g them to somethi$g other tha$ what the* are& to gras! them i$ their

"ei$g) $ the other ha$#& if the "ei$g of thi$gs is somehow i$ their #iffere$ces of $ature& we

ca$ ex!ect that #iffere$ce itself is somethi$g& that it has a $ature& that it will *iel# >ei$g)

These two !ro"lems& metho#ological a$# o$tological& co$sta$tl* echo o$e a$other the

!ro"lem of the #iffere$ces of $ature& the !ro"lem of the $ature of #iffere$ce) +$ >ergso$s

wor'& we e$cou$ter these two !ro"lems i$ their co$$ectio$& sur!risi$g them i$ their !assage

"ac' a$# forth)

44



Essentia''y, 3ergson critici(es is predecessors for not aving seen true differences of

nature% The co$sta$t !rese$ce of this criti?ue also sig$als the im!orta$ce of the theme i$

>ergso$s wor' where there were #iffere$ces of $ature& others have fou$# merel*

#iffere$ces of #egree) .$# certai$l* we fi$# the o!!osite criticism where there were o$l*

#iffere$ces of #egree& others have i$tro#uce# #iffere$ces of $ature& for exam!le& "etwee$ the

so(calle# !erce!tive facult* of the "rai$ a$# the reflexive fu$ctio$s of the me#ulla& or the

!erce!tio$ of matter a$# matter itself)2 This seco$# as!ect of the same criti?ue& however& has

$either the fre?ue$c* $or the im!orta$ce of the first) To #eci#e which is more im!orta$t& we

have to as' ourselves what is the aim of !hiloso!h*) +f !hiloso!h* has a !ositive a$# #irect

relatio$ to thi$gs& it is o$l* i$sofar as !hiloso!h* claims to gras! the thi$g itself& accor#i$g to

what it is& i$ its #iffere$ce from ever*thi$g it is $ot& i$ other wor#s& i$ its interna' difference%

omeo$e will o"/ect that i$ter$al #iffere$ce ma'es $o se$se& such a $otio$ is a"sur# "ut

the$ we woul# also have to #e$*

#iffere$ces of $ature "etwee$ thi$gs of the same 'i$#) +f #iffere$ces of $ature #o exist "etwee$

i$#ivi#uals of the same 'i$#& we must the$ recog$ie that #iffere$ce itself is $ot sim!l* s!atio(

tem!oral& that it is $ot ge$eric or s!ecifici$ a wor#& #iffere$ce is $ot exterior or su!erior to the

thi$g) This is wh*& accor#i$g to >ergso$& it is im!orta$t to show that ge$eral i#eas& at least most

of the time& !tese$t us with extremel* #iffere$t facts i$ a grou!i$g that is merel* utilitaria$u!!ose o$ exami$i$g those states grou!e# u$#er the $ame of !leasure& we #iscover the* share

$othi$g i$ commo$& exce!t "ei$g states that a !erso$ see's out huma$it* will have classifie#

ver* #iffere$t thi$gs as the same i$ 'i$#& sim!l* "ecause huma$it* attri"ute# the same !ractical

i$terest to each a$# acte# i$ the same wa* towar#s them) +$ this se$se& #iffere$ces of $ature are

alrea#* the 'e* we must start from them& "ut first we must fi$# them) :ithout !re/u#gi$g the

$ature of #iffere$ce as i$ter$al #iffere$ce& we alrea#* '$ow that i$ter$al #iffere$ce exists& given

tat tere e!ist differences of nature between tings of te same genus% Therefore& either

!hiloso!h* !ro!oses for itself tis mea$s ,#iffere$ces of $ature- a$# tis e$# ,to arrive at

i$ter$al #iffere$ce-& or else it will have merel* a $egative or ge$eric relatio$ to thi$gs a$# will

e$# u! a !art of criticism a$# mere ge$eralitiesi$ a$* case& it will ru$ the ris' of e$#i$g u! i$

a merel* exter$al state of reflectio$) !ti$g for the first alter$ative& >ergso$ !uts forwar#

!hiloso!h*s i#eal to tailor for the o"/ect a co$ce!t a!!ro!riate to that o"/ect alo$e& a co$ce!t

that o$e ca$ har#l* still call a co$ce!t& si$ce it a!!lies o$l* to that o$e thi$g) 4 This u$it* of the

thi$g a$# the co$ce!t is i$ter$al #iffere$ce& which o$e reaches through #iffere$ces of $ature)

45



+$tuitio$ is the /o* of #iffere$ce) >ut i$tuitio$ is $ot /ust e$/o*i$g the result of the metho#& it

is the metho#) .s such& it is $ot a u$i?ue act) +t offers us a !luralit* of acts& a !luralit* of efforts

a$# #irectio$s)5 +$tuitio$ i$ its first effort is the #etermi$atio$ of the #iffere$ces of $ature) .$#

si$ce these #iffere$ces are "etwee$ thi$gs& we are #eali$g with a ge$ui$e #istri"utio$& a ge$ui$e

!ro"lem of #istri"utio$) $e must carve u! realit* accor#i$g to its articulatio$s&6 a$# >ergso$

willi$gl* cites <latos famous text o$ carvi$g a$# the goo# coo') >ut the #iffere$ce of $ature

"etwee$ two thi$gs is still $ot the i$ter$al #iffere$ce of the thi$g itself) %rom te articu'ations of

te rea' must "e #isti$guishe# factua' 'ines which #efi$e a$other effort of the i$tuitio$) 7 .$#

while >ergso$ia$ !hiloso!h* seems ge$ui$el* em!irical where articulatio$s of the real are

co$cer$e#& whe$ it comes to factual li$es it will seem !ositivist a$# eve$ !ro"a"ilistic) The

articulatio$s of the real #istri"ute thi$gs accor#i$g to their #iffere$ces of $ature the* co$stitute

#iffere$tiatio$) %actual li$es are #irectio$s to "e followe#& each to its e$#& co$vergi$g o$ o$e

a$# the same thi$g the* #efi$e i$tegratio$& each formi$g a li$e of !ro"a"ilit*) +$ 4Energie spiritue''e, >ergso$ shows us the $ature of co$scious$ess at the !oi$t where three factual li$es

co$verge)8 +$ 4es #eu! sources, the immortalit* of the soul is situate# at the co$verge$ce of two

factual li$es)9 +$tuitio$ i$ this se$se is $ot o!!ose# to the h*!othesis rather& i$tuitio$

e$com!asses it as h*!othesis) +$ short& the articulatio$s of the real corres!o$# to #issectio$ or

cutti$g 0decoupage1, a$# factual li$es to i$tersectio$ or cross(chec'i$g 02recoupement21%56 The

real is what at the same time ca$ "e #issecte# a$# cross(chec'e#) To "e sure& i$ "oth cases& the

!athwa*s are the same what matters is the #irectio$ o$e ta'es them i$& towar# #iverge$ce or

co$verge$ce) There are alwa*s two as!ects of #iffere$ce that we i$tuit the articulatio$s of the

real give us #iffere$ces of $ature "etwee$ thi$gs factual li$es show us the thi$g itself i#e$tical

to its #iffere$ce& i$ter$al #iffere$ce i#e$tical to somethi$g)

eglecti$g #iffere$ces of $ature i$ favor of ge$res is li'e l*i$g to !hiloso!h*) The

#iffere$ces of $ature have "ee$ lost) :e su##e$l* realie that scie$ce has su"stitute# sim!le

differences of degree i$ their !lace& a$# that meta!h*sics has !refere#& more !articularl*& sim!le

differences of intensity% The first ?uestio$ #eals with scie$ce how #o we ma$age to see o$l*

#iffere$ces of #egree@ :e #issolve ?ualitative #iffere$ces i$to the s!ace which u$#erlies

them) .s we '$ow& >ergso$ is referri$g to the co$/ugate# o!eratio$s of $ee#& social life a$#

la$guage& i$tellige$ce a$# s!ace& though s!ace is what the i$tellige$ce ma'es of the matter that

le$#s itself to i$tellige$ce) +$ a wor#& we su"stitute merel* utilitaria$ mo#es of grou!i$g for

articulatio$s of the real) ;owever& this is $ot the most im!orta$t !oi$t utilit* ca$$ot grou$# what

ma'es it !ossi"le i$ the first !lace) Therefore& two other !oi$ts must "e em!hasie#) %irst&

#egrees #o have effects i$ realit* a$# in a non-spatia' form, the* are i$ some wa* alrea#*

i$clu#e# i$ the #iffere$ces of $ature "ehi$# our ?ualitative #isti$ctio$s are usuall* $um"ers)12

$e of >ergso$s more curious i#eas is that #iffere$ce itself has a $um"er& a virtual $um"er& a

$um"eri$g $um"er) Etilit*& the$& o$l* frees u! a$# s!rea#s out the #egrees alrea#* i$clu#e# i$

46



#iffere$ce& u$til #iffere$ce is $othi$g more tha$ a #iffere$ce of #egree) eco$#& if #egrees ca$ "e

free# u! i$ this wa* a$# o$ their ow$ form #iffere$ces& we must loo' for the cause i$ the state of

ex!erie$ce) :hat s!ace !rese$ts to the u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# what u$#ersta$#i$g fi$#s i$ s!ace& are

o$l* thi$gs& i)e) !ro#ucts or results) ;owever& "etwee$ thi$gs ,i$ the se$se of results- there are

$ever& a$# ca$$ot ever "e& a$*thi$g "ut #iffere$ces of !ro!ortio$) 13 +t is $ot thi$gs& $or the states

of thi$gs& $or is it characteristics& that #iffer i$ $ature it is tendencies% This is wh* the co$ce!tio$

of s!ecies(s!ecific #iffere$ce is u$satisfactor* we must closel* follow $ot the !rese$ce of

characteristics& "ut their te$#e$c* to #evelo!) The grou! will "e #efi$e# $o lo$ger "* the

!ossessio$ of certai$ characteristics& "ut "* its te$#e$c* to acce$tuate them)14 Thus >ergso$

throughout his wor' shows that te$#e$c* is !rior $ot o$l* to its !ro#uct& "ut also to the !ro#ucts

causes i$ time& si$ce causes are alwa*s #erive# retroactivel* from the !ro#uct itself a thi$g i$

itself a$# i$ its true $ature is the ex!ressio$ of a te$#e$c* !rior to "ei$g the effect of a cause) +$

short& sim!le #iffere$ce of #egree will "e the correct status of thi$gs se!arate# from theirte$#e$c* a$# gras!e# i$ their eleme$tar* causes) auses i$#ee# fall withi$ the sco!e of ?ua$tit*)

The huma$ "rai$& for exam!le& accor#i$g to whether we gras! it i$ its !ro#uct or its te$#e$c*&

will !rese$t i$ com!ariso$ to the a$imal "rai$ a sim!le #iffere$ce of #egree or a com!lete

#iffere$ce of $ature)15 Thus >ergso$ tells us tat, from a certain point of view, #iffere$ces of

$ature #isa!!ear or rather ca$$ot a!!ear) $ static versus #*$amic religio$& he writes >*

a#o!ti$g this !oi$t of view& o$e woul# !erceive a series of tra$sitio$s& somethi$g that loo's li'e

#iffere$ces of #egree& where i$ fact there are ra#ical #iffere$ces of $ature) 16 Thi$gs& !ro#ucts&

results are alwa*s composite% !ace o$l* ever !rese$ts& a$# the i$tellige$ce o$l* ever #iscovers

com!osites& e)g) the close# a$# the o!e$& geometric or#er a$# vital or#er& !erce!tio$ a$#

affectio$& !erce!tio$ a$# recollectio$& etc) .$# o$e must u$#ersta$# that a com!osite is

u$#ou"te#l* a "le$#i$g of te$#e$cies that #iffer i$ $ature& "ut as such is a state of thi$gs i$

which it is im!ossi"le to ma'e out a$* #iffere$ces of $ature) . com!osite is what o$e sees from

that !oi$t of view where $othi$g #iffers i$ $ature from a$*thi$g else) The homoge$eous is "*

#efi$itio$ com!osite& "ecause what is sim!le is alwa*s somethi$g that #iffers i$ $ature o$l*

te$#e$cies are sim!le& !ure) That which reall* #iffers& therefore& ca$ "e fou$# o$l* "*

re#iscoveri$g the te$#e$c* "e*o$# its !ro#uct) i$ce we have $othi$g else at our #is!osal& we

have to use whatever such com!osites !rovi#e& #iffere$ces of #egree or !ro!ortio$& "ut o$l* as a

mesure of te$#e$c*& to arrive at te$#e$c* as the sufficie$t reaso$ of !ro!ortio$) :herever this

#iffere$ce of !ro!ortio$ is met will "e sufficie$t to #efi$e the grou!& if o$e ca$ esta"lish that

such a #iffere$ce is $ot acci#e$tal a$# that the grou!& as it evolve#& te$#e# more a$# more to

acce$tuate these !articular characteristics)17

Aeta!h*sics& for its !art& has retai$e# har#l* a$*thi$g exce!t #iffere$ces of i$te$sit*)

>ergso$ shows us this view of i$te$sit* as it i$forms Gree' meta!h*sics "ecause this latter

#efi$es s!ace a$# time as a sim!le relaxatio$& a lesse$i$g of "ei$g& it #iscovers amo$g "ei$gs

47



themselves o$l* #iffere$ces of i$te$sit*& situati$g them somewhere "etwee$ the two extremes of

!erfectio$ a$# $othi$g$ess)18 :e will have to exami$e how this illusio$ comes a"out& a$# what

i$ tur$ grou$#s it i$ the #iffere$ces of $ature themselves) %or the mome$t& suffice it to sa* that

such a$ illusio$ #e!e$#s less o$ com!osite i#eas tha$ o$ !seu#o(i#eas& such as #isor#er or

$othi$g$ess) >ut these !seu#o(i#eas are themselves a 'i$# of com!osite i#ea& 1 a$# the illusio$

of i$te$sit* at "ottom #e!e$#s o$ the illusio$ of s!ace) +$ the e$#& there is o$l* o$e 'i$# of false

!ro"lem& !ro"lems whose !ro!ositio$s fail to res!ect #iffere$ces of $ature) $e of the roles

i$tuitio$ !la*s is to criticie the ar"itrari$ess of such !ro!ositio$s)

To reach ge$ui$e #iffere$ces& we have to attai$ that !ers!ective from which whatever is

com!osite ca$ "e #ivi#e#) Te$#e$cies that come i$ !aire# o!!osites #iffer i$ $ature) Te$#e$c* is

the su"/ect here) . "ei$g is $ot the su"/ect& "ut the ex!ressio$ of te$#e$c* furthermore& a "ei$g

is o$l* the ex!ressio$ of te$#e$c* i$ as much as o$e te$#e$c* is o!!ose# "* a$other te$#e$c*)

Thus i$tuitio$ suggests itself as a metho# of #iffere$ce or #ivisio$ to #ivi#e whatever is

com!osite i$to two te$#e$cies) This metho# is somethi$g other tha$ a s!atial a$al*sis& more tha$

a #escri!tio$ of ex!erie$ce& a$# less ,so it seems- tha$ a tra$sce$#e$tal a$al*sis) +t reaches the

co$#itio$s of the give$& "ut these co$#itio$s are te$#e$c*(su"/ects& which are themselves give$

i$ a certai$ wa* the* are live#) :hat is more& the* are at o$ce the !ure a$# the live#& the livi$g

a$# the live#& the a"solute a$# the live#) :hat is esse$tial here is that this grou$# is e!perienced,a$# we '$ow how much >ergso$ i$siste# o$ the em!irical character of the e'an vita'% Thus it is

$ot the co$#itio$s of all !ossi"le ex!erie$ce that must "e reache#& "ut the co$#itio$s of real

ex!erie$ce) chelli$g ha# alrea#* !ro!ose# this aim a$# #efi$e# !hiloso!h* as a su!erior

em!iricism this formulatio$ also a!!lies to >ergso$ism) These co$#itio$s ca$ a$# must "e

gras!e# i$ a$ i$tuitio$ !recisel* "ecause the* are the co$#itio$s of real ex!erie$ce& "ecause the*

are $ot "roa#er tha$ what is co$#itio$e#& "ecause the co$ce!t the* form is i#e$tical to its o"/ect)

+t will come as $o sur!rise& the$& that a 'i$# of !ri$ci!le of sufficie$t reaso$& as well as

i$#iscer$i"les& ca$ "e fou$# i$ >ergso$s wor') :hat he re/ects is a #istri"utio$ that locates

cause or reaso$ i$ the ge$us a$# the categor* a$# a"a$#o$s the i$#ivi#ual to co$ti$ge$c*&

stra$#i$g him i$ s!ace) Beaso$ must reach all the wa* to the i$#ivi#ual& the ge$ui$e co$ce!t all

the wa* to the thi$g& a$# com!rehe$sio$ all the wa* to this) >ergso$ alwa*s as's of #iffere$ce

wh* this rather tha$ that@ :h* will a !erce!tio$ call u! o$e recollectio$ rather tha$ a$other@20 :h* will !erce!tio$ gather s!ecific fre?ue$cies@ :h* these rather tha$ others@21 :h* #oes

#uratio$ exhi"it such a te$sio$@22 +$ fact& the reaso$ must "e what >ergso$ calls nuance% There

are $o acci#e$ts i$ the life of the !s*che25 its esse$ce is $ua$ce) .s lo$g as the co$ce!t that fits

o$l* the o"/ect itself has $ot "ee$ fou$#& the u$i?ue co$ce!t& we are satisfie# with ex!lai$i$g

the o"/ect "* several co$ce!ts& ge$eral i#eas of which the o"/ect is su!!ose# to !arta'e) 24 :hat

esca!es the$ is that the o"/ect is tis o"/ect rather tha$ a$other of the same 'i$#& a$# that the

o"/ect i$ this ge$us has tese !ro!ortio$s rather tha$ some other !ro!ortio$s) $l* te$#e$c* is

48



the u$it* of the co$ce!t a$# its o"/ect& such that the o"/ect is $o lo$ger co$ti$ge$t& a$# the

co$ce!t $o lo$ger ge$eral) These metho#ological clarificatio$s& however& #o $ot seem to avert

the im!asse where the metho# a!!ears to "e hea#e#) :hatever is com!osite must "e #ivi#e# i$to

two te$#e$cies& "ut the #iffere$ces of !ro!ortio$ i$ the mixture itself #o $ot tell us how to fi$#

these te$#e$cies& $or what is the rule of #ivisio$) Aore im!orta$tl*& give$ two te$#e$cies& which

is the right o$e@ The two are $ot e?uivale$t& the* have #iffere$t values o$e te$#e$c* alwa*s

!re#omi$ates) $l* the #omi$a$t te$#e$c* #efi$es the true $ature of whatever is com!osite o$l*

the #omi$a$t te$#e$c* is the u$i?ue co$ce!t& it alo$e is !ure& si$ce it is the !urit* of the

corres!o$#i$g thi$g the other te$#e$c* is the im!urit* that com!romises the first a$# o!!oses it)

o& a$imal "ehavior exhi"its i$sti$ct as the #omi$a$t te$#e$c*& whereas i$ huma$ "ehavior it is

i$tellige$ce) +$ the com!osite of !erce!tio$ a$# affectio$& it is affectio$ that !la*s the im!ure

role a$# com!romises !ure !erce!tio$)25 +$ other wor#s& there is a left(half to #ivi#e from a right(

half) :hat rule or measure #o we use to #etermi$e this@ ;ere we re#iscover a #iffi cult* which<lato also e$cou$tere# how #oes o$e res!o$# to .ristotles remar' that <latos metho# of

#iffere$ce is /ust a fee"le s*llogism& u$a"le to #eci#e co$clusivel* i$ which half of the #ivi#e#

ge$us resi#es the +#ea "ei$g sought after& si$ce the mi##le term is missi$g@ .$# <lato seems

"etter off tha$ >ergso$& "ecause the +#ea of a tra$sce$#e$t Goo# ca$ effectivel* gui#e the choice

of the right half) +$ ge$eral& however& >ergso$ refuses hel! from fi$alit*& as though he wa$te# the

metho# of #iffere$ce to "e self(sufficie$t)

This #ifficult* ma* "e illusor*) :e '$ow that the articulatio$s of the real #o $ot #efi$e the

esse$ce a$# the aim of the metho#) ertai$l*& the #iffere$ce of $ature between two te$#e$cies is

a$ im!roveme$t over the #iffere$ce of #egree "etwee$ thi$gs& as well as the #iffere$ce of

i$te$sit* "etwee$ "ei$gs a$# *et this #iffere$ce remai$s exter$al it is still a$ exter$al

#iffere$ce) .t this !oi$t& >ergso$ia$ i$tuitio$& to "e com!lete& #oes $ot lac' a$ exter$al term

which coul# serve as a rule if a$*thi$g& >ergso$ia$ i$tuitio$ still loo's too exter$al) ets ta'e

a$ exam!le >ergso$ shows that a"stract time is a com!osite of s!ace a$# #uratio$& a$# more

!rofou$#l*& that s!ace itself is a com!osite of matter a$# #uratio$& matter a$# memor*) o we

see the com!osite #ivi#e# i$to two te$#e$cies matter is a te$#e$c*& si$ce it is #efi$e# as a

relaxatio$ a$# #uratio$ is a te$#e$c*& si$ce it is a co$tractio$) ;owever& if we exami$e all the

#efi$itio$s& #escri!tio$s& a$# characteristics of #uratio$ i$ >ergso$s wor'& we will $otice that

the #iffere$ce of $ature& i$ the e$#& is $ot between these two te$#e$cies) +$ the e$#& the

#iffere$ce of $ature is itself one of these te$#e$cies& a$# o!!oses the other) o& the$& what is

#uratio$@ =ver*thi$g >ergso$ has to sa* a"out it comes #ow$ to this #uratio$ is wat differs

from itse'f% Aatter& o$ the other ha$#& is what #oes $ot #iffer from itself it is what re!eats itself)

+$ #onnees immediates, >ergso$ shows $ot o$l* that i$te$sit* is a com!osite #ivi#e# i$to two

te$#e$cies& "ut more im!orta$tl*& that i$te$sit* is $ot a !ro!ert* of se$satio$ se$satio$ is a !ure

?ualit*& a$# a !ure ?ualit* or se$satio$ #iffers i$ $ature from itself) e$satio$ is what cha$ges i$

49



$ature a$# $ot i$ mag$itu#e)26 The life of the !s*che is therefore #iffere$ce of $ature itself i$

the life of the !s*che& there is alwa*s oterness without there "ei$g number or severa'75 >ergso$

#isti$guishes three sorts of moveme$t ?ualitative& evolutive& a$# exte$sive) >ut the esse$ce of

this moveme$t& eve$ !ure tra$sit li'e the race of .chilles& is alteratio$) Aoveme$t is ?ualitative

cha$ge& a$# ?ualitative cha$ge is moveme$t) 28 +$ a wor#& #uratio$ is what #iffers& a$# this is $o

lo$ger what #iffers from other thi$gs& "ut what #iffers from itself) :hat #iffers has itself "ecome

a thi$g& a substance% >ergso$s thesis coul# "e summe# u! i$ this wa* real time is alteratio$&

a$# alteratio$ is su"sta$ce) Differe$ce of $ature is therefore $o lo$ger "etwee$ two thi$gs or

rather two te$#e$cies #iffere$ce of $ature is itself a thi$g& a te$#e$c* o!!ose# to some other

te$#e$c*) The #ecom!ositio$ of the com!osite #oes $ot /ust give us two te$#e$cies that #iffer i$

$ature it gives us #iffere$ce of $ature as o$e of the two te$#e$cies) .$# /ust as #iffere$ce has

"ecome a su"sta$ce& so moveme$t is $o lo$ger the characteristic of somethi$g& "ut has itself

ac?uire# a su"sta$tial character) +t !resu!!oses $othi$g else& $o "o#* i$ motio$)29

Duratio$ orte$#e$c* is the #iffere$ce of self with itself a$# what #iffers from itself is& i$ a$

unmediatedway, the u$it* of su"sta$ce a$# su"/ect)

ow we '$ow "oth how to #ivi#e the com!osite a$# how to choose the right te$#e$c*& si$ce

what #iffers from itself& $amel* #uratio$& is alwa*s o$ the right si#e #uratio$ is i$ each case

reveale# to us u$#er a$ as!ect& o$e of its $ua$ces) $e ca$$ot hel! $otice& however& that i$ thecase of what is com!osite& the same term ca$ sometimes "e o$ the right si#e& a$# sometimes o$

the left si#e) The #ivisio$ of a$imal "ehavior !laces i$tellige$ce o$ the left si#e "ecause

#uratio$& the e'an vita', is ex!resse# as i$sti$cts through such "ehavior& whereas i$tellige$ce is

o$ the right si#e for the a$al*sis of huma$ "ehavior) >ut i$tellige$ce ca$$ot cha$ge si#es without

i$ tur$ reveali$g itself as a$ ex!ressio$ of #uratio$& though i$ huma$it* $ow if i$tellige$ce ta'es

the form of matter& it has the se$se of #uratio$ "ecause i$tellige$ce is the orga$ that #omi$ates

matter a se$se u$i?uel* !rese$t i$ huma$it*)30 +t shoul# come as $o sur!rise that #uratio$ thus

exhi"its several as!ects which are its $ua$ces& si$ce #uratio$ is what #iffers from itself) .$# to

see a fi$al $ua$ce of #uratio$ i$ matter& o$e has o$l* to go farther& to go all the wa*) >ut to

u$#ersta$# this crucial !oi$t& we must 'ee! i$ mi$# what #iffere$ce has "ecome) Differe$ce is

$o lo$ger "etwee$ two te$#e$cies #iffere$ce is itself o$e of the te$#e$cies a$# is alwa*s o$ the

right si#e) =xter$al #iffere$ce has "ecome i$ter$al #iffere$ce) #ifference of nature as itse'f

become a nature% Aore tha$ that& it was so from the "egi$$i$g) Thus it was that the articulatio$s

of the real a$# facutal li$es were rela*e# "ac' a$# forth the articulatio$s of the real s'etche#

factual li$es which at least reveale# i$ter$al #iffere$ce as the limit of their co$verge$ce& a$#

co$versel*& factual li$es gave us articulatio$s of the real& e)g) the co$verge$ce of the three

#iverse li$es& i$ Matter and Memory, lea#i$g to the true #istri"utio$ of what "elo$gs to the

su"/ect a$# what "elo$gs to the o"/ect) Differe$ce of $ature was exter$al o$l* i$ a!!eara$ce) +$

this ver* a!!eara$ce& #iffere$ce of $ature was alrea#* #isti$guishe# from the #iffere$ce of

50



#egree& the #iffere$ce of i$te$sit*& a$# s!ecies(s!ecific #iffere$ce) ;owever& there are $ow other

#isti$ctio$s to "e ma#e i$ the state of i$ter$al #iffere$ce Duratio$ ca$ "e !rese$te# as su"sta$ce

itself i$ so far as #uratio$ is sim!le& i$#ivisi"le) .lteratio$ must therefore mai$tai$ itself a$#

achieve its status without allowi$g itself to "e re#uce# to !luralit*& to co$tra#ictio$& or eve$ to

alterit*) +$ter$al #iffere$ce will have to #isti$guish itself from contradiction, a'terity, a$#

negation% This is !recisel* where >ergso$s metho# a$# theor* of #iffere$ce are o!!ose# to the

other theor*& the other metho# of #iffere$ce calle# #ialectic& whether its <latos #ialectic of

alterit* or ;egels #ialectic of co$tra#ictio$& each of which im!l* the !rese$ce a$# the !ower of

the $egative)

The origi$alit* of >ergso$s co$ce!tio$ resi#es i$ showi$g that i$ter$al #iffere$ce #oes $ot go&

a$# is $ot re?uire# to go as far as co$tra#ictio$& alterit*& a$# $egativit*& "ecause these three

$otio$s are i$ fact less !rofou$# tha$ itself& or the* are view!oi$ts o$l* from the outsi#e) The

real se$se of >ergso$s e$#eavor is thi$'i$g i$ter$al #iffere$ce as such& as !ure i$ter$al

#iffere$ce& a$# raisi$g #iffere$ce u! to the a"solute)

Duratio$ is o$l* o$e of two te$#e$cies& o$e of two halves) o& if we acce!t that it #iffers

from itself i$ all its "ei$g& #oes it $ot co$tai$ the secret of the other half@ ;ow coul# it still leave

exter$al to itself tat from wic it #iffers& $amel* the other te$#e$c*@ +f #uratio$ #iffers from

itself& that from which it #iffers is still #uratio$ i$ a certai$ se$se) +t is $ot a ?uestio$ of #ivi#i$g

#uratio$ i$ the same wa* we #ivi#e# what is com!osite #uratio$ is sim!le& i$#ivisi"le& !ure) The

sim!le is $ot #ivi#e#& it differentiates itse'f% This is the esse$ce of the sim!le& or the moveme$t of

#iffere$ce) o& the com!osite #ivi#es i$to two te$#e$cies& o$e of which is the i$#ivisi"le& "ut the

i$#ivisi"le #iffere$tiates itself i$to two te$#e$cies& the other of which is the !ri$ci!le of the

#ivisi"le) !ace is "ro'e$ u! i$to matter a$# #uratio$& "ut #uratio$ #iffere$tiates itself i$to

co$tractio$ a$# relaxatio$ a$# relaxatio$ is the !ri$ci!le of matter) rga$ic form is "ro'e$ u!

i$to matter a$# e'an vita', "ut the e'an vita' #iffere$tiates itself i$to i$sti$ct a$# i$tellige$ce a$#

i$tellige$ce is the !ri$ci!le of the tra$sformatio$ of matter i$to s!ace) learl*& the com!osite is

$ot "ro'e$ u! i$ the same wa* that the sim!le #iffere$tiates itself the metho# of #iffere$ce ta'es

"oth these two moveme$ts together) >ut $ow this !ower of #iffere$tiatio$ must "e exami$e#) +t

is this !ower which will lea# us to the !ure co$ce!t of i$ter$al #iffere$ce) To #etermi$e such a

51



co$ce!t& we will have to show in wat way that which #iffers from #uratio$& i)e) the other half&

ca$ still "e #uratio$)

+$ #uration and Simu'taneity, >ergso$ attri"utes to #uratio$ a stra$ge !ower& the a"ilit* to

e$glo"e itself& eve$ while it s!lits itself u! i$to fluxes a$# co$ce$trates itself i$ a si$gle curre$t&

accor#i$g to the $ature of atte$tio$ we !a* to it)32 +$ #onnees immediates, we fi$# the

fu$#ame$tal i#ea of virtua'ity, which will su"se?ue$tl* "e ta'e$ u! a$# #evelo!e# i$ Matter and

Memory8 #uratio$& the i$#ivisi"le is $ot exactl* that which #oes $ot allow itself to "e #ivi#e# it

is what cha$ges its $ature whe$ it #ivi#es& a$# what cha$ges its $ature #efi$es the virtual or the

su"/ective) >ut the $ecessar* clarificatio$s are to "e fou$# i$ &reative Evo'ution% >iolog* shows

us the !rocess of #iffere$tiatio$ at wor') :e are loo'i$g for a co$ce!t of #iffere$ce that #oes $ot

allow itself to "e re#uce# to #egree or i$te$sit*& to alterit* or co$tra#ictio$ such a #iffere$ce is

vital& eve$ if the co$ce!t itself is $ot "iological) Tife is the !rocess of #iffere$ce) +$ this i$sta$ce&

>ergso$ is thi$'i$g less of em"r*ological #iffere$tiatio$ tha$ the #iffere$tiatio$ of s!ecies& i)e)

evolutio$) +$ his i#ea of evolutio$& Darwi$ hel!e# associate the !ro"lem of #iffere$ce with life&

eve$ though Darwi$ himself ha# a false co$ce!tio$ of vital #iffere$ce) !!osi$g a !articular

mecha$ism& >ergso$ shows that vital #iffere$ce is a$ interna' #iffere$ce) %urthermore& he shows

that i$ter$al #iffere$ce ca$$ot "e co$ceive# as a sim!le determination8 a #etermi$atio$ ca$ "e

acci#e$tal& i$ a$* case it ca$ get its "ei$g o$l* from a cause& a$ e$#& or a coi$ci#e$ce a$# thisim!lies a su"sisti$g exteriorit* $ot to me$tio$ that the relatio$ of several #etermi$atio$s is o$l*

o$e of associatio$ or a##itio$)3 ot o$l* is vital #iffere$ce $ot a #etermi$atio$& "ut it is ver*

much the o!!osite it is i$#etermi$atio$ itself) >ergso$ alwa*s em!hasies the u$foreseea"le

character of livi$g forms the* are i$#etermi$ate& "* which + mea$ u$foreseea"le) 34 .$# i$

>erg( so$s wor'& the u$foreseea"le& the i$#etermi$ate& is $ot acci#e$tal o$ the co$trar*& it is

esse$tial& the $egatio$ of acci#e$t) >* ma'i$g #iffere$ce a sim!le #etermi$atio$& either it is

surre$#ere# to cha$ce& or it "ecomes $ecessar* with res!ect to somethi$g "ut o$l* "* ma'i$g it

acci#e$tal with res!ect to life) :here life is co$cer$e#& however& the te$#e$c* to cha$ge is $ot

acci#e$tal)5=ve$ more to the !oi$t& the cha$ges themselves are $ot acci#e$tal& the e'an vita' is

the root cause of variatio$s)36 This is ta$tamou$t to sa*i$g that #iffere$ce is $ot a #etermi$atio$

"ut& i$ its esse$tial relatio$ to life& a #iffere$tiatio$) Differe$tiatio$ certai$l* comes from the

resiste$ce life e$cou$ters from matter& "ut it comes first a$# foremost from the ex!losive i$ter$al

force which life carries withi$ itself) The esse$ce of a vital te$#e$c* is to #evelo! itself i$ the

form of a s!ra*& creati$g "* the sole !ower of its growth& the #iverge$t #irectio$s its e'an will

!ursue)37 Hirtualit* exists i$ such a wa* that it actualies itself as it #issociates itself it must

#issociate itself to actualie itself) Differe$tiatio$ is the moveme$t of a virtualit* actualii$g

itself) ife #iffers from itself& so we are co$fro$te# "* #iverge$t li$es of evolutio$ a$#& o$ each

li$e& orig$al !rocesses) till& it is o$l* with itself that life #iffers co$se?ue$tl*& also o$ each li$e&

we are co$fro$te# "* !articular a!!aratuses& !articular orga$ structures that are i#e$tical though

52



o"tai$e# "* #iffere$t mea$s)38 Diverge$ce of series& i#e$tit* of !articular a!!aratuses this is the

#ou"le moveme$t of life as a whole) The $otio$ of #iffere$tiatio$ !osits at o$ce the simp'icity of

a virtual& the divergence of the series i$ which this virtual actualies itself& a$# the resemb'ence

of certai$ fu$#ame$tal results !ro#uce# i$ these series) >ergso$ ex!lai$s /ust how im!orta$t

resem"( le$ce is as a "iological categor*39 it is the i#e$tit* of that which #iffers from itself it

!roves that the same virtualit* actualies itself i$ the #iverge$ce of series a$# it shows the

essence su"sisti$g i$ cha$ge& /ust as #iverge$ce shows the cha$ge itself at wor' i$ the esse$ce)

:hat are the cha$ces that two totall* #iffere$t evolutio$s& through two totall* #iffere$t series of

acci#e$ts a##e# together& e$# u! with similar results@40

+$ 4es #eu! sources, >ergso$ comes "ac' to this !rocess of #iffere$tiatio$ #ichotom* is the

law of life1 >ut somethi$g $ew a!!ears alo$gsi#e "iological #iffere$tiatio$& there $ow a!!ears

a !ro!erl* historical #iffere$tiatio$) >iological #iffere$tiatio$ certai$l* has its !ri$ci!le i$ life

itself& "ut it is $o$e the less "ou$# u! with matter& such that its !ro#ucts remai$ se!arate& exter$al

to o$e a$other)

The materialit* which the* Ithe s!eciesJ have give$ themselves& !reve$ts them from fusi$g "ac'

together so as to rei$tro#uce the origi$al te$#e$c*& "ut stro$ger& more com!lex& a$# more

evolve#)42 $ the level of histor*& however& the te$#e$cies co$stitute# "* #issociatio$ evolve i$

the same i$#ivi#ual or i$ the same societ*) %rom the$ o$& these te$#e$cies evolve successivel*

"ut i$ the same "ei$g huma$it* will go as far as it ca$ i$ o$e #irectio$& the$ tur$ arou$# a$# go

i$ the other #irectio$) This text is all the more im!orta$t si$ce it is o$e of the few i$ which

>ergso$ accor#s a s!ecificit* to the historical with res!ect to the vital) :hat #oes this mea$@ +t

mea$s that #iffere$ce "ecomes co$scious a$# achieves self(co$scious$ess i$ huma$it* a$# o$l*

i$ huma$it*) +f #iffere$ce itself is "iological& the co$scious$ess of #iffere$ce is historical) True&

the fu$ctio$ of this historical co$scious$ess of #iffere$ce shoul# $ot "e exaggerate#) .ccor#i$g

to >ergso$& more tha$ !rovi#i$g somethi$g $ew& it li"erates what is alrea#* there) o$scious$ess

was alrea#* there& with a$# i$ #iffere$ce) Duratio$ is all "* itself co$scious$ess& life all "* itself

is co$scious$ess"ut it is so by rigts%9 5 +f histor* is what rea$imates co$scious$ess& or is the

!lace where co$scious$ess is rea$imate# a$# !osite# i$ fact& it is o$l* "ecause this co$scious$ess

i#e$tical to life ha# falle$ aslee!& ha# grow$ $um" i$ mattera voi#e# co$scious$ess& $ot a$

a"se$ce of co$scious$ess)45 o$scious$ess is $ot the least "it historical i$ >ergso$s wor'

53



histor* is sim!l* that !oi$t where co$scious$ess !o!s u! agai$& o$ce it has traverse# matter)

o$se?ue$tl*& there exists "* rights a$ i#e$tit* "etwee$ #iffere$ce itself a$# the co$scious$ess of

#iffere$ce histor* is $ever a$*thi$g other tha$ a matter of fact) This i#e$tit* "* rights "etwee$

#iffere$ce a$# the co$scious$ess of #iffere$ce is memory a$# it is memor* that will give us the

$ature of the !ure co$ce!t)

evertheless& "efore we get there& we must exami$e how the !rocess of #iffere$tiatio$ is

sufficie$t to #isti$guish >ergso$s metho# from #ialectic) The ma/or similarit* "etwee$ <lato a$#

>ergso$ is that the* each create# a !hiloso!h* of #iffere$ce i$ which #iffere$ce is thought as

such it is $ot re#uce# to co$tra#ictio$ a$# does not go as far as co$tra#ictio$)46 >ut the !oi$t

where the* !art com!a$* ,$ot the o$l* !oi$t& "ut the most im!orta$t- seems to "e the $ecessar*

!rese$ce of a !ri$ci!le of fi$alit* i$ <lato o$l* the Goo# ex!lai$s the #iffere$ce of the thi$g a$#

allows us to u$#ersta$# the thi$g i$ itself& as i$ the cele"rate# exam!le of ocrates sitti$g i$ his

!riso$ cell) Therefore& i$ his #ichotom*& <lato $ee#s the Goo# as the rule to gover$ choice) There

is $o i$tuitio$ i$ <lato& "ut there is i$s!iratio$ "* the Goo#) +$ this se$se& at least o$e of

>ergso$s texts is <lato$ic i$ 4es #eu! sources, he shows that o$e must exami$e fu$ctio$s if

o$e ho!es to u$cover ge$ui$e articulatio$s of the real) :hat is the fu$ctio$ of each facult*@ %or

exam!le& what is the fu$ctio$ of stor*telli$g@47 The thi$g gets its #iffere$ce i$ this case from its

use& its e$#& its !ur!osefrom the Goo#) >ut we '$ow that carvi$g u! realit*& or thearticulatio$s of the real& is o$l* a !relimi$ar* ex!ressio$ of the metho#) :hat gover$s the

#issectio$ of thi$gs is i$#ee# their fu$ctio$& their e$#& such that the* seem at this !oi$t to receive

their ver* #iffere$ce from outsi#e themselves) <recisel*& however& this is wh* >ergso$ "oth

criticies fi$alit* a$# #oes $ot restrict himself to the articulatio$s of the real the thi$g itself a$#

its corres!o$#i$g e$# are i$ fact o$e a$# the same thi$g& which o$ the o$e ha$# is see$ as the

com!osite it forms i$ s!ace& a$# o$ the other& as #iffere$ce a$# the sim!licit* of !ure #uratio$)48

There is $o lo$ger a$* "asis for s!ea'i$g of fi$alit* whe$ #iffere$ce has "ecome the thi$g itself&

there is $o lo$ger a$* "asis for sa*i$g that the thi$g receives its #iffere$ce from a$ e$#) Thus

>ergso$s co$ce!tio$ of #iffere$ce of $ature allows him& u$li'e <lato& to avert a$* ge$ui$e

recourse to fi$alit*) imilarl*& usi$g certai$ texts "* >ergso$& we ca$ imagi$e the o"/ectio$s he

woul# have ha# to a ;egelia$(i$s!ire# #ialectics& from which he is eve$ more remove# tha$

<lato$ic #ialectics) +$ >ergso$& tha$'s to the $otio$ of the virtual& the thi$g #iffers from itself

first, immediate'y% .ccor#i$g to ;egel& the thi$g #iffers from itself "ecause it #iffers first from

ever*thi$g it is $ot& a$# thus #iffere$ce goes as far as co$tra#ictio$) The #isti$ctio$ "etwee$

o!!osite a$# co$tra#ictio$ matter little i$ this co$text& si$ce co$tra#ictio$& li'e the o!!osite& is

o$l* the !rese$tatio$ of a whole) +$ "oth cases& #iffere$ce has "ee$ re!lace# "* the !la* of

#etermi$atio$) There is har#l* a$* co$crete realit* o$ which o$e ca$$ot hol# two o!!osi$g

views simulta$eousl* this realit*& therefore& is su"sume# u$#er two a$tago$istic co$( ce!ts) 49

The o"/ect is the$ reco$stitute# usi$g these two !oi$ts of view& or so it is claime#) %or exam!le&

54



#uratio$ is su!!ose#l* the s*$thesis of u$it* a$# multi!licit*) ;owever& if >ergso$ coul# o"/ect

that <lato$ism goes $o farther tha$ a co$ce!tio$ of difference as sti'' e!terna', the o"/ectio$ he

woul# a##ress to a #ialectic of co$tra#ictio$ is that it gets $o farther tha$ a co$ce!tio$ of

difference as on'y abstract% This com"i$atio$ Iof two co$tra#ictor* co$ce!tsJ ca$$ot !rese$t

either a #iversit* of #egrees or a variet* of forms it is& or it is $ot) 50 :hatever e$tails $either

#egree $or $ua$ce is a$ a"stractio$) Thus the #ialectic of co$tra#ictio$ falls short of #iffere$ce

itself& which is the cause or reaso$ of $ua$ce) .$# i$ the e$#& co$tra#ictio$ is o$l* o$e of the

$umerous retros!ective illusio$s that >ergso$ #e$ou$ces) :hat is #iffere$tiati$g itself i$ two

#iverge$t te$#e$cies is a virtualit*& a$# as such it is somethi$g a"solutel* sim!le that actualies

itself) :e treat it as a real thi$g "* com!osi$g it with the characteristic eleme$ts of two

te$#e$cies which& however& were create# o$l* i$ its ver* #evelo!me$t) :e tin: #uratio$ #iffers

from itself "ecause it is first the !ro#uct of two co$trar* #etermi$atio$s& "ut we forget that it

#iffere$tiate# itself "ecause it is first that which #iffers from itself) =ver*thi$g comes "ac' to>ergso$s criti?ue of the $egative his whole effort is aime# at a co$ce!tio$ of #iffere$ce without

$egatio$& a co$ce!tio$ of #iffere$ce that #oes $ot co$tai$ the $egative) +$ his criti?ue of #isor#er&

as well as his criti?ue of $othi$g$ess or co$tra#ictio$& >ergso$ tries to show that the $egatio$ of

o$e real term "* the other is o$l* the !ositive actualiatio$ of a virtualit* that co$tai$s "oth terms

at o$ce) truggle& i$ this i$sta$ce& is o$l* the su!erficial as!ect of !rogress) 51 +t is our

ig$ora$ce of the virtual that ma'es us "elieve i$ co$tra#ictio$ a$# $egatio$) The o!!ositio$ of

two terms is o$l* the actualiatio$ of a virtualit* that co$tai$e# them "oth this is ta$tamou$t to

sa*i$g that #iffere$ce is more !rofou$# tha$ $egatio$ or co$tra#ictio$)

:hatever the im!orta$ce of #iffere$tiatio$& it is $ot what is most !rofou$#) +f it were& there

woul# "e $o reaso$ to s!ea' of a co$ce!t of #iffere$ce #iffere$tiatio$ is a$ actio$& a$

actualiatio$) :hat #iffere$tiates itself is first that which #iffers from itself& i$ other wor#s& the

virtual) Differe$tiatio$ is $ot the co$ce!t& "ut the !ro#uctio$ of o"/ects that fi$#s its cause or

reaso$ i$ the co$ce!t) $l*& if we acce!t that what #iffers from itself must "e such a co$ce!t&

the$ the virtual must have a co$sista$c*& a$ o"/ective co$sista$c* that e$a"les it to #iffere$tiate

itself& to !ro#uce such o"/ects) +$ those crucial !ages #evote# to Bavaisso$& >ergso$ ex!lai$s

that there are two wa*s of #etermi$i$g what colors have i$ commo$) 52 Eiter we extract the

a"stract a$# ge$eral i#ea of color& a$# we #o so "* effaci$g from re# what ma'es it re#& from

"lue what ma'es it "lue& a$# from gree$ what ma'es it gree$ the$ we are left with a co$ce!t

which is a ge$re& a$# ma$* o"/ects for o$e co$ce!t) The co$ce!t a$# the o"/ect are two thi$gs&

a$# the relatio$ of the o"/ect to the co$ce!t is o$e of su"sum!tio$) Thus we get $o farther tha$

s!atial #isti$ctio$s& a state of #iffere$ce that is exter$al to the thi$g) Or we se$# the colors

through a co$verge$t le$se that co$ce$trates them o$ the same !oi$t what we have the$ is !ure

white light& the ver* light that ma'es the #iffere$ces come out "etwee$ the sha#es) o& the

#iffere$t colors are $o lo$ger o"/ects under a co$ce!t& "ut $ua$ces or #egrees of the co$ce!t

55



itself) Degrees of #iffere$ce itself& a$# $ot #iffere$ces of #egree) The relatio$ is $o lo$ger o$e of

su"sum!tio$& "ut o$e of !artici!atio$) :hite light is still a u$iversal& "ut a co$crete u$iversal&

which gives us a$ u$#ersta$#i$g of the !articular "ecause it is the far e$# of the !articular)

>ecause thi$gs have "ecome $ua$ces or #egrees of the co$ce!t& the co$ce!t itself has "ecome a

thi$g) +t is a u$iversal thi$g& if *ou li'e& si$ce the o"/ects loo' li'e so ma$* #egrees& "ut a

co$crete thi$g& $ot a ge$us or a ge$eralit*) <ro!erl* s!ea'i$g& there is $o lo$ger ma$* o"/ects for

o$e co$ce!t the co$ce!t is i#e$tical to the thi$g itself) >ut it is $ot the resem"la$ce of o"/ects

the co$ce!t is the #iffere$ce "etwee$ them& to which the* are relate#) This is i$ter$al #iffere$ce

the co$ce!t which has "ecome a co$ce!t of #iffere$ce) To achieve this su!erior !hiloso!hical

goal& what was re?uire#@ :e ha# to give u! thi$'i$g i$ terms of s!ace the s!atial #isti$ctio$

#oes $ot e$tail #egrees)53 !atial #iffere$ces ha# to "e re!lace# "* tem!oral #iffere$ces) .$#

what !ro!erl* "elo$gs to i$ter$al #iffere$ce is this it ma'es the co$ce!t a co$crete thi$g&

"ecause thi$gs are /ust $ua$ces or #egrees !rese$t withi$ the co$ce!t) +t is i$ this se$se that>ergso$ism has !ut #iffere$ce& a$# the co$ce!t alo$g with it& i$to time) +f the mi$# has a

mo#est role to !la* "* co$$ecti$g the successive mome$ts of the thi$g& a$# if the mi$# through

this o!eratio$ ma'es co$tact with matter& a$# if it is through matter that it is first #isti$guishe#&

the$ a$ i$fi$it* of #egrees "etwee$ matter a$# a full* #evelo!e# mi$# ca$ "e co$( ceive#) 4 The

#isti$ctio$s "etwee$ su"/ect a$# o"/ect& "o#* a$# mi$#& are tem!oral a$# so a matter of #egree

"ut the* are $ot sim!le #iffere$ces of #egree)55 ow we see how the virtual "ecomes the !ure

co$ce!t of #iffere$ce& a$# what such a co$ce!t e$tails it is te possib'e coe!istence of degrees

or nuances% +f i$ s!ite of this a!!are$t !ara#ox& we la"el this !ossi"le coexiste$ce memory, as

>ergso$ himself #oes& we must co$clu#e that the e'an vita' is less !rofou$# tha$ #uratio$)

#uration, memory, and e'an vita' are te tree aspects of te concept tat can be distinguised

wit precision% Duratio$ is #iffere$ce from itself memor* is the coexiste$ce of #egrees of

#iffere$ce the e'an vita' ;s the #iffere$tiatio$ of #iffere$ce) These three stages #efi$e a

schematiism i$ >ergso$s !hiloso!h*) The role of memor* is to give the virtualit* of #uratio$

itself a$ o"/ective co$siste$c* which ma'es it a co$crete u$iversal& a$# e$a"le it to actualie

itself) :he$ virtualit* actualies itself& that is to sa*& #iffere$tiates itself& it is through life a$# i$

a vital form) +$ this se$se& it is true that #iffere$ce is vital) >ut virtualit* was a"le to #iffere$tiate

itself usi$g o$l* the #egrees that coexist withi$ it) Differe$tiatio$ is o$l* the se!aratio$ of what

coexiste# i$ #uratio$) The #iffere$tiatio$s of the e'an vita' arc, i$ a more !rofou$# wa*& the

#egrees of #iffere$ce itself) .$# the !ro#ucts of #iffere$tiatio$ are o"/ects i$ a"solute co$formit*

with the o"/ect& at least i$ their !urit*& "ecause the* are i$ fact $othi$g other tha$ the com!li(

me$tar* !ositio$ of the #iffere$t #egrees of the co$ce!t itself) +t is i$ this se$se agai$ that the

theor* of #iffere$tiatio$ is less !rofou$# tha$ the theor* of $ua$ces or #egrees)

The virtual $ow #efi$es a$ a"solutel* !ositive mo#e of existe$ce) Duratio$ is the virtual

this #egree of #uratio$ is real& to the exte$t that this #egree #iffere$tiates itself) %or exam!le&

56



#uratio$ is $ot i$ itself !s*chological& "ut the !s*chological re!rese$ts a !articular #egree of

#uratio$ that is actualie# "etwee$ other #egrees as well as amo$g them) 56 ertai$l*& the virtual

is the mo#e of that which #oes $ot act& si$ce it will act o$l* "* #iffere$tiati$g itself& "* ceasi$g to

"e i$ itself& eve$ as it 'ee!s somethi$g of its origi$) <recisel*& however& it follows that the virtual

is the mo#e of wat is% This thesis of >ergso$s is !articularl* famous the virtual is a !ure

recollectio$& a$# !ure recollectio$ is #iffere$ce) <ure recollectio$ is virtual "ecause it woul# "e

a"sur# to loo' for a mar' of the !ast i$ somethi$g actual a$# alrea#* actualie#) 57 Becollectio$ is

$ot the re!rese$tatio$ of somethi$g& it #oes$t re!rese$tit sim!l* is% r if we must s!ea' of

re!rese$tatio$& a recollectio$ #oes $ot re!rese$t somethi$g which has "ee$& "ut sim!l*

somethi$g that is)) )it is a reco''ection of te present%2< . recollectio$ is $ot waiti$g to come

a"out it is $ot waiti$g to "e forme# it is $ot waiti$g for the !erce!tio$ to #isa!!ear)

Becollectio$ is $ot !osterior to !erce!tio$) Te coe!istence of te past wit te present wic

as been is an essentia' teme of3ergsonism% .ccor#i$g to these characteristics& however& whe$we sa* that recollectio$ thus #efi$e# is #iffere$ce itself& we are sa*i$g two thi$gs at o$ce) $ the

o$e ha$#& !ure recollectio$ is #iffere$ce "ecause $o memor* resem"les a$* other memor*&

"ecause each memor* is imme#iatel* !erfect& "ecause it is all at o$ce what it will alwa*s "e

#iffere$ce is the o"/ect of recollectio$& /ust as resem"la$ce is the o"/ect of !erce!tio$) w +t is

e$ough to #ream to gai$ access to this worl# where $othi$g resem"les a$*thi$g else a !ure

#reamer woul# $ever leave the !articular& he woul# gras! o$l* #iffere$ces) $ the other ha$#&

recollectio$ is #iffere$ce i$ still a$other se$se it contributes #iffere$ce "ecause if it is true that

the #ema$#s of the !rese$t i$tro#uce some resem"la$ce "etwee$ our recollectio$s& it is also true

that recollectio$ i$tro#uces #iffere$ce i$to the !rese$t& i$ the se$se that recollectio$ co$stitutes&

each su"se?ue$t mome$t& somethi$g $ew) <recisel* "ecause the !ast is !reserve#& the

su"se?ue$t mome$t alwa*s co$tai$s& i$ a##itio$ to the !revious mome$t& the recollectio$ which

this !revious mome$t has left

"ehi$#))))))) )) )+$ter$al #uratio$ is the co$ti$ue# life of memor* !rolo$gi$g the

!ast i$ the !rese$t& whether the !rese$t #irectl* co$tai$s the ceaselessl* growi$g image of the

!ast& or whether "* virtue of its co$ti$ual cha$ge i$ ?ualit*& the !rese$t "ears wit$ess to the

i$creasi$gl* heav* "aggage o$e #rags alo$g as o$e grows ol#er)61 +$ a #iffere$t wa* tha$ %reu#&

though /ust as !rofou$#& >ergso$ saw that memor* was a fu$ctio$ of the future& that memor* a$#

57



will were the same fu$ctio$& that o$l* a "ei$g ca!a"le of memor* coul# tur$ awa* from its !ast&

free itself from the !ast& $ot re!eat it& a$# #o somethi$g $ew) Thus the wor# #iffere$ce at o$ce

#esig$ates te particu'ar tat is a$# te new tat is coming about% Becollectio$ is #efi$e# "oth i$

relatio$ to the !erce!tio$ with which it is co$tem!ora$eous& a$# i$ relatio$ to the su"se?ue$t

mome$t i$ which it is !rolo$ge#) :he$ we u$ite the two mea$i$gs& we get a stra$ge im!ressio$

that of acti$g a$# "ei$g acte# o$ at the same time) 62 >ut how ca$ we avoi# u$iti$g them& si$ce

m* !erce!tio$ is alrea#* the su"se?ue$t mome$t@

ets "egi$ with the seco$# mea$i$g) :e '$ow the im!orta$ce >ergso$ attri"utes to this

i#ea of newness, i$ his theor* of the future a$# his theor* of free#om) >ut we have to exami$e

this $otio$ more !recisel*& at the mome$t of its formatio$ i$ the seco$# cha!ter of the Essai%

a*i$g that the !ast is !reserve# i$ itself a$# that it is !rolo$ge# i$ the !rese$t is ta$tamou$t to

sa*i$g that the su"se?ue$t mome$t a!!ears without the #isa!!are$ce of the !revious mome$t)

This !resu!!oses a contraction, a$# co$tractio$ #efi$es #uratio$)63 :hat is o!!ose# to

co$tractio$ is !ure re!etitio$ or matter re!etitio$ is the mo#e of a !rese$t that a!!ears o$l*

whe$ the other !rese$t has #isa!!eare#the !rese$t itself& or exteriorit*& vi"ratio$& relaxatio$)

o$tractio$& o$ the other ha$#& #esig$ates #iffere$ce "ecause #iffere$ce i$ its esse$ce ma'es a

re!etitio$ im!ossi"le& "ecause it #estro*s the ver* co$#itio$ of a$* !ossi"le re!etitio$) +$ this

se$se& #iffere$ce is the $ew& $ew$ess itself) >ut how #oes o$e #efi$e the a!!eara$ce ofsomethi$g $ew in genera'=% +t is i$ the seco$# cha!ter of the Essai that >ergso$ ta'es u! this

!ro"lem& which is most famousl* associate# with ;ume) ;ume !ose# the !ro"lem of causalit*

"* as'i$g how a !ure re!etitio$& a re!etitio$ of similar cases which !ro#uce $othi$g $ew& ca$

$evertheless !ro#uce somethi$g $ew i$ the mi$# loo'i$g o$) This somethi$g $ew is the

ex!ectatio$ the thousa$#th time arou$#there *ou have difference% ;umes res!o$se was that if

re!etitio$ !ro#uces a #iffere$ce i$ the the mi$# loo'i$g o$& it is "* virtue of the !ri$ci!les of

huma$ $ature a$# es!eciall* the !ri$ci!le of ha"it) :he$ >ergso$ a$al*es the exam!le of tic's

of the cloc's or the sou$#s of a hammer stri'i$g& he !oses the !ro"lem i$ the same wa* as

;ume& a$# resolves it similarl* a$*thi$g $ew !ro#uce# is $ot i$ the o"/ects& "ut i$ the mi$# it

is a fusio$& a$ i$ter!e$etratio$& a$ orga$iatio$& a !reservatio$ of the !rece#e$t& which has

$ot #isa!!eare# whe$ the su"se?ue$t a!!ears) +$ a wor#& it is a co$tractio$ that occurs i$ the

mi$#) The similarit* "etwee$ ;ume a$# >ergso$ goes eve$ farther /ust as i$ ;ume similar cases

"le$# together i$ the imagi$atio$ *et at the same time remai$ #isti$ct i$ the u$#ersta$#i$g& so i$

>ergso$ states "le$# together i$ #uratio$ *et at the same time !reserve somethi$g of the

exteriorit* from which the* come it is with this last !oi$t that >ergso$ ex!lai$s the co$structio$

of s!ace) o& co$tractio$ i$itiall* ha!!e$s in the mi$#& as it were co$tractio$ is the origi$ of the

mi$# it gives "irth to #iffere$ce) .fterwar#s& "ut o$l* afterwar#s& the mi$# a!!ro!riates it for its

ow$ use the mi$# co$tracts a$# is co$tracte#& as we see i$ >ergso$s theor* of free#om)6 >ut it

is e$ough for us to have gras!e# the $otio$ i$ its origi$)

58



ot o$l* #o #uratio$ a$# matter #iffer i$ $ature& "ut what #iffers i$ this wa* is #iffere$ce as

well as re!etitio$) :e agai$ e$cou$ter a$ ol# #ifficult* at o$e a$# the same time& #iffere$ce of

$ature was "etwee$ two te$#e$cies a$#& more !rofou$#l*& was o$e of the two te$#e$cies) .$#

these were $ot the o$l* states of #iffere$ce& there were still two others the !rivilege# te$#e$c*&

the te$#e$c* o$ the right si#e was #iffere$tiate# i$ two& a$# it was a"le to #iffere$tiate itself

"ecause& more !rofou$#l*& there are #egrees i$ #iffere$ce) :hat we must #o $ow is regrou!

these four states 1- difference of nature, 2- interna' difference, 3- differentiation, a$# 4- degress

of difference% The commo$ threa# is that ,i$ter$al- #iffere$ce #iffers ,i$ $ature- from re!etitio$)

learl*& however& this #oes $ot a## u! #iffere$ce is sai# "oth to "e i$ter$al a$# to #iffer

exter$all*) >ut if we are a"le to glim!se the outli$es of a solutio$& it is o$l* "ecause >ergso$ is

i$te$t o$ showi$g us that #iffere$ce is still a re!etitio$& a$# re!etitio$ is alrea#* a #iffere$ce)

Be!etitio$& or matter& is i$#ee# a #iffere$ce the oscillatio$s are clearl* #isti$ct i$ as much as

o$e #isa!!ears whe$ the other a!!ears) >ergso$ #oes $ot #e$* that scie$ce tries to attai$#iffere$ce itself a$# is a"le to succee# he sees such a$ e$#eavor i$ i$fi$itesimal a$al*sis a

ge$ui$e scie$ce of #iffere$ce)65 Aore tha$ that& whe$ >ergso$ shows us the #reamer so

immerse# i$ the !articular that he gras!s o$l* !ure #iffere$ces& he tells us that this regio$ of the

mi$# re/oi$s matter& that to #ream is to "e i$#iffere$t& to #isi$terest o$self) +t woul# thus "e a

mista'e to co$fuse re!etitio$ with ge$eralit*& "ecause ge$eralit* !resu!!oses the co$tractio$ of

the mi$#) Be!etitio$ creates $othi$g i$ the o"/ect it lets the o"/ect !ersist& a$# eve$ mai$tai$s it

i$ its !articularit*) Be!etitio$ #oes i$#ee# form o"/ective ge$uses& "ut these ge$uses are $ot i$

themselves ge$eral i#eas "ecause the* #o $ot e$glo"e a !luralit* of o"/ects that resem"le o$e

a$other the* !rese$t to us o$l* the !articularit* of a$ o"/ect that re!eats itself i#e$tical to

itself)6 Be!etitio$ is thus a 'i$# of #iffere$ce o$l*& its a #iffere$ce alwa*s outsi#e itself& a

#iffere$ce i$#iffere$t to itself) o$versel*& difference is in turn a repetition% +$#ee# we saw that

#iffere$ce& i$ its ver* origi$ a$# i$ the act of this origi$& was a co$tractio$) >ut what is the effect

of this co$tractio$@ +t raises i$to coexiste$ce what was elsewhere re!eate#) The mi$#& i$ its

origi$& is o$l* the co$tractio$ of i#e$tical eleme$ts& a$# "* virtue of this& it is memor*)

:he$ever >ergso$ #iscusses memor*& he !rese$ts two as!ects of it& the seco$# of which is the

more !rofou$# memor*(recollectio$ a$# memor*(co$tractio$)67 >* co$tracti$g itself& the

eleme$t of re!etitio$ coexists with itselfo$e might sa*& multi!lies itself a$# mai$tai$s itself)

Thus the #egrees of co$tractio$ are #efi$e#& each of which !rese$ts at its level the coexiste$ce

with itself of the eleme$t itself& i$ other wor#s& the whole) There is $o !ara#ox i$ #efi$i$g

memor* as coexiste$ce itself& si$ce all !ossi"le #egrees of coexiste$ce i$ tur$ coexist a$#

co$stitute memor*) The i#e$tical eleme$ts of material re!etitio$ "le$# together i$ a co$tractio$

this co$tractio$ !rese$ts "oth somethi$g $ew& i)e) #iffere$ce& a$# #egrees which are the #egrees

of this #iffere$ce itself) +t is i$ this se$se that #iffere$ce is still a re!etitio$) >ergso$ co$sta$tl*comes "ac' to this theme The same !s*chological life woul# thus "e re!eate# a$ i$#efi$ite

$um"er of times& i$ the sucessive stages of memor*& a$# the same act of the mi$# coul# "e

!la*e# out at ma$* #iffere$t levels68 the sectio$s of the co$e are /ust so ma$* re!etitio$s of

our whole !ast life69 it is almost as if our memories were re!eate# a$ i$#efi$ite $um"er of

times i$ the thousa$#s a$# thousa$#s of !ossi"le re#uctio$s of our !ast life) 70 $e sees the

#isti$ctio$ left to "e ma#e "etwee$ !s*chic re!etitio$ a$# material re!etitio$ it is at the same

mome$t that all our !ast life is i$#efi$itel* re!eate# the re!etitio$ is virtual) :hat is more& the

virtualit* has $o other co$sista$c* tha$ what it receives from this origi$al re!etitio$) These

59



!la$es are $ot !rese$te#)))as rea#*(ma#e thi$gs& su!erim!ose# o$ o$e a$other) Bather& the* exist

i$ a virtual wa*& havi$g that existe$ce !ro!er to thi$gs of the mi$#) 1 .t this !oi$t& we coul#

almost sa* that for >ergso$& matter is successio$ a$# #uratio$ is coexiste$ce . sufficie$tl*

!owerful atte$tio$ to life& a$# sufficie$tl* remove# from a$* !ractical !ur!ose& coul# em"race

the e$tire !ast histor* of the co$scious !erso$ i$ a$ u$#ivi#e# !rese$t) 72 >ut #uratio$ is a

coexiste$ce of a whole other 'i$# it is real coexiste$ce& simulta$eit*) This is wh* the virtual

coexiste$ce that #efi$es #uratio$ is at the same time a real successio$& whereas matter i$ the e$#

!rese$ts us less with a successio$ tha$ the sim!le material of a simulta$eit* real coexiste$ce&

/uxta!ositio$) +$ a wor#& !s*chic #egrees are /ust so ma$* virtual !la$es of co$tractio$ or levels

of te$sio$) >ergso$s !hiloso!h* comes to com!letio$ i$ a cosmolog* where ever*thi$g is

cha$ges i$ te$sio$& cha$ges i$ e$erg*& a$# $othi$g else)71 Duratio$ as it is give$ to i$tuitio$

shows itself ca!a"le of thousa$#s of !ossi"le te$sio$s& a$ i$fi$ite #iversit* of relaxatio$s a$#

co$tractio$s) >ergso$ criticie# the com"i$atio$ of a$tago$istic co$ce!ts for "ei$g a"le to giveus a thi$g o$l* i$ a mo$olithic as!ect& without #egrees or $ua$ces) +$tuitio$& o$ the other ha$#&

gives us a choice amo$g a$ i$fi$it* of !ossi"le #uratio$s& 71 a co$ti$uit* of #uratio$s that we

must tr* to follow all the wa* to the "ottom& or all the wa* to the to!) 7

;ave the two se$ses of #iffere$ce "ee$ re/oi$e# #iffere$ce as !articularit* that is& a$#

#iffere$ce as !erso$alit*& i$#etermi$atio$& $ew$ess that creates itself@ <articularit* is give$ asmaximum relaxatio$& a s!rea#i$g out& a$ ex!a$sio$ i$ the sectio$s of the co$e& its the "ase that

carries memories i$ their i$#ivi#ual form) Aemories ta'e a more "a$al form whe$ memor*

co$tracts& a$# the* ta'e a more !erso$al form whe$ memor* ex!a$#s)76 The more the

co$tractio$ relaxes& the more i$#ivi#ual are the memories the* are more #isti$ct from each

other& too& a$# more localie#) The !articular is locate# at the limit of relaxatio$ or co$tractio$&

a$# its moveme$t will "e !rolo$ge# "* the matter which it !re!ares) Aatter a$# #uratio$ are the

two extreme levels of relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$& /ust as i$ #uratio$ itself& two extreme levels of

relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$ are the !ure !ast a$# the !ure !rese$t& memor* a$# !erce!tio$) :e

see& the$& the !rese$t is #efi$e# i$ its o!!ositio$ to !articularit*& as resem"la$ce or eve$

u$iversalit*) . "ei$g that live# i$ the !ure !rese$t woul# evolve i$ the u$iversal& with ha"it

"ei$g to actio$ what ge$eralit* is to thought)78 >ut the two terms o!!ose# i$ this wa* are o$l*

two extreme #egrees that coexist) !!ositio$ is alwa*s $othi$g "ut the virtual coexiste$ce of

two extreme #egrees a recollectio$ coexists with that which it recalls& with its corres!o$#i$g

!erce!tio$ the !rese$t is o$l* the most co$tracte# #egree of memor*& a$ immediate past%> 2

>etwee$ these extremes& the$& we will fi$# all the i$terme#iate #egrees& which are the #egrees of

ge$eralit*& or rather that which co$stitute the ge$eral i#ea) ow we see to what exte$t matter

was $ot ge$eralit* true ge$eralit* !resu!!oses a !erce!tio$ of resem"la$ces& a co$tractio$) The

ge$eral i#ea is a #*$amic whole& a$ oscillatio$ the esse$ce of the ge$eral i#ea is to move

co$sta$tl* from the s!here of actio$ to the s!here of !ure memor*& it is the twofol# curre$t

60



!assi$g "ac' a$# forth)8 ;owever& we '$ow that the i$terme#iate #egrees "etwee$ extremes

are ca!a"le of recreati$g these extremes as the ver* !ro#ucts of a #iffere$tiatio$) :e '$ow that a

theor* of #egrees is the "asis for a theor* of #iffere$tiatio$ i$ memor*& two #egrees o$l* have to

"e o!!ose# to o$e a$other for them to "ecome at the same time the #iffere$tiatio$ of a$

i$terme#iar* i$to two te$#e$cies or moveme$ts that are #isti$ct i$ $ature) >ecause the !rese$t

a$# the !ast are two i$verse #egrees& the* are #isti$ct i$ $ature the* are the #iffere$tiatio$& the

"ifurcatio$ of the whole) =ver* mome$t #uratio$ s!lits i$to two s*mmetrical streams& o$e of

which falls "ac' towar# the !ast& while the other is !ro/ecte# towar# the future) 81 a*i$g that

the !rese$t is the most co$tracte# #egree of the !ast is ta$tamou$t to sa*i$g that the !rese$t is i$

$ature o!!ose# to the !ast& that the !rese$t is a$ imminent future% ;ere is the seco$# mea$i$g of

#iffere$ce somethi$g $ew) >ut what exactl* is $ew here@ The ge$eral i#ea is the whole which

#iffere$tiates itself i$ !articular images a$# "o#il* attitu#e& "ut this ver* #iffere$tiatio$ is still

the whole of the #egrees goi$g from o$e extreme to the $ext& i$serti$g the o$e i$ the other)82

Thege$eral i#ea !laces the recollectio$ i$ the actio$& orga$ies recollectio$s with acts& tra$sforms

recollectio$ i$to !erce!tio$a$# more !recisel*& it ma'es the images which have issue# from

the !ast itself& i$creasi$gl* ca!a"le of "ei$g i$serte# i$to the #rivi$g schema)8 The fu$ctio$ of

the ge$eral i#ea is this to !ut the !articular i$ the u$iversal) :hat is $ew here& the $ew$ess& is

!recisel* that the !articular is i$ the u$iversal) The $ew is clearl* $ot the !ure !rese$t the !ure

!rese$t& as well as the !articular memor*& te$# towar# the state of matter& $ot "* virtue of its

s!rea#i$g out& "ut its i$sta$ta$eit*) >ut whe$ the !articular #esce$#s i$to the u$iversal& or

recollectio$ i$to moveme$t& the automatic act leaves room for volu$tar* a$# free actio$) This

$ew "elo$gs to a "ei$g that& simulta$eousl*& comes a$# goes from the u$iversal to the !articular&

o!!oses them& a$# !uts the !articular i$ the u$iversal) uch a "ei$g simulta$eousl* thi$'s&

#esires& recollects) +$ short& it is the #egrees of ge$eralit* that u$ite a$# reu$ite the two mea$i$gs

of #iffere$ce)

61



D==BT +.D .D T;=B T=KT

>ergso$ ca$ leave ma$* rea#ers with a certai$ im!ressio$ of vague$ess a$# i$cohere$ce vague$ess& "ecause we lear$i$ the e$# that #iffere$ce is the u$foreseea"le& i$#etermi$atio$ itself a$# i$cohere$ce& "ecause he seems to rec*cle for

his ow$ !ur!oses the same $otio$s he /ust fi$ishe# criticii$g) :e see him attac'i$g #egrees& a$# here the* come fro$ta$# ce$ter i$ #uratio$ itself& to the !oi$t that >ergso$ism seems a !hiloso!h* of #egrees $e moves "* im!erce!ti"le

#egrees from recollectio$s #e!osite# throughout time to moveme$ts that outli$e $asce$t or !ossi"le actio$ i$ s!ace&84 recollectio$ is thus gra#uall* tra$sforme# i$to !erce!tio$85 similarl*& there are #egrees of li"ert*)8 >erso$

es!eciall* attac's i$te$sit*& a$# *et relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$ are i$vo'e# as fu$#ame$tal !ri$ci!les of ex!la$atio$"etwee$ "rute matter a$# the most reflective mi$#& are all the !ossi"le i$te$sities of memor* or& what amou$ts to the

same thi$g& all the #egrees of li"ert*)87 %i$all*& >ergso$ attac's the $egative a$# o!!ositio$& "ut the* sli! i$ the "ac'#oor with i$versio$ geometrical or#er !arta'es of the $egative& it comes from the i$versio$ of ge$uive !ositivit*& from a$ i$terru!tio$88 a$# if we com!are scie$ce a$# !hiloso!h*& we see that scie$ce is $ot relative& "utis a"out a realit* of a$ i$verse or#er)89This im!ressio$ of i$cohere$ce& however& + "elieve is u$/ustifie#) +t is true that

>ergso$ #oes come "ac' to #egrees& "ut $ot to #iffere$ces of #egree) ;is i#ea is this there are $o #iffere$ces of #egreei$ $ature& o$l* degrees of difference itse'f% Theories that rel* o$ #iffere$ces of #egree mix ever*thi$g u!& "ecause the*fail to see #iffere$ces of $ature the* lose themselves i$ s!ace a$# i$ the com!osites which s!ace gives us)%urthermore& that which #iffers i$ $ature is i$ the e$# that which #iffers i$ $ature from itse'f, co$se?ue$tl*& that from

which it #iffers is o$l* its lowest degree this is #uratio$& #efi$e# as #iffere$ce of $ature itself) :he$ the #iffere$ce of$ature "etwee$ two thi$gs has "ecome o$e of the two thi$gs& the other of the two is o$l* the 'ast #egree of the first) oit is that #iffere$ce of $ature& whe$ it a!!ears i$ !erso$& is exactl* the virtual coexiste$ce of two e!treme #egrees) i$cethe* are extremes& the twofol# curre$t !assi$g "etwee$ them forms i$terme#iate #egrees) These co$stitute the !ri$ci!le

of com!osites a$# ma'e us "elieve i$ #iffere$ces of #egree& "ut o$l* if we exami$e them for themselves& forgetti$g thatthe extremities which the* u$ite are two thi$gs that #iffer i$ $ature) +$ fact& the extremities are #egrees of #iffere$ce

itself) Therefore& that which #iffers is relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$& matter a$# #uratio$ as the #egrees& the i$te$sities of#iffere$ce) .$# i$ ge$eral& if >ergso$ #oes $ot thus sim!l* fall "ac' o$ #iffere$ces of #egree& $either #oes he come

"ac' to #iffere$ces of i$te$sit* i$ !articular) Belaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$ are the #egrees of #iffere$ce itself o$l* "ecausethe* are o!!ose#& i$ as much as the* are o!!ose#) .s extremes& the* are the inverse of each other) >ergso$ criticies

meta!h*sics for $ot havi$g see$ that relaxatio$ a$# co$tractio$ are the i$verse of each other meta!h*sics "elieve# the*were o$l* two more or less i$te$se #egrees i$ the #egra#atio$ of the same immo"ile& sta"le& eter$al >ei$g)L +$ fact&

/ust as #egrees are ex!lai$e# "* #iffere$ce a$# $ot the reverse& so i$te$sities are ex!lai$e# "* i$versio$ a$# !resu!!oseit) There is $o immo"ile a$# sta"le >ei$g as !ri$ci!le te point of departure is co$tractio$ itself it is #uratio$& whose

relaxatio$ is i$versio$) >ergso$s co$cer$ with fi$#i$g a ge$ui$e "egi$$i$g& a ge$ui$e !oi$t of #e!arture& shows u!agai$ a$# agai$& e)g) !erce!tio$ a$# affectio$ we will "egi$ with actio$ i$stea# of affectio$ "ecause $othi$g ca$ "esai# of affectio$& si$ce there is $o reaso$ for it to "e what it is rather tha$ somethi$g else)91 >ut wh* is relaxatio$ thei$verse of co$tractio$& a$# $ot co$tractio$ the i$verse of relaxatio$@ >ecause pi'osopy precise'y begins wit

difference, a$# "ecause #iffere$ce of $ature is that #uratio$ of which matter is o$l* the lowest #egree) Differe$ce is the

ge$ui$e "egi$$i$g it is i$ this res!ect that >ergso$ most #iverges from chelli$g& at least i$ a!!eara$ce) >* "egi$$i$gwith somethi$g else& o$ the other ha$#& some immo"ile a$# sta"le >ei$g& i$#iffere$ce "ecomes !osite# as first !ri$ci!le& less is mista'e$ for more& a$# a sim!le view of i$te$sities "ecomes i$evita"le) ;owever& whe$ >ergso$

ma'es i$versio$ the "asis for i$te$sit*& he seems to esca!e this view o$l* to come "ac' to $egativit*& to o!!ositio$).gai$& i$ this i$sta$ce& such a$ o"/ectio$ is $ot e$tirel* exact) Eltimatel*& the o!!ositio$ of the two terms that #iffer i$$ature is o$l* the !ositive actualiatio$ of a virtualit* that co$tai$e# them "oth) The role of the i$terme#iate #egreesresi#es !recisel* i$ this actualiatio$ the* i$sert o$e i$ the other& the recollecrio$ i$ the moveme$t) o& i$ m* view&

there is $o i$cohere$ce i$ >ergso$s !hiloso!h*& "ut there is a !rofou$# reco$si#eratio$ of the co$ce!t of #iffere$ce) or #o + "elieve that i$#etermi$atio$ is a vague co$ce!t) +$#etermi$atio$& the u$foreseea"le& co$ti$ge$c*& free#om

these all sig$if* a certai$ i$#e!e$#e$ce with res!ect to causes i$ this se$se& >ergso$ ho$ors the e'an vita' with ma$*co$ti$ge$cies) :hat he mea$s is that the thi$g is i$ a certai$ wa* prior to causes we must "egi$ with the thi$g

"ecause the causes come after) +$#etermi$atio$& however& alwa*s o$l* mea$s that the thi$g or the actio$ coul# have "ee$ otherwise) oul# the act have "ee$ other@ That is a mea$i$gless ?uestio$) :hat >ergso$ #ema$#s of himself is

to ma'e us u$#ersta$# wh* a thi$g is itself rather tha$ somethi$g else) :hat ex!lai$s the thi$g itself is #iffere$ce& $otthe causes of the thi$g) %ree#om must "e sought i$ a !articular $ua$ce or ?ualit* of the actio$ itself a$# $ot i$ a

relatio$ of this act with what it is $ot or what it coul# have "ee$)93

>ergso$ism is a !hiloso!h* of #iffere$ce& a !hiloso!h* of the actualiatio$ of #iffere$ce i$ it we meet #iffere$ce i$ !erso$& which actualies itself as the $ew)

62




:ean-:a?es Bossea8 +rersor o' >a'a)

Ce"ine) and +onge;

There are two wa*s we ris' mis/u#gi$g a great writer 1- "* faili$g to recog$ie the !rofou$# logic or the s*stematic

character of his wor' ,we the$ tal' of his i$cohere$cies as though the* gave us su!erior !leasure- a$# 2-& "* faili$g

to recog$ie his comic ge$ius a$# !ower& from which the wor' ge$erall* #raws the greater !art of its a$ti(co$formist

efficac* ,we !refer to s!ea' of his a$guish a$# tragic as!ect-) +$ fact& whoever #oes $ot laugh out lou# while rea#i$g

Faf'a #oes $ot trul* a#mire Faf'a) These two rules of thum" are es!eciall* i$valua"le for Bousseau)

+$ o$e of his most famous theses& Bousseau ex!lai$s that huma$it* i$ the state of $ature is goo#& or at least $ot mea$)

uch a !ro!ositio$ is $either from the heart $or a ma$ifestatio$ of o!timism it is a logical ma$ifesto at its most !recise):hat Bousseau mea$s is this huma$it*& as su!!ose# i$ a state of $ature& ca$$ot "e mea$& si$ce the o"/ective co$#itio$sthat ma'e huma$ mea$$ess a$# its exercise !ossi"le #o $ot exist i$ $ature itself) The state of $ature is a state i$ whichhuma$it* has a relatio$shi! with thi$gs& $ot with o$e a$other ,or o$l* fleeti$gl*-) Ae$& if *ou will& woul# attac' o$e

a$other i$ their e$cou$ters& "ut the* e$cou$tere# o$e a$other i$fre?ue$tl*) There !revaile# ever*where a state of war&a$# all the earth was at !eace)2 The state of $ature is $ot o$l* a state of i$#e!e$#e$ce& "ut a state of isolatio$) $e ofBousseaus co$sta$t themes is that $ee# is $ot a factor which "ri$gs !eo!le together it #oes $ot u$ite& it isolates each ofus) >ei$g limite#& our $ee#s i$ a state of $ature $ecessaril* reach a 'i$# of e?uili"rium with our !owers a$# ac?uire a

'i$# of self(sufficie$c*) =ve$ sexualit* i$ a state of $ature e$ge$#ers o$l* fleeti$g e$cou$ters or leaves us i$ solitu#e),Bousseau has much to sa* a$# sa*s a great #eal o$ this !oi$t& which is li'e the humorous fli!(si#e of a !rofou$#

theor*)

63



C=.(C.E= BE=.E& <B=EBB)))

-;ow coul# !eo!le "e mea$ whe$ the co$#itio$s are a"se$t@ The co$#itio$s which ma'e mea$$ess !ossi"le are thoseof a$* #etermi$e# social state) There is $o such thi$g as #isi$tereste# mea$$ess& #es!ite what im"eciles a$# mea$

!eo!le sometimes sa*) .ll mea$$ess is !rofit or com!e$satio$) There is $o huma$ mea$$ess that is $ot i$scri"e# withi$relatio$shi!s of o!!ressio$& i$ accor#a$ce with com!lex social i$terests) Bousseau is o$e of those writers who '$ew

how to a$al*e the relatio$s of o!!ressio$ a$# the social structures the* !resu!!ose) :e will have to wait for =$gels tocome alo$g "efore this !ri$ci!le of a$ extreme logic will "e calle# u!o$ a$# re$ewe# vi)& that viole$ce or o!!ressio$

#oes $ot co$stitute a !rimor#ial fact& "ut su!!oses a civil state& social situatio$s& a$# eco$omic #etermi$atio$s) +fBo"i$so$ e$slaves %ri#a*& it is $ot #ue to Bo"i$so$s $atural #is!ositio$& a$# it is $ot "* the !ower of his fist he #oes it

with a small ca!ital a$# the mea$s of !ro#uctio$ which he save# from the #e!ths& a$# he #oes it to su"/ugate %ri#a* tosocial tas's& the i#eas of which Bo"i$so$ has $ot lost i$ his shi!wrec')

ociet* co$sta$tl* !uts us i$ situatio$s where it is i$ our i$terest to "e mea$) ur va$it* woul# have us "elieve

that we are $aturall* mea$) >ut the truth is much worse we "ecome mea$ without '$owi$g it& without eve$ realii$g

it) +t is #ifficult to "e someo$es heir without u$co$sciousl* wishi$g for their #eath $ow a$# the$) +$ such situatio$s&

however si$cere a love of virtue we "ri$g to them& we wea'e$ soo$er or later without $otici$g it& a$# we "ecome

u$/ust a$# mea$ i$ fact& without havi$g cease# to "e goo# a$# /ust i$ soul) 3 +t seems& however& that the "eautiful soul

is stra$gel* #esti$e# to "e throw$ agai$ a$# agai$ i$to the most am"iguous situatio$s& from which it extir!ates itself

o$l* with great !ai$) :e see the "eautiful soul !la* o$ its ow$ te$#er$ess a$# timi#it* to extract from the worst

situatio$s those eleme$ts that allow it $evertheless to 'ee! its virtue i$tact) %rom this co$ti$ual o!!ositio$ "etwee$

m* situatio$ a$# m* i$cli$atio$s& we will wit$ess the "irth of e$ormous faults& u$hear# of misfortu$es& a$# ever*

virtue exce!t !ower& that ca$ "e a cre#it to a#versit*) To fi$# o$eself i$ im!ossi"le situatio$s is the #esti$* of the

"eautiful soul) This extraor#i$ar* come#* of situatio$s is the source of all Bousseaus gusto) +f Bousseaus &onfessions

e$# u! "ei$g a tragic a$# halluci$ator* "oo'& the* "egi$ as o$e of the most /o*ful "oo's i$ literature) =ve$ his vices

ma$age to !reserve Bousseau from the mea$$ess i$to which the* coul# have le# him a$# Bousseau excels at the

a$al*sis of these am"ivale$t a$# salutar* mecha$isms)

The "eautiful soul is $ot co$te$t with the state of $ature it affectio$atel* #reams of huma$ relatio$shi!s) These

relatio$shi!s& however& are realia"le o$l* i$ the most #elicate situatio$s) :e '$ow that Bousseaus love(#ream is to

#iscover the figures of a lost Tri$it* either the woma$ whom he loves loves a$other ma$& who will "e li'e a father or

"rother or there are two wome$ whom he loves& o$e of them a strict mother ?uic' to !u$ish& a$# the other a ge$tle

mother who "ri$gs a"out re"irth) ,Bousseau alrea#* !ursues this ?uest for two mothers i$ o$e of his chil#hoo# loves)-

>ut the actual situatio$s that i$car$ate this rever* are alwa*s am"iguous) The* tur$ out "a#l* either we "ehave !oor l*&

or we e$# u! the o## ma$ out& or "oth) Bousseau will $ot recog$ie this affectio$ate rever* i$ Theresa a$# Theresas

mother& a gree#* a$# #isagreea"le woma$ rather tha$ a strict mother) or will he recog$ie it whe$ Ame) #e :are$s

wa$ts Bousseau himself to !la* the role of "ig "rother to her latest i$fatuatio$)

64




Bousseau ofte$& a$# /o*full*& ex!lai$s that his i#eas are slow a$# his feeli$gs ?uic') >ut his slow(formi$g i#eas

emerge all of the su##e$ i$ his life& give him $ew #irectio$s& a$# i$s!ire him to i$ve$t stra$ge thi$gs) :ith !oets a$#

!hiloso!hers& we must love eve$ those ma$ias a$# "iarre "ehaviors which "ear wit$ess to com"i$atio$s of i#ea a$#

feeli$g) Thomas #e ui$ce* #evelo!e# a metho# mea$t to i$s!ire us with love for great writers) +$ a$ article o$ Fa$t

,The ast Da*s of =mma$uel Fa$t& tra$slate# "* chwo"-& ui$ce* #escri"es the extremel* com!lex #evice that

Fa$t ha# i$ve$te# to serve as a shoe(hol#er) The same goes for Bousseaus .rme$ia$ outfit whe$ he use# to live i$

Aotiers a$# weave "rai#s o$ his stoo! while chatti$g with the wome$) :hat we see i$ these exam!les are real

wa*s of life the* are thi$'ers a$ec#otes)

;ow #o we avoi# those situatio$s i$ which it is i$ our i$terest to "e mea$@ ertai$l*& "* a$ act of will& a stro$g

soul ca$ affect the situatio$ itself a$# mo#if* it) %or exam!le& a legal heir ca$ re$ou$ce his rights so as $ot to wish the

#eath of his relative) imilarl*& m ?u'ie, or te New +e'oise, Culie acce!ts the commitme$t $ot to marr* ai$t(<reux&

eve$ if her hus"a$# ha!!e$s to #ie this is how she tra$sforms the secret i$terest she ha# i$ her hus"a$#s #emise i$to

a$ i$terest i$ his !reservatio$)6 >ut Bousseau& "* his ow$ a#missio$& is $ot a stro$g soul) ;e loves virtue more tha$

he is virtuous) =xce!t for matters of i$herita$ce& he has too much imagi$atio$ to em"race re$u$ciatio$ willi$gl* i$

a#va$ce) ;e will therefore re?uire su"tle #evices of a$other 'i$# to avoi# tem!ti$g situatio$s or to get himself out of

them) ;e !la*s o$ ever*thi$g& i$clu#i$g his "a# health& to 'ee! his virtuous as!iratio$s i$tact) ;e himself ex!lai$s

how his "la##er trou"les were a$ esse$tial factor i$ his great moral reform feari$g that he might $ot "e a"le to co$tai$

himself i$ the !rese$ce of the 'i$g& he !refers i$stea# to re$ou$ce his !e$sio$) +ll$ess i$s!ires him& li'e a se$se of

humor ,Bousseau tells of his ear trou"le with a gusto similar to eli$es much later-) >ut humor is the fli!(si#e of

moralit* he woul# soo$er "e a music(co!*ist tha$ a !e$sio$er of the 'i$g)

+$ ?u'ie, or te New +e'oise, Bousseau ela"orates a !rofou$# metho#& !erfect for averti$g #a$gerous situatio$s) .

situatio$ #oes $ot tem!t us u$i?uel* of itself& "ut tha$'s to the full weight of a !ast that i$forms it) +t is the search for

the !ast i$ !rese$t situatio$s& the re!etitio$ of the !ast that i$s!ires our most viole$t !assio$s a$# tem!tatio$s) :e

alwa*s love i$ the !ast& a$# !assio$s are first a$# foremost a$ ill$ess !ro!er to memor*) To cure ai$t(<reux a$# lea#

him "ac' to virtue& A) #e :olmar uses a metho# "* which he war#s off the !restige of the !ast) ;e forces Culie a$#

ai$t(<reux to em"race i$ the same grove which wit$esse# their first mome$ts of love Culie& there is $o more reaso$

to fear this sa$ctuar*& it has /ust "ee$ !rofa$e#) 7 +t is ai$t(<reuxs !rese$t i$terest that he wa$ts to ma'e virtuous

its $ot Culie #e :olmar that he loves& its Culie #=ta$ge

65




he #oes$t hate me as the !ossessor of the woma$ he loves& "ut as the se#ucer of the woma$ he love#))) ;e loves her i$

the !ast there *ou have the 'e* to the !ule ta'e awa* his memor*& a$# he will love $o more) 8 +t is i$ relatio$ to

o"/ects& to !laces& e)g) a grove& that we lear$ the !assi$g of time& a$# that we eve$tuall* '$ow how to wa$t i$ the

future& i$stea# of "ei$g !assio$ate i$ the !rese$t)

The two !oles of Bousseaus !hiloso!hical wor' are Emi'e a$# the Socia' &ontract% The root of evil i$ mo#er$

societ* is that we are $o lo$ger either !rivate i$#ivi#uals or !u"lic citie$s each of us has "ecome 2omo

oeconomicus2 i$ other wor#s& "ourgeois& motivate# "* !rofit) Those situatio$s which give us a sta'e i$ "ei$g mea$

alwa*s im!l* relatio$shi!s of o!!ressio$& where o$e e$ters i$to a relatio$shi! with a$other to comma$# or to o"e*&

master or slave) Emi'e is the reco$stitutio$ of the !rivate i$#ivi#ual the Socia' &ontract, that of the citie$) Bousseaus

first !e#agogical rule is the followi$g "* restori$g our $atural relatio$shi! with thi$gs& we will ma$age to ree#ucate

ourselves as !rivate i$#ivi#uals& thus !reservi$g us from those all too huma$& artificial relatio$shi!s which from earl*

chil#hoo# i$culcate i$ us a #a$gerous te$#e$c* to comma$#) ,.$# the same te$#e$c* that ma'es us t*ra$ts ma'es us

slaves)- hil#re$& whe$ the* ma'e it their right to "e o"e*e#& leave "ehi$# the state of $ature almost at "irth) 9 True

!e#agogical rectificatio$ co$sists i$ su"or#i$ati$g huma$ relatio$s to the relatio$ of huma$ "ei$gs to thi$gs) The taste

for thi$gs is a co$sta$t i$ Bousseaus wor' ,%ra$cis <o$ges stu#ies have somethi$g Bousseau(li'e a"out them-) Thus

we have the famous rule from Emi'e, which #ema$#s o$l* muscle ever "ri$g thi$gs to the chil#& "ri$g the chil# to

the thi$gs)

The !rivate i$#ivi#ual& "* virtue of his relatio$ to thi$gs& has alrea#* war#e# off the i$fa$tile situatio$ that gives him asta'e i$ "ei$g mea$) >ut the citie$ is o$e who e$ters i$to relatio$shi!s with others& such that it is !recisel* i$ hisi$terest to "e virtuous) To create a$ o"/ective& actual situatio$ wherei$ /ustice a$# self(i$terest are reco$cile# is for

Bousseau the !ro!er tas' of !olitics) .$# virtue here agai$ retur$s to its #ee!est mea$i$g& which har's "ac' to the !u"lic #etermi$atio$ of the citie$) The Socia' &ontract is surel* o$e of the great "oo's of !olitical !hiloso!h*)Bousseaus "irth#a* is "ut a$ occasio$ to rea# or rerea# it) +$ it the citie$ lear$s a"out the m*stificatio$ of the

se!aratio$ of !owers& a$# how the Be!u"lic is #efi$e# "* the existe$ce of a sole !ower& the legislative) .s it a!!ears i$Bousseau& the a$al*sis of the co$ce!t of law will #omi$ate !hiloso!hical reflectio$ for a lo$g time to come& a$##omi$ates it still

66



)1

The dea o' <enesis in >ant;s 6sthetis;

The #ifficulties of Fa$tia$ esthetics i$ the first !art of the &riti@ue of ?udgment have to #o with

the #iversit* of !oi$ts of view) $ the o$e ha$#& Fa$t !ro!oses a$ esthetics of the s!ectator& as

i$ the theor* of the /u#gme$t of taste o$ the other& a$ esthetics or meta(esthetics of the creator&as i$ the theor* of ge$ius) The$ agai$& he !ro!oses a$ esthetics of the "eautiful i$ $ature& "ut

also a$ esthetics of the "eautiful i$ art) ometimes its a classicall* i$s!ire# esthetics of form&

a$# sometimes a meta(esthetics of matter a$# +#ea& which is closer to roma$ticism) The

s*stematic u$it* of the &riti@ue of ?udgment ca$ "e esta"lishe# o$l* "* e$com!assi$g these

various !oi$ts of view a$# u$#ersta$#i$g the $ecessar* tra$sitio$s "etwee$ them) uch a

com!rehe$sio$ must ex!lai$ the a!!are$t orga$iatio$al #ifficulties& i$ other wor#s& "oth the

!lace of the .$al*tic of the u"lime ,sa$#wiche# "etwee$ the .$al*tic of the >eautiful a$# the

#e#uctio$ of the /u#gme$ts of taste-& a$# the !lace of the theor* of art a$# ge$ius ,at the e$# of

the #e#uctio$-)

The /u#gme$t of tastethis is "eautifulex!resses a$ agreeme$t of two faculties i$ the

s!ectator the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g) The /u#gme$t of taste ca$ "e #isti$guishe#

from the /u#gme$t of !refere$ce "ecause the /u#gme$t of taste la*s claim to a certai$ $ecessit*& a

certai$ a priori u$iversalit*) +t thus "orrows u$#ersta$#i$gs legalit*) +$ this i$sta$ce& however&

the legalit* #oes $ot a!!ear u$#er #etermi$ate co$ce!ts) The u$iversalit* of the /u#gme$t of

taste is o$e of !leasure the "eautiful thi$g is si$gular a$# remai$s without co$ce!t) The

u$#ersta$#i$g i$terce#es as the facult* of co$ce!ts i$ ge$eral& though a$* #etermi$ate co$ce!thas here "ee$ set asi#e) The imagi$atio$& o$ its si#e& has free reig$ si$ce it is $o lo$ger

co$strai$e# "* a$* !articular co$ce!t) :he$ the imagi$atio$ agrees with u$#ersta$#i$g i$ the

/u#gme$t of taste& it mea$s that a free imagi$atio$ agrees with a$ indeterminate u$#ersta$#i$g)

This ex!ressio$ of agreeme$t& which is itself free a$# u$#etermi$e#& "etwee$ the imagi$atio$

a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& !ro!erl* "elo$gs to the /u#gme$t of taste) o$se?ue$tl*& esthetic !leasure

is far from "ei$g !rior to /u#gme$t o$ the co$trar*& esthetic !leasure #e!e$#s o$ /u#gme$t the

!leasure is the agreeme$t of the faculties themselves& i$ as much as this agreeme$t is achieve#

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without co$ce!ts a$# so ca$ o$l* "e felt) +t ca$ "e sai# that the /u#gme$t of taste "egi$s o$l*

with !leasure& "ut #oes $ot #erive from it)

:e have to co$si#er this first !oi$t carefull* the theme of a$ agreeme$t amo$g several

faculties) The i#ea of such a$ agreeme$t is a co$sta$t of the Fa$tia$ riti?ue) ur faculties

#iffer i$ $ature a$# *et fu$ctio$ harmo$iousl*) +$ the &riti@ue of )ure Reason, u$#ersta$#i$g&imagi$atio$ a$# reaso$ e$ter i$to a harmo$ious relatio$shi!& i$ accor#a$ce with a s!eculative

!ur!ose) imilarl*& i$ the &riti@ue of )ractica' Reason, reaso$ a$# u$#ersta$#i$g e$ter i$to a

harmo$ious relatio$shi! ,+ will leave asi#e exami$i$g the !ossi"le role of imagi$atio$ for a

!ractical aim-) till& i$ these cases& o$e of the faculties alwa*s !re#omi$ates) <re #omi$a$t i$

this co$text mea$s three thi$gs 1- #etermi$ate with res!ect to a$ aim 2- #etermi$ative with

res!ect to o"/ects 3- #etermi$ative with res!ect to the other faculties) 40 o& i$ the &riti@ue of

)ure Reason, the u$#ersta$#i$g #is!oses com!letel* #etermi$ate a priori co$ce!ts for a

s!eculative !ur!ose it a!!lies its co$ce!ts to o"/ects ,!he$ome$a- which are $ecessaril*

su"/ect to it a$# it i$#uces the other faculties ,imagi$atio$ a$# reaso$- to carr* out this or that

fu$ctio$& with the aim of u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# i$ relatio$ to the o"/ects of u$#ersta$#i$g) +$ the

&riti@ue of )ractica' Reason, the +#eas of reaso$& a$# !articularl* the +#ea of free#om& are

#etermi$e# "* the moral law with this law as i$terme#iar*& reaso$ #etermi$es su!rase$si"le

o"/ects which are $ecessaril* su"/ect to it a$# fi$all*& reaso$ i$#uces the u$#ersta$#i$g to a

!articualr fu$ctio$& i$ accor#a$ce with a !ractical !ur!ose) +$ the first two riti?ues& therefore&

we ca$$ot esca!e the !ri$ci!le of a$ agreeme$t of the faculties amo$g themselves) 3ut tis

agreement is a'ways proportioned, constrained, and determinate8 there is alwa*s a

#etermi$ative facult* that legislates& either the u$#ersta$#i$g for a s!eculative !ur!ose& or

reaso$ for a !ractical !ur!ose)

ets come "ac' to the exam!le of the &riti@ue of )ure Reason% +t is wi#el* ac'$owle#ge#

that schematii$g is a$ origi$al a$# irre#uci"le act of the imagi $atio$ o$l* the imagi$atio$ ca$

a$# '$ows how to schematie) evertheless& the imagi$atio$ #oes $ot schematie of its ow$

accor#& sim!l* "ecause it is free to #o so) +t schematies o$l* to the exte$t that the

u$#ersta$#i$g #etermi$es it& i$#uces it to #o so) +t schematies o$l* for a s!eculative !ur!ose&

i$ accor#a$ce with the #etermi$ate co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g& whe$ the u$#ersta$#i$g itself

68



!la*s the role of legislator) This is wh* it woul# "e misgui#e# to search the m*ster* of

schematii$g for the last wor# o$ the imagi$atio$ i$ its esse$ce or i$ its free s!o$ta$eit*)

chematii$g is i$#ee# a secret& "ut $ot the #ee!est secret of the imagi$atio$) eft to its ow$

#evices& the imagi$atio$ woul# #o somethi$g else e$tirel* tha$ schematie) The same hol#s for

reaso$ reaso$i$g is a$ origi$al act of reaso$& "ut reaso$ reaso$s o$l* for a s!eculative !ur!ose&

i$ so far as the u$#ersta$#i$g #etermi$es it to #o so& that is& i$#uces it to loo' for a mi##le term

so it ma* attri"ute o$e of its co$ce!ts to the o"/ects gover$e# "* the u$#ersta$#i$g) $ its ow$&

reaso$ woul# #o a$*thi$g "ut reaso$ this is what we see i$ the &riti@ue of )ractica' Reason%

%or !ractical !ur!ose& reaso$ "ecomes the legislator) Beaso$& the$& i$ tur$ #etermi$es the

u$#ersta$#i$g i$ a$ origi$al fu$ctio$ for a $ew !ur!ose) The u$#ersta$#i$g extracts& from the

se$si"le $atural law& a t*!e for a su!rase$si"le $ature the u$#ersta$#i$g alo$e ca$ !erform

this tas'& "ut it coul# $ot without "ei$g #etermi$e# to #o so "* reaso$ for a !ractical !ur!ose) o

it is that the faculties e$ter i$to harmo$ious relatio$s or !ro!ortio$s accor#i$g to the facult* that

legislates for this or that !ur!ose) #iverse proportions, or permutations in te re'ations of

facu'ties, are terefore conceivab'e% The u$#ersta$#i$g legislates for a s!eculative !ur!ose

reaso$& for a !ractical !ur!ose) +$ each case& a$ agreeme$t o"tai$s amo$g the faculties& "ut this

agreeme$t is #etermi$e# "* the facult* that ha!!e$s to "e the legislator) uch a theor* of

!ermutatio$s& however& shoul# lea# Fa$t to a$ ultimate !ro"lem) The faculties woul# $ever e$ter

i$to a$ agreeme$t that is fixe# or #etermi$e# "* o$e of themselves if& to "egi$ with& the* were

$ot i$ themselves a$# s!o$ta$eousl* ca!a"le of a$ i$#etermi$ate agreeme$t& a free harmo$*&

without a$* fixe# !ro!ortio$)2 +t is useless to a!!eal to the su!eriorit* of the !ractical over the

s!eculative i$ this i$sta$ce the !ro"lem woul# $ot "e resolve# "* that& it woul# o$l* "e !ut off

a$# exacer"ate#) ;ow coul# a$* facult*& which is legislative for a !articular !ur!ose& i$#uce the

other faculties to !erform com!leme$tar*& i$#is!e$sa"le tas's& if all the faculties together were

$ot& to "egi$ with& ca!a"le of a free s!o$ta$eous agreeme$t& without legislatio$& without

!ur!ose& without !re#omi$a$ce@

This is ta$tamou$t to sa*i$g that the &riti@ue of ?udgment, i$ its esthetic !art& #oes $ot

sim!l* exist to com!lete the other two riti?ues i$ fact& it !rovi#es them with a grou$#) The

&riti@ue of ?udgment u$covers the ground !resu!!ose# "* the other two riti?ues a free

69



agreeme$t of the faculties) =ver* #etermi$ate agreeme$t ca$ "e trace# "ac' to the free

i$#etermi$ate agreeme$t which ma'es the others !ossi"le i$ ge$eral) >ut wh* !recisel* is it the

esthetic /u#gme$t that reveals this grou$#& which was hi##e$ i$ the !revious riti?ues@ +$ the

esthetic /u#gme$t& the imagi$atio$ is li"erate# from "oth the #omi$atio$ of u$#ersta$#i$g a$#

reaso$) =sthetic !leasure is itself #isi$tereste# !leasure it is $ot o$l* i$#e!e$#e$t of a$*

em!irical !ur!ose& "ut also a$* s!eculative or !ractical !ur!ose) +t follows that esthetic

/u#gme$t #oes $ot legislate it #oes $ot im!l* a$* facult* that legislates o"/ects) +$#ee# how

coul# it "e otherwise& si$ce there are o$l* two sorts of o"/ects& !he$ome$a a$# thi$gs(i$(

themselves the first are gover$e# "* the legislatio$ of the u$#ersta$#i$g for a s!eculative

!ur!ose a$# the seco$#& "* the legislatio$ of reaso$ for a !ractical !ur!ose@ Thus Fa$t has

ever* right to sa* that the &riti@ue of ?udgment, co$trar* to the other two& has $o #omai$

!ro!er to it the /u#gme$t is $ot legislative or auto$omous& "ut o$l* heautomous ,it legislates

o$l* itself-) The first two riti?ues #evelo!e# this commo$ theme the i#ea of a $ecessar*

su"missio$ to certai$ t*!es of o"/ects i$ relatio$ to a #omi$a$t or #etermi$ative facult*) >ut

there are $o o"/ects that are $ecessaril* su"/ect to esthetic /u#gme$t& $or to a$* facult* i$ the

esthetic /u#gme$t) >eautiful thi$gs i$ ature agree o$l* i$ a co$ti$ge$t ma$$er with our

/u#gme$t& that is& with the faculties that fu$ctio$ together i$ the esthetic /u#gme$t as such) ow

we see what a mista'e it woul# "e to thi$' of the &riti@ue of ?udgment as com!leti$g the other

two riti?ues) +$ esthetic /u#gme$t& the imagi$atio$ ca$$ot attai$ a role com!ara"le to that

!la*e# "* the u$#ersta$#i$g i$ s!eculative /u#gme$t& or that !la*e# "* reaso$ i$ !ractical

/u#gme$t) The imagi$atio$ is li"erate# from the su!ervisio$ of the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# reaso$)

>ut it #oes $ot "ecome a legislator i$ tur$ o$ a #ee!er level& the sig$al it gives the other

faculties is that each must "ecome ca!a"le of free !la* o$ its ow$) +$ two res!ects& the$& the&riti@ue of ?udgment releases us i$ a $ew eleme$t& which is somethi$g li'e a fu$#ame$tal

eleme$t 1- a co$tige$t agreeme$t of se$si"le o"/ects with all our faculties together& i$stea# of a

$ecessar* su"missio$ to o$e of the faculties 2- a free i$#etermi$ate harmo$* of the faculties

amo$g themselves& i$stea# of a #etermi$ate harmo$* !resi#e# over "* o$e of the faculties)

Fa$t also sa*s that imagi$atio$& i$ esthetic /u#gme$t& schematies without co$ce!ts) 4

This is a "rillia$t formulatio$& though $ot ?uite exact) chematii$g is i$#ee# a$ origi$al act of

the imagi$atio$& "ut alwa*s i$ res!ect to a #etermi$ate co$ce!t of the imagi$atio$) :ithout a

co$ce!t from the u$#ersta$#i$g& the imagi$atio$ #oes somethi$g else tha$ schematie it

ref'ects% This is the true role of the imagi$atio$ i$ esthetic /u#gme$t) +t reflects the form of the

o"/ect) >* form, here& we shoul# $ot u$#ersta$# form of i$tuitio$ ,se$si"ilit*-& "ecause forms of

i$tuitio$ still refer to existi$g o"/ects that i$ themselves co$stitute se$si"le matter the* "elo$g

to the '$owle#ge of o"/ects) =sthetic form& however& merges with the reflectio$ of the o"/ect i$

70



the imagi$atio$) +t is i$#iffere$t to the existe$ce of the reflecte# o"/ect this is wh* esthetic

!leasure is #isi$tereste#) or is it less i$#iffere$t to the se$si"le matter of the o"/ect a$# Fa$t

goes so far as to sa* that a color or a sou$# ca$$ot "e "eautiful i$ itself& si$ce the* are too

material& too #ee!l* roote# i$ our se$ses to "e freel* reflecte# i$ the imagi$atio$) $l* the

#esig$& the com!ositio$ matter) These are the co$situtive eleme$ts of esthetic form& while colors

a$# sou$#s are o$l* a#/u$cts)5 +$ ever* res!ect& the$& we must #isti$guish the i$tuitive form of

se$si"ilit* from the reflecte# form of the imagi$atio$)

=ver* agreeme$t of the faculties #efi$es what Fa$t calls common sense% Fa$t criticies

em!iricism for co$ceivi$g commo$ se$se as merel* a !articular em!irical facult*& whereas it is

the ma$ifestatio$ of a$ apiori agreeme$t of the faculties together) 6 Thus the &riti@ue of )ure

Reason i$vo'es a logical commo$ se$se& 2sen- sus communis 'ogicus,2 without which

'$owle#ge woul# "* rights "e i$commu$ica"le) imilarl*& the &riti@ue of )ractica' Reason

fre?ue$tl* i$vo'es a !ro!erl* moral commo$ se$se& which ex!resses the agreeme$t of the

faculties u$#er the legislatio$ of reaso$) >ut free harmo$* shoul# lea# Fa$t to recog$ie a thir#

commo$ se$se& 2sensus communis aesteticus,2 which !osits "* rights the commu$ica"ilit* of

feeli$g or the u$iversalit* of esthetic !leasure) 7 This commo$ se$se ca$$ot "e grou$#e# i$

ex!erie$ce& si$ce it claims to authorie /u#gme$ts that co$tai$ a$ o"ligatio$ it #oes $ot sa* that

ever*o$e will acce!t our /u#gme$t& "ut that ever*o$e must acce!t it) s :e #o$t hol# it agai$st

someo$e for sa*i$g + #o$t li'e lemo$a#e& + #o$t li'e cheese) >ut we harshl* /u#ge someo$e

who sa*s + #o$t li'e >ach& + !refer Aasse$et to Aoart) Thus esthetic /u#gme$t la*s claim to a

u$iversalit* a$# a $ecessit* "* rights& a$# these are re!rese$te# i$ commo$ se$se) This is where

the real #ifficult* of the &riti@ue of ?udgment "egi$s what is the $ature of this esthetic commo$

se$se@

This commo$ se$se ca$$ot "e affirme# "* the categories) uch a$ affirmatio$ woul# im!l*

#etermi$ate co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# the* ca$ e$ter the !icture o$l* i$ a logical se$se)

or #o we fare a$* "etter if we postu'ate it !ostulates im!l* '$owle#ge that a#mits of "ei$g

#etermi$e# !racticall*) +t therefore seems that a !urel* esthetic commo$ se$se ca$ o$l* "e

presumed, presupposed= >ut we see how u$satisfactor* such a solutio$ is) The free i$#eter(

mi$ate agreeme$t of the faculties is the grou$#& the co$#itio$ of ever* other agreeme$t esthetic

71



commo$ se$se is the grou$#& the co$#itio$ of ever* other commo$ se$se) ;ow coul# we "e

satisfie# with su!!osi$g it& with givi$g it a merel* h*!othetical existe$ce& if it must i$#ee# serve

as the fou$#atio$ for all the other #etermi$ate relatio$s amo$g the faculties@ ;ow #oes o$e

ex!lai$ that while our faculties are #iffere$t i$ $ature& the* still s!o$ta$eousl* e$ter i$to a

harmo$ious relatio$@ :e ca$$ot settle for !resumi$g such a$ agreeme$t) :e must e$ge$#er it i$

the soul) This is the o$l* solutio$ to trace the ge$esis of the esthetic commo$ se$se& to show

how the free agreeme$t of the faculties is $ecessaril* e$ge$#ere#)

+f this i$ter!retatio$ is o$ target& the e$tire a$al*tic of the "eautiful has a !recise o"/ective

"* a$al*i$g the esthetic /u#gme$t of the s!ectator& Fa$t u$covers the free agreeme$t of the

imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g as a grou$# of the soul& a grou$# which the other two

riti?ues !resu!!ose) This grou$# of the soul shows u! i$ the i#ea of a commo$ se$se that is

more !rofou$# tha$ a$* other) >ut is it e$ough to !resume this grou$#& sim!l* to !resu!!ose

it@ The .$al*tic of the >eautiful ca$ go $o further) +t ca$ o$l* e$# "* ma'i$g us feel how

$ecessar* is a ge$esis of the se$se of the "eautiful is there a !ri$ci!le to give us a rule to

produce i$ ourselves esthetic commo$ se$se@ +s taste a $atural a$# !rimor#ial facult*& or o$l*

the i#ea of a facult* we must ac?uire@10 . ge$esis of the se$se of the "eautiful ca$$ot "elo$g to

the ex!ositio$ of the .$al*tic ,it is e$ough for $ow to resolve the facult* of taste i$ its !arts

a$# to reu$ite them i$ the i#ea of commo$ se$se-) The ge$esis ca$ o$l* "e the o"/ect of a

#e#uctio$ te deduction of estetic judgments% +$ the &riti@ue of )ure Reason, the #e#uctio$

!ro!oses to show us how o"/ects are $ecessaril* su"/ect to a s!eculative !ur!ose& a$# su"/ect to

the u$#ersta$#i$g which !resi#es over this e$#eavor) +$ the /u#gme$t of taste& however& this

$ecessar* su"/ectio$ is $o lo$ger the !ro"lem) +$stea#& the !ro"lem is $ow o$e of #e#uci$g the

ge$esis of the agreeme$t amo$g faculties this !ro"lem coul# $ot ma'e its a!!eara$ce as lo$g as

o$e of the faculties was co$si#ere# legislative with res!ect to the others& "i$#i$g them i$ a

#etermi$ate relatio$)

<ost(Fa$tia$s& es!eciall* Aaimo$ a$# %ichte& raise# this fu$#ame$tal o"/ectio$ Fa$t

$eglecte# the #ema$#s of a ge$etic metho#) This o"/ectio$ has a su"/ective a$# a$ o"/ective

as!ect o$ the o$e ha$#& Fa$t relies o$ facts a$# is see'i$g o$l* their co$#itio$s o$ the other

ha$#& Fa$t a!!eals to faculties that are rea#*(ma#e& whose relatio$ or !ro!ortio$ he see's to

72



#etermi$e& alrea#* su!!osi$g such faculties are ca!a"le of some harmo$*) +f we recall that

Aaimo$s Transcendenta')i'osopy #ates from 1790& we must a#mit that Fa$t a$tici!ate#& at

least i$ !art& the o"/ectio$s of his #isci!les) The first two riti?ues i$#ee# i$vo'e facts& see' out

the co$#itio$s for these facts& a$# fi$# them i$ rea#*(ma#e faculties) +t follows that the first two

riti?ues !oi$t to a ge$esis which the* are i$ca!a"le of securi$g o$ their ow$) >ut i$ the esthetic

&riti@ue of ?udgment, Fa$t !oses the !ro"lem of a ge$esis of the faculties i$ their origi$al free

agreeme$t) Thus he u$covers the ultimate grou$# still lac'i$g i$ the other two riti?ues) Fa$ts

riti?ue i$ ge$eral ceases to "e a sim!le conditioning to "ecome a tra$sce$#e$tal =#ucatio$& a

tra$sce$#e$tal ulture& a tra$sce$#e$tal Ge$esis)

The .$al*tic of the >eautiful left us with this ?uestio$ whe$ce origi$ates the free

i$#etermi$ate agreeme$t amo$g the faculties@ :hat is the ge$esis of the faculties i$ this

agreeme$t@ <recisel*& the .$al*tic of the >eautiful sto!s "ecause it #oes $ot have the mea$s to

a$swer the ?uestio$ o$e $otices& moreover& that the /u#gme$tthis is "eautiful"ri$gs i$to

!la* o$l* the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# the imagi$atio$ ,there is $o !lace for reaso$-) %ollowi$g the

.$al*tic of the >eautiful& the .$al*tic of the u"lime calls o$ reaso$) >ut what #oes Fa$t

ex!ect from this@ ;ow will this solve the ge$etic !ro"lem relate# to the "eautiful@

The /u#gme$tthis is su"lime$o lo$ger ex!resses a$ agreeme$t "etwee$ the

imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& "ut "etwee$ the imagi$atio$ a$# reaso$) >ut this harmo$* of

the su"lime is trul* !ara#oxical) Beaso$ a$# imagi$atio$ agree or harmo$ie o$l* from withi$ a

te$sio$& a co$tra#ictio$& a !ai$ful re$#i$g) There is agreeme$t& "ut it is a #iscor#a$t co$cor#& a

harmo$* i$ !ai$) .$# it is o$l* !ai$ that ma'es !leasure !ossi"le here) Fa$t em!hasies this !oi$t the imagi$atio$ u$#ergoes viole$ce it seems eve$ to lose its free#om) :he$ the feeli$g of

the su"lime is ex!erie$ce# "efore the formless or the #eforme# i$ ature ,imme$sit* or !ower-&

the imagi$atio$ ca$ $o lo$ger reflect the form of a$ o"/ect) %ar from #iscoveri$g a$other

activit*& however& the imagi$atio$ realies its ver* <assio$) The imagi$atio$ has two esse$tial

#ime$sio$s successive a!!rehe$sio$& a$# simulta$eous com!rehe$sio$) +f a!!rehe$sio$ ca$

reach i$fi$it* without trou"le& com!rehesio$ ,a$ esthetic com!rehe$sio$ i$#e!e$#e$t of a$*

$umerical co$ce!t- alwa*s has a maximum) o it is that the su"lime co$fro$ts the imagi$atio$

with this maximum& forces it to reach its limit& a$# come to gri!s with its "ou$#aries) The

73



imagi$atio$ is !ushe# to te 'imits of its power%2 >ut what !ushes a$# co$strai$s the imagi$atio$

i$ this wa*@ +t is o$l* i$ a!!eara$ce& or "* !ro/ectio$& that the su"lime relates to se$si"le $ature)

+$ realit*& reaso$ alo$e o"liges us to u$ite the i$fi$it* of the se$si"le worl# i$ a whole reaso$

alo$e forces the imagi$atio$ to co$fro$t its limit) The imagi$atio$ thus #iscovers the

#is!ro!ortio$ of reaso$& a$# it is force# to a#mit that its !ower is $othi$g com!are# to a ratio$al

+#ea)1(

.$# *et a$ agreeme$t is born at the heart of this #iscor#) ever was Fa$t closer to a

#ialectical co$ce!tio$ of the faculties) Beaso$ co$fro$ts the imagi$atio$ with its ow$ limits i$

the se$si"le worl# co$versel* however& the imagi$atio$ awa'e$s reaso$ as the facult* a"le to

co$ceive a su!erse$si"le su"stratum for the i$fi$it* of this se$si"le worl#) .s it u$#ergoes

viole$ce& the imagi$atio$ seems to lose its free#om "ut at the same time& the imagi$atio$ is

raise# to a tra$sce$#e$tal fu$ctio$& ta'i$g its ow$ limit as o"/ect) ur!asse# o$ ever* si#e& the

imagi$atio$ itself sur!asses its limitstrue& i$ a $egative fashio$ o$l*& "* re!rese$ti$g to itself

the i$accessi"ilit* of the ratio$al +#ea& a$# "* ma'i$g this i$accessi"ilit* somethi$g !rese$t i$

se$si"le $ature) The imagi$atio$& with $o !lace to ta'e hol# "e*o$# the se$si"le& feels

$o$etheless u$limite# tha$'s to the #isa!!eara$ce of its limits a$# this a"stractio$ is a

!rese$tatio$ of the i$fi$ite which& for that ver* reaso$& ca$ o$l* "e $egative& "ut which still

ex!a$#s the soul)13 Bight whe$ the imagi$atio$& sufferi$g the viole$ce of reaso$& thought it was

losi$g its free#om& it frees itself from the co$strai$ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# e$ters i$to a$

agreeme$t with reaso$ to #iscover what the u$#ersta$#i$g ha# 'e!t hi##e$& $amel* the

su!rase$si"le #esti$atio$ of imagi$atio$& which is also li'e a tra$sce$#e$tal origi$) +$ its ver*

<assio$& the imagi$atio$ #iscovers the origi$ a$# the #esti$atio$ of all its activities) This is the

lesso$ of the .$al*tic of the u"lime eve$ the imagi$atio$ has a su!rase$si"le #esti$atio$) 14 The

agreeme$t of the imagi$atio$ a$# reaso$ is e$ge$#ere# i$ #iscor#) <leasure is e$ge$#ere# i$

!ai$) :hat is more& the two faculties seem to e$rich each other& #iscoveri$g the !ri$ci!le of their

ge$esis the imagi$atio$ #iscovers it i$ !roximit* to its limit a$# reaso$& "e*o$# the se$si"le

a$# together the* #iscover it i$ a !oi$t of co$ce$tratio$ that #efi$es what is most !rofou$# i$

the soul the su!rase$si"le u$it* of all the faculties)

74



The .$al*tic of the u"lime gives us a result that the .$al*tic of the >eautiful coul# $ot

eve$ co$ceive i$ the case of the su"lime& the agreeme$t of the co$cer$e# faculties is the o"/ect

of a ge$ui$e ge$esis) This ex!lai$s wh* Fa$t recog$ies that the se$se of the su"lime& co$trar*

to the se$se of the "eautiful& is i$se!ara"le from a culture# view!oi$t i$ the trials of the forces

of $ature& i$ its #evestatio$)))the vulgar ma$ sees o$l* !ai$& #a$ger& a$# miser*) 15 The vulgar

ma$ remai$s i$ #iscor#) ot that the su"lime i$volves some em!irical a$# co$ve$tio$al

culture "ut the faculties which the su"lime !uts i$ !la* !oi$t to a ge$esis of their agreeme$t

withi$ imme#iate #iscor#) This is a tra$sce$#e$tal ge$esis& a$# $ot a$ em!irical culture) %rom

this !oi$t o$& the .$al*tic of the u"lime has a twofol# sig$ifica$ce) +t sta$#s o$ its ow$ from

the !oi$t of view of reaso$ a$# imagi$atio$) >ut also it has value as a mo#el how ca$ this #is(

cover* relate# to the su"lime "e exte$#e# or a#a!te# to the se$se of the "eautiful@ +$ other

wor#s& must $ot the agreeme$t "etwee$ the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& which #efi$es

the "eautiful& also "e the o"/ect of a ge$esis& whose exam!le was give$ "* the .$a*tic of the

u"lime@

75



The !ro"lem of a tra$sce$#e$tal #e#uctio$ is alwa*s o"/ective) %or exam!le& i$ the &riti@ue of )ure Reason, o$ce Fa$thas show$ that the categories are a priori re!rese$tatio$s of the u$#ersta$#i$g& he as's how a$# wh* o"/ects are

$ecessaril* su"/ect to the categories& that is& su"/ect to the u$#ersta$#i$g as legislator& or a s!eculative !ur!ose) >utwhe$ we exami$e the /u#gme$t of the su"lime& we see $o o"/ective !ro"lem of #e#uctio$ has "ee$ !ose# i$ this case)

The su"lime i$#ee# relates to o"/ects& "ut o$l* "* !ro/ecti$g our moo#s a$# this !ro/ectio$ is imme#iatel* !ossi"le& "ecause whatever is formless or #eforme# i$ the o"/ect receives the !ro/ectio$)16 ;owever& at first "lush& the same

seems to "e true of the /u#gme$t of taste or "eaut* our !leasure is #isi$tereste#& we #isregar# the existe$ce or eve$ thematter of the o"/ect) There is $o legislative facult* there is $o o"/ect $ecessaril* su"/ect to the /u#gme$t of taste) This

is wh* Fa$t suggests that the !ro"lem of the /u#gme$t of taste is o$l* su"/ective)17.$# *et the ma/or #iffere$ce "etwee$ the su"lime a$# the "eautiful is that the !leasure of the "eautiful results from the form of a$ o"/ect Fa$t sa*sthis characteristic is e$ough to grou$# the $ecessit* of a #e#uctio$ of the /u#gme$t of taste)18 ;owever i$#iffere$t weare to the existe$ce of the o"/ect& there is $o$etheless a$ o"/ect concerning which& in

te occurence of which we ex!erie$ce the free harmo$* of our u$#ersta$#i$ga$# our imagi$atio$) +$ other wor#s& $ature has a$ a!titu#e for !ro#uci$g o"/ects that are reflecte# formall* i$ theimagi$atio$ co$trar* to what occurs i$ the su"lime& $ature ma$ifests i$ this case a !ositive !ro!ert* which !rovi#esus with the occasio$ to gras! the i$ter$al fi$alit* of the relatio$ of our me$tal faculties "* mea$s of the /u#gme$t

"rought to "ear o$ certai$ exam!les of its !ro#uctio$s)19 o it is that the i$ter$al agreeme$t of our faculties amo$gthemselves im!lies a$ exter$al agreeme$t "etwee$ $ature a$# these same faculties) This seco$# agreeme$t is ?uites!ecial) +t must $ot "e co$fuse# with a $ecessar* su"/ectio$ of the o"/ects of $ature "ut it must $ot "e ta'e$ as a fi$alor teleological agreeme$t either) +f there were a $ecessar* su"/ectio$& the$ the /u#gme$t of taste woul# "e auto$omous

a$# legislative if there were a real o"/ective fi$alit*& the$ the /u#gme$t of taste woul# $o loger "e heauto$omous ,wewoul# have to lear$ from $ature what we shoul# fi$# "eautiful& i$ which case /u#gme$t woul# "e su"/ect to em!irical

!ri$ci!les-)2 The agreeme$t thus has $o goal $ature is o$l* o"e*i$g its mecha$ical laws& while our faculties areo"e*i$g their ow$ s!ecific laws) 2An agreement tat presents itse'f witout a goa', of itse'f, accidenta''y appropriated,

as te judgment re@uires, wit respect to nature and its forms%2 .s Fa$t sa*s& $ature is$t #oi$g us a$* favors rather&we are orga$ie# i$ such a wa* that we ca$ favora"l* receive $ature)

ets "ac' u!) The se$se of the "eautiful& as commo$ se$se& is #efi$e# "* the su!!ose# u$iversalit* of esthetic

!leasure) =sthetic !leasure itself results from the free agreeme$t of the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# this

free agreeme$t ca$ o$l* "e felt) >ut it is $ot sufficie$t to su!!ose i$ tur$ the u$iversalit* a$# the $ecessit* of the

agreeme$t& which must "e e$ge$#ere# a priori i$ such a wa* that its claim is grou$#e#) ;ere "egi$s the real !ro"lem

of the #e#uctio$ we must ex!lai$ wh* feeli$g i$ the /u#gme$t of taste is attri"ute# to ever*o$e& much li'e a #ut*) 22

>ut the /u#gme$t of taste& so it seeme#& was co$$ecte# to a$ o"/ective #etermi$atio$) :hat we wa$t to '$ow is

whether we ca$$ot #iscover& on te side of te determination, a !ri$ci!le for the ge$esis of the agreeme$t of the

faculties i$ the /u#gme$t itself) uch a va$tage !oi$t woul# have the a#va$tage of ex!lai$i$g Fa$ts or#er of i#eas 1-

the .$al*tic of the >eautiful u$covers a free agreeme$t of the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# the imagi$atio$& "ut ca$ !osit it o$l*

as !resu!!ose# 2- the .$al*tic of the u"lime u$covers a free agreeme$t of the imagi$atio$ a$# reaso$& "ut u$#er

i$ter$al co$#itio$s that also s'etch their ge$esis 3- the #e#uctio$ of the /u#gme$t of taste u$covers a$ exter$al

!ri$ci!le accor#i$g to which the u$#ersta$#i$g(imagi$atio$ agreeme$t is i$ tur$ e$ge$#ere# a priori it thus uses the

mo#el fur$ishe# "* the su"lime& "ut with origi$al mea$s& si$ce the su"lime for its !art #oes $ot re?uire a #e#uctio$)

76




T;= +D=. % G==+ + F.T =T;=T+

;ow #oes this ge$esis of the se$se of the "eautiful sha!e u!@ The idea of the agreeme$t without goal "etwee$ $ature

a$# our faculties #efi$es a purpose for reaso$& a ratio$al !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful) learl*& this !ur!ose is

$ot a !ur!ose for the "eautiful as such& a$# clearl*& it is ver* #iffere$t from esthetic /u#gme$t) therwise& the e$tire

&riti@ue of ?udgment wou'd "e co$tra#ictor*) +$ fact& the !leasure of the "eautiful is totall* #isi$tereste#& a$# esthetic

/u#gme$t ex!resses the agreeme$t of the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g without the i$terve$tio$ of reaso$) The

!ur!ose i$ ?uestio$ is s*$theticall* co$$ecte# to /u#gme$t) +t has $o "eari$g o$ the "eautiful as such& "ut o$ the

a!titu#e of $ature to !ro#uce "eautiful thi$gs) +t has to #o with $ature& i$ so far as $ature !rese$ts a$ agreeme$t with

our faculties& "ut a$ agreeme$t without a goal) <recisel*& however& si$ce this agreeme$t is exter$al to the agreeme$t of

the faculties amo$g themselves& a$# si$ce it #efi$es o$l* the occasio$ whe$ our faculties #o agree& the !ur!ose

co$$ecte# with the "eautiful is $ot !art of esthetic /u#gme$t) %rom that !oi$t o$& this agreeme$t without goal ca$

serve& without ris'i$g co$tra#ictio$& as a ge$etic !ri$ci!le for the a priori agreeme$t of the faculties i$ this /u#gme$t)

+$ other wor#s& estetic p'easure is disinterested, but we fee' a rationa' purpose wen te productions of nature agree

wit our disinterested p'easure% >ecause it is i$ the i$terest of reaso$ that +#eas have a$ o"/ective realit*)))& that is to

sa*& that $ature at least i$#icates "* a trace or a sig$ that it co$tai$s a !ri$ci!le allowi$g a legitimate agreeme$t

"etwee$ its !ro#uctio$s a$# our satisfactio$& independent of any purpose%%%, reaso$ is $ecessaril* i$tereste# i$ a$*

$atural ma$ifestatio$ of such a$ agreeme$t)23 +t will come as $o sur!rise& the$& that the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the

"eautiful has to #o with #etermi$atio$s for which the se$se of the "eautiful remai$s i$#iffere$t) +$ the se$se of the#isi$tereste# "eautiful& the imagi$atio$ reflects the form) :hatever has trou"le "ei$g reflecte#colors& sou$#s& matter

esca!es it) $ the other ha$#& the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful has to #o with sou$#s a$# colors& the color

of flowers or the sou$#s of "ir#s)24 .gai$& there is $o co$tra#ictio$ here) <ur!ose has to #o with matter& "ecause it is

with matter that $ature& i$ co$formit* with its mecha$ical laws& !ro#uces o"/ects that ha!!e$ to "e a!t for formal

reflectio$) Fa$t eve$ #efi$es !rimal matter as it !artici!ates i$ the !ro#uctio$ of the "eau tiful a flui# matter& !art of

which is se!arate# out or eva!orates& a$# the rest of which su##e$l* soli#ifies ,cr*stal formatio$-)25

This !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful& or the /u#gme$t of "eaut*& is #escri"e# as meta(esthetic) ;ow #oes

this !ur!ose of reaso$ e$sure the ge$esis of the u$#ersta$#i$g(imagi$atio$ agreeme$t i$ the /u#gme$t of "eaut* itself@

Beaso$ #iscovers the ma$* !rese$tatio$s of its +#eas i$ sou$#& color& a$# free matter) %or exam!le& we are $ot satisfie#

with su"sumi$g color u$#er a co$ce!t of the u$#ersta$#i$g we relate it still to a whole other co$ce!t ,a$ +#ea of rea (

so$- which& for its !art& has $o o"/ect of i$tuitio$& "ut #oes #etermi$e its o"/ect "* a$alog* with the o"/ect of i$tuitio$

that corres!o$#s to the first co$ce!t) +$ this wa*& we tra$s!ose the reflectio$ o$ a$ o"/ect of i$tuitio$ to a whole other

co$ce!t to which& !erha!s& a$ i$tuitio$ ma* $ever #irectl* corres!o$#)26 The white lill* is $o lo$ger sim!l* relate# to

co$ce!ts of color a$# flower& "ut awa'e$s the +#ea of !ure i$$oce$ce& whose o"/ect& which is $ever give$& is a

reflexive a$alogue of white i$ the fleur(#e(lis) 27 +$ this case& however& the meta(esthetic !ur!ose of reaso$ has two

co$se?ue$ces o$ the o$e ha$#& the co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g are i$fi$itel* exte$#e#& i$ a$ u$limite# wa* o$ the

other ha$#& the imagi$atio$ is free# from the co$strai$t of the #etermi$e# co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g& to which it

was still su"/ect i$ schematiatio$) :hat the .$al*tic of the >eautiful i$ its ex!ositio$ allowe# us to sa* is o$l* this

i$ the esthetic /u#gme$t& the imagi$atio$ "ecomes free at the same time that the u$#ersta$#i$g "ecomes i$#etermi$ate)

>ut how #oes the imagi$atio$ "ecome free@ ;ow #oes the u$#ersta$#i$g "ecome i$#etermi$ate@ Beaso$ tell us& a$#

thus secures the ge$esis of the free i$#etermi$ate agreeme$t of the two faculties i$ /u#gme$t) The se#uctio$ of esthetic

/u#gme$t ex!lai$s what the .$al*tic of the >eautiful coul# $ot it #iscovers i$ reaso$ the !ri$ci!le of a tra$sce$#e$tal

ge$esis) >ut first it was $ecessar* to go through the ge$etic mo#el of the u"lime)

77



The theme of a !rese$tatio$ of +#eas i$ se$si"le $ature is a fu$#ame$tal theme i$ Fa$ts wor') This is "ecause

there are several mo#es of !rese$tatio$) The u"lime is the first mo#e a #irect !rese$tatio$ accom!lishe# "*

projection, "ut it remai$s $egative& havi$g to #o with the i$accessi"ilit* of the +#ea) The seco$# mo#e is #efi$e# "* the

ratio$al !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful this is a$ i$#irect "ut !ositive !rese$tatio$& which is achieve# through

symbo'% The thir# mo#e a!!ears i$ Ge$ius a !ositive !rese$tatio$& "ut it is seco$#ar*& accom!lishe# through the

creation of a$ other $ature) %i$all*& the fourth mo#e is teleological a !ositive !rese$tatio$& !rimar* as well as #irect&

which is achieve# i$ the co$ce!ts of e$# a$# fi$al agreeme$t) This last mo#e #oes $ot co$cer$ us here) $ the other

ha$#& the mo#e of Ge$ius #oes !ose a$ esse$tial !ro"lem i$ Fa$ts esthetics from the !ers!ective #evelo!e# i$ these

!ages)

The 'e* to a ge$esis of a$ a priori agreeme$t of faculties i$ the /u#gme$t of taste is ratio$al !ur!ose"ut o$

what co$#itio$@ $ co$#itio$ that we /oi$ to the !articular ex!erie$ce of the "eautiful& the thought that $ature

!ro#uce# this "eaut*)28 +$ o$e res!ect& the$& a #is/u$ctio$ a!!ears "etwee$ the "eautiful i$ $ature a$# the "eautiful i$

art) Noting in te e!position of te Ana'ytic of te 3eautifu' autori(ed suc a distinction8 the #e#uctio$ i$tro#uces

this #isti$ctio$& i)e) the meta(esthetic va$tage !oi$t of the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful) This !ur!ose co$cer$s

exclusivel* $atural "eaut* the ge$esis thus co$cer$s the agreeme$t "etwee$ the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g&

"ut o$l* i$ as much as the agreeme$t is !ro#uce# i$ the soul of the s!ectator "efore $ature) The agreeme$t of the

faculties "efore a wor' of art remai$s grou$#less& without a !ri$ci!le)

The fi$al tas' of Fa$tia$ esthetics is to #iscover for art a !ri$ci!le a$alogous to the !ri$ci!le of the "eautiful i$

$ature) This !ri$ci!le is Ge$ius) Cust as ratio$al !ur!ose is the authorit* "* which $ature !rovi#es /u#gme$t with a

rule& so ge$ius is the su"/ective #is!ositio$ "* which $ature !rovi#es art with rules ,i$ this se$se& it is a gift of $ature

-)29 Cust as ratio$al !ur!ose co$cer$s the materials with which $ature !ro#uces "eautiful thi$gs& so Ge$ius !rovi#es the

materials with which the su"/ect it i$s!ires !ro#uces "eautiful wor's of art ge$ius esse$tiall* !rovi#es the fi$e arts

with rich materials)30 Ge$ius is a meta( esthetic !ri$ci!le the same as ratio$al !ur!ose) That is& ge$ius is #efi$e# as a

!rese$tatio$ of +#eas) f course& i$ this case& Fa$t is tal'i$g a"out esthetic +#eas& which he #isti$guishes from the

+#eas of reaso$ +#eas of reaso$ are co$ce!ts without i$tuitio$s& whereas esthetic +#eas are i$tuitio$s without co$ce!ts)

>ut this is a false o!!ositio$ there are $ot two sorts of +#eas) The esthetic +#ea goes "e*o$# ever* co$ce!t "ecause it

!ro#uces the i$tuitio$ of a$ oter nature tha$ the $ature give$ to us it creates a $ature i$ which the !he$ome$a areeve$ts of the s!irit& i$ a$ u$me#iate# wa*& a$# the eve$ts of the s!irit are !he$ome$a of $ature) Thus i$visi"le "ei$gs&

the 'i$g#om of the "lesse#& hell ac?uire a "o#* a$# love& #eath& ac?uire a #ime$sio$ to ma'e them a#e?uate to their

s!iritual se$se) ow it occurs to o$e that the i$tuitio$ of ge$ius is the i$tuitio$ which the +#eas of reaso$ were

lac'i$g) The intuition witout concept is !recisel* that which the concept wiout intuition was lac'i$g) o& i$ the first

formulatio$& it is the co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g that are sur!asse# a$# #is?ualifie# a$# i$ the seco$#& the i$tuitio$s

of se$si"ilit*) +$ ge$ius& however& the creative i$tuitio$ as i$tuitio$ of a$ other $ature& a$# the co$ce!ts of reaso$ as

78




T;= +D=. % G==+ + F.T =T;=T+

ratio$al +#eas& are a#e?uatel* u$ifie#)32 The ratio$al +#ea co$tai$s somethi$g i$ex!ressi"le "ut the esthetic +#ea

ex!resses the i$ex!ressi"le& through the creatio$ of a$ other $ature) Therefore& the esthetic +#ea is trul* a mo#e of the

!rese$tatio$ of +#eas& much li'e s*m"olism& though o!erati$g #iffere$tl*) .$# the esthetic +#ea has a$ a$alogous

effect it ma'es us thi$'& it exte$#s the co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g i$ a$ u$limite# wa*& a$# it frees the

imagi$atio$ from the co$strai$ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g) Ge$ius vitalies) +t gives life) .s a meta(esthetic !ri$ci!le&

it ma'es !ossi"le& it e$ge$#ers the esthetic agreeme$t "etwee$ the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g) +t e$ge$#ers

each facult* i$ this agreeme$t the imagi$atio$ as free& a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g as u$limite#) The theor* of Ge$ius thus

ma$ages to "ri#ge the ga! that ha# o!e$e# u! "etwee$ the "eautiful i$ $ature a$# the "eautiful i$ art& from a meta(

esthetic !oi$t of view) Ge$ius !rovi#es a ge$etic !ri$ci!le to the faculties i$ relatio$ to a wor' of art) o& after

!aragra!h 42 i$ the &riti@ue of ?udgment has se!arate# out two 'i$#s of the "eautiful& !aragra!hs 58 a$# 59 restore

their u$it*& through the i#ea of a ge$esis of the faculties which the two 'i$#s have i$ commo$)

evertheless& the !arallel "etwee$ the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful i$ $ature& a$# ge$ius as it relates to

the "eautiful& shoul# $ot "e !ushe# too far) >ecause ge$ius e$tails a far more com!lex ge$esis) +$ the case of ge$ius&

we $ee#e# to e$ge$#er the agreeme$t of the imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& so we ha# to leave "ehi$# the

s!ectators !oi$t of view) Ge$ius is the gift of the artistic creator) The imagi$atio$ is li"erate#& a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g

exte$#e#& first in te artist% :e are face# with this #ifficult* how ca$ such a ge$esis have a u$iversal im!licatio$ if it

is gover$e# "* the si$gularit* of ge$ius@ +t seems that we #iscover i$ ge$ius $ot a u$iversal su"/ectivit*& "ut at most a$

exce!tio$al i$ter( su"/ectivit*) Ge$ius is alwa*s a calli$g out for other ge$iuses to "e "or$) >ut vast #eserts o!e$ u!

#uri$g which the call of ge$ius goes u$a$swere#) Ge$ius is the exem!lar* origi$alit* of a su"/ects $atural gifts i$ the

free use of the cog$itive faculties) Thus the wor' of ge$ius is a$ exam!le& $ot to "e imitate#& "ut to "ri$g a"out the

"irth of a$other ge$ius i$ its wa'e& "* awa'e$i$g the se$se of its ow$ origi$alit*& a$# "* s!urri$g a$ exercise of its art

i$#e!e$#e$t of a$* a$# all rules))) The ge$ius is the #arli$g of $ature its existe$ce is rare) 33 ;owever& this #ifficult*ca$ "e resolve# if we co$si#er the two activities of the ge$ius) $ the o$e ha$#& ge$ius creates) That is to sa*& ge$ius

!ro#uces the matter of its art "* i$ve$ti$g a$ other $ature a#e?uate to +#eas& ge$ius realies the free creative fu$ctio$

of the imagi$atio$) $ the other ha$#& the artist gives form8 "* a#/usti$g a$ imagi$atio$ li"erate# from the

i$#etermi$ate u$#ersta$#i$g& the artist gives to the wor' of art the form of a$ o"/ect of taste ,taste is sufficie$t to give

this form to the wor' of art-)34 <recisel*& what is i$imita"le i$ ge$ius is the first as!ect the e$ormit* of the +#ea& the

asto$ishi$g matter& the #ifformit* of ge$ius) >ut i$ its seco$# as!ect& the wor' of ge$ius !rovi#es a$ exam!le for

ever*o$e it i$s!ires imitators& gives rise to s!ectators& a$# e$ge$#ers everywere the free agreeme$t of the

imagi$atio$ a$# the u$#ersta$#i$g& which agreeme$t co$stitutes taste) o& we are $ot sim!l* i$ the #esert while the

call of ge$ius goes u$a$swere# "* a$other ge$ius me$ a$# wome$ of taste& stu#e$ts& a$# aficio$a#os fill u! the s!ace

"etwee$ two ge$iuses& a$# hel! !ass the time)3 o$se?ue$tl*& the ge$esis that origi$ates i$ ge$ius effectivel* ac?uires

a u$iversal value ,the ge$ius of the creator e$ge$#ers the agreeme$t of the faculties i$ the s!ectator- Taste& li'e

/u#gme$t i$ ge$eral& is the #isci!li$e of ge$ius)))Taste "ri$gs clarit* a$# or#er to the mass of thoughts a$# gives +#eas

their co$sista$c*& a$# therefore o!e$s them u! to a 'asting and universa' success& as exam!les for others& a#a!ti$g

themselves to a culture alwa*s i$ !rocess)36

79



:e thus have three !arallel ge$eses i$ Fa$ts esthetics the su"lime& or a ge$esis of the reaso$(imagi$atio$

agreeme$t !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful& or a ge$esis of the u$#ersta$#i$g(imagi$atio$ agreeme$t accor#i$g

to the "eautiful i$ $ature a$# ge$ius& or a ge$esis of the u$#ersta$#i$g(imagi$atio$ agreeme$t accor#i$g to the

"eautiful i$ art) :hat is more is that& for each case& the faculties are e$ge$#ere# i$ their origi$al free state a$# i$

reci!rocal agreeme$t) Thus the &riti@ue of ?udgment reveals a whole other #omai$ from that of the other two

riti?ues) The !revious two riti?ues "egi$ with rea#*(ma#e fac

80




T;= +D=. % G==+ + F.T =T;=T+

ulties& a$# these e$ter #etermi$ate relatio$s a$# ta'e o$ orga$ie# tas's u$#er the #irectio$ of o$e legislativefacult*) The u$#ersta$#i$g legislates for a ratio$al s!eculative !ur!ose& a$# reaso$ legislates for its ow$ !ractical

!ur!ose) :he$ Fa$t tries to articulate the origi$alit* of the &riti@ue of ?udgment, this is what he sa*s it e$sures "oththe passage from a s!eculative to a !ractical !ur!ose a$# the su"or#i$atio$ of the first to the seco$#)37 %or exam!le& the

su"lime alrea#* shows how the su!rase$si"le #esti$atio$ of our faculties ca$ "e ex!lai$e# o$l* as the #esti$* of amoral "ei$g the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful i$ $ature evi#e$ces a soul !re#esti$e# to moralit* a$# ge$ius

itself allows the artistic "eautiful a$# the worl# of moralit* to "e i$tegrate#& a$# thus to overcome the #is/u$ctio$ of thetwo 'i$#s of the "eautiful ,the "eautiful i$ art& $o less tha$ the "eautiful i$ $ature& is i$ the e$# #eclare# a s*m"ol of

moralit*-)38

>ut if the &riti@ue of ?udgment o!e$s u! a passage, it is first a$# foremost "ecause it u$veils a% ground tat ha#

remai$e# hi##e$ i$ the other two riti?ues) :ere this i#ea of a !assage to "e ta'e$ literall*& the &riti@ue of ?udgment

woul# "e $o more tha$ a com!lime$t& a$ a#/ustme$t i$ fact& it co$stitutes the origi$al grou$# from which #erive the

other two riti?ues) ertai$l*& the &riti@ue of ?udgment #oes show how s!eculative !ur!ose ca$ "e su"or#i$ate# to

!ractical !ur!ose& how ature ca$ "e i$ agreeme$t with li"ert*& a$# how our #esti$atio$ is a moral #esti$*) >ut it #oes

so o$l* "* attri"uti$g /u#gme$t& i$ the su"/ect a$# "e*o$# the su"/ect& to somethi$g which is neiter nature nor

'iberty%'ByC .$# the !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful is i$ itself $either moral $or s!eculative) .$# if we have the

#esti$* of a moral "ei$g& it is "ecause this #esti$* #evelo!s& ex!lai$s a su!ra(se$si"le #esti$atio$ of our faculties this

#esti$atio$ remai$s $o$e the less e$velo!e# as the real heart of our "ei$g& as a !ri$ci!le more !rofou$# tha$ a$*

formal #esti$*) This is i$#ee# the se$se of the &riti@ue of ?udgment, "e$eath the #etermi$ate a$# co$#itio$e# relatio$s

of the faculties& it #iscovers free agreeme$t& i$#etermi$ate a$# u$co$#itio$al) o #etermi$ate rela tio$ of the faculties&

a relatio$ co$#itio$e# "* o$e of them& woul# ever "e !ossi"le if it were $ot first made !ossi"le "* this free

u$co$#itio$e# agreeme$t) %urthermore& the &riti@ue of ?udgment #oes $ot restrict itself to the !ers!ective of

co$#itio$s as it a!!eare# i$ the other two riti?ues with the &riti@ue of ?udgment, we ste! i$to Ge$esis) The three

ge$eses of the &riti@ue of ?udgment are $ot o$l* !arallel& the* co$verge o$ the same #iscover* what Fa$t calls theoul& that is& the su!rase$si"le u$it* of our faculties& the !oi$t of co$ce$tratio$& the life( givi$g !ri$ci!le that

a$imates each facult*& e$ge$#eri$g "oth its free exercise a$# its free agreeme$t with the other faculties)40 . !rimeval

free imagi$atio$ that ca$$ot "e satisfie# with schematii$g u$#er the co$strai$ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g a !rimeval

u$limite# u$#ersta$#i$g that #oes $ot *et "e$# u$#er the s!eculative weight of its #etermi$ate co$ce!ts& $o more so

tha$ it is $ot alrea#* su"/ecte# to the e$#s of !ractical reaso$ a !rimeval reaso$ that has $ot *et #evel

81

a



o!e# a taste for comma$#i$g& "ut which frees itself whe$ it frees u! the other facultiesthese are the extreme#iscoveries of the &riti@ue of ?udgment, each facult* re#iscovers the !ri$ci!le of its ge$esis as each co$verges o$ this

focal !oi$t& a !oi$t of co$ce$tratio$ i$ the su!ra(se$si"le& whe$ce our faculties #erive "oth their force a$# their life)

ur !ro"lem was twofol#) ;ow #oes o$e ex!lai$ that the a$al*sis of the

su"lime i$terru!ts the li$' "etwee$ the ex!ositio$ a$# the #e#uctio$ of the /u#gme$t of "eaut*& whe$ the su"lime has

$o corres!o$#i$g #e#uctio$@ .$# how #oes o$e ex!lai$ that the #e#uctio$ of the /u#gme$t of "eaut* is exte$#e# to

theories of !ur!ose& art& a$# ge$ius& which seem to a##ress ver* #iffere$t !reoccu!atio$s@ + "elieve the s*stem of the

&riti@ue of ?udgment, i$ its first !art& ca$ "e reco$stitute# i$ the followi$g ma$$er

1- The .$al*tic of the >eautiful& ex!ositio$ tis is te forma' estetics of te beautifu' in genera' from te

spectators point of view% The #iffere$t mome$ts of this .$al*tic show that the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# the imagi$atio$ e$ter

a free agreeme$t& a$# that this free agreeme$t is co$stitutive of the /u#gme$t of taste) This #efi$es a s!ectators esthetic

!oi$t of view of the "eautiful i$ ge$eral) uch a !oi$t of view is formal& si$ce the s!ectator reflects the form of the

o"/ect) >ut the last mome$t of the .$al*tic& i)e) mo#alit*& !oses a$ esse$tial !ro"lem) %ree i$#e termi$ate agreeme$t

must "e a priori% Aoreover& it is what is most !rofou$# i$ the soul ever* #etermi$ate !ro!ortio$ of the faculties

!resu!!oses the !ossi"ilit* of their free a$# s!o$ta$eous harmo$*) +$ this se$se& the &riti@ue of ?udgment must "e the

ge$ui$e grou$# of the other two riti?ues) learl*& the$& we ca$$ot "e satisfie# with !resumi$g the a priori agreeme$tof the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# the imagi$atio$ i$ the /u#gme$t of taste) This agreeme$t must "e the o"/ect of a

tra$sce$#e$tal ge$esis) >ut the .$al*tic of the >eautiful is u$a"le to secure such a ge$esis it !oi$ts to the $ecessit*&

"ut it ca$$ot o$ its ow$ go "e*o$# mere !resum!tio$)

2- The .$al*tic of the u"lime& ex!ositio$ a$# #e#uctio$ tis is te form'ess estetics of te sub'ime from te

spectators point of view% Taste #i# $ot call reaso$ i$to !la*) The su"lime& however& is ex!lai$e# "* the free agreeme$tof reaso$ a$# the imagi$atio$) >ut this $ew s!o$ta$eous agreeme$t occurs u$#er ver* s!ecial co$#itio$s !ai$&

o!!ositio$& co$strai$t& a$# #iscor#) +$ the case of the su"lime& free#om or s!o$ta$eit* is ex!erie$ce# i$ "ou$#ar*(

areas& whe$ face# with the formless or the #eforme#) +$ this wa*& however& the .$al*tic of the u"lime gives us a

ge$etic !ri$ci!le for the agreeme$t of the faculties& a$ agreeme$t which the .$al*tic !uts i$ !la* +t follows that it goes

much farther tha$ the .$al*tic of the >eautiful)

82




T;= +D=. % G==+ + F.T =T;=T+

D$ The .$al*tic of the >eautiful& #e#uctio$ tis is te materia' meta-estetic of te beautifu' in nature, from te

spectators point of view% The /u#gme$t of taste #ema$#s a !articular #e#uctio$ "ecause it relates i$ the ver* least to

the form of the o"/ect furthermore& the /u#gme$t of taste i$ tur$ re?uires a ge$etic !ri$ci!le for the agreeme$t of the

faculties which it ex!resses& $amel* u$#ersta$#i$g a$# imagi$atio$) The u"lime fur$ishes us with a ge$etic mo#el

the e?uivale$t must "e fou$# for the "eautiful& usi$g other mea$s) :e are loo'i$g for a rule accor#i$g to which we

ma* "* rights su!!ose the u$iversalit* of esthetic !leasure) .s lo$g as we are satisfie# to !resume the agreeme$t

"etwee$ the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# the imagi$atio$& the #e#uctio$ is sim!le) :hat is more #ifficult is ma'i$g the ge$esis

of theis agreeme$t a priori% ;owever& !recisel* "ecause reaso$ #oes $ot i$terve$e i$ the /u#gme$t of taste& it ca$

fur$ish us with a !ri$ci!le accor#i$g to which the agreeme$t of the faculties i$ this /u#gme$t is e$ge$#ere#) There

exists a ratio$al !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful this meta(esthetic !ur!ose co$cer$s the a!titu#e of $ature for

!ro#uci$g "eautiful thi$gs& as well as the materials which $ature uses for such formatio$s) Tha$'s to this !ur!ose

which is $either !ractical $or s!eculative& reaso$ gives "irth to itself& ex!a$#s the u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# li"erates the

imagi$atio$) Beaso$ secures the ge$esis of a free i$#etermi$ate agreeme$t "etwee$ the imagi$atio$ a$# the

u$#ersta$#i$g) The two as!ects of the #e#uctio$ are $ow /oi$e# the o"/ective refere$ce to a $ature ca!a"le of

!ro#uci$g "eautiful thi$gs& a$# the su"/ective refere$ce to a !ri$ci!le ca!a"le of e$ge$#eri$g the agreeme$t of

faculties)

4- %ollow(u! to the #e#uctio$ i$ the theor* of Ge$ius tis is an idea' meta- estetic of te beautifu' in art from te point of view of te creative artist% The !ur!ose co$$ecte# with the "eautiful secures a ge$esis o$l* "* exclu#i$g the

case of the artistic "eautiful) Ge$ius thus i$terve$es as the meta(esthetic !ri$ci!le !ro!er to the faculties "ei$gexercise# i$ art) Ge$ius has !ro!erties a$alogous to those of !ur!ose it fur$ishes a matter& it i$car$ates +#eas& it causesreaso$ to give "irth to itself& a$# it li"erates the imagi$atio$ a$# ex!a$#s the u$#ersta$#i$g) >ut ge$ius exercises allthese faculties first a$# foremost from the va$tage !oi$t of the creatio$ of a wor' of art) %i$all*& without losi$g a$* of

its si$gular a$# exce!tio$al character& ge$ius must give a u$iversal value to the agreeme$t which it e$ge$#ers& a$# itmust commu$icate to the faculties of the s!ectator somethi$g of its ow$ life a$# force thus Fa$ts esthetics forms a

s*stematic whole& i$ which the three ge$eses are u$ifie#

83



)Baymond Bosse") or the !.horrentEam

The wor' of Ba*mo$# Boussel& which <auverr has !u"lishe# i$ $ew e#itio$s& i$clu#es two sorts

of "oo's !oem("oo's that #escri"e mi$iature o"/ects i$ #etail ,for exam!le& a com!lete

s!ectacle o$ the la"el of a$ =via$ water "ottle- or o"/ects that have #ou"les ,actors& machi$esa$# ar$ival mas's- a$# those "oo's '$ow$ as formula "oo's starti$g ex!licitl* or im!licitl*

from a catal*tic !hrase ,e)g) the white letters o$ the legs of the ol# !ool ta"le-& the rea#er e$#s

u! re#iscoveri$g the same !hrase& or almost ,the white fetters o$ the eggs of the ol# fool ."le-

i$ the ga! "etwee$ them& however& a whole worl# of #escri!tio$s a$# catalogues have arise$&

where the same wor#s ta'e$ to mea$ #iffere$t thi$gs lea# two ver* #iffere$t lives& or else the*

are #islocate# to ma'e wa* for other wor#s ,+ have some goo# to"acco M wave slum /u#e

wac'o-)

This author who ha# a co$si#era"le i$flue$ce o$ the urrealists& a$# to#a* o$ Bo""e(

Grillet& remai$s relativel* u$'$ow$) >ut rece$tl* Aichel %oucault has !u"lishe# a comme$tar*

of great !oetic a$# !hiloso!hical !ower o$ the wor' of Boussel& a$# fi$#s the 'e*s to this wor'

i$ a$ e$tirel* #iffere$t #irectio$ from what the urrealists ha# i$#icate#) +t seems vital&

moreover& to co$$ect the rea#i$g of %ou( caults "oo' with that of Boussel himself) ;ow #oes

o$e ex!lai$ the formula@ .ccor#i$g to Aichel %oucault& there exists i$ la$guage a 'i$# of

esse$tial #ista$ce& a 'i$# of #is!laceme$t& #islocatio$& or "reach) This is "ecause wor#s are less

$umerous tha$ thi$gs& a$# so each wor# has several mea$i$gs) The literature of the a"sur#

"elieve# that mea$i$g was #eficie$t& "ut i$ fact there is a #eficie$c* of sig$s)

;e$ce i$ a wor# a vacuum o!e$s u! the re!etitio$ of a wor# leaves the #iffere$ce of its

mea$i$gs ga!i$g) +s this the !roof of a$ im!ossi"ilit* of re!etitio$@ o& this is where Boussels

84



B.NAD BE=& B T;= .>;BB=T H.EEA

e$ter!rise comes i$to view he tries to wi#e$ this ga! to its maximum a$# thus #etermi$e a$#

measure it& alrea#* filli$g it with a whole machi$er*& a whole !ha$tasmagoria that "i$#s the

#iffere$ces to& a$# i$tegrates them with& re!etitio$)

%or exam!le& the wor#s #emoiselle a !rete$#a$t galla$t *ou$g woma$ i$#uces

#emoiselle ,hie- a reitre e$ #e$ts a /ac'hammer with rough($ec' teeth a$# the !ro"lem& as a$

e?uatio$& "ecomes that of a /ac'hammer !utti$g together a mosaic) The re!etitio$ must "ecome

!ara#oxical& !oetic& a$# com!rehe$sive) The re!etitio$ must e$com!ass i$ itself #iffere$ce

i$stea# of re#uci$g it) The !overt* of la$guage must "ecome its ver* source of wealth) %oucault

writes ot the lateral re!etitio$ of thi$gs we re!eat& "ut the ra#ical re!etitio$ that has !asse#

over a$# "e*o$# $o$(la$guage a$# that owes its !oetr* to the ga! that has "ee$ crosse#)

>* what will the vacuum "e fille# a$# crosse#@ >* extraor#i$ar* machi$es& "* stra$geartisa$(actors) Thi$gs a$# "ei$gs $ow follow la$guage) =ver*thi$g i$ the mecha$isms a$#

"ehaviors is imitatio$& re!ro#uctio$& recitatio$) >ut the recitatio$ of somethi$g si$gular& a$

u$"elieva"le eve$t& which is a"solutel* #iffere$t from the recitatio$) .s if Boussels machi$es

ha# grafte# o$ themselves the tech$i?ue of the formula li'e the /o" of #a*"rea'& which itself

se$#s us "ac' to a !rofessio$ that forces us to wa'e u! earl*) r the verse(worm that !la*s the

ither "* !ro/ecti$g #ro!s of water alo$g each stri$g) Boussel ela"orates multi!le series of

re!etitio$s with the !ower to li"erate !riso$ers save their ow$ lives through re!etitio$ a$#

recitatio$& i$ the i$ve$tio$ of corres!o$#i$g machi$es)

These li"erati$g re!etitio$s are !oetic !recisel* "ecause the* #o $ot su!!ress #iffere$ce o$

the co$trar*& the* ex!erie$ce #iffere$ce a$# authe$ticate it "* i$ter$alii$g the i$gular) .s for

those $o$(formula wor's& the* ca$ "e ex!lai$e# i$ a similar fashio$) +$ this case& thi$gs

themselves are o!e$e# u! tha$'s to a mi$iaturiatio$& tha$'s to a #ou"li$g& a mas') .$# the

vacuum is $ow crosse# "* la$guage& which gives "irth to a whole worl# i$ the i$terstice of these

85



mas's a$# #ou"li$gs) o$se?ue$tl*& the $o$(formula wor's are li'e the fli!(si#e of the formula

itself) +$ "oth cases& the !ro"lem is to tell a$# show at the same time& to s!ea' a$# set "efore the

e*es)

This !oorl* states the wealth a$# #e!th of %oucaults "oo') This i$tertwi$i$g of #iffere$ce

a$# re!etitio$ is also a"out life& #eath& a$# ma#$ess) %or it a!!ears that the vacuum i$si#e thi$gs

a$# wor#s are a sig$ of #eath& a$# what fills it is ma# !rese$ce)

;owever& it is $ot the case that the !erso$al ma#$ess of Ba*mo$# Boussel a$# his wor'

have a$ eleme$t i$ commo$& !ositivel* s!ea'i$g) $ the co$trar*& we woul# have to s!ea' of a$

eleme$t accor#i$g to which the wor' a$# his ma#$ess mutuall* exclu#e o$e a$other) That

eleme$t is commo$ i$ o$e se$se o$l* it is la$guage) ;is !erso$al ma#$ess a$# the !oetic wor'&

the #elirium a$# the !oem& re!rese$t two i$vestme$ts of la$guage& o$ #iffere$t levels& that aremutuall* exclusive)

%rom this !oi$t of view& %oucault i$ his last cha!ter s'etches a whole i$ter!retatio$ of the

wor'ma#$ess relatio$shi!& which woul# a!!l* a$# which he !erha!s will a!!l* to other !oets

,.rtau#@-) Aichel %oucaults "oo' is $ot o$l* #ecisive with res!ect to Boussel it also mar's a$

im!orta$t stage i$ its authors !erso$al research o$ the relatio$s of la$guage& the gae& #eath& a$#ma#$ess)

86



B.NAD BE=& B T;= .>;BB=T H.EEA

,o* :arry;s +ataphysis Opened the %ay'or +henomeno"ogy

Aa/or mo#er$ authors ofte$ sur!rise us with a thought that seems "oth a remar' a$# a !ro!hes*

meta!h*sics is a$# must "e sur!asse#) +$ so far as its fate is co$ceive# as meta!h*sics&

!hiloso!h* ma'es room a$# must ma'e room for other forms of thought& other forms of

thi$'i$g)

This mo#er$ i#ea is seie# o$ i$ various co$texts& which #ramatie it 1- *od is dead ,it

woul# "e i$teresti$g to #o a$ a$tholog* of all the versio$s of the #ea# Go#& all the

#ramatiatio$s of this #eath) %or exam!le& Carr*s "ic*cle race)1 +$ ietsche alo$e& we coul# fi$#

a #oe$ versio$s& the first of which is $ot at all fou$# i$ Te *ay Science, "ut i$ Te /anderer

and +is Sadow, i$ the a#mira"le text o$ the #eath of the !riso$(guar#) 2 >ut whatever the case&

the #eath of Go# for !hiloso!h* mea$s the a"olitio$ of the cosmological #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ two

worl#s& the meta!h*sical #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ esse$ce a$# a!!eara$ce& the logical #isti$ctio$

"etwee$ the true a$# the false) The #eath of Go# thus #ema$#s a $ew form of thought& a

tra$smutatio$ of values)-

2- Te +uman dies a'so ,fi$ishe# is the "elief i$ the su"stitutio$ of huma$it* for Go#& the

"elief i$ the ;uma$(Go# who woul# re!lace Go#(the ;uma$) %or i$ cha$gi$g !laces& $othi$g

has cha$ge#& the ol# values remai$ i$ !lace) ihilism must go all the wa*& to the e$# of itself& i$

the huma$ "ei$g who wa$ts to !erish& the last huma$& the me$ a$# wome$ of the atomic age

foretol# "* ietsche)-

87



C.BBN .D<.T.<;N+

This somethi$g other is co$ceive# as a force alrea#* at wor' i$ huma$ su"/ectivit*& "ut hi#i$g

i$ it& a$# also #estro*i$g it) ,cf) Bim"au#s omethi$g thi$'s me)- The actio$ of this forcefollows two !aths the !ath of actual histor* a$# the #evelo!me$t of tech$olog*& a$# the !ath of

!oetr* a$# the !oetic creatio$ of fa$tastic imagi$ar* machi$es) This co$ce!tio$ #ema$#s a $ewthi$'er ,a $ew su"/ect of thought& #eath to the ogito-& $ew co$ce!ts ,a $ew o"/ect to "ethought-& a$# $ew forms of thought ,which i$tegrate the ol# !oetic u$co$scious a$# to#a*s

!owerful machi$es& e)g) ;eraclitus a$# c*"er$etics-)+$ a certai$ wa*& this attem!t to sur!assmeta!h*sics is alrea#* well '$ow$) :e fi$# it i$ #iffere$t #egrees i$ ietsche& Aarx& a$#;ei#egger) The o$l* ge$eral $ame that "efits it was coi$e# "* Carr* patapysics% <ata!h*sics

must "e #efi$e# .$ e!i!he$ome$o$ is that which is a##e# o$ to a !he$ome$o$) <at(a!h*sics ))) is the scie$ce of that which is a##e# o$ to meta!h*sics& either from withi$& or outsi#e

it& exte$#i$g as far "e*o$# meta!h*sics as meta!h*ics exte$#s "e*o$# !h*sics) =)g) si$ce thee!i!he$ome$o$ is ofte$ e?uate# with the acci#e$t& !ata!h*sics will "e a"ove all the scie$ce of

the !articular& eve$ though it is sai# that scie$ce #eals o$l* with the ge$eral) 3 +$ the /argo$ of

s!ecialists >ei$g is the e!i!he$ome$o$ of all beings 0etants1 a$# must "e thought "* the $ewthi$'er& who is a$ e!i!he$ome$o$ of huma$'i$#)

+$ that !ro!ortio$ of "lac' humor a$# white serious$ess& so #ifficult to 'ee! se!arate& "ut

#ema$#e# "* the $ew thi$'i$g& Fostas .xelos has "rought out a "oo' ers 'a penseep'anetaire

,es =#itio$s #e Ai$uit- <reviousl*& he wrote A'ienation, )ra!is, and Tecne in te Tougt of

Far' Mar! a$# +erac'ite et 'a pi'osopic +t is fitti$g that the !u"lishi$g house which welcome#

the nouveau roman Ies =#itio$s #e Ai$uitJ shoul# also attest a $ew !hiloso!h*) Fostas .xelos&

#irector of the series .rgume$ts& has "ee$ trai$e# "oth as a Aarxist a$# a ;ei#eggeria$) :hat is

more& he !ossesses the force a$# i$s!iratio$ of a Gree'& "oth clever a$# lear$e#) ;e re!roaches

his me$tors for $ot haivi$g sufficie$tl* "ro'e$ with meta!h*sics& for $ot havi$g sufficie$tl*

co$ceive# of the !owers of a tech$olog* "oth real a$# imagi$ar*& for havi$g remai$e# !riso$ers

of the !ers!ectives which the* themselves #e$ou$ce) +$ his $otio$ of p'anetary, he #iscovers the

motive a$# the co$#itio$& the o"/ect a$# the su"/ect& the !ositive a$# the $egative of the $ew

thi$'i$g) .$# followi$g this !ath& he writes a$ asto$ishi$g "oo'i$ m* o!i$io$& the

culmi$atio$ of !ata!h*sics)

.xeloss metho# !roce#es "* a$ e$umeratio$ of se$ses) This e$umeratio$ is $ot a

/uxta!ositio$& si$ce each mea$i$g !artici!ates i$ the others) ot accor#i$g to Ru'es which woul#

refer "ac' to the ol# meta!h*sics& "ut accor#i$g to a *ame which i$clu#es withi$ it all !ossi"le

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C.BBN .D<.T.<;N+

rules& which thus has $o other i$ter$al rule tha$ to affirm all that ca$ "e affirme# ,i$clu#i$g

cha$ce a$# $o$se$se-& a$# to #e$* all that ca$ "e #e$ie# ,i$clu#i$g Go# a$# ma$-) ;e$ce the

fu$#ame$tal list of the se$ses of the wor# p'anetary8 glo"al& iti$era$t& erra$c*& !la$$i$g&

!latitu#e& gears a$# wheels) The !la* of thought a$# the !la$etar* era is thus g'oba', erratic,

itinerant, organi(ing, p'anning and f'attening, caugt up in gears and wee's2 ,!) 46-)

Givi$g a$ extreme mo"ilit* to each of its se$ses Ii$ ref) to) 4ogic of Senses% J& his

!la$etarism is !rese$te# i$ the followi$g wa* fi$# the fragment re!rese$te# "* each o"/ect i$

such a wa* that thought ma'es u! the alwa*s o!e$ sum ,a$# su"tractio$- of all the other

fragme$ts su"sisti$g as such) .xelos o!e$s a$ irre#uci"le #ialogue "etwee$ the fragme$t a$# the

whole) o other totalit* tha$ that of Dio$*sos& "ut Dio$*sos #ismem"ere#) +$ this $ew

!luralism& the

$e ca$ "e sai# o$l* of the multi!le a$# must "e sai# of the multi!le >ei$g is sai# o$l* of

"ecomi$g a$# time ecessit*& o$l* of cha$ce a$# the :hole& o$l* of fragme$ts) .xelos

#evelo!s the !ower of what Carr* use# to call Te!i!he( $ome$o$"ut .xelos lau$ches a$

e$tirel* #iffere$t term& a$# a #iffere$t i#ea "ei$g i$ the !rocess of "ecomi$g the fragme$tar*

a$# fragme$te# totalit*)

Two fu$#ame$tal $otio$s will "e remar'e# *ame, which must "e su"stitute# for the

meta!h*sical relatio$ of the relative a$# the a"solute a$# Errancy, which must sur!ass the

meta!h*sical o!!ositio$ of true a$# false& error a$# truth) .xelos writes his most "rillia$t !ages

o$ erra$c*) imilarl*& his comme$taries o$ <ascal& Bim"au#& a$# %reu# are trul* !rofou$# ,the

text o$ Bim"au# is extremel* "eautiful-) till this "rillia$t a$# stra$ge "oo' is o$l* a$ i$tro#uc(

tio$) .xelos will have to i$ve$t his ow$ $ew forms of ex!ressio$& his ow$ versio$s of the #eath

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C.BBN .D<.T.<;N+

of Go#& his ow$ real fa$tastic machi$es) .ll the wa* to the great s*$thesis& which must u$ite the

two si#es of a true !ata!h*sicsthe u"ues?ue si#e& a$# the #octoral or %austrollia$ si#e) .s

.xelos sa*s& i$ o$e of his stra$gel* !olite !hrases with a$# without /o* a$# sa#$ess)))) >ut

$ever with i$#iffere$ce) <la$atarism or !ata!h*sics)

F,e %as my TeaherF

90




The sa#$ess of ge$eratio$s without teachers) ur teachers are $ot /ust !u"lic !rofessors& thoughwe "a#l* $ee# !rofessors) ur teachers& o$ce we reach a#ulthoo#& are those who "ri$g us

somethi$g ra#ical a$# $ew& who '$ow how to i$ve$t a$ artistic or literar* tech$i?ue& fi$#i$gthose wa*s of thi$'i$g that corres!o$# to our modernity, that is& our #ifficulties as well as our

vague e$thusiasms) :e '$ow there is o$l* o$e value for art& a$# eve$ for truth the first(ha$#&the authe$tic $ew$ess of somethi$g sai#& a$# the u$hear# music with which it is sai#) Thats

what artre was for us ,for us twe$t*(*ear(ol#s #uri$g the i"eratio$-) +$ those #a*s& who exce!tartre '$ew how to sa* a$*thi$g $ew@ :ho taught us $ew wa*s to thi$'@ .s "rillia$t a$#

!rofou$# as the wor' of Aerleau(<o$t* was& it was !rofessorial a$# #e!e$#e# i$ ma$* res!ectso$ artres wor') ,artre rea#il* li'e$e# the existe$ce of huma$ "ei$gs to the $o$("ei$g of a

hole i$ the worl# little la'es of $othi$g$ess& he calle# them) >ut Aerleau(<o$t* too' them to "e fol#s& sim!le fol#s a$# !leats) +$ this wa*& o$e ca$ #isti$guish a tough& !e$etrati$g

existe$tialism from a more te$#er a$# reserve# existe$tialism)- .s for amusalasO =ither it wasi$flate# heroism& or it was seco$#(ha$# a"sur#it* amus claime# #esce$t from a li$e of curse#

thi$'ers& "ut his whole !hiloso!h* /ust le# us "ac' to ala$#e a$# Ae*erso$& writers well('$ow$to a$* u$#ergra#uate) The $ew themes& a !articular $ew st*le& a $ew aggressive a$# !olemicalwa* of !osi$g !ro"lemsthese came from artre) +$ the #isor#er a$# the ho!e of the i"eratio$&we #iscovere#& we re(#iscovere# ever*thi$g Faf'a& the .merica$ $ovel& ;usserl a$# ;ei#egger&

i$cessa$t re$egotiatio$s with Aarxism& e$thusiasm for a nouveau roman%%% +t was all cha$$ele#through artre& $ot o$l* "ecause he was a !hiloso!her a$# ha# a ge$ius for totaliatio$& "ut

"ecause he '$ew how to i$ve$t somethi$g $ew) The first !erforma$ces of Te .'ies, the !u"licatio$ of 3eing and Notingness An Essay in )enomeno'ogica' Onto'ogy, his co$fere$ce

E!istentia'ism and +umanism these were eve$ts the* were how we lear$e#& after lo$g $ights&the i#e$tit* of thought a$# li"ert*)<rivate thi$'ers are i$ a wa* o!!ose# to !u"lic !rofessors)

=ve$ the or"o$$e $ee#s a$ a$ti(or"o$$e& a$# the stu#e$ts #o$t reall* liste$ to their !rofessorsexce!t whe$ the* have other teachers also) ietsche i$ his #a* ha# cease# to "e a !rofessor to

"ecome a !rivate thi$'er artre #i# the same& i$ a$other co$text& a$# with a$other outcome)<rivate thi$'ers have a #ou"le character a 'i$# of solitu#e that remai$s their ow$ i$ ever*

situatio$ "ut also a !articular agitatio$& a !articular #isor#er of the worl# i$ which the* rise u!

a$# s!ea') ;e$ce the* s!ea' o$l* i$ their ow$ $ame& without re!rese$ti$g a$*thi$g a$# the*solicit those raw !rese$ces& those $a'e# !owers i$ the worl# which are har#l* morere!rese$ta"le) .lrea#* i$ /at is 4iterature=, artre s'etche# the i#eal writer The writer

ta'es u! the worl# as is& totall* raw& sti$'i$g& a$# ?uoti#ia$& a$# !rese$ts it to free !eo!le o$ afou$#atio$ of free#om))) +t is $ot e$ough to gra$t the writer the free#om to sa* whatever he

!leasesO ;e must a##ress a !u"lic that has the free#om to cha$ge ever*thi$g& which im!lies& "e*o$# the su!!ressio$ of social classes& the a"olitio$ of all #ictatorshi!& the !er!etual re$ewal ofcategories& a$# the co$ti$ual reversal of ever* or#er& as soo$ as it starts to ossif*) +$ a wor#&

literature is esse$tiall* the su"/ectivit* of a societ* i$ !erma$e$t revolutio$)2 %rom the "egi$$i$g& artre co$ceive# the writer as a "ei$g li'e a$* other& a##ressi$g others from the sole !oi$t of view of their free#om) ;is whole !hiloso!h* was !art of a s!eculative moveme$t that

co$teste# the $otio$ of representation, the order itself of re!rese$tatio$ !hiloso!h* was cha$gi$gits are$a& leavi$g the s!here of /u#gme$t& to esta"lish itself i$ the more vivi# worl# of the !re(

/u#gme$tal& the su"(re!rese$tatio$al) artre has /ust refuse# the o"el !rie this is the

!ractical co$ti$uatio$ of the same attitu#e it shows his revulsio$ at the i#ea of re!rese$ti$gsomethi$g i$ a !ractical ma$$er& eve$ s!iritual values& or as artre himself sa*s& his revulsio$ atthe i#ea of "ei$g i$stitutio$alie#)

91




The !rivate thi$'er re?uires a worl# that co$tai$s a certai$ mi$imum #isor#er& eve$ if o$l*revolutio$ar* ho!e& a see# of !erma$e$t revolutio$) +$ artre& we fi$# almost a fixatio$ with the

i"eratio$& with the #isa!!oi$tme$ts of the #a*) +t too' the .lgeria$ :ar to recover somethi$g of

the $ecessar* !olitical struggle or li"erati$g agitatio$& a$# the$& the co$#itio$s were all the more

com!lex& si$ce we were $o lo$ger the o!!resse#& "ut those who woul# tur$ o$ o$e a$other) .h&

*outh) .ll that is left is u"a a$# the He$euela$ ma?uis) >ut greater still tha$ the solitu#e of the

!rivate thi$'er is the solitu#e of those loo'i$g for a teacher& who woul# li'e a teacher& a$# woul#

$ot have come to him exce!t i$ a$ agitate# worl#) The moral or#er& the re!rese$tatio$al or#er

has close# i$ o$ us) =ve$ atomic fear has ta'e$ o$ the a!!eara$ce of a "ourgeois fear) To#a*&

*ou$g !eo!le are schoole# i$ thought with Teilhar# #e har#i$ for a teacher) Nou get what *ou

#eserve) .fter artre& $ot o$l* imo$e :eil& "ut imo$e :eils mo$'e*) ot that !rofou$#l* $ew

thi$gs i$ co$tem!orar* literature are lac'i$g) Ta'e a few ra$#om exam!les the nouveau roman,

Gom"rowics "oo's& Flossows'is stories& evi(trausss sociolog*& Ge$ets theatre& Gattis

theatre& the !hiloso!h* of u$reaso$ that %oucault is wor'i$g o$))) >ut what is missi$g to#a*&

what artre '$ew how to "ri$g together a$# i$car$ate for the !revious ge$eratio$& were the

co$#itio$s of tota'i(ation8 a totaliatio$ i$ which !olitics& the imagi$atio$& sexualit*& the

u$co$scious& a$# the will are all u$ite# i$ the rights of huma$ totalit*) :e co$ti$ue to live o$

li'e so ma$* scattere# lim"s) !ea'i$g of Faf'a& artre sai# his wor' is a free a$# u$itar*

reactio$ to the Cu#eo(hristia$ worl# of e$tral =uro!e his $ovels are the s*$thetic overcomi$g

of his situatio$ as a ma$& a Cew& a Tehee& a recalcitra$t fia$ce& aT> !atie$t& etc) >ut what a"out

artre himself his wor' is a reactio$ to the "ourgeois worl# as ex!ose# "* commu$ism) ;is

wor' ex!resses the overcomi$g of his ow$ situatio$ as a "ourgeois i$tellectual& as a gra#uate of

the Eco'e Norma'e, as a free fia$ce& as a$ ugl* ma$ ,artre ofte$ !rese$te# himself as such-& etc)

all those thi$gs which are reflecte# a$# echoe# i$ the moveme$t of his "oo's)

:e s!ea' of artre as though he "elo$ge# to a "*go$e era) .las& we are the o$es who i$

to#a*s co$formist moral or#er are "*go$e) .t least artre allows us to await some vague future

mome$t& a retur$& whe$ thought will form agai$ a$# ma'e its totalities a$ew& li'e a !ower that is

at o$ce collective a$# !rivate) This is wh* artre remai$s m* teacher) artres last "oo'& &riti@ue

of #ia'ectica' Reason, Teory of )ractica' Ensemb'es, is o$e of the most "eautiful "oo's to have

come out i$ rece$t *ears) +t !rovi#es 3eing and Notingness with its $ecessar* com!leme$t& i$

92




the se$se that collective #ema$#s $ow com!lete the su"/ectivit* of the !erso$) .$# whe$ wethi$' "ac' o$ 3eing and Notingness, we re#iscover the i$itial asto$ishme$t we felt for artres

re$ewal of !hiloso!h*) :e '$ow "etter to#a* that the relatio$ of artre to ;ei#egger& his #e"t to

;ei#egger& was a false !ro"lem& "ase# o$ a misu$#ersta$#i$g) +t was the u$i?uel* artria$ that

struc' me i$ 3eing and Notingness, it was the measure of his co$tri"utio$ his theor* of bad

fait, where co$scious$ess& from withi$ itself& !la*s o$ its #ual !ower $ot to "e what it is a$# to

"e what it is $ot his theor* of the Oter, where the gae of the other is e$ough to ma'e the worl#

vacillate& steali$g the worl# from me his theor* of 'iberty, where li"ert* limits itself "*

co$stituti$g situations e!istentia' psycoana'ysis, where o$e #iscovers the fou$#atio$al coices

of a$ i$#ivi#ual at the heart of his co$crete life) .$# ever* time& esse$ce a$# exam!le woul#

e$ter com!lex relatio$shi!s that gave a $ew st*le to !hiloso!h*) The cafe waiter& the girl i$ love&

the ugl* ma$& a$# a"ove all m* frie$#(<ierre(who(was($ever(there these com!rise# real $ovels

i$ the !hiloso!hical wor' a$# set the esse$ces goi$g to the rh*thm of existe$tial exam!les) .

viole$t s*$tax of "rea's a$# stretches were ever*where #ali$g evi#e$ce& recalli$g the twi$

artria$ o"sessio$s the la'es of $o$("ei$g& a$# the viscosit* of matter)

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;is refusal of the o"el !rie is goo# $ews) %i$all* someo$e is $ot tr*i$g to ex!lai$ what a#elicious !ara#ox it is for a writer& for a !rivate thi$'er& to acce!t ho$ors a$# !u"licre!rese$tatio$s) The clever few are alrea#* tr*i$g to ma'e artre co$tra#ict himself the*

attri"ute to him feeli$gs of vexatio$ at havi$g the !rie come too late the* o"/ect that& i$ a$*case& he re!rese$ts somethi$g the* remi$# him that& at a$* rate& his success was a$# remai$s

"ourgeois the* suggest that his refusal is $either reaso$a"le $or grow$(u! the* !oi$t to theexam!le of those who acce!te#(while(refusi$g& #etermi$e# to !ut the mo$e* to goo# wor's) :e

shoul#$t get too i$volve#) artre is a formi#a"le !olemicist))) There is $o ge$ius without self( !aro#*) >ut which is the "etter !aro#*@ To "ecome a !olite ol# ma$& a co?uettish s!iritual

authorit*@ r rather to wish o$eself the half(wit of the i"eratio$@ To watch *ourself "e electe#to the .ca#em*& or #ream of "ei$g a He$euela$ ma?uis@ :ho fails to see the ?ualitative

#iffere$ce& the #iffere$ce of ge$ius& the vital #iffere$ce "etwee$ these two choices& these two !aro#ies@ To what is artre faithful@ =ver a$# alwa*s to the frie$# <ierre(who(is($ever(there) +t is

his !eculiar #esti$* to circulate !ure air whe$ he s!ea's& eve$ if this !ure air& the air of a"se$ces&

is #ifficult to "reathe)1

The +hi"osophy o' Crime o#e"s;

4a Serie Noire is cele"rati$g a mome$tous occasio$its release of P1000) The cohere$ce& the

i#ea of this collectio$ owes ever*thi$g to its e#itor) f course ever*o$e '$ew somethi$g a"out

co!s& crimi$als& a$# their relatio$shi!& eve$ if it was o$l* from rea#i$g the !a!ers& or the'$owle#ge of s!ecial re!orts) >ut literature is li'e co$scious$ess& it alwa*s lags "ehi$#) These

thi$gs ha# $ot *et fou$# their co$tem!orar* literar* ex!ressio$& or the* ha#$t attai$e# the status

of commo$(!lace i$ literature) The cre#it for closi$g this ga! at a !articularl* favora"le mome$t

goes to Aarcel Duhamel)2 Aalraux ha# this i$sight to offer i$ his !reface to the tra$slatio$ of

Sanctuary8 %aul'$er '$ows ver* well that #etectives #o$t exist that !olice !ower stems $either

from !s*cholog* $or from clarit* of visio$& "ut from i$forma$ts a$# that its $ot Aoustachu or

Ta!i$ois& the mo#est thi$'ers of the uai #es rfevres& who "ri$g a"out the a!!rehe$sio$ of the

mur#erer o$ the loose& "ut ra$'(a$#(file co!s)))) 4a Serie Noire was a"ove all a$ a#a!tatio$ of

Sanctuary for a mass mar'et ,loo' at hases No Orcids for Miss 3'andis$, a$# a

ge$eraliatio$ of Aalrauxs !reface)

+$ the ol# co$ce!tio$ of the #etective $ovel& we woul# "e show$ a ge$ius #etective #evoti$g

the whole !ower of his mi$# to the search a$# #iscover* of the truth) The i#ea of truth i$ the

classic #etective $ovel was totall* !hiloso!hical& that is& it was the !ro#uct of the effort a$# the

94



o!eratio$s of the mi$#) o it is that !olice i$vestigatio$ mo#ele# itself o$ !hiloso!hical i$?uir*&

a$# co$versel*& gave to !hiloso!h* a$ u$usual o"/ect to eluci#ate crime)

There were two schools of truth 1- the %re$ch school ,Descartes-& where truth is a ?uestio$

of some fu$#ame$tal i$tellectual i$tuitio$& from which the rest is rigorousl* #e#uce# a$# 2- the

=$glish school ,;o""es-& accor#i$g to which truth is alwa*s i$#uce# from somethi$g else&

i$ter!rete# from se$sor* i$#ices) +$ a wor#& #e#uctio$ a$# i$#uctio$) The #etective $ovel

re!ro#uce# this #ualit*& though i$ a moveme$t which was !ro!er to the literar* ge$re& a$# has

!ro#uce# famous exam!les of each) The =$glish school o$a$ Do*le gave us herloc' ;olmes&

the masterful i$ter!reter of sig$s& the i$#uctive ge$ius) The %re$ch school Ga"oriau gave us

Ta"aret a$# eco? a$# Gasto$ eroux& Bouleta"ille& who with a circle "etwee$ the two lo"es

of his forehea#& is alwa*s i$vo'i$g the right trac' of reaso$ a$# ex!licitl* o!!osi$g his theor*

of certai$t* to the i$#uctive metho#& the .$glo(axo$ theor* of sig$s)

The crimi$al si#e of the affair ca$ also "e ?uite i$teresti$g) >* a meta!h*sical law of

reflectio$& the co! is $o more extraor#i$ar* tha$ the crimi$alhe& too& !rofesses allegia$ce to

/ustice a$# truth a$# the !owers of #e#uctio$ a$# i$#uctio$) .$# so *ou have the !ossi"ilit* of

two series of $ovels the hero of the first is the #etective& a$# the hero of the seco$# is the

crimi$al) :ith Bouleta"ille a$# heri(>i"i& eroux "rought each series to its !erfectio$) >ut

$ever the twai$ shall meet the* are the motors for two #iffere$t series ,the* coul# $ever meet

without o$e of them loo'i$g ri#iculous cf e"la$cs attem!t to !ut .rse$e u!i$ together with

herloc' ;olmes-) Bouleta"ille a$# heri(>i"i =ach is the #ou"le of the other& the* have the

same #esti$*& the same !ai$& the same ?uest for the truth) This is the #esti$* a$# ?uest of

e#i!us ,Bouleta"ille is #esti$e# to 'ill his father heri(>i"i atte$#s a !erforma$ce of e#i!us

a$# shouts ;es /ust li'e meO-) .fter !hiloso!h*& Gree' trage#*)

95



till we must$t "e too sur!rise# that the crime $ovel so faithfull* re!ro#uces Gree' trage#*&

si$ce e#i!us is alwa*s calle# o$ to i$#icate a$* such coi$ci#e$ce) :hile it is the o$l* Gree'

trage#* that alrea#* has this #etective structure& we shoul# marvel that o!hocless e#i!us is a

#etective& a$# $ot that the #etective $ovel has remai$e# e#i!al) :e shoul# give cre#it where

cre#it is #ue to eroux& a !he$ome$al $ovelist i$ %re$ch literature& who ha# a ge$ius for

stri'i$g !hrases $ot the ha$#s& $ot the ha$#s& the ugliest of me$& %atal( itas& me$ who

o!e$ #oors a$# me$ who shut tra!s& a circle "etwee$ two lo"es& etc)

>ut the "irth of 4a Serie Noire has "ee$ the #eath of the #etective $ovel& !ro!erl* s!ea'i$g)

To "e sure& the great ma/orit* of $ovels i$ the collectio$ have "ee$ co$te$t to cha$ge the

#etectives wa* of #oi$g thi$gs ,he #ri$'s& hes i$ love& hes restless- "ut 'ee! the same structure

the sur!rise e$#i$g that "ri$gs all the characters together for the fi$al ex!la$atio$ that fi$gers

o$e of them as the guilt* !art*) othi$g $ew there)

:hat the $ew literar* use a$# ex!loitatio$ of co!s a$# crimi$als taught us is that !olice

activit* has $othi$g to #o with a meta!h*sical or scie$tific search for the truth) <olice wor' $o

more resem"les scie$tific i$?uir* tha$ a tele!ho$e call from a$ i$forma$t& i$ter(!olice relatio$s&

or mecha$isms of torture resem"le meta!h*sics) .s a ge$eral rule& there are two #isti$ct cases

1- the !rofessio$al mur#er& where the !olice '$ow imme#iatel* more or less who is res!o$si"le

a$# 2- the sexual mur#er& where the guilt* !art* coul# "e a$*o$e) >ut i$ either case the !ro"lem

is $ot frame# i$ terms of truth) +t is rather a$ asto$ishi$g com!e$satio$ of errot) The sus!ect&

'$ow$ to the co!s "ut $ever charge#& is either $a""e# i$ some other #omai$ tha$ his usual

s!here of crimi$al activit* ,whe$ce the .merica$ schema of the u$toucha"le ga$gster& who is

arreste# a$# #e!orte# for tax frau#- or he is !rovo'e#& force# to show himself& as the* lie i$

wait for him)

96



:ith 4a Serie Noire, weve "ecome accustome# to the sort of co! who #ives right i$& come

what ma*& regar#less of the errors he ma* commit& "ut co$fi#e$t that somethi$g will emerge) .t

the other extreme& weve "ee$ allowe# to watch the meticulous !re!aratio$ of a sti$g o!eratio$&

a$# the #omi$o effect of little errors that loom ever larger as the mome$t of rec'o$i$g

a!!roaches ,its i$ this se$se that 4a Serie Noire i$flue$ce# ci$ema-) The totall* i$$oce$t rea#er

is shoc'e# i$ the e$# "* so ma$* errors committe# o$ "oth si#es) =ve$ whe$ the co!s

themselves are hatchi$g a $ast* !lot& the* ma'e so ma$* "lu$#ers& the* #ef* "elief)

This is "ecause the truth is i$ $o wa* the am"ie$t eleme$t of the i$vestigatio$ $ot for a

mome$t #oes o$e "elieve that this com!e$satio$ of errors aims for the #iscover* of the truth as

its fi$al o"/ective) $ the co$trar*& this com!e$satio$ has its ow$ #ime$sio$& its ow$ sufficie$c*&

a 'i$# of e?uili"rium or the reesta"lishme$t of it& a !rocess of restitutio$ that allows a societ*& at

the limits of c*$icism& to hi#e what it wa$ts to hi#e& reveal what it wa$ts to reveal& #e$* all

evi#e$ce& a$# cham!io$ the im!ro"a"le) The 'iller still at large ma* "e 'ille# for his ow$ errors&

a$# the !olice ma* have to sacrifice o$e of their ow$ for still other errors& a$# so it is that these

com!e$satio$s have $o other o"/ect tha$ to !er!etuate a$ e?uili"rium that re!rese$ts a societ* i$

its e$tiret* at te eigts of its power of fa'seood%

This same !rocess of restitutio$& e?uili"rium or com!e$satio$ also a!!ears i$ Gree' trage#*

,.esch*lus& for exam!le-) The greatest $ovel of this 'i$#& a$# the most a#mira"le i$ ever*

res!ect& is $ot !art of 4a Serie Noire8 its Bo""e( Grillets 4es *ommes, which #evelo!s a$

i$cre#i"le com!e$satio$ of errors whose 'e*$otes are a$ .esch*lea$ e?uili"rium a$# a$ e#i!al

?uest)

%rom a literar* !oi$t of view& 4a Serie Noire ma#e the !ower of falsehoo# the !rimar*

#etective eleme$t) .$# this e$tails a$other co$se?ue$ce clearl*& the relatio$ "etwee$ co! a$#

97



crimi$al is $o lo$ger o$e of meta!h*sical reflectio$) The i$ter!e$etratio$ is real& a$# the

com!licit* #ee! a$# com!e$sator*) %airs fair& @uid pro @uo, the* excha$ge favors a$# $o less

fre?ue$tl* "etra*als o$ the o$e si#e a$# the other) :e are alwa*s le# "ac' to the great tri$it* of

falsehoo# i$forma$t(corru!tio$(torture) >ut it goes without sa*i$g that the co!s #o $ot of their

ow$ accor# i$itiate this #is?uieti$g com!licit*) The meta!h*sical reflectio$ of the ol# #etective

$ovel has give$ wa* to a mirrori$g of the other) . societ* i$#ee# reflects itself to itself i$ its

!olice a$# its crimi$als& eve$ while it !rotects itself from them "* mea$s of a fu$#ame$tal #ee!

com!licit* "etwee$ them)

:e '$ow that a ca!italist societ* more willi$gl* !ar#o$s ra!e& mur#er& or 'i#$a!!i$g tha$ a

"ou$ce# chec'& which is its o$l* theological crime& the crime agai$st s!irit) :e '$ow ver* well

that im!orta$t !olitical #eali$gs e$tail a$* $um"er of sca$#als a$# real crimes co$versel*& we

'$ow that crime is orga$ie# i$ "usi$ess(li'e fashio$& with structures as !recise as a "oar# of

#irectors or ma$agers) 4a Serie Noire i$tro#uce# us to a !olitics(crime com"o that& #es!ite the

evi#e$ce of ;istor* !ast a$# !rese$t& ha# $ot "ee$ give$ a co$tem!orar* literar* ex!ressio$)

The Fefauver re!ort&4 a$# es!eciall* the "oo' "* Tur'us& Societe anonyme pour

assassinats, were the source of i$s!iratio$ for ma$* of the texts i$ 4a Serie Noire% Aa$* writers

#i# little more tha$ !lagiarie them& or rather the* tur$e# them i$to !o!ular $ovels) :hether its

the Tru/illo regime& or >attista& or ;itler& or %ra$cowhat will "e $ext whe$ ever*o$e is tal'i$g

a"out >e$ >ar'athat "egets a h*"ri# that is !ro!erl* erie oire whether its .sturias writi$g

a $ovel of ge$ius M% 'e )resident,2 or whether its !eo!le sitti$g arou$# tr*i$g to figure out the

secret of this u$it* of the grotes?ue a$# the terrif*i$g& the terri"le a$# the clow$ish& which "i$#s

together !olitical !ower& eco$omic !ower& crime a$# !olice activit*its all alrea#* i$

ueto$ius& ha'es!eare& Carr*& .sturias 4a Serie Noire has rec*cle# it all) ;ave we reall* ma#e

a$* !rogress i$ u$#ersta$#i$g this h*"ri# of the grotes?ue a$# terrif*i$g which& u$#er the right

circumsta$ces& coul# #etermi$e the fate of us all@

98



o it is that 4a Serie Noire has tra$sforme# our imagi$i$gs& our evaluatio$s of the !olice) +t

was high time) :as it goo# for us to !artici!ate as active rea#ers i$ the ol# #etective $ovel& a$#

there"* lose our gri! o$ realit* a$# thus our !ower of i$#ig$atio$@ +$#ig$atio$ wells u! i$ us

"ecause of realit*& or "ecause of masterful wor's of art) 4a Serie Noire i$#ee# seems to have

!astiche# ever* great $ovelist imitatio$ %aul'$er& "ut also imitatio$ tei$"ec'& imitatio$ al#(

well& imitatio$ .sturias) .$# it followe# the tre$#s first .merica$& the$ it re#iscovere# %re$ch

crime)

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T;= <;+<;N % B+A= H=

True& 4a Serie Noire is full of stereot*!es the !uerile !rese$tatio$ of sexualit*& or what a"out the e*es of the 'illers,o$l* hase ma$age# to le$# a !articular col# life to his 'illers& who are hea#stro$g a$# $o$(co$formist-) >ut its

great$ess "elo$gs to Duhamels i#ea& which remai$s the #rivi$g force "ehi$# rece$t releases a reorga$iatio$ of thevisio$ of the worl# that ever* ho$est !erso$ has co$cer$i$g co!s a$# crimi$als)learl*& a $ew realism is i$sufficie$t to

ma'e goo# literature) +$ "a# literature& the real as such is the o"/ect of stereot*!es& !uerile $otio$s& a$# chea! fa$tasies&worse tha$ a$* imagi$ative im"ecile coul# #ream u!) >ut more !rofou$# tha$ either the real or the imagi$ar* is

!aro#*) 4a Serie Noire ma* have suffere# from a$ over(a"u$#a$t !ro#uctio$& "ut it has 'e!t a u$it*& a te$#e$c*& which !erio#icall* fou$# ex!ressio$ i$ a "eautiful wor' ,the co$tem!orar* success of Cames >o$#& who was $ever i$tegrate#

i$to 4a Serie Noire, seems to re!rese$t a serious literar* regressio$& though com!e$sate# for "* the ci$ema& a retur$ toa ros* co$ce!tio$ of the secret age$t-)

The most "eautiful wor's of 4a Serie Noire are those i$ which the real fi$#s its !ro!er !aro#*& such that i$ its tur$

the !aro#* shows us #irectio$s i$ the real which we woul# $ot have fou$# otherwise) These are some of the great

wor's of !aro#*& though i$ #iffere$t mo#es hases Miss Sumway /aves a /and :illiamss Te #iamond 3i:ini or

;imes $egro $ovels& which alwa*s have extraor#i$ar* mome$ts) <aro#* is a categor* that goes "e*o$# real a$#

imagi$ar*) .$# lets $ot forget P50 Cames Gu$$s #ead'ier tan te Ma'e%

The tre$# i$ those #a*s was .merica$ it was sai# that certai$ $ovelists were writi$g u$#er .merica$

!seu#o$*ms) #ead'ier tan te Ma'e is a marvelous wor' the !ower of falsehoo# at its height& a$ ol# woma$ !ursui$g

a$ assassi$ "* smell& a mur#er attem!t i$ the #u$eswhat a !aro#*& *ou woul# have to rea# itor rerea# itto

"elieve it) :ho is Cames Gu$$ a$*wa*@ $l* a si$gle wor' i$ 4a Serie Noire a!!eare# u$#er his $ame) o $ow that

4a Serie Noire is cele"rati$g the release of P1000& a$# is re(releasi$g ma$* ol#er wor's& a$# as a tri"ute to Aarcel

Duhamel& + hum"l* re?uest the re(release of m* !erso$al favorite P50)

1

On <i".ert Simondon;

The !ri$ci!le of i$#ivi#uatio$ is "* all accou$ts a res!ecta"le& eve$ ve$era"le $otio$) E$til ?uite rece$tl*& however& it

seems mo#er$ !hiloso!h* has "ee$ war* of a#o!ti$g the !ro"lem as its ow$) The acce!te# wis#om of !h*sics&

"iolog*& a$# !s*cholog* has le# thi$'ers to atte$uate the !ri$ci!le& "ut $ot to rei$ter!ret it) >ut Gil"ert imo$#o$

ma'es $o small #is!la* of i$tellectual !ower with a !rofou$#l* origi$al theor* of i$#ivi#uatio$ im!l*i$g a whole

!hiloso!h*) imo$#o$ "egi$s from two critical remar's 1- Tra#itio$all*& the !ri$ci!le of i$#ivi#uatio$ is mo#ele# o$ a

com!lete# i$#ivi#ual& o$e who is alrea#* forme#) The ?uestio$ "ei$g as'e# is merel* what co$stitutes the i$#i(

100



T;= <;+<;N % B+A= H=

vi#ualit* of this "ei$g& that is to sa*& what characteries a$ alrea#* i$#ivi#uate#( "ei$g) .$# "ecause we !ut the

i$#ivi#ual after the i$#ivi#uatio$& i$ the same "reath we !ut the !ri$ci!le of i$#ivi#uatio$ before the !rocess of

"ecomi$g a$ i$#ivi#ual& "e*o$# the i$#ivi#uatio$ itself) 2- %rom that !oi$t o$& i$#ivi#uatio$ is !erceive# to "e

ever*where) :e ma'e it a characteristic coexte$sive with "ei$g& at least with co$crete "ei$g ,eve$ if it were #ivi$e-)

:e rema'e all "ei$g i$ its image& as well as the first mome$t of "ei$g "e*o$# the co$ce!t) This mis ta'e is relate# to

the !revious o$e) +$ realit*& the i$#ivi#ual ca$ o$l* "e co$tem!ora$eous with its i$#ivi#uatio$& a$# i$#ivi#uatio$&

co$tem!ora$eous with the !ri$ci!le the !ri$ci!le must "e trul* ge$etic& a$# $ot sim!l* a !ri$ci!le of reflectio$) .lso&

the i$#ivi#ual is $ot /ust a result& "ut a$ environment of i$#ivi#uatio$) ;owever& o$ this view& i$#ivi#uatio$ is $o

lo$ger coexte$sive with "ei$g it must re!rese$t a mome$t& which is $either all of "ei$g $or its first mome$t) :e must

"e a"le to localie i$#ivi#uatio$& to #etermi$e it with res!ect to "ei$g& i$ a moveme$t that will cause a !assage from

the !re(i$#i( vi#ual to the i$#ivi#ual)

The !rior co$#itio$ of i$#ivi#uatio$& accor#i$g to imo$#o$& is the existe$ce of a metasta"le s*stem) >* $ot

recog$ii$g the existe$ce of such s*stems& !hiloso!h* arrive# at the two !revious a!orias) >ut what esse$tiall* #efi$es

a metasta"le s*stem is the existe$ce of a #is!aratio$& the existe$ce of at least two #iffere$t #ime$sio$s& two #is!arate

levels of realit*& "etwee$ which there is $ot *et a$* i$teractive commu$icatio$) . metasta"le s*stem thus im!lies a

fu$#ame$tal difference, li'e a state of #iss*mmetr*) +t is $o$etheless a s*stem i$sofar as the #iffere$ce therei$ is li'e

potentia' energy, li'e a difference of potentia' #istri"ute# withi$ certai$ limits) imo$#o$s co$ce!tio$& it seems to me&

ca$ i$ this res!ect "e assimilate# to a theor* of i$te$sive ?ua$ta& si$ce each i$te$sive ?ua$tum i$ itself is #iffere$ce)

.$ i$te$sive ?ua$tum i$clu#es #iffere$ce withi$ itself& co$tai$s factors of the =(= t*!e& ad infinitum, a$# esta"lishes

itself first a$# foremost "etwee$ #is!arate levels& "etwee$ heteroge$eous or#ers that e$ter i$to commu$icatio$ o$l*

much later& whe$ exte$#e#) i'e the metasta"le s*stem& a$ i$te$sive ?ua$tum is the structure ,$ot *et the s*$thesis- of

heteroge$eit*)

The im!orta$ce of imo$#o$s thesis is $ow a!!are$t) >* #iscoveri$g the !rior co$#itio$ of i$#ivi#uatio$& herigorousl* #isti$guishes si$gularit* a$# i$#ivi#ualit*) +$#ee# the metasta"le& #efi$e# as pre-individua' "ei$g& is !er(

fectl* well e$#owe# with si$gularities that corres!o$# to the existe$ce a$# the #istri"utio$ of !ote$tials) ,+s this $ot thesame as i$ the theor* of #iffere$tial e?uatio$s& where the existe$ce a$# the #istri"utio$ of si$gularities are of a$other$ature tha$ the i$#ivi#ual forms of the i$tegral curves i$ their $eigh"orhoo#@- i$gular without "ei$g i$#ivi#ual thatis the state of !re(i$#i( vi#ual "ei$g) +t is #iffere$ce& #is!arit*& #is!aratio$) .$# the fi$est !ages i$ the "oo' are those

where imo$#o$ shows how #is!arit*& as i$ the first mome$t of "ei$g& a si$gular mome$t& is i$ fact !resu!!ose# "* allother states& whether u$ificatio$& i$tegratio$& te$sio$& o!!ositio$& resolutio$ of o!!osi tio$s& etc) Aost $ota"l*& agai$stewi$s *esta'teorie, imo$#o$ hol#s that the i#ea of #is!aratio$ is more !rofou$# tha$ the i#ea of o!!ositio$& a$#the i#ea of !ote$tial e$erg* more !rofou$# tha$ the i#ea of a fiel# of forces <rior to o#o(logical s!ace& there is a$

overla!!i$g of !ers!ectives which #oes $ot allow o$e to gras! the #etermi$e# o"/ect& "ecause there are $o #ime$sio$swith res!ect to which the u$i?ue whole coul# "e or#ere# the f'uctatio animi, which !rece#es a$* resolute actio$& is $ota hesitatio$ "etwee$ several !aths& "ut a mo"ile overla!!i$g of i$com!ati"le wholes& almost similar& a$# *et #is!arate,!) 233-) .$ overla!!i$g worl# of #iscrete si$gularities& which overla!s all the more give$ that the #iscrete si$gularities

#o $ot *et commu$icate& or are $ot *et ta'e$ u! i$ a$ i$#ivi#ualit* such is the first mome$t of "ei$g

101




)o how will i$#ivi#uatio$ arise from this co$#itio$@ learl*& it must esta"lish a$ i$teractive commu$icatio$ "etwee$#ime$sio$s or #is!arate realities it must actualie the !ote$tial e$erg* or i$tegrate the si$gularities it $ee#s to reso've

te prob'em which #is!arate realities !ose& "* orga$ii$g a $ew #ime$sio$ i$ which the* form a u$i?ue whole at ahigher level ,a$alogous to the !erce!tio$ of #e!th that emerges from reti$al images-) This categor* of !ro"lem ac?uires

i$ imo$#o$s thought treme$#ous im!orta$ce i$sofar as the categor* is e$#owe# with a$ o"/ective se$se it $o lo$ger#esig$ates a !rovisio$al state of our '$owle#ge& a$ u$#etermi$e# su"/ective co$ce!t& "ut a mome$t of "ei$g& the first

!re(i$#ivi#ual mome$t) .$# i$ imo$#o$s #ialectic& the !ro"lematic re!laces the $egative) +$#ivi#uatio$ is thus theorga$iatio$ of a solutio$& the orga$iatio$ of a resolutio$ for a s*stem that is o"/ectivel* !ro"lematic) This

resolutio$ must "e co$ceive# i$ two com!leme$tar* wa*s o$ the o$e ha$#& as interna' resonance, which is the most !rimitive mo#e of commu$icatio$ "etwee$ realities of #iffere$t or#ers ,a$# i$ m* o!i$io$& imo$#o$ has succee#e#i$ ma'i$g i$ter$al reso$a$ce a$ extremel* !ro#uctive co$ce!t& o!e$ to all sorts of a!!licatio$s& es!eciall* i$

!s*cholog*& i$ the area of affectivit*- o$ the other ha$#& as information, which i$ its tur$ esta"lishes commu$icatio$

"etwee$ two #is!arate levels& o$e of them #efi$e# "* a form alrea#* co$tai$e# i$ the receiver& a$# the other "* thesig$al "rought i$ from the outsi#e ,here we e$cou$ter imo$#o$s !reoccu!atio$s with c*"er$etics& a$# a whole theor*of sig$ificatio$ i$ the relatio$s of the i$#ivi#ual-) +$ a$* eve$t& i$#ivi#uatio$ a!!ears as the a#ve$t of a $ew mome$t of>ei$g& the mome$t of !hase(loc'e# "ei$g& cou!le# to itself +$#i( vi#uatio$ creates the !hase(loc'i$g& "ecause the

!hases are "ut the #evelo!me$t of "ei$g& o$ the o$e si#e a$# the other& of itself))) <re(i$#ivi#ual "ei$g is !haseless&whereas "ei$g after i$#ivi#uatio$ is !hase(loc'e#) uch a co$ce!tio$ i#e$tifies& or at least co$$ects the i$#ivi#uatio$a$# the "ecomi$g of "ei$g ,!) 276-)

To this !oi$t + have i$#icate# o$l* the ver* ge$eral !ri$ci!les of the "oo') +$ its #etail& the a$al*sis is orga$ie#

arou$# two ce$ters) %irst& a stu#* of the #iffere$t #omai$s of i$#ivi#uatio$ i$ !articular& the #iffere$ces "etwee$

!h*sical a$# vital i$#ivi#uatio$ receive a !rofou$# ex!ositio$) The eco$om* of i$ter$al reso$a$ce loo's #iffere$t i$

each case the !h*sical i$#ivi#ual is co$te$t to receive i$formatio$ o$l* o$ce& a$# reiterate a$ i$itial si$gularit*&

whereas the livi$g "ei$g receives several co$tri"utio$s of i$formatio$ i$ successio$ a$# "ala$ces several si$gularities

a$# most im!orta$tl*& the !h*sical i$#ivi#ual creates a$# !rolo$gs itself to the limit of the "o#*for exam!le& cr*stal

whereas the livi$g "ei$g grows from the i$terior a$# the exterior& with the whole co$te$t of its i$terior i$ co$tactto!ologicall* with the co$te$t of i$terior s!ace ,o$ this !oi$t imo$#o$ writes a$ a#mira"le cha!ter& to!olog* a$#

o$toge$esis-) +t ma* "e sur!risi$g that imo$#o$ #i# $ot avail himself of the research co$#ucte# "* the hil# school

i$ the #omai$ of "iolog*& #eali$g with the gra#ie$ts a$# resolutio$ s*stems i$ egg #evelo!me$t& si$ce their wor'

suggests the i#ea of i$#ivi#uatio$ "* i$te$sit*& a$ i$te$sive fiel# of i$#ivi#uatio$& which woul# co$firm imo$#o$s

theses i$ several res!ects) >ut certai$l* this is #ue to imo$#o$s #esire $ot to restrict himself to a "iological

#etermi$atio$ of the i$#ivi#ual& "ut to s!ecif* i$creasi$gl* com!lex levels) :e therefore fi$# a !ro!erl* !s*chic

i$#ivi#uatio$ emergi$g !recisel* whe$ the vital fu$ctio$s $o lo$ger suffice to resolve the !ro"lems e$cou$tere# "* the

livi$g "ei$g& a$# whe$ a $ew #ose of !re(i$#ivi#ual realit* is mo"ilie# i$ a $ew !ro"lematic& i$ a $ew !rocess of

!ro"lem solvi$g ,cf) his ver* i$teresti$g theor* of affectivit*-) +$ tur$& the !s*che o!e$s u! to a tra$s(i$#ivi#ual

collective)

ow we see the seco$# ce$ter of imo$#o$s a$al*ses his moral visio$ of the worl#) The fu$#ame$tal i#ea is that

the !re(i$#ivi#ual& a source of future metasta"le states& must remai$ associate# with the i$#ivi#ual) Esteticism is

102




therefore co$#em$e# as that act "* which a$ i$#ivi#ual cuts him or herself off from the !re(i$#ivi#ual realit* from

which he or she emerge#) .s a result& the i$#ivi#ual is close# i$ o$ a si$gularit*& refusi$g to commu$icate& a$#

!rovo'i$g a loss of i$formatio$) 2Etics exists to the exte$t that there is i$formatio$& i$ other wor#s& sig$ificatio$

overcomi$g a #is!aratio$ of the eleme$ts of "ei$g& such that what is i$terior is also exterior ,!) 297-) =thics thus

follows a 'i$# of moveme$t ru$$i$g from the !re(i$#ivi#ual to the tra$s(i$#ivi#ual via i$#ivi#uatio$) ,The rea#er ma*

i$#ee# as' whether& i$ his ethics& imo$#o$ has $ot rei$tro#uce# the form of the elf which he ha# averte# with his

theor* of #is!arit*& i)e) his theor* of the i$#ivi#ual co$ceive# as #e!hase# a$# multi!hase# "ei$g)-

+$ a$* eve$t& few "oo's ca$ im!ress a rea#er as much as this o$e ca$ it #emo$strates the exte$t to which a

!hiloso!her ca$ "oth fi$# his i$s!iratio$ i$ co$tem!orar* scie$ce a$# at the same time co$$ect with the ma/or !ro" (

lems of classical !hiloso!h*eve$ as he tra$sforms a$# re$ews those !ro"lems) The $ew co$ce!ts esta"lishe# "*

imo$#o$ seem to me extremel* im!orta$t their wealth a$# origi$alit* are stri'i$g& whe$ the*re $ot outright

i$s!iri$g) :hat imo$#o$ ela"orates here is a whole o$tolog*& accor#i$g to which >ei$g is $ever $e) .s !re(

i$#ivi#ual& "ei$g is more tha$ o$e metasta"le& su!er!ose#& simulta$eous with itself) .s i$#ivi#uate#& it is still

multi!le& "ecause it is multi!hase#& a !hase of "ecomi$g that will lea# to $ew !rocesses)

1

,mans8 ! .ios 6xistene;

%oucaults "oo' "egi$s with a #etaile# #escri!tio$ of Hela?ues Maids of +onor or rather a #escri!tio$ of the

!ai$ti$gs s!ace we see the !ai$ter& "ut i$ the !rocess of loo'i$g we see the ca$vas he is !ai$ti$g& "ut o$l* from the "ac' we see the !eo!le co$vergi$g o$ a !oi$t /ust i$ fro$t of the !ai$te# surface a$# the true mo#el& the 'i$g&reflecte# o$l* i$ a mirror i$ the "ac'grou$#& is co$tem!lati$g all those co$tem!lati$g him& there"* formi$g the greata"se$ce a$# *et also the extri$sic ce$ter of the wor') .s we rea# these fi$e !ages "* Aichel %oucault& we see "oth the

eleme$ts a$# the mome$ts of what is calle# a representation emerge its s*stem of i#e$tit*& #iffere$ce& #ou"li$g a$#reflectio$& a s!ace all its ow$& #ow$ to to the esse$tial em!ti$ess #esig$ati$g the !erso$age for whom there!rese$tatio$ exists& who is himself re!rese$te# i$ the re!rese$tatio$& a$# who *et is $ot !rese$t i$ !erso$this isthe 'i$gs !lace)

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;EA. . DE>+E =K+T==

%oucault #efi$es the lassical .ge& which falls "etwee$ the Be$aissa$ce a$# our mo#er$it*& "* the $otio$ ofre!rese$tatio$) The Be$aissa$ce still u$#erstoo# its '$owle#ge as a$ i$ter!retatio$ of sig$s the relatio$ of the sig$ to

what it sig$ifies was covere# "* the rich #omai$ of similitu#es) $ce agai$& %oucaults a$al*sis from the outset is somasterful& a$# the to$e he stri'es so $ew& that the rea#er se$ses a $ew form of thought "ei$g "or$ i$ this a!!are$t

reflectio$ o$ histor*) .ccor#i$g to %oucault& ever* thought u$fol#s i$ a characteristic s!ace) ;owever& i$ theseve$tee$th(ce$tur*& te space of signs is te$#i$g towar# #issolutio$& givi$g wa* to the s!ace of re!rese$tatio$ which

reflects sig$ificatio$s a$# #ecom!oses similitu#es& causi$g a $ew or#er of i#e$tities a$# #iffere$ces to emerge) "#onGui!ote is !recisel* the first great wor' to ac'$owle#ge the "a$'ru!tc* of sig$s i$ favor of a worl# of re!rese$tatio$)-

This r#er& this form of re!rese$tatio$& will "e com!lete# "* !ositive or#ers fou$#e# o$ em!irical results atural;istor*& Theor* of Ao$e* a$# Halue& Ge$eral Grammar) These three or#ers will !ro#uce all 'i$#s of reso$a$cesamo$g themselves& #ue to their commo$ mem"ershi! i$ the s!ace of re!rese$tatio$ character is the re!rese$tatio$ ofthe i$#ivi#ual of $ature mo$e*& the re!rese$tatio$ of the o"/ects of $ee# the $ame& the re!rese$tatio$ of la$guage

itself)

+$ vai$& however& #oes o$e search for te uman sciences, allege#l* create# i$ the eightee$th(ce$tur*) The

!rece#i$g a$al*sis i$ fact shows that te uman does not e!ist and cannot e!ist i$ this classical s!ace of

re!rese$tatio$) .gai$& its the 'i$gs !lace huma$ $ature is certai$l* re!rese$te#& i$ a #ou"li$g of re!rese$tatio$ that

attri"utes this huma$ $ature to Nature, "ut the ;uma$ #oes $ot *et exist i$ its !ro!er $ature or its su"(re!rese$tative

#omai$) The ;uma$ #oes $ot exist as a$ o!a?ue first realit*& as a #ifficult o"/ect& the sovereig$ su"/ect of all !ossi"le

'$owle#ge)2 +t is i$ this se$se that %oucault su"titles his "oo' .$ .rcheolog* of the ;uma$ cie$ces) :hat were

the co$#itio$s of !ossi"ilit* of the huma$ scie$ces& or what is huma$it*s true #ate of "irth@

There is a !recise a$swer the ;uma$ ca$ exist i$ the s!ace of '$owle#ge o$l* o$ce the classical worl# of

re!rese$tatio$ itself has colla!se# u$#er the !ressure of $o$(re!rese$ta"le a$# $o$(re!rese$tative forces) This is the

emerge$ce of somethi$g o"scure& or a #ime$sio$ of #e!th) >efore the ;uma$ ca$ exist& bio'ogy must first "e "or$& a$#

po'itica' economy a$# pi'o'ogy8 the livi$g orga$isms co$#itio$s of !ossi"ilit* are sought i$ life itself ,uvier-& the

co$#itio$s of excha$ge a$# !rofit are sought i$ the #e!ths of la"or ,Bicar#o-& a$# the !ossi"ilit* of #iscourse a$#

grammar is sought i$ the historical #e!th of la$guages& i$ its s*stem of i$flexio$s& i$ the series of its e$#i$gs a$# the

mo#ificatio$s of its ra#icals ,Grimm& >o!!-) $ce livi$g orga$isms have left the s!ace of re!rese$tatio$ to lo#ge

themselves i$ the s!ecific #e!th of life a$# wealth& i$ the !rogressive #evelo!me$t of the forms of !ro#uctio$ a$#

wor#s& i$ the "ecomi$g of la$guage the$ $atural histor* gives wa* to "iolog*& the theor* of mo$e* to !olitical

eco$om*& a$# ge$eral grammar to !hilolog*)

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;EA. . DE>+E =K+T==

.t the same time& huma$it* #iscovers itself i$ two #iffere$t wa*s on te one and, as #omi$ate# "* la"or& life&

a$# la$guage he$ceforth as a$ o"/ect of $ew !ositive scie$ces& which will mo#el themselves o$ "iolog* or !olitical

eco$om* or !hilolog* on te oter and, huma$it* sees itself as fou$#i$g this $ew !osi( tivit* o$ the categor* of his

ow$ fi$itu#e the meta!h*sics of the i$fi$ite will "e re!lace# "* a$ a$al*tic of the fi$ite that u$covers tra$sce$#e$tal

structures i$ life& la"or& a$# la$guage) ;uma$it* thus comes to have a #ou"le "ei$g) :hat has colla!se# is the

sovereig$t* of i#e$tit* i$ re!rese$tatio$) The ;uma$ is traverse# "* a$ esse$tial #is!arit*& almost a$ a'ienation by

rigts, se!arate# from itself "* its wor#s& "* its wor's& a$# "* its #esires) .$# i$ this revolutio$ that ex!lo#es

re!rese$tatio$& it is $o lo$ger #iffere$ce that must "e su"or#i$ate# to the same& "ut the same that must "e sai# of the

Differe$t the ietchea$ revolutio$)

%oucault i$#ee# u$#erta'es to !rovi#e the huma$ scie$ces with a fou$#atio$& "ut it is a !oiso$ous fou$#atio$& a$

archeolog* that smashes its i#ols& a malicious gift) ets tr* to sum u! %oucaults thesis the huma$ scie$ces #i# $ot

come a"out whe$ huma$it* too' itself to "e the o"/ect of re!rese$tatio$& $or eve$ whe$ huma$it* #iscovere# its

histor*) $ the co$trar*& the* came a"out whe$ huma$it* "ecame #ehistoricie#& whe$ thi$gs ,wor#s& livi$g

orga$isms& !ro#uctio$s- receive# their ow$ histor* that li"erate# them from huma$it* a$# its re!rese$tatio$) The$ the

huma$ scie$ces were co$stitute# "* mimic:ing the $ew !ositive scie$ces of "iolog*& !olitical eco$om*& a$# !hilolog*)

To affirm their s!ecificit*& the huma$ scie$ces restore# the or#er of re!rese$tatio$& though the* loa# it #ow$ with the

resources of the u$co$scious)

This false e?uili"rium alrea#* shows that the huma$ scie$ces are $ot scie$ces) The* as!ire# to occu!* the em!t*

!lace i$ re!rese$tatio$& "ut this !lace of the 'i$g ca$$ot a$# must $ot "e occu!ie# a$thro!olog* is a m*stificatio$)

%rom the lassical .ge to Ao#er$it*& we move from a state where the ;uma$ #oes $ot *et exist to a state where it has

alrea#* #isa!!eare#) To#a* we $o lo$ger thi$' "ut i$ the em!ti$ess which the ;uma$ has left) >ecause the em!ti$ess

#oes $ot create a lac' it #oes $ot !rescri"e a lacu$a to "e fille#) +t is $othi$g more& a$# $othi$g less tha$ the u$fol#i$g

of a s!ace i$ which it is fi$all* o$ce agai$ !ossi"le to thi$')1 +$#ee#& this a$al*tic of fi$itu#e i$vites us $ot to create a

huma$ scie$ce& "ut to set u! a $ew image of tougt8 a thi$'i$g that $o lo$ger o!!oses itself as from the outsi#e to the

u$thi$'a"le or the u$thought& "ut which woul# lo#ge the u$thi$'a"le& the u$thought withi$ itself as thought& a$#

which woul# "e i$ a$ esse$tial relatio$shi! to it ,#esire is what remai$s alwa*s u$thought at the heart of thought- a

thi$'i$g that woul# of itself "e i$ relatio$ to the o"scure& a$# which "* rights woul# "e traverse# "* a sort of fissure&

without which thought coul# $o lo$ger o!erate) The fissure ca$$ot "e fille# i$& "ecause it is the highest o"/ect of

thought the ;uma$ #oes $ot fill it i$ or glue it "ac' together the fissure i$ huma$it* is the e$# of the ;uma$ or the

origi$ of thought) . ogito for a self u$#er$eath))) f those #isci!li$es that treat of huma$it*& o$l* eth$olog*&

!s*choa$al*sis& a$# li$guistics effectivel* sur!ass the ;uma$& !rovi#i$g the three ma/or axes of the a$al*tic of the

fi$ite)

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;EA. . DE>+E =K+T==

ow we see how this "oo' co$ti$ues %oucaults reflectio$s o$ ma#$ess& o$ the tra$sformatio$ of the co$ce!t of

ma#$ess from the lassical .ge to Ao#er$it*) ."ove all& it is cr*stal clear that %oucaults three ma/or wor's

Madness and &ivi'i(ation8 A +istory of ;nsanity in te Age of Reason, Te birt of te &'inic8 An Arcaeo'ogy of

Medica' )erception, a$# Te Order of Tings8 An Arcaeo'ogy of te +uman Sciences form a chai$ i$ a ra#icall*

$ew !ro/ect for !hiloso!h* as well as the histor* of scie$ces) %oucault himself #escri"es his metho# as archeological)

:hat shoul# "e u$#erstoo# "* archeolog* is a stu#* of the su"stratum& the grou$# o$ which thought o!erates& a$#

i$to which it reaches to form its co$ce!ts) :hat %oucault shows us is the ver* #iffere$t strata i$ this grou$#& eve$ the

mutatio$s& the to!ogra!hical u!heavals& the orga$iatio$ of $ew s!aces for exam!le& the mutatio$ that ma'es the

classic image of thought !ossi"le& or the o$e which !re!ares the mo#er$ image of thought) To "e sure& o$e ca$ assig$

sociological or eve$ !s*chological causes to this histor* "ut i$ realit* the causalities at wor' alrea#* u$fol# i$

s!aces that !resu!!ose a$ image of thought) :e must tr* to imagi$e eve$ts of !ure thought& ra#ical or tra$sce$#e$tal

eve$ts that #etermi$e a s!ace of '$owle#ge for a$* o$e era)

+$stea# of a$ historical stu#* of o!i$io$s ,a !oi$t of view that still gover$s the tra#itio$al co$ce!tio$ of the

histor* of !hiloso!h*-& we fi$# a s*$chro$ic stu#* of '$owle#ge a$# its co$#itio$s $ot co$#itio$s that ma'e

'$owle#ge !ossi"le i$ ge$eral& "ut those that ma'e it real a$# #etermi$e it at a$* o$e mome$t)

uch a metho# has at least two !ara#oxical results it #is!laces the im!orta$ce of co$ce!ts& a$# also the

im!orta$ce of authors) .ccor#i$gl*& what is im!orta$t i$ #efi$i$g the lassical .ge is $ot mecha$ics or mathematics&

"ut a$ u!heaval i$ the eco$om* of sig$s& which cease to "e a figure of the worl# a$# sli! i$to re!rese$tatio$ it is o$l*

this that ma'es !ossi"le "oth matesis a$# mecha$ics) imilarl*& what is im!orta$t to '$ow is $ot that uvier is

fixist& "ut how i$ reactio$ agai$st the !oi$t of view of $atural histor* that still im!riso$s amarc'& uvier esta"lishes

a "iolog* that ma'es !ossi"le "oth evolutio$ism a$# #iscussio$s o$ evolutio$ism) .s a ge$eral rule& a$# this "oo'

a"ou$#s i$ #ecisive exam!les& the ma/or !olemics i$volvi$g #iffere$t o!i$io$s are less im!orta$t tha$ the s!ace of

'$owle#ge that ma'es them !ossi"le a$# those authors who occu!* a ce$tral !lace i$ a more visi"le histor* are $ot

$ecessaril* the same i$ archeolog*) %oucault sa*s )))+ saw it more clearl* i$ uvier& i$ >o!!& i$ Bicar#o tha$ i$ Fa$t

or ;egel& a$# $owhere #oes %oucault more resem"le a great !hiloso!her tha$ whe$ he re/ects the ma/or li$eages for a

more secret& su"terra$ea$ ge$ealog*)

. $ew image of thoughta $ew co$ce!tio$ of what thi$'i$g mea$s is the tas' of !hiloso!h* to#a*) This is where

!hiloso!h*& $o less tha$ the scie$ces a$# the arts& ca$ #emo$strate its ca!acit* for mutatio$s a$# $ew s!aces) To the?uestio$& :hats $ew i$ !hiloso!h*@ %oucaults "oo's all "* themselves !rovi#e a !rofou$# a$swer& o$e of the mostlivel* a$# most !e$etrati$g) +$ m* o!i$io$& Te Order of Tings is a great "oo'& "rimmi$g with $ew thoughts

106



)1

The ethod o' ramati=ation;

*i'es #e'eu(e, university professor of 4etters and +uman Sciences in 4yon, proposes to deve'op

before te members of te .renc Society of )i'osopy te fo''owing arguments8

+t is $ot certai$ that the ?uestio$ wat is tis= is a goo# ?uestio$ for #iscoveri$g the

esse$ce or the +#ea) +t ma* "e that ?uestio$s such as wo= ow muc= ow= were= wen= are

"etteras much for #iscoveri$g the esse$ce as for #etermi$i$g somethi$g more im!orta$t a"out

the +#ea)

!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms have several #iffere$t !ro!erties 1- the* create !articular

s!aces a$# times 2- the* !rovi#e a rule of s!ecificatio$ for co$ce!ts& which without these

#*$amisms woul# remai$ u$a"le to receive their logical articulatio$s 3- the* #etermi$e the

#ou"le as!ect of differentiation, ?ualitative a$# ?ua$titative ,?ualities a$# exte$sio$s& s!ecies

a$# !arts-

4- the* e$tail or #esig$ate a su"/ect& though a larval or em"r*o$ic su"/ect

107



5- the* co$stitute a s!ecial theatre 6- the* ex!ress +#eas) +t is through all these #iffere$t

as!ects that s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms figure the moveme$t of #ramatiatio$)

Through #ramatiatio$& the +#ea is i$car$ate# or actualie#& it differentiates itse'f%

evertheless& the +#ea i$ its !ro!er co$te$t must alrea#* !rese$t characteristics that corres!o$#

with the two as!ects of its #iffere$tiatio$) The +#ea is i$ itself a s*stem of differentia' relatio$s

a$# the result of a #istri"utio$ of remar'a"le or si$gular !oi$ts ,i#eal eve$ts-) +$ other wor#s&

the +#ea is full* #iffere$tial i$ itself& "efore eve$ differentiating itself i$ the actual) This status of

the +#ea ex!lai$s its logical value& which is $ot the clear a$# #isti$ct& "ut rather as ei"$i

se$se#& the #isti$ct(o"scure) The metho# of #ramatiatio$ as a whole is re!rese$te# i$ the

com!lex co$ce!t of #iffere$tiatio$ ,#iffere$tial #iffere$tiatio$-& which gives a$ orie$tatio$ to

the ?uestio$s from which + "ega$)TRANSCRIPT OF THE SESSION

Te session began at 98D6pm at te Sorbonne, in te Mice'et Ampiteatre, wit )resident of

te Society Mr% ?ean /a'presiding%

Jean Wahl: Ar) Gilles Deleue $ee#s $o i$tro#uctio$ *ou are $o #ou"t familiar with his wor'

o$ ;ume as well as ietsche a$# <roust& a$# +m sure *ou are all familiar with his extraor#i$ar*

tale$t) o without further a#o& + give *ou Gilles Deleue)

Gilles Deleue: The +#ea& the #iscover* of the +#ea& is i$se!ara"le from a certai$ t*!e of

?uestio$) The +#ea is first a$# foremost a$ o"/ectalit* that corres!o$#s& as such& to a certai$

wa* of as'i$g ?uestio$s) The +#ea res!o$#s o$l* to the call of certai$ ?uestio$s) <lato$ism has

#etermi$e# the +#eas form of ?uestio$ as wat w .@This $o"le ?uestio$ is su!!ose# to co$cer$

the esse$ce a$# is o!!ose# to vulgar ?uestio$s which !oi$t merel* to the exam!le or the

108



acci#e$t) o& we #o $ot as' wo or wat is "eautiful& "ut wat is the >eautiful) +t is $ot were

a$# wen #oes /ustice exist& "ut what is the Cust) ot ow we o"tai$ two& "ut what is the #*a#)

ot ow muc, "ut what))) <lato$ism i$ its e$tiret* seems to o!!ose a ma/or ?uestio$& which is

alwa*s ta'e$ u! a$# re!eate# "* ocrates as that of the esse$ce or the +#ea& to the mi$or

?uestio$s of o!i$io$ which ex!ress o$l* slo!!* thi$'i$g& whether "* ol# me$ a$# $ot so clever

chil#re$& or "* all too clever so!hists a$# rhetoricia$s)

.$# *et the !rivilege accor#e# the ?uestio$ /at is tis= reveals itself to "e co$fuse# a$#

#ou"tful& eve$ i$ <lato a$# the <lato$ic tra#itio$) >ecause the ?uestio$ /at is tis= is i$ the e$#

the #rivi$g force "ehi$# those #ialogues '$ow$ as a!oretic) +s it !ossi"le that the ?uestio$ of the

esse$ce is the ?uestio$ of co$tra#ictio$& that it lea#s us i$to i$extrica"le co$tra#ictio$s@ >ut

whe$ the <lato$ic #ialectic "ecomes somethi$g serious a$# !ositive& it ta'es other forms who@

i$ the Repub'ic how much@ i$ )i'ebus where a$# whe$@ i$ the Sopist, a$# i$ which case@ i$

)armenides% +t is almost as if the +#ea were $ot !ositivel* #etermi$a"le exce!t accor#i$g to a

t*!olog*& a to!olog*& a !osolog*& a casuistr*all tra$sce$#e$tal) <lato criticies the so!hists i$

this i$sta$ce less for usi$g i$ferior forms of ?uestio$s tha$ for $ot '$owi$g how to #etermi$e the

co$#itio$s i$ which ?uestio$s ac?uire their i#eal im!ort a$# se$se) .$# whe$ we exami$e the

histor* of !hiloso!h* as a whole& we will have a tough time #iscoveri$g a$* !hiloso!her whose

research was gui#e# "* the ?uestio$ /at is tis= .ristotle@ Defi$itel* $ot .ristotle) Aa*"e

;egel& ma*"e there is o$l* ;egel who #i# so& !recisel* "ecause his #ialectic& that of the em!t*

a$# a"stract esse$ce& is i$se!ara"le from the moveme$t of co$tra#ictio$) The ?uestio$ /at is

tis= !rematurel* /u#ges the +#ea as sim!licit* of the esse$ce from the$ o$& it is i$evita"le that

the sim!le esse$ce i$clu#es the i$esse$tial& a$# i$clu#es it in essence, a$# thus co$tra#icts itself)

.$other wa* of goi$g a"out it ,as i$ the !hiloso!h* of ei"$i-& a$# this must "e com!letel*

#isti$guishe# from co$tra#ictio$& is to have the i$esse$tial i$clu#e the esse$tial) >ut the

i$esse$tial i$clu#es the esse$tial o$l* in case% This su"sum!tio$ u$#er the case co$stitutes a$

origi$al la$guage of !ro!erties a$# eve$ts) This !roce#ure is totall* #iffere$t from that of co$tra(

#ictio$ a$# ca$ "e calle# vice-diction% +t is a wa* of a!!roachi$g the +#ea as a multi!licit*) +t is

$o lo$ger a ?uestio$ of '$owi$g whether the +#ea is o$e or multi!le& or eve$ "oth at o$cemulti!licit*& whe$ use# as a su"sta$tive& #esig$ates a #omai$ where the +#ea& of itself& is much

closer to the acci#e$t tha$ to the a"stract esse$ce& a$# ca$ "e #etermi$e# o$l* with the ?ues tio$s

wo= ow= ow muc= were and wen= in wic case= forms that s'etch the ge$ui$e s!atio(

tem!oral coor#i$ates of the +#ea)

109



%irst + wa$t to as' what is the characteristic or #isti$ctive trait of a thi$g i$ ge$eral@ uch a

trait is twofol# the ?ualit* or ?ualities which it !ossesses& the exte$sio$ which it occu!ies) =ve$

whe$ we ca$$ot #isti$guish actual #ivisi"le !arts& we still si$gle out remar'a"le regio$s or

!oi$ts a$# it is $ot o$l* the i$ter$al exte$sio$ that must "e exami$e#& "ut also the wa* i$ which

the thi$g #etermi$es a$# #iffere$tiates a whole exter$al s!ace& as i$ the hu$ti$g grou$#s of a$

a$imal) +$ a wor#& each thi$g is at the i$tersectio$ of a twofol# s*$thesis a s*$thesis of

?ualificatio$ or s!ecificatio$& a$# of !artitio$& com!ositio$& or orga$iatio$) There is $o ?ualit*

without a$ exte$sio$ u$#erl*i$g it& a$# i$ which the ?ualit* is #iffuse#& $o s!ecies without

orga$ic !arts or !oi$ts) These are the two correlative as!ects of differentiation8 s!ecies a$# !arts&

s!ecificatio$ a$# orga$iatio$) These co$stitute the co$#itio$s of the re!rese$tatio$ of thi$gs i$

ge$eral)

>ut if #iffere$tiatio$ thus has two com!lime$tar* forms& what is the age$t of this #isti$ctio$

a$# this com!lime$tarit*@ >e$eath orga$iatio$ a$# s!ecificatio$& we #iscover $othi$g more

tha$ s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms that is to sa*& agitatio$s of s!ace& holes of time& !ure s*$theses

of s!ace& #irectio$& a$# rh*thms) The most ge$eral characteristics of "ra$chi$g& or#er& a$# class&

right o$ u! to ge$eric a$# s!ecific characteristics& alrea#* #e!e$# o$ such #*$amisms or such

#irectio$s of #evelo!me$t) .$# simulta$eousl*& "e$eath the !artitio$i$g !he$ome$a of cellular

#ivisio$& we agai$ fi$# i$sta$ces of #*$amism cellular migratio$s& fol#i$gs& i$vagi$atio$s&

stretchi$gs these co$stitute a #*$amics of the egg) +$ this se$se& the whole worl# is a$ egg) o

co$ce!t coul# receive a logical #ivisio$ i$ re!rese$tatio$& if this #ivisio$ were $ot #etermi$e#

alrea#* "* su"(re!rese$tatio$al #*$amisms we see this i$ the <lato$ic !rocess of #ivisio$ which

wor's o$l* i$ two #irectio$s left a$# right& a$#to ta'e a$ exam!le from fishi$gwith the

hel! of #etermi$atio$s such as surrou$# a$# stri'e& stri'e from to! to "ottom& "ottom to to!)

These #*$amisms alwa*s !resu!!ose a fiel# i$ which the* are !ro#uce#& outsi#e of which

the* woul# $ot "e !ro#uce#) This fiel# is i$te$sive& that is& it im!lies #iffere$ces of i$te$sit*

#istri"ute# at #iffere$t #e!ths) Though ex!erie$ce alwa*s shows us i$te$sities alrea#* #evelo!e#

i$ exte$sio$s& alrea#* covere# over "* ?ualities& we must co$ceive& !recisel* as a co$#itio$ of

ex!erie$ce& of !ure i$te$sities e$velo!e# i$ a #e!th& i$ a$ i$te$sive spatium that !reexists ever*

?ualit* a$# ever* exte$sio$) De!th is the !ower of !ure u$exte$#e# spatium i$te$sit* is o$l* the

110



!ower of #iffere$tiatio$ or the u$e?ual i$ itself& a$# each i$te$sit* is alrea#* #iffere$ce& of the

t*!e = ( =& where = i$ tur$ refers to e ( eQ a$# e& to e ( e& etc) uch a$ i$te$sive fiel# co$stitutes

a$ e$viro$me$t of i$#i( vi#uatio$) This ex!lai$s the i$sufficie$c* of a$* remi$#er that

i$#ivi#uatio$ fu$ctio$s $either through !rolo$ge# s!ecificatio$ Bspecies infima$ $or through

com!ositio$ or #ivisio$ of !arts Bpars u'tima$% +t is $ot e$ough to #iscover a #iffere$ce of $ature

"etwee$ i$#ivi#uatio$ o$ the o$e ha$#& a$# s!ecificatio$ or !artitio$ o$ the other) >ecause

i$#ivi#uatio$ is the !rior co$#itio$ u$#er which s!ecificatio$& a$# !artitio$ or com!ositio$&

fu$ctio$ i$ a s*stem) +$#ivi#uatio$ is i$te$sive& a$# it is !resu!!ose# "* all ?ualities a$# s!ecies&

"* all exte$sio$s a$# !arts that ha!!e$ to fill u! or #evelo! the s*stem)

evertheless& si$ce i$te$sit* is #iffere$ce& #iffere$ces of i$te$sit* must e$ter i$to

commu$icatio$) omethi$g li'e a #iffere$ce o!erator is re?uire#& to relate #iffere$ce to

#iffere$ce) This role is fille# "* what is calle# a$ obscure precursor% . light$i$g "olt flashes

"etwee$ #iffere$t i$te$sities& "ut it is !rece#e# "* a$ obscure precursor, i$visi"le& im!erce!ti"le&

which #etermi$es i$ a#va$ce the i$verte# !ath as i$ $egative relief& "ecause this !ath is first the

age$t of commu$icatio$ "etwee$ series of #iffere$ces) +f it is true that ever* s*stem is a$

i$te$sive fiel# of i$#ivi#uatio$ co$structe# o$ a series of heteroge$eous or #is!arate "ou$#aries&

the$ whe$ the series come i$to commu$icatio$ tha$'s to the actio$ of the o"scure !recursor& this

commu$icatio$ i$#uces certai$ !he$ome$a coup'ing "etwee$ series& interna' resonance withi$

the s*stem& a$# inevitab'e movement i$ the form of a$ am!litu#e that goes "e*o$# the most

"asic series themselves) +t is u$#er these co$#itio$s that a s*stem fills u! with ?ualities a$#

#evelo!s i$ exte$sio$) >ecause a ?ualit* is alwa*s a sig$ or a$ eve$t that rises from the #e!ths&

that flashes "etwee$ #iffere$t i$te$sities& a$# that lasts as lo$g as it ta'es for its co$stitutive

#iffere$ce to "e $ullifie#) .$# most im!orta$tl*& these co$#itio$s ta'e$ together #etermi$e

s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms& which themselves are res!o$si"le for ge$erati$g ?ualities a$#

exte$sio$s)

D*$amisms are $ot a"solutel* su"/ectless& though the su"/ects the* sustai$ are still o$l*

rough #rafts& $ot *et ?ualifie# or com!ose#& rather !atie$ts tha$ age$ts& o$l* a"le to e$#ure the

!ressure of a$ i$ter$al reso$a$ce or the am!litu#e of a$ i$evita"le moveme$t) . com!ose#&

?ualifie# a#ult woul# !erish i$ such a$ e$viro$me$t) The truth of em"r*olog* is that there are

111



moveme$ts which the em"r*o alo$e ca$ e$#ure i$ this i$sta$ce& the o$l* su"/ect is larval) The

$ightmare is !erha!s o$e of these moveme$ts which $either someo$e awa'e& nor even te

dreamer, ca$ e$#ure"ut o$l* the #ee!(slee!er i$ a #reamless slee!) .$# thought itself&

co$si#ere# as a #*$amism !ro!er to the !hiloso!hical s*stem& is !erha!s i$ its tur$ o$e of these

terrif*i$g moveme$ts that are irreco$cila"le with a forme#& ?ualifie#& a$# com!ose# su"/ect&

such as the su"/ect of the cogito i$ re!rese$tatio$) Begressio$ will "e misu$#erstoo# as lo$g

as we fail to see i$ it the activatio$ of a larval su"/ect& the o$l* !atie$t a"le to e$#ure the

#ema$#s of a s*stematic #*$amism)

112



T;= A=T;D % DB.A.T+R.T+

These #etermi$atio$s as a whole fiel# of i$#ivi#uatio$& series of i$te$sive #iffere$ces& o"scure !recursor& cou!li$g&reso$a$ce a$# i$evita"le moveme$t& larval su"/ect& s!atio(tem!oral #*$amismsthese s'etch out the multi!le

coor#i$ates which corres!o$# to the ?uestio$s ow muc= wo= ow= were= and wen=, a$# which gives such?uestio$s their tra$sce$#e$t co$se?ue$ces& "e*o$# em!irical exam!les) These #etermi$atio$s as a whole i$#ee# are $ot

co$$ecte# with a$* !articular exam!le "orrowe# from a !h*sical or "iological s*stem& "ut articulate the categories ofever* s*stem i$ ge$eral) . !h*sical ex!erime$t& $o less tha$ !s*chic ex!erime$ts of the <roustia$ variet*& im!l* the

commu$icatio$ of #is!arate series& the i$terve$tio$ of a$ o"scure !recursor& as well as the reso$a$ces a$# i$evita"lemoveme$ts that result) +t ha!!e$s all the time that #*$amisms which are ?ualifie# i$ a certai$ wa* i$ o$e #omai$& are

the$ ta'e$ u! i$ a$ e$tirel* #iffere$t mo#e i$ a$other #omai$) The geogra!hical #*$amism of the isla$# ,isla$# asru!ture with the co$ti$e$t& a$# isla$# as a$ eru!tio$ from the #ee!- is ta'e$ u! i$ the m*thical #*$amism of ma$'i$#o$ the #eserte# isla$# ,a #erive# ru!ture a$# a$ origi$al re"egi$$i$g-) %ere$ci has show$ how& i$ sexual life& the

!h*sical #*$amism of cellular eleme$ts is ta'e$ u! i$ the "iological #*$amism of orga$s a$# eve$ i$ the !s*chic

#*$amism of !eo!le)D*$amisms& a$# all that exists simulta$eousl* with them& are at wor' i$ ever* form a$# ever*?ualifie# exte$sio$ of re!rese$tatio$ the* co$stitute $ot so much a !icture as a grou! of a"stract li$es comi$g from theu$exte$#e# a$# formless #e!th) This is a stra$ge theatre com!rise# of !ure #etermi$atio$s& agitati$g time a$# s!ace&#irectl* affecti$g the soul& whose actors are larva.rtau#s $ame for this theatre was cruelt*) These a"stract li$es

co$stitute a #rama which corres!o$#s to this or that co$ce!t& a$# which also #irects its s!ecificatio$ a$# #ivisio$)cie$tific '$owle#ge& the #ream& as well as thi$gs i$ themselvesthese all #ramatie) Give$ a$* co$ce!t& we ca$alwa*s #iscover its #rama& a$# te concept wou'd never be divided or specified i$ the worl# of re!rese$tatio$ witoutte dramatic dynamisms that thus #etermi$e it i$ a material s*stem "e$eath all !ossi"le re!rese$tatio$) Ta'e the

co$ce!t of truth it is $ot e$ough to as' the ?uestio$ what is the true@ .s soo$ as we as' wo wants te true, wenand were, ow and ow muc=, we have the tas' of assig$i$g larval su"/ects ,the /ealous ma$& for exam!le- a$# !ure

s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms ,sometimes we cause the ver* thi$g to emerge& at a certai$ time& i$ a certai$ !lacesometimes we accumulate i$#exes a$# sig$s from mome$t to mome$t& followi$g a !ath that $ever e$#s-) The$ whe$

we lear$ that the co$ce!t of truth i$ re!rese$tatio$ is #ivi#e# i$ two #irectio$sthe first accor#i$g to which the trueemerges i$ a$ i$tuitio$ a$# as itself& the seco$# accor#i$g to which the true is alwa*s co$clu#e# from i$#ices or

i$ferre# from somethi$g else as that which is $ot therewe have $o trou"le #iscoveri$g "e$eath tese traditiona'teories of intuition and induction, the #*$amisms of i$?uisitio$ or a#missio$& accusatio$ or i$?uir*& sile$tl* a$##ramaticall* at wor'& i$ such a wa* as to #etermi$e the theoretical #ivisio$ of the co$ce!t)

:hat + am calli$g a #rama !articularl* resem"les the Fa$tia$ schema) The schema& accor#i$g to Fa$t& is i$#ee#

a$ a priori #etermi$atio$ of s!ace a$# time corres!o$#i$g to a co$ce!t te sortest schema is the #rama ,#ream or

$ightmare- of the straight li$e) +t is !recisel* #*$amism that #ivi#es the co$ce!t of li$e i$to straight a$# curve#& a$#

more im!orta$tl*& i$ the .rchime#ia$ co$ce!tio$ of limits& that allows the curve to "e measure# accor#i$g to the

straight) till& what remai$s rather m*sterious is the wa* i$ which the schema has this !ower i$ relatio$ to the co$ce!t)

+$ a certai$ wa*& all the !ost(Fa$tia$s have trie# to eluci#ate the m*ster* of this hi##e$ art& accor#i$g to which

#*$amic s!atio(tem!oral #etermi$atio$s ge$ui$el* have the !ower to #ramatie a co$ce!t& although the* have a $ature

totall* #iffere$t from the co$ce!t)

The a$swer !erha!s lies i$ a #irectio$ that certai$ !ost(Fa$tia$s have i$#icate# !ure s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms

have the !ower to #ramatie concepts, "ecause first the* actualie& i$car$ate ;deas% :e have at our #is!osal a !oi$t of

#e!arture to test this h*!othesis if it is true that #*$amisms co$trol the two i$se!ara"le as!ects of #iffere$tiatio$

113




s!ecificatio$ a$# !artitio$& the ?ualificatio$ of a s!ecies a$# the orga$iatio$ of a$ exte$sio$the +#ea i$ tur$ shoul#

!rese$t two as!ects& from which those of #iffere$tiatio$ somehow #erive) o& we have to as' ourselves a"out the

$ature of the +#ea& a"out its #iffere$ce of $ature from the co$ce!t)

.$ +#ea has two !ri$ci!al characteristics) $ the o$e ha$#& it co$sists of a grou! of #iffere$tial relatio$s amo$g

eleme$ts stri!!e# of all se$si"le form a$# fu$ctio$& existi$g o$l* through their reci!rocal #etermi$atio$) uch

relatio$s are of the r t*!e ,eve$ though the ?uestio$ of the i$fi$itel* small will $ot come u! here-) +$ the most

#iverse cases& we ca$ as' whether we are i$#ee# co$fro$te# "* idea' e'ements, that is to sa*& without figure or

fu$ctio$& though reci!rocall* #etermi$a"le i$ a $etwor' of #iffere$tial relatio$s #o !ho$emes fall u$#er this case@

.$# what a"out !h*sical !articles@ r "iological ge$es@ +$ each case& we have to co$ti$ue the search till we o"tai$

these #iffere$tials& which exist a$# are #etermi$e# o$l* i$ res!ect to o$e a$other) o *ou see + am i$vo'i$g this !ri$ci (

!le& calle# reci!rocal #etermi$atio$& as the first as!ect of sufficie$t reaso$) $ the other ha$#& #istri"utio$s of

si$gularities& #istri"utio$s of remar'a"le a$# or#i$ar* !oi$ts& corres!o$# to these #iffere$tial relatio$s& such that a

remar'a"le !oi$t ca$ e$ge$#er a series ca!a"le of "ei$g !rolo$ge# alo$g ever* or#i$ar* !oi$t& all the wa* to the

vici$it* of a$other si$gularit*) i$gularities are idea' events% +t is !ossi"le that $otio$s such as si$gular a$# regular& or

remar'a"le a$# or#i$ar*& have a greater e!istemological a$# o$tological im!orta$ce for !hiloso!h* tha$ #o the $otio$s

of true a$# false& "ecause sense #e!e$#s o$ the #isti$ctio$ a$# #istri"utio$ of these "rillia$t !oi$ts i$ the +#ea) +$ this

wa*& we see how a com!lete #etermi$atio$ of the +#ea& or of the thi$g i$ +#ea& !rocee#s) This co$stitutes the seco$#

as!ect of sufficie$t reaso$) The +#ea thus a!!ears as a multi!licit* which must "e traverse# i$ two #irectio$s from the

!oi$t of view of the variatio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s& a$# from the !oi$t of view of the #istri"utio$ of si$gularities

corres!o$#i$g to !articular values of those relatio$s) :hat + !reviousl* calle# the o!eratio$ of vice-diction merges

with this twofol# #etermi$atio$ or twofol# a!!roach& which is reci!rocal a$# com!lete)

This has several co$se?ue$ces) +$ the first !lace& the +#ea #efi$e# i$ this wa* has $o actualit*) +t is virtual& it is

!ure virtualit*) .ll the #iffere$tial relatio$s& "* virtue of reci!rocal #etermi$atio$& a$# all the #istri"utio$s of

si$gularities& "* virtue of com!lete #etermi$atio$& coexist i$ the virtual multi!licit* of +#eas) The +#ea is actualie#

!recisel* o$l* i$sofar as its #iffere$tial relatio$s are i$car$ate# i$ s!ecies or se!arate ?ualities& a$# i$sofar as the

co$comita$t si$gularities are i$car$ate# i$ a$ exte$sio$ that corres!o$#s to this ?ualit*) . s!ecies is ma#e u! of

#iffere$tial relatio$s amo$g ge$es& /ust as orga$ic !arts are ma#e u! of i$car$ate# si$gularities ,cf) 2'oci2$% ;owever&

we must em!hasie the a"solute co$#itio$ of $o$(resem"la$ce the s!ecies or the ?ualit* #oes $ot resem"le the

#iffere$tial relatio$s that it i$car$ates& $o more so tha$ the si$gularities resem"le the orga$ie# exte$sio$ which

actualies them)

114




+f it is true that ?ualificatio$ a$# !artitio$ co$stitute the two as!ects of #iffere$tiatio$& it follows that the +#ea

actualies itself through #iffere$tiatio$) :he$ the +#ea actualies itself& it #iffere$tiates itself) +$ itself a$# i$ its

virtualit*& the +#ea is com!letel* undifferentiated% ;owever& it is $ot at all i$#etermi$ate) :e must a"solutel* u$#erli$e

the #iffere$ce "etwee$ the two o!eratio$s& whose distinctive trait is this & #iffere$tial ,1- #iffere$tiatio$ ,$-) The

+#ea i$ itself& or the thi$g i$ +#ea& is $ot at all differentiated, si$ce it lac's the $ecessar* ?ualities a$# !arts) >ut it is

full* a$# com!letel* differentia', si$ce it has at its #is!osal the relatio$s a$# si$gularities that will "e actualie#&

without resem"la$ce& i$ the ?ualities a$# !arts) +t seems& the$& that each thi$g has two halvesu$eve$& #issimilar&

a$# u$s*mmetricaleach of which is itself #ivi#e# i$to two a$ idea' a'f, which reaches i$to the virtual a$# is

co$stitute# "oth "* #iffere$tial relatio$s a$# "* co$comita$t si$gularities a$# a$ actual half& co$stitute# "oth "* the

?ualities that i$car$ate those relatio$s a$# "* the !arts that i$car$ate those si$gularities) The ?uestio$ of the 2ens omni

modo determinatum2 must "e !ose# i$ the followi$g wa* a thi$g i$ +#ea ca$ "e com!letel* #etermi$e# "differentia'$,

a$# *et lac' the #etermi$atio$s that co$stitute actual existe$ce "te ting is undifferentiated$% +f we characterie the

state of the full* #iffere$tial +#ea as distinct, a$# the state of the actualie#& i)e) #iffete$tiate#& +#ea as c'ear, the$ the

!ro!ortio$ that gover$s the clear a$# #isti$ct must "e a"a$#o$e# the +#ea i$ itself is $ot clear a$# #isti$ct o$ the

co$trar*& it is distinct and obscure% +$ this same se$se& the +#ea is Dio$*sia$ that o$e of o"scure #isti$ctio$ which it

!reserves withi$ itself& that u$#iffere$tiatio$ which is $o less !erfectl* #etermi$e#this is its #ru$'e$$ess)

+ shoul# ma'e clear u$#er what co$#itio$s the wor# virtual ca$ "e rigorousl* use# ,i$ the wa* >ergso$& for

exam!le& uses it whe$ he #isti$guishes virtual a$# actual multi!licities& or the wa* i$ which Ar) Bu*er uses it-) The

virtual is $ot o!!ose# to the real it is the real that is o!!ose# to the !ossi"le) Hirtual is o!!ose# to actual& a$#

therefore& !ossesses a full realit*) :e saw that this realit* of the virtual is co$stitute# "* the #iffere$tial relatio$s a$#

the #istri"utio$s of si$gularities) +$ ever* res!ect& the virtual echoes the formulatio$ which <roust gave to his states of

ex!erie$ce real without "ei$g actual& i#eal without "ei$g a"stract) 5 The virtual a$# the !ossi"le are o!!ose# i$

several wa*s) $ the o$e ha$#& the !ossi"le is such that the real is co$structe# as its resem"la$ce) +t is eve$ "ecause of

this #efect that the !ossi"le loo's sus!iciousl* retros!ective or retroactive it is sus!ecte# of "ei$g co$structe# after the

fact& i$ resem"la$ce to the real which it is su!!ose# to !rece#e) This is wh*& too& whe$ someo$e as's what more is

fou$# i$ the real& there is $othi$g to !oi$t out exce!t the same thi$g as !osite# outsi#e re!rese$tatio$) The !ossi"le

is /ust the co$ce!t as !ri$ci!le of the re!rese$tatio$ of the thi$g& u$#er the followi$g categories the i#e$tit* of wat is

representing, a$# the resem"la$ce of wat is being represented% $ the other ha$#& the virtual "elo$gs to the +#ea a$#

#oes $ot resem"le the actual& $o more tha$ the actual resem"les the virtual) The +#ea is a$ image without resem"la$ce

the virtual actualies itself $ot through resem"la$ce& "ut through #iverge$ce a$# #iffere$tiatio$) Differe$tiatio$ or

actualiatio$ is alwa*s creative with res!ect to what it actualies& whereas realiatio$ is alwa*s re!ro#uctive or

limiti$g) The #iffere$ce "etwee$ the virtual a$# the actual is $o lo$ger the #iffere$ce of the ame i$sofar as the ame

is !osite# o$ce i$ re!rese$tatio$& a$# o$ce agai$ outsi#e re!rese$tatio$) Bather& it is the #iffere$ce of the ther& i$sofar

as the ther a!!ears o$ce i$ the +#ea& a$# o$ce agai$& though i$ a totall* #iffere$t ma$$er& i$ the !rocess of actualii$gthe +#ea)

115




The extraor#i$ar* worl# of ei"$i !uts us i$ touch with a$ idea' continuum% This co$ti$uit*& accor#i$g to

ei"$i& is #efi$e# $ot at all "* homoge$eit*& "ut "* the coexiste$ce of all the variatio$s of #iffere$tial relatio$s& a$#

of the #istri"utio$s of si$gularities that corres!o$# to them) The state of this worl# is "eautifull* ex!resse# "* the

image of murmuri$g& or the ocea$& or a water mill& or va$ishi$g& or eve$ #ru$'e$$ess the* all "es!ea' a Dio$*sia$

#e!th rum"li$g "e$eath this a!!are$tl* .!ollo$ia$ !hiloso!h*) +t has ofte$ "ee$ as'e# what the $otio$s com!ossi"le

a$# i$com!ossi"le co$sist of& a$# how exactl* the* #iffer from the !ossi"le a$# the im!ossi"le) +t is #ifficult to give

a$ a$swer& !erha!s "ecause ei"$is !hiloso!h* as a whole exhi"its a certai$ hesitatio$ "etwee$ a clear co$ce!tio$ of

the !ossi"le a$# the o"scure co$ce!tio$ of the virtual) +$ fact& the i$com!ossi"le a$# the com!ossi"le have $othi$g

whatsoever to #o with the co$tra#ictor* a$# the $o$(co$tra#ictor*) +t has to #o with somethi$g else #iverge$ce a$#

co$verge$ce) :hat #efi$es the com!ossi"ilit* of a worl# is the co$verge$ce of those series which are each co$structe#

i$ the vici$it* of a si$gularit*& all the wa* to the vici$it* of a$other si$gularit*) The i$com!ossi"ilit* of worl#s& o$ the

other ha$#& arises at that mome$t whe$ the ge$erate# series #iverge) The "est of all !ossi"le worl#s therefore

e$com!asses a maximum of relatio$s a$# si$gularities& u$#er the co$#itio$ of co$ti$uit*& i$ other wor#s& a maximum

co$verge$ce of series) ow we see how& i$ such a worl#& i$#ivi#ual esse$ces or mo$a#s are forme#) ei"$i sa*s "oth

that the worl# #oes $ot exist outsi#e the mo$a#s that ex!ress it& a$# that Go# create# the worl# rather tha$ the mo$a#s

,Go# #i# $ot create .#am the si$$er& "ut the worl# i$ which .#am si$$e#-) The si$gularities of the worl# serve as

!ri$ci!les for the co$stitutio$ of i$#ivi#ualities each i$#ivi#ual e$velo!s a certai$ $um"er of si$gularities a$# clearl*

ex!resses their relatio$s wit respect to his ow$ "o#*) o$se?ue$tl*& the ex!resse# worl# virtuall* !reexists the

ex!ressive i$#ivi#ualities& "ut #oes $ot exist actuall* outsi#e the i$#ivi#ualities which ex!ress it little "* little) The

!rocess of i$#ivi#uatio$ #etermi$es the relatio$s a$# si$gularities of the i#eal worl# to "e i$car$ate# i$ the ?ualities

a$# exte$sio$s filli$g u! the i$tervals "etwee$ i$#ivi#uals) This a!!roach towar# a #e!th !o!ulate# "* relatio$s a$#

si$gularities& the resulti$g formatio$ of i$#ivi#ual esse$ces& a$# the co$se?ue$t #etermi$atio$ of ?ualities a$#

exte$sio$s& are the eleme$ts that co$stitute a metho# of vice-diction, which itself co$stitutes a theor* of multi!licities&

alwa*s su"sumi$g each thi$g u$#er its case)

The $otio$ of #iffere$rial #iffere$tiatio$ , - ex!resses $ot o$l* a math( ematico("iological com!lex& "ut the

ver* co$#itio$ of a$* cosmolog*& as the two halves of the o"/ect) The #iffere$tial ,1- ex!resses the $ature of a !re(

i$#ivi#ual #e!th& which is i$ $o wa* re#uci"le to a$ a"stract u$iversal& "ut which e$tails relatio$s a$# si$gularities

characterii$g virtual multi!licities or +#eas) Differe$tiatio$ ,$- ex!resses the actualiatio$ of these relatio$s a$#

si$gularities i$ ?ualities a$# exte$sio$s& s!ecies a$# !arts& as o"/ects of re!rese$tatio$) The two as!ects of

#iffere$tiatio$ thus corres!o$# to the two as!ects of the #iffere$tial& "ut the* #o $ot resem"le them we $ee# a thir#

thi$g which #etermi$es the +#ea to actualie itself& to i$car$ate itself i$ a !articular wa*) + trie# to show how this role

was fille# "* the i$te$sive fiel#s of i$#ivi#uatio$& with their !recursors to !ut them i$ a state of activit*& with their

larval su"/ects forme# arou$# si$gularities& a$# with their #*$amisms filli$g u! the s*stem) The com!lete $otio$ is

this ,i$-#iffere$tial ,i$-#iffere$tiatio$) +t is the s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms withi$ the fiel#s of i$#ivi#uatio$ that#etermi$e the +#eas to actualie themselves i$ the #iffere$tiate# as!ects of the o"/ect) Though a su"/ect is give$ i$

re!rese$tatio$& we still '$ow $othi$g) :e lear$ o$l* i$sofar as we #iscover the +#ea o!erati$g u$#er$eath the co$ce!t&

the fiel# or fiel#s of i$#ivi#uatio$& the s*stem or s*stems that e$velo! the +#ea& the #*$amisms that #etermi$e the +#ea

to i$car$ate itself it is o$l* i$ such co$#itio$s that we ca$ lift the veil of m*ster* co$cer$i$g the #ivisio$ of the

co$ce!t) .ll these co$#itio$s #efi$e #ramatiatio$& a$# its atte$#a$t ?uestio$s in wat case= wo= ow= ow muc=

Te shortest schema is the co$ce!t of the straight li$e o$l* "ecause it is first the #rama of the +#ea of li$e& the

#iffere$tial of the straight a$# the curve& the #*$amism that o!erates i$ sile$ce) The clear a$# #isti$ct is the claim of

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the co$ce!t i$ the .!ollo$ia$ worl# of re!rese$tatio$ "ut "e$eath re!rese$tatio$ there is alwa*s the +#ea a$# its

#isti$ct(o"scure #e!th& a #rama "e$eath ever* logos)

DISC!SSION

Jean Wahl:" et me tha$' *ou o$ ever*o$es "ehalf for *our tal') Barel* have we ever wit$esse# such awell& +m

$ot goi$g to sa* s*stem& "ut a$ attem!t to !eer through the le$s of #iffere$tiatio$& u$#erstoo# as twofol#& givi$g us a

worl# u$#erstoo# !erha!s as fourfol#) >ut let me sto! here& si$ce m* role as <resi#e$t is to o!e$ u! the floor to

?uestio$s)

Pierre#$a%i&e S'huhl:(( I woul# li'e to as' Deleue somethi$g) + woul# li'e to '$ow how& from his !ers!ective& the

o!!ositio$ "etwee$ the $atural a$# the artificial woul# loo'& si$ce it is $ot s!o$ta$eousl* #*$amic& "ut "ecomes

#*$amic through auto(regulatio$)

Gilles Deleue: +s i) $ot "ecause the artificial e$tails its ow$ #*$amisms which have $o e?uivale$t i$ $ature@ Nou have

i$#ee# show$ the im!orta$ce of the categories $atural a$# artificial !articularl* i$ Gree' thought) <recisel*&

however& are these categories $ot #iffere$tiate# accor#i$g to #*$amisms& accor#i$g to a!!roaches& !laces& a$#

#irectio$s@ >ut i$ s*stems of $ature as well as artifice& we fi$# i$te$sive orga$iatio$s& !recursors& larval su"/ects&

ever* sort of vitalit*& a vital character& eve$ though i$ a$other mo#e)))

Pierre#$a%i&e S'huhl: This is "egi$$i$g to sou$# li'e the !oet erval) Gilles Deleue: :ell& + shoul# ho!e

so)

Pierre#$a%i&e S'huhl: +$ )e'ibos, 64 "& ocrates sa*s that creatio$ has "ee$ com!lete# "* a$ a"stract or#er that

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will have the !ower to a$imate itself) +$ the #omai$ of the s!irit& this ha!!e$s all "* itself) o whats left over is theimme$se #omai$ of matter))

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)Gilles Deleue: :e woul# have to classif* the #iffere$t s*stems of i$te$sit*) %rom this

!ers!ective& the regulator* o!eratio$s *ou allu#e# to a mome$t ago woul# have a #ecisiveim!orta$ce)

Pierre#$a%i&e S'huhl: + woul# /ust li'e to a## a sim!le a$ec#ote& co$cer$i$g the allusio$s

Deleue ma#e to the #iffere$t wa*s of thi$'i$g a"out fishi$g i$ the Sopist% . few *ears ago&

eroi(Gourha$ !u"lishe# a "oo' o$ tech$olog* that revam!s exactl* these <lato$ic #isti$ctio$s)

+ as'e# him if he ha# the Sopist i$ mi$#& a$# he sai# he ha# $ever thought a"out it) Thisco$firms the !erma$e$ce of certai$ #ivisio$s that were u$#erli$e#)

Noel $oulou*:+ I wo$t follow Ar) Deleue i$to the o$tological #e!ths of his co$ce!tio$ of the

+#ea) ;is wa* of !osi$g the !ro"lem goes "e*o$# m* usual ha"its of thought) :hat + fou$# most

i$teresti$g i$ Ar) Deleues tal' is this co$ce!tio$ of art clearl*& the artist ta'es u! a $o$(serial

tem!oralit*& which is $ot *et orga$ie#& or a multi!licit* of live# a$# !recategorical s!acialities&

a$# through his art or artifice& he "ri$gs these to a !articular la$guage& a$# a !articular s*$tax)

The artists st*le or !erso$al recreatio$ co$sists i$ im!osi$g as o"/ective& structures which have

"ee$ "orrowe# from a $o$(o"/ective stage) .$# there *ou have a goo# !art of the #*$amism of

art)

+ woul# li'e to as' a few ?uestio$s a"out certai$ !oi$ts + fi$# trou"lesome) %or exam!le&

how #oes o$e a!!l* this co$ce!tio$ of a !riorit* of s!atialit* or tem!oralit* to scie$ce@ +$ o$e

se$se& we ca$ thi$' of s!ace& time& a$# #*$amism as the o!!osite of the co$ce!t& + mea$& as that

which i$tro#uces variet* i$ a co$ce!t that te$#s towar# sta"ilit*) +$ a$other se$se& however&

s!ace a$# time& at least as the* are accessi"le to our i$tuitio$& also te$# towar# a certai$ sta"ilit*&

a certai$ immo"ilit*) =arl* !h*sics a$# earl* chemistr* "ega$ with a mecha$ics that relie#

heavil* o$ the i#ea of s!atial co$ti$uities or the com!ositio$ of eleme$ts i$ a com!ou$#) =arl*

"iolog* "ega$ with a 'i$# of i$tuitio$ of #uratio$& "ecomi$g& a co$ti$uous u$fol#i$g that tie#

a!!are$t forms together a$# we$t "e*o$# their se!aratio$s) .$# mathematiatio$& for its !art&

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seems to have i$tro#uce# a seco$# #ramatiatio$) +$ this case& the #ramatiatio$ comes from the

co$ce!t& a$# $ot so much from i$tuitio$) o& whe$ chemistr* arrives at the stage of electro$ic

a$al*sis& there are $o more ge$ui$e su"sta$ces& ge$ui$e vale$ces there are o$l* li$'i$g

fu$ctio$s that are create# as the !rocess #evelo!s a$# are u$#erstoo# o$e after the other) :e have

a !rocess that is a$al*a"le o$l* "* the mathematics of the electro$) .$# as chemistr* "ecomes

?ua$tic& or u$#ulator*& a com"i$atio$ ca$ a"solutel* $ot "e co$ceive# as a sim!le a$# $ecessar*

tra$sitio$) +ts a !ro"a"ilit* that results from a calculatio$ with a$ e$ergetic "asis& i$ which o$e

must 'ee! i$ mi$#& for exam!le& the s*mmetrical or u$s*mmetrical s!i$ of electro$s& or the

overla!!i$g fiel#s of two waves that create a !articular e$erg*& etc) The e$ergetic i$ve$tor* ca$

"e ta'e$ o$l* "* the alge"rist& a$# $ot "* the geometer) +$ a similar sort of wa*& mo#er$ "iolog*

"ega$ with the com"i$atorial a$al*sis of ge$etic eleme$ts& or whe$ the chemical or ra#ioactive

effects o$ ge$es was stu#ie#how the* affecte# ge$etic #evelo!me$ts or create# mutatio$s) o&

the first i$tuitio$ of "iologists& who "elieve# i$ a co$ti$uous evolutio$& was #estro*e# a$#reformulate# i$ a wa* "* a more mathematical a$# o!eratio$al scie$ce) + /ust wa$te# to

em!hasie that + have the feeli$g the more #ramatic as!ects& or if *ou !refer& the more #ialectical

as!ects of co$ce!tio$ are co$tri"ute# $ot "* the imagi$atio$& "ut "* the wor' of ratio$aliatio$)

+$ ge$eral& + #o$t see how the #evelo!me$t of co$ce!ts& i$ the mathematical scie$ces& ca$

"e com!are# to a "iological u$fol#i$g& to the growth of a$ egg) The #evelo!me$t is moreaccuratel* #ialectical s*stems are co$structe# i$ a cohere$t ma$$er& a$# it #oes ha!!e$ that

the* must "e smashe# from time to time i$ or#er to "e re"uilt) >ut +ve alrea#* s!o'e$ too lo$g)

Gilles Deleue: + wo$t #isagree with *ou) + thi$' our #iffere$ces amou$t mostl* to termi$olog*)

o$ce!ts& it seems to me& "ri$g a"out #ramatiatio$ less tha$ the* e$#ure it) o$ce!ts are

#iffere$tiate# through o!eratio$s that are $ot exactl* co$ce!tual a$# !oi$t to +#eas) $e of the

$otio$s *ou allu#e# to& a $o$(localia"le liaso$& goes "e*o$# the fiel# of re!rese$tatio$ a$#

the localiatio$ of co$ce!ts i$ this fiel#) The* are i#eal liaso$s)

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Noel $oulou*: + #o$t reall* wa$t to have to #efe$# the $otio$ of co$ce!t& which is am"iguous

at "est& over(saturate# with !hiloso!hical tra#itio$s for exam!le& the .ristotelia$ co$ce!t is a

mo#el of sta"ilit*) >ut + woul# #efi$e the scie$tific co$ce!t "* the wor' of a$ esse$tiall*

mathematical thought) Aathematical thought ceaselessl* smashes the !reesta"lishe# or#ers of

our i$tuitio$) .$# + woul# !oi$t out& too& the am"iguous use that coul# "e ma#e of the term

idea, if o$e were to associate it too closel*& as >ergso$ i$ fact #i#& with some orga$ii$g

schema& whose fou$#atio$s are i$ a !rofou$#& almost "iological i$tuitio$) The scie$ces& a$#

eve$ the "iological scie$ces& have $ot #evelo!e# i$ the #irectio$ these schemas i$#icate#) r if

the* i$#ee# "ega$ i$ that #irectio$& mathematical a$# ex!erime$tal mo#els ?uic'l* overtur$e#

the schemas i$ ?uestio$)

Jean Wahl: +$ this case agai$& + see !ossi"le agreeme$t a$# a #iffere$ce of la$guage rather tha$

a #iffere$ce of co$ce!tio$)

Fer*inan* Aluie- + ver* much a#mire# the tal' our goo# frie$# Deleue /ust gave) The

?uestio$ +# li'e to as' him is sim!le& a$# co$cer$s the "egi$$i$g of his s!eech) Deleue

co$#em$e#& right at the start& the ?uestio$ /at is tis= a$# the$ $ever came "ac' to it) + ca$

acce!t what came after that& a$# + ac'$owle#ge the extraor#i$ar* wealth !rocure# "* the other

?uestio$s he wa$ts to as') >ut + ca$t acce!t his hast* re/ectio$ of the ?uestio$ /at is tis=, $or

ca$ + acce!t what he sai#& a little i$timi#ati$gl*& whe$ he claime# that $o other !hiloso!her tha$

<lato ha# ever as'e# such a ?uestio$& exce!t for ;egel) + co$fess +m a little shoc'e# "ecause +

ca$ thi$' of $umerous !hiloso!hers who have as'e# this ?uestio$) ei"$i himself as'e# what

is a su"/ect@ a$# what is a mo$a#@ >er'ele*& too& as'e# what is "ei$g@ a$# what is the

esse$ce a$# the sig$ificatio$ of the wor# "ei$g@ Fa$t also as'e# what is a$ o"/ect@ + coul#

cite ma$* more exam!les& so ma$* that $o o$e woul# co$test m* !oi$t& + ho!e) +t seems to me&

the$& that Deleue we$t o$ to orie$t !hiloso!h* towar# other !ro"lems& !ro"lems which are

!erha!s $ot s!ecific to his wor'or rather& he seems to have criticie# classical !hiloso!h*

/ustifia"l* sofor $ot !rovi#i$g us with co$ce!ts sufficie$tl* a#a!ta"le to scie$ce& or

!s*chological a$al*sis& or eve$ historical a$al*sis) This seems !erfectl* true to me& a$# i$ that

res!ect& + ca$t !raise him e$ough) ;owever& what struc' me was that all the exam!les he uses

are $ot !ro!erl* !hiloso!hical exam!les) ;e s!o'e a"out the straight li$e& which is a

mathematical exam!le& a"out the egg& which is a !h*siological exam!le& a"out ge$es& which is a

"iological exam!le) :he$ he arrive# at the ?uestio$ of truth& the$ + sai# F& $ow we have a

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!hiloso!hical exam!le) >ut it soo$ we$t astra*& "ecause Deleue sa*s we shoul# as' who wa$ts

the truth@ wh* #oes o$e wa$t the truth@ o$l* the /ealous ma$@& etc) These are all certai$l*

i$teresti$g ?uestio$s& "ut the* #o$t touch o$ the ver* esse$ce of truth& a$# the* are !erha!s $ot

strictl* !hiloso!hical ?uestio$s) The* are ?uestio$s tur$e# i$stea# towar# !ro"lems that are

!s*chological& !s*choa$al*tic& etc) o& + m*self woul# li'e to as' a sim!le ?uestio$) +

u$#ersta$# that Ar) Deleue criticies !hiloso!h* for ma'i$g the +#ea a co$ce!tio$ that is $ot

a#a!ta"le& as he woul# li'e& to scie$tific& !s*chological& a$# historical !ro"lems) >ut + thi$' that

alo$gsi#e these !ro"lems there remai$ classical !hiloso!hical !ro"lems& $amel* !ro"lems

havi$g to #o with esse$ce) +$ a$* eve$t& + #o$t "elieve& as Deleue #oes& that the great

!hiloso!hers have $ever !ose# such ?uestio$s)

Gilles Deleue: +t is certai$l* true that $umerous !hiloso!hers have as'e# the ?uestio$ /at is

tis= >ut is this $ot& i$ their case& /ust a co$ve$ie$t wa* of tal'i$g@ Fa$t i$#ee# as's what is a$

o"/ect& "ut he as's this ?uestio$ withi$ the framewor' of a more !rofou$# ?uestio$& a ow

?uestio$& which too' o$ $ew mea$i$g ;ow is this !ossi"le@ :hat seems most im!orta$t to me

is the $ew wa* i$ which Fa$t i$ter!rets the ?uestio$ ou)% .s for ei"$i& whe$ he allows

himself to as' wat is tis=, #oes he $ot get #efi$itio$s which he himself la"els $omi$al@ >ut

whe$ he attai$s real #efi$itio$s& is it $ot tha$'s to ?uestio$s such as ow= from wat

perspective= in wic case= +$ ei"$i we fi$# a whole to!olog*& a whole casuistr*& that fi$#sex!ressio$ !rimaril* i$ his i$terest i$ law) >ut i$ a$* eve$t& + was too hast*)

+ts *our other criticism that hits home more forcefull*) >ecause + #o "elieve i$ the

s!ecificit* of !hiloso!h*& a$# furthermore& this "elief of mi$e #erives from *ou *ourself) Nou sa*

that the metho# + #escri"e "orrows its a!!licatio$s from all over& from #iffere$t scie$ces& "ut

har#l* at all from !hiloso!h*) .$# that the o$l* !hiloso!hical exam!le + use#& the !ro"lem of

truth& we$t astra* "ecause it co$siste# i$ #issolvi$g the co$ce!t of truth i$to !s*chological or

!s*choa$al*tic #etermi$atio$s) +f this is the case& the$ + have faile#) >ecause the +#ea& as real(vir(

tual& must $ot "e #escri"e# i$ u$i?uel* scie$tific terms& eve$ if scie$ce $ecessaril* comes i$to

!la* i$ its actualiatio$) =ve$ co$ce!ts such as si$gular a$# regular& or remar'a"le a$# or#i$ar*&

are $ot exhauste# "* mathematics) + wa$t to call o$ autma$s theses a theor* of s*stems must

show how the moveme$t of scie$tific co$ce!ts !artici!ates i$ a #ialectic that sur!asses them)

or are #*$amisms re#uci"le to !s*chological #etermi$atio$s ,a$# whe$ + cite# the /ealous ma$

as the t*!e of the see'er of truth& it was $ot as a !s*chological character& "ut as a com!lex of

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s!ace a$# time& as a figure "elo$gi$g to the ver* notion of truth-) +t seems to me $ot o$l* that

the theor* of s*stems is !hiloso!hical& "ut that this theor* forms a s*stem of a ver* !articular

t*!ethe !hiloso!hical s*stem& with its ow$ #*$amisms& !recursors& larval su"/ects& s!ecific to

it) .t a$* rate& it is o$ this co$#itio$ alo$e that the #ramatic metho# woul# ma'e se$se)

$auri'e *e Gan*illa':. >ehi$# *our suggestive a$# !oetic voca"ular*& + se$se !rofou$# a$#

soli# thi$'i$g& as alwa*s& "ut + co$fess + woul# li'e a##itio$al clarificatio$ as to #ramatiatio$&

which is i$ *our title& a$# which *ou #efi$e# as though it were a well('$ow$ co$ce!t that $ee#s

little comme$tar*) Esuall* whe$ we use the wor# dramatic or dramati(ation, we use it i$ a

!e/orative se$se to re!roach someo$e for tur$i$g some mi$or i$ci#e$t i$to a theatrical

!ro#uctio$ ,li'e whe$ we sa* uit "ei$g so #ramaticO-) =t*mologicall*& a #rama is a$ actio$

"ut stage#& st*lie#& !rese$te# "efore a !u"lic) >ut + have #ifficult* imagi$i$g a situatio$ of this

'i$# arisi$g i$ co$$ectio$ with the fa$tasmic su"/ects *ou /ust s!o'e a"out the em"r*os& larvae&

u$#iffere$tiate# #iffere$tiatio$s which are also #*$amic schemas& "ecause the terms *ou chose

are !rett* vague& the*re use# to mea$ /ust a"out a$*thi$g #e!e$#i$g o$ the co$text) Aore !re(

cisel*& whereas *ou refuse the ?uestio$ ti ,i$asmuch as it co$cer$s a$ ousia$, *ou seem to acce!t

tis as the su"/ect of a #oi$g or ma'i$g Btispoiei ti$% >ut ca$ we reall* s!ea' of a su"/ect #oi$g

somethi$g at the larval level@

A* seco$# ?uestio$ is a"out the relatio$ "etwee$ the #ramatic a$# the tragic) Does the

#rama *ou have i$ mi$#& li'e trage#*& refer to a$ irresolva"le co$flict "etwee$ two u$eve$

halves& i$ a su"tle #isharmo$ious harmo$*@ Nour allusio$ to .rtau# a$# his theatre of cruelt*

sufficie$tl* #emo$strates that *ou are $ot a$ o!timistic !hiloso!her& or if *ou are& its i$ the wa*

ei"i is& whose visio$ of the worl# is& all thi$gs co$si#ere#& o$e of the most cruel imagi$a"le) +s

*our #ramatiatio$ a Teodicy, this time situate# $ot i$ the celestial !alaces to which the famous

a!ologists for extus allu#es& "ut rather with the lemurs from the seco$# .ausii

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Gilles Deleue: I will tr* to #efi$e #ramatiatio$ more rigorousl* what + have i$ mi$# are

#*$amisms& #*$amic s!atio(tem!oral #etermi$atio$s& that are !re( ?ualitative a$# !re(exte$sive&

ta'i$g !lace i$ i$te$sive s*stems where #iffere$ces are #istri"ute# at #iffere$t #e!ths& whose

!atie$ts are larval su"/ects a$# whose fu$ctio$ is to actualie +#eas)))

$auri'e *e Gan*illa': >ut wh* #o *ou use the term dramati(ation to tra$slate all that ,which +

fi$# a little o"scure-@

Gilles Deleue: :he$ *ou assig$ such a s*stem of s!atio(tem!oral #etermi$atio$ to a co$ce!t&

i$ m* view *oure re!laci$g a logos with a #rama& *oure setti$g u! the #rama of this logos) %or

exam!le& *ou use# to sa* we #ramatie whe$ were with our famil*) +ts true that ever*#a* life is

full of #ramatiatio$s) ome !s*choa$al*sts use the wor#& + "elieve& to #esig$ate the moveme$t

"* which logical thought is #issolve# i$ !ure s!atio(tem!oral #etermi$atio$s& as i$ falli$g aslee!).$# this is $ot so far remove# from the famous ex!erime$ts of the :urt"ourg school) Ta'e the

case of a$ o"sessive com!ulsive& where the su"/ect 'ee!s shri$'i$g ha$#'erchiefs a$# towels

are !er!etuall* cut& first i$ two& the$ the halves are cut agai$ the cor# for the "ell i$ the #i$i$g

room is regularl* shorte$e#& a$# the "ell gets closer to the ceili$g ever*thi$g is g$awe# at&

mi$iaturie#& !ut i$to "oxes) This is i$#ee# a #rama& i$ the se$se that the !atie$t orga$ies a

s!ace& agitates it& while i$ this s!ace he ex!resses a$ +#ea of the u$co$scious) .$ a$gr* fit is a

#ramatiatio$ that stages larval su"/ects) Nou as'e# me whether #ramatiatio$ i$ ge$eral is

relate# to the tragic) + #o$t see there "ei$g a$* !rivilege# relatio$ "etwee$ them) The tragic a$#

the comic are still categories of re!rese$tatio$& whereas there is a more fu$#ame$tal relatio$

"etwee$ #ramatiatio$ a$# a certai$ mo#e of terror& which ca$ e$tail a maximum of

clow$ish$ess as well as grotes?ue))) Nou sai# *ourself that the worl# of ei"$i& i$ the e$#& is the

most cruel of all vorl#s)

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$auri'e *e Gan*illa': low$ish$ess& the grotes?ue& a$# s$ic'eri$g all "elo$g to the regio$ of

the tragic& + "elieve) Nour co$clusio$ allu#e# to ietschea$ themes& all tol# more Dio$*sia$

tha$ .!ollo$ia$)

Jean Wahl: + thi$' Deleue coul# have a$swere# *ou with the ?uestio$ wen=, "ecause there

are times whe$ it all "ecomes tragic a$# there are times whe$ it "ecomes)))

Gilles Deleue: +$#ee# + coul# have)

$i'hel Souriau:/ +# li'e to as' for clarificatio$ as to a refere$ce) Ar) Deleue cite# several

!hiloso!hers& $ot ma$*& "ut certai$ o$es + thought + ma* have #etecte# a refere$ce to

Aale"ra$che& though he was$t cite#) There are several thi$gs i$ Aale"ra$che that woul# "e

com!letel* out of !lace i$ *our wor'& for exam!le& his visio$ i$ Go# whereas for *ourself it is

more a ?uestio$ of a visio$ i$ Ae!histo!heles) >ut we ca$t forget the Aale"ra$che of

inte''igib'e e!tension whe$ *ou refer to the at first o"scure a$# i$ ever* case #*$amic "ecomi$g

of i#eas& a$# the$ to this exte$sio$ which is $ot ?uite s!ace& "ut te$#s to "ecome s!ace& it reall*

#oes sou$# li'e Aale"ra$ches inte''igib'e e!tension%

Gilles Deleue: +t #i#$t occur to me u$til $ow& "ut there is i$#ee# a 'i$# of !ure& !re(exte$sive

spatium i$ i$telligi"le exte$sio$) The same goes for the #isti$ctio$ ei"$i ma'es "etwee$

spatium a$# e!tensio%

125




0u'1 Prenan):23 A* ?uestio$ is alo$g the same li$es as Ar) ouriaus) :hat *ou call o"scure

a$# #isti$ct& woul#$t ei"$i call it i$telligi"le a$# u$(imagi$a"le@ E$(imagi$a"le corres!o$#s

to o"scureto what *oure calli$g the o"scure) %or ei"$i& the o"scure is thought $ot "ei$g

a"le to #etermi$e its o"/ect& as i$ the Meditationes, for exam!le a fleeti$g memor* of a$ image)

$ the other ha$#& the '$owle#ge that metal wor'ers have of gol# is co$verte# i$to a law of a

series of !ro!erties this is $ot availa"le for the se$ses& a$# it #oes $ot ta'e the form of a$ image&

a$# co$se?ue$tl*& + thi$' ei"$i woul# tra$slate it as o"scure& as o!!ose# to clear) .$# this ca$

eve$ a!!l* to what ei"$i calle# "li$# thought$ot u$#er /ust a$* co$#itio$s& "ecause "li$#

thought ca$ lea# to ver"alism a$# error& as he !oi$ts out i$ his criti?ue of the o$tological !roof)

>ut this ca$ corres!o$# to certai$ forms of "li$# thought for exam!le& to characteristicsto

forms that are rigorousl* co$structe#)

<recisel*& however& must $ot these #isti$ct a$# "li$# i#eas of ei"$i "e "ase# o$ #isti$ct

visio$s@ ei"$i sees that a straight li$e ca$ "e exte$#e# to i$fi$it* "ecause he sees the reaso$

the similitu#e of the segme$ts) Thus we have recourse to !rimitive $otio$s which are the

!ro!er mar's of themselves& to the al!ha"et of huma$ thought) +$ other wor#s& + #o$t "elieve

that thought ca$ remai$ full* o"scure& i$ Ar) Deleues se$se of the wor#& throughout its

course) Thought must at least see a reaso$& gras! a law)

Gilles Deleue: I am struc' "* *our remar's o$ the rigor of ei"$is termi$olog*) >ut is it $ot

true& As) <re$a$t& that #isti$ct has ma$* se$ses i$ ei"$i@ ;is texts o$ the sea em!hasie that

there are eleme$ts i$ !erce!tio$& i)e) remar'a"le !oi$ts& that i$ com"i$atio$ with other

remar'a"le !oi$ts of our "o#*& #etermi$e a threshol# of co$scious !erce!tio$) This co$scious

!erce!tio$ is clear a$# co$fuse# ,$o$(#isti$ct-& "ut the #iffere$tial eleme$ts that it actualies are

themselves #isti$ct a$# o"scure) +t is true that we are #eali$g with a #e!th& which !erha!s i$ a

certai$ wa* excee#s sufficie$t reaso$ itself)))

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0u'1 Prenan): %urthermore& whe$ a sim!le su"sta$ce ex!resses the u$iverse& + #o$t thi$' it

alwa*s #oes so through a$ image it is certai$l* ex!resse# through some ?ualit*co$scious or

$ot ,at most !artiall* co$scious for the fi$ite activit* of a create# su"sta$ce-& a$# this ?ualit*

corres!o$#s to a s*stem of varia"le relatio$s from some !oi$t of view) Go# alo$e ca$ reflect

o$ the totalit* of these virtualities with !erfect #isti$ctio$which for him elimi$ates a$* $ee#

for a calculus of !ro"a"ilities)))

>ut + wa$te# to as' *ou a seco$# ?uestio$) Does$t this virtualit* that claims to corres!o$#

to existe$ce $ot !ose a !ro"lem for the researcher o$ the loo'(out for a ti#* classificatio$& who

fi$#s o$l* mess* exam!les& which the$ o"ligate her to rea#/ust her s!ecies@ +$ other wor#s& is

this virtualit* a$*thi$g other tha$ a !rogressive a$# mo"ile ex!ressio$@

Gilles Deleue: I #o$t thi$' virtualit* ca$ ever corres!o$# to the actual i$ the wa* esse$ce #oesto a$ existe$ce) This woul# "e to co$fuse the virtual with the !ossi"le) +$ a$* eve$t& the virtual

a$# the actual corres!o$# "ut #o $ot resem"le o$e a$other) This is wh* the search for actual

co$ce!ts ca$ "e i$fi$ite& there is alwa*s a$ excess of virtual +#eas a$imati$g them)

127




actualiatio$ relates to the seco$#) $ the other ha$#& if we exami$e the two as!ects of actualiatio$& ?ualities a$#

exte$sio$s& the ?ualities result for the most !art from the time of actualiatio$ what !ro!erl* "elo$gs to ?ualities is

#uratio$& lasti$g as lo$g as a$ i$te$sive s*stem mai$tai$s a$# commu$icates its co$stitutive #iffere$ces) .$# the

exte$sio$s& for their !art& result from the s!ace of actualiatio$ or from the moveme$t "* which these si$gularities are

i$car$ate#) :e see ver* well i$ "iolog* how #iffere$tial rh*thms #etermi$e the orga$iatio$ of the "o#* a$# its

tem!oral s!ecificatio$)

Ja'ues $erleau#Pon)1: Begar#i$g the same ?uestio$& +m thi$'i$g of a$ image *ou #i#$t use i$ *our tal'& the image

of li$eage) +$ the tal' *ou gave o$ <roust a few *ears ago& *ou s!o'e a"out li$eage& e)g) the two li$eages that arise

from the great herma!hro#ite& etc) :oul#$t that image "e suita"le i$ *our tal' to#a*@

Gilles Deleue: Nes& #*$amisms i$#ee# #etermi$e li$eages) To#a* + s!o'e a"out a"stract li$es& a$# the #e!th from

which these li$es emerge)

Jean Beau4re):2"2 woul# li'e to as' a ?uestio$& "ut $ot co$cer$i$g the tal' itself) +ts a"out the last a$swer Deleue

gave to Ar) #e Ga$#illac) .t the e$# of *our excha$ge& .!ollo a$# Dio$*sus were evo'e#& a$# ever*thi$g was

summe# u! the o!!ositio$ is i$surmou$ta"le) .m + o$ trac'@

Gilles Deleue: Nes& I "elieve so)

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Jean Beau4re): The$ + woul# as' *ou this "* whom@ how far@ how@ where@ whe$@ >* whom ca$ this o!!ositio$ "e

overcome@ + feel li'e)))

Gilles Deleue: >* whom coul# it "e overcome@ ertai$l* $ot "* Dio$*sus& who has $o reaso$ to #o so) Dio$*sus

wa$ts what is #isti$ct to remai$ o"scure) ;e sees $o reaso$ a$# $o a#va$tage i$ it) The i#ea of a reco$ciliatio$ is

u$"eara"le to Dio$*sus) The clear a$# #isti$ct is /ust as u$"eara"le) ;e has ta'e$ o$ the #is ti$ct a$# wa$ts it to remai$

o"scure) + su!!ose its /ust his !articular will))) >ut who wa$ts to overcome this o!!ositio$@ + ca$ tell that the #ream of

a reco$ciliatio$ "etwee$ the clear a$# the #isti$ct ca$ o$l* "e ex!lai$e# "* the clear) .!ollo wa$ts to overcome this

o!!ositio$) ;e elicits the reco$ciliatio$ of the clear a$# #isti$ct& a$# he i$s!ires the artisa$ with this reco$ciliatio$ the

tragic artist) et me come "ac' to the theme A) #e Ga$#illac touche# o$ a few mome$ts ago) The tragic is the effort at

reco$ciliatio$& which $ecessaril* comes from .!ollo) >ut i$ Dio$*sus there is alwa*s somethi$g that with#raws a$#

tur$s awa*& somethi$g that wa$ts to mai$tai$ the #isti$ct o"scure)))

Jean Beau4re): + thi$' weve acce!te# the .!ollo(Dio$*sus #isti$ctio$ a little too ?uic'l*& though the #isti$ctio$ is

i$#ee# shar!l* #raw$ i$ Te 3irt of Tragedy% Aore a$# more& however& + get the feeli$g there is a thir# character that

shows u! i$ ietsche& a$# which he te$#s to call ;alc*o$) + #o$t '$ow what it #oes& "ut what stri'es me is this

A':yonisce, which is& as ietsche sa*s& the s'* of ice& li'e a #ime$sio$ that #oes$t corres!o$# to either the

.!ollo$ia$ or the Dio$*sia$ #ime$sio$) .t the e$# of 3eyond *ood and Evi', ietsche #iscusses his e$cou$ter with

Dio$*sus a$# sa*s that the go# re!lie# with his halc*o$ smile) + as'e# m*self what this halc*o$ smile coul# mea$)

+$ a$* case& this is wh* + thi$' ietsche is more retice$t tha$ *ou have "ee$) + thi$' its a late #iscover*)

Gilles Deleue: ertai$l*& the sig$ificatio$ of ;alc*o$ remai$s a real !ro"lem i$ ietsches later wor')

130




S)anislas Bre)on:(5 The ?uestio$ wat is tis= i$#ee# har#l* gets me a$*where i$ the #iscover* of the esse$ce or the

+#ea) >ut it #oes seem to have a$ i$#is!e$sa"le regu'ative function% +t o!e$s u! a regio$ of i$?uir* which o$l* the

euristic @uestions wo= ow=, etc)& are a"le to fill) %ar from re!laci$g the ?uestio$ wat is tis=, these other ?uestio$s

thus a!!ear to re?uire it) The* form a$ i$#is!e$sa"le me#iatio$) +t is i$ or#er to a$swer the ?uestio$ wat is tis= that +

as' the other ?uestio$s) The two t*!es of ?uestio$s are therefore heteroge$eous a$# com!lime$tar*)

%urthermore& these other ?uestio$s a!!ear fou$#e# o$ a !rior i#ea of the thi$g& a$ i#ea that is alrea#* a

res!o$se& i$ a glo"al wa*& to the ?uestio$ wat is tis= The* !resu!!ose a larval su"/ect that u$fol#s i$ a$ interva' of

actua'i(ation, which the s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms ma'e co$crete)

+t follows that& "* virtue of what has "ee$ calle# the co$versio$ of su"sta$ce i$to the su"/ect& the esse$ce is less

wat is alrea#* there tha$ to ti ev einai ,what is a"out to "e-) ;egel also s!ea's of a 3estimmteit that "ecomes a

3estimmung% The #etermi$atio$ of the thi$g woul# "e the !ast of its #ramatiatio$) Esse se@uitur operari ,rather tha$

operari se@uitur esse$% Tra#itio$al o$tolog* woul# thus "e o$l* a$ a!!roximatio$ of a$ o$to(ge$ius& whose ce$ter is

the causa sui or the autupostaton that <roclus #iscusses)

>* situati$g *our reflectio$s withi$ this o$tological horio$& +m $ot tr*i$g to #imi$ish their im!licatio$s or their

im!orta$ce) + wa$t to u$#ersta$# them "etter) >ut there is $evertheless o$e ?uestio$ that comes first what exactl* is

the a!!licatio$ of *our metho#@ :ithi$ which horio$ of realit* exactl* #o *ou !ose *our to!ical ?uestio$s @uis=

@uomodo=, etc) Do$t these ?uestio$s o$l* ma'e se$se i$ the worl# of ma$'i$#@ r ca$ the* "e a!!lie# to the thi$gs

of commo$ or scie$tific ex!erie$ce@ !atio(tem!oral #*$amisms are o"/ects of i$?uir* i$ #*$amic !s*cholog* a$#

micro!h*sics) :hat relatio$s of a$alog* are there "etwee$ these ver* #iffere$t s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms@ a$ we

imagi$e a !rocess of #iffere$tiatio$ that relates them@

131




Gilles Deleue: I(& $ot sure that the two 'i$#s of ?uestio$s ca$ "e reco$cile#) Nou sa* that the ?uestio$ wat is tis=

!rece#es a$# #irects the i$?uir* of the other ?uestio$s) .$# that these other ?uestio$s allow us to a$swer wat is tis=

;owever& is there $ot ever* reaso$ to fear that& if we "egi$ with wat is tis=, we will $ever eve$ get to the other

?uestio$s) The ?uestio$ wat is tis= "iases the results of the i$?uir*& it !resu!!oses the a$swer as the sim!licit* of a$

esse$ce& eve$ if the esse$ce is !ro!erl* multi!le& co$tra#ictor*& etc) This is /ust a"stract moveme$t& a$# we will $ever

"e a"le to reco$$ect with real moveme$t& that which traverses a multi!licit* as such) +$ m* view& the two 'i$#s of

?uestio$s im!l* irreco$cila"le metho#s) %or exam!le& whe$ ietsche as's wo, or from wat perspective, i$stea# of

wat, he is $ot tr*i$g to com!lete the ?uestio$ wat is tisH5 , he is criticii$g the form of this ?uestio$ a$# all its

!ossi"le res!o$ses) :he$ + as' wat is tis=, + assume there is a$ esse$ce "ehi$# a!!eara$ces& or at least somethi$g

ultimate "ehi$# the mas's) The other 'i$# of ?uestio$& however& alwa*s #iscovers other mas's "ehi$# the mas'&

#is!laceme$ts "ehi$# ever* !lace& other cases stac'e# u! i$ a case)

Nou i$#icate the !rofou$# !rese$ce of a tem!oral o!eratio$ in to ti en enai% >ut it seems to me that this o!eratio$

i$ .ristotle #oes $ot #e!e$# o$ the ?uestio$ wat is tis=, "ut rather o$ the ?uestio$ wo=, which .ristotle uses to

ex!ress his a$ti(<lato$ism to ti a, or who is ,or rather& who& "ei$g-)

.$# *ou woul# li'e to '$ow what is the sco!e of this #ramatiatio$) +s it exclusivel* !s*chological or

a$thro!ological@ + #o$t see it as !rivilegi$g ma$'i$# i$ a$* wa*) +$ a$* eve$t& what is #ramatie# is the u$co$scious)

.ll 'i$#s of re!etitio$s a$# reso$a$ces i$terve$e amo$g !h*sical& "iological& a$# !s*chic #*$amisms) <erha!s the

#iffere$ces "etwee$ #*$amisms !rimaril* #erives from the order of the +#ea "ei$g actualie#) The various or#ers of

+#eas woul# have to "e #etermi$e#)

Ale%is Philonen6o:2+2 woul# li'e a clarificatio$ from Ar) Deleue) Nou affirme# that i$ the moveme$t of

actualiatio$& the #iffere$tial eleme$ts ha# $o se$si"le figure& $o fu$ctio$& $o co$ce!tual sig$ificatio$ ,which seems

totall* a$ti(ei"$i& so to s!ea'& si$ce ei"$i assig$s a co$ce!tual sig$ificatio$ to the #iffere$tial !recisel* "ecause

the #iffere$tial has $o figure "ut thats $ot m* ?uestio$-) To i$tro#uce *our thesis& *ou allu#e# to the !ost(Fa$tia$s)

%or me& that im!lie# $ot o$l* a refere$ce to ;egel& "ut also to Aaimo$& %ichte& chelli$g& eve$ cho!e$hauer) Aa*"e

eve$ ietsche& if *ou li'e))) + woul# li'e *ou to clarif* which !ost(Fa$tia$s i$ !articular *ou ha# i$ mi$#)

132




Gilles Deleue: Noure as'i$g me who + ha# i$ mi$# o"viousl* Aaimo$ a$# certai$ as!ects of ovalis)

Ale%is Philonen6o: .$# *ou were thi$'i$g of the #iffere$tial of co$scious$ess@ Gilles Deleue: Thats right)))

Ale%is Philonen6o: :ell& !arts of *our tal' seeme# i$s!ire# "* the wor' of Aaimo$) This clarificatio$ is im!orta$t

"ecause the $otio$ of the #iffere$tial of co$scious$ess i$ Aaimo$ is crucial& a$# i$ ma$* res!ects& the s!atio(tem!oral

#*$amisms *ou #escri"e# are remar'a"l* remi$isce$t of Aaimo$s #iffere$tial of co$scious$ess) et me ex!lai$) .t

the level of re!rese$tatio$ we have somethi$g li'e i$tegratio$s "ut there is a su"(re!rese$tative level& as *ou *ourself

trie# to show& a$# at this level the #iffere$tial has a ge$etic sig$ificatio$& at least i$ Aaimo$s view) + was as'i$g for

clarificatio$ to set u! the #iscussio$) :hat& to m* wa* of thi$'i$g& is so i$teresti$g is that for Aaimo$& te notion of

te differentia', wic is associated wit te transcendenta' imagination, is a s:eptica' princip'e, a !ri$ci!le which

lea#s us to /u#ge the real as illusor*) +$sofar as the root of s!atio(tem!oral #*$amisms is su"(re!rese$tatio$al& we have

accor#i$g to Aaimo$& $o criterio$) .$# this mea$s two thi$gs i$ the first !lace& we ca$$ot #iscer$ what we !ro#uce

a$# what the o"/ect !ro#uces i$ the seco$# !lace& we ca$$ot #iscer$ what is !ro#uce# logicall* a$# what is $ot) .ll

there remai$s is the results of the su"(re!rese$tatio$al ge$esis of the tra$sce$#e$tal imagi$atio$) o& accor#i$g to

Aaimo$& a #ialectic of the tra$sce$#e$tal imagi$atio$ must "e #evelo!e#& or if *ou !refer& a dia'ectic of syntesis%

This coul# "e associate# with ei"$i& "ut /ust a little) o this is what + wa$t to '$ow what !art #oes illusio$ ,or the

illusor*- have i$ the moveme$t of #iffere$tial eleme$ts@

Gilles Deleue: %or me& $o$e)

Ale%is Philonen6o: .$# what allows *ou to sa* that@

133




Gilles Deleue: Nou sa* to me for Aaimo$ there is a$ illusio$) + follow *ou& "ut + was$t tr*i$g to ex!licate Aaimo$)

+f what *oure tr*i$g to as' me is what !art #oes illusio$ have i$ the schema *oure !ro!osi$g@ A* a$swer is $o$e) +t

seems to me we have the mea$s to !e$etrate the su"(re!rese$tatio$al& to reach all the wa* to the roots of s!atio(

tem!oral #*$amisms& a$# all the wa* to the +#eas actualie# i$ them the eleme$ts a$# i#eal eve$ts& the relatio$s a$#

si$gularities are !erfectl* #etermi$a"le) The illusio$ o$l* comes afterwar#& from the #irectio$ of co$stitute#

exte$sio$s a$# the ?ualities that fill out these exte$sio$s)

Ale%is Philonen6o: o illusio$ a!!ears o$l* i$ what is co$stitute#@

Gilles Deleue: Thats right) To sum thi$gs u!& + #o$t have the same co$ce!tio$ of the u$co$scious as ei"$i or

Aaimo$) %reu# alrea#* we$t #ow$ that roa#) o illusio$ has "ee$ #is!lace#)))

Ale%is Philonen6o: :ell& + mea$ to sta* o$ the level of logic a$# eve$ tra$sce$#e$tal logic& without getti$g i$to

!s*cholog*"ut if *ou !ush illusio$ over to the si#e of what is co$stitute#& without acce!ti$g illusio$ i$ ge$esis& i$

co$stitutio$& are *ou $ot i$ the e$# /ust comi$g "ac' to <lato ,whe$ i$ fact *ou woul# li'e to avoi# such a thi$g-& for

whom !recisel* co$stitutio$& u$#erstoo# as !rocee#i$g from the +#ea& i$ as much as it ca$ "e u$#erstoo#& is alwa*s

veracious& truthful@Gilles Deleue: Nes& ma*"e)

Ale%is Philonen6o: o& as far as s!ecificatio$ a$# multi!licit* are co$cer$e#& we woul# ex!erie$ce the same truth as

<lato& a$# we woul# have the same i#ea of the true& i)e) the sim!licit* of the true alwa*s e?ual to itself i$ the totalit* of

its !ro#uctio$@

134




Gilles Deleue: Thats $ot the <lato + have i$ mi$#) +f we thi$' of the <lato from the later #ialectic& where the +#eas are

somethi$g li'e multi!licities that must "e traverse# "* ?uestio$s such as ow= ow muc= in wic case=, the$ *es&

ever*thi$g +ve sai# has somethi$g <lato$ic a"out it) +f *oure thi$'i$g of the <lato who favors a sim!licit* of the

esse$ce or a i!seit* of the +#ea& the$ $o)

Jean Wahl: +f $o o$e else wa$ts to as' a ?uestio$& the$ + will co$clu#e "* tha$'i$g Ar) Deleue a$# all those who !artici!ate# i$ the #iscussio$

135



)Con"sions on the %i"" to +o*er and the6terna" Betrn;

+f we were to ta'e awa* o$l* o$e lesso$ from this collo?uium&2 it woul# "e how ma$* thi$gs i$

ietsche are hi##e$& mas'e#) .$# this for several reaso$s)

%irst for reaso$s co$cer$i$g the editions of ietsches wor') +ts $ot so much a ?uestio$ of

falsificatio$s his sister was i$#ee# o$e of those a"usive relatives that figure i$ the !rocessio$ of

curse# thi$'ers& "ut her !ri$ci!al faults #i# $ot co$sist i$ falsif*i$g texts) The exte$t e#itio$s

suffer more from "a# rea#i$gs or #is!laceme$ts& a$# es!eciall* ar"itrar* selectio$s ta'e$ from

the mass of !osthumous $otes) Te /i'' to )ower is the most famous exam!le) :e ca$ further

sa* that $o$e of the exte$t e#itio$s& eve$ the most rece$t& meet $ormal scie$tific a$# critical

#ema$#s) This is wh* the !ro/ect "* Ar) olli a$# Ar) Ao$ti$ari is i$ m* o!i$io$ so im!orta$t

the com!lete !osthumous $otes will at last "e e#ite#& o"servi$g the most rigorous chro$olog*

!ossi"le& accor#i$g to the !erio#s corres!o$#i$g to the "oo's ietsche !u"lishe#) The

successio$ of o$e mo#e of thi$'i$g for 1872 a$# a$other for 1884 will thus come to a$ e$#) Ar)

olli a$# Ar) Ao$ti$ari were gracious e$ough to u!#ate us o$ the !rogress of their wor' a$# its

immi$e$t com!letio$ a$# + am ha!!* to a$$ou$ce that their e#itio$ will also a!!ear i$ %re$ch)

>ut thi$gs are hi##e$ i$ ietsche for still other reaso$sof a !athological $ature) ;is

wor' is u$fi$ishe#& i$terru!te# "* ma#$ess) :e must $ot forget that the =ter$al Betur$ a$# the

:ill to <ower& the two most fu$#ame$tal co$ce!ts i$ the ietschea$ cor!us& are har#l*

i$tro#uce# at all) The* $ever #i# receive the exte$#e# treatme$t ietsche i$te$#e#) +$

!articular& *ou will recall that Rarathoustra ca$$ot "e sai# to have articulate# or formulate# the

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eter$al retur$& which is o$ the co$trar* hi##e$ i$ the four "oo's of Tus Spo:e Iaratustra8 A

3oo: for A'' and None% :hat little is articulate# i$ Tus Spo:e Iaratustra is $ot formulate# "*

Rarathoustra himself& "ut either "* the #warf or "* the eagle a$# the ser!e$t)3 This is a sim!le

i$tro#uctio$& which ca$ eve$ e$tail volu$tar* #isguises) .$# ietsches $otes& i$ this case& #o

$ot !ermit us to a$tici!ate how he woul# have orga$ie# a$* future essa*s co$cer$i$g it) :e

have ever* right to "elieve that ma#$ess "rutall* i$terru!te# ietsches wor' "efore he was a"le

to write what seeme# to him most fu$#ame$tal)+$ what se$se ma#$ess "elo$gs to the wor' is a

com!lex ?uestio$) %or m* !art& + #o$t see the least ma#$ess i$ Ecce +omo, u$less o$e sees also

great master* i$ it) + feel that the ma# letters of 1888 a$# 1889 #o "elo$g to the wor'& eve$ while

the* i$terru!t it a$# cause its termi$atio$ ,the great letter to >ur'har#t is i$ a$* case

u$forgetta"le-)

Ar) Flossows'i sai# that the #eath of Go#& the #ea# Go#& #e!rives the elf of its o$l*

guara$tee of i#e$tit*& its su"sta$tial "asis of u$it* with Go# #ea#& the self #issolves or

eva!orates& "ut i$ a certai$ wa*& o!e$s itself u! to all the other selves& roles& a$# characters

which must "e ru$ through i$ a series li'e so ma$* fortuitous eve$ts) + am ham"ige& 1 am

>a#i$guet& + am <ra#o& + am esse$tiall* ever* $ame i$ histor*) Ar) :ahl ha# alrea#* give$ us a

!icture of this "rillia$t wasteful$ess !rior to ietsches sic'$essthis !ower of metamor!hosis

at the heart of ietsches !luralism) +$#ee# ietsches whole !s*cholog*& $ot o$l* his !erso$al

!s*cholog* "ut also the o$e he is i$ve$ti$g& is a !s*cholog* of the mas'& a t*!olog* of mas's

a$# "ehi$# ever* mas' there lies still a$other mas')

>ut the most ge$eral reaso$ wh* there are so ma$* hi##e$ thi$gs i$ ietsche a$# his wor'

is metodo'ogica' i$ $ature) . thi$g $ever has o$l* o$e se$se) =ach thi$g has several se$ses that

ex!ress the forces a$# the "ecomi$g of forces at wor' i$ it) till more to the !oi$t& there is $o

thi$g& "ut o$l* i$ter!retatio$s hi##e$ i$ o$e a$other& li'e mas's la*ere# o$e o$ the other& or

la$guages that i$clu#e each other) .s Ar) %oucault has show$ us& ietsche i$ve$ts a $ew

co$ce!tio$ a$# $ew metho#s of i$ter!retatio$ first "* cha$gi$g the s!ace i$ which sig$s are

#istri"ute#& "* #iscoveri$g a $ew #e!th i$ relatio$ to which the ol# #e!th flatte$s out a$# is $o

lo$ger a$*thi$g seco$#& a$# most im!orta$tl*& "* re!laci$g the sim!le relatio$ of sig$ a$# se$se

with a com!lex of se$ses& such that ever* i$ter!retatio$ is alrea#* the i$ter!retatio$ of a$

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i$ter!retatio$ ad infinitum% ot that ever* i$ter!retatio$ therefore has the same value a$#

occu!ies the same !la$eo$ the co$trar*& the* are stac'e# or la*ere# i$ the $ew #e!th) >ut the*

$o lo$ger have the true a$# the false as criteria) The $o"le a$# the vile& the high a$# the low&

"ecome the imma$e$t !ri$ci!les of i$ter!retatio$s a$# evaluatio$s) ogic is re!lace# "* a

to!olog* a$# a t*!olog* there are some i$ter!retatio$s that !resu!!ose a "ase or vile wa* of

thi$'i$g& feeli$g& a$# eve$ existi$g& a$# there are others that exhi"it $o"ilit*& ge$erosit*&

creativit*)))& such that i$ter!retatio$s sa* somethi$g a"out the t*!e of i$ter!reter& a$# re$ou$ce

the ?uestio$ what is it@ i$ favor of who is it@

This is how the $otio$ of value allows the truth to "e stam!e# out& so to s!ea'& a$# a more

!rofou$# force to "e #iscovere# "ehi$# the true a$# the false) Does this $otio$ of value commit

ietsche to a <lato$ic(artesia$ meta!h*sics& or #oes it o!e$ u! a $ew !hiloso!h*& eve$ a $ew

o$tolog*@ This seco$# theme of our collo?uium is the !ro"lem that Ar) >eaufret tac'le#) The

?uestio$ is this if ever*thi$g is a mas'& if ever*thi$g is i$ter!retatio$ a$# evaluatio$& is there

some ultimate court of a!!eal& si$ce there are $o thi$gs to i$ter!ret or evaluate& $o thi$gs to

mas'@ Eltimatel*& there is $othi$g exce!t the will to !ower& which is the !ower to

metamor!hose& to sha!e mas's& to i$ter!ret a$# evaluate) Ar) Hattimo showe# us o$e a!!roach

he argue# that the two !ri$ci!le as!ects of ietsches !hiloso!h*& the criti?ue of all curre$t

values a$# the creatio$ of $ew values& #em*stificatio$ a$# tra$svaluatio$& coul# $ot "e

u$#erstoo# a$# woul# amou$t to $othi$g "ut sim!le !re!ositio$al states of co$scious$ess&

shoul# we fail to refer these two as!ects to a$ origi$al& o$tological #e!tha cave "ehi$# ever*

cave& a$ a"*ss u$#er ever* ocea$ floor)

This origi$al #e!th& Rarathoustras cele"rate# height(#e!th& must "e $ame# the will to

!ower) f course& Ar) >irault figure# out how we must u$#ersta$# the term will to !ower) +ts

$ot wa$ti$g to live& "ecause how coul# whatever life is wa$t to live@ +ts $ot a #esire for

#omi$atio$ either& "ecause how coul# whatever it is that #omi$ates #esire to #omi$ate@

Rarathoustra sa*s The #esire to #omi$ate $ow who woul# call that a #esire@ The will to

!ower& the$& is $ot a will that wa$ts !ower or wa$ts to #omi$ate)

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of the worl#& a $ew allia$ce& a$ affirmatio$ of the earth a$# "o#*) This i#ea of the recu!eratio$

of the worl# sums u! Ar) owiths i$ter!retatio$ of ietsche) ;e relie# i$ !articular o$ a text

from Te *ay Science8 u!!ress *our ve$eratio$s& or else su!!ress *ourselvesO 5 .$# + thi$'

we were all im!resse# "* Ar) Ga"riel Aarcel& whe$ he evo'e# the same text to clarif* his ow$

!ositio$ with res!ect to $ihilism& to ietsche& a$# eve$tual #isci!les of ietsche)

+$#ee#& the res!ective role of Nes a$# o& of affirmatio$ a$# $egatio$& i$ ietsches wor'

raises ma$* !ro"lems) +$ Ar) :ahls o!i$io$& a$# as he #emo$strate#& there are so ma$*

sig$ificatio$s of Nes a$# o& the* coexist o$l* at the cost of te$sio$s& live# co$tra#ictio$s&

co$tra#ictio$s i$ thought& some of which are u$thi$'a"le) .$# Ar) :ahl multi!lie# ?uestio$ o$

?uestio$& "eautifull* wiel#i$g the metho# of !ers!ectives which he ta'es from ietsche& a$#

which he '$ows how to ma'e $ew)

ets ta'e a$ exam!le) There is $o #ou"t that the Aule i$ Rarathoustra is a$ a$imal that sa*s

Nes& +(.& +(.) >ut his Nes is $ot the Nes of Rarathoustra) ot to me$tio$ the Aules o& which is

$ot li'e Rarathoustras either) This is "ecause whe$ the Aule sa*s Nes& whe$ he affirms or

"elieves he is affirmi$g& he #oes $othi$g "ut shoul#er a "ur#e$ he measures the value of his

affirmatio$s "* the "ur#e$ he "ears) .s Ar) Gueroult remi$#e# us at the start of this collo?uium&

the Aule ,or the amel- "ears first the values of hristia$it* the$& whe$ Go# is #ea#& he "ears

the "ur#e$ of huma$ist valueshuma$& all too huma$ a$# fi$all* the "ur#e$ of the real& whe$

there are $o lo$ger a$* values at all) :e here recog$ie the three stages of ietschea$ $ihilism

Go#& huma$it*& a$# the last huma$the "ur#e$ we ourselves hoist o$ our ow$ shoul#ers& a$#

whe$ we have $othi$g else to "ear& the "ur#e$ of our ow$ fatigue)6 ;e$ce the Aule i$ fact sa*s

o& "ecause he sa*s Nes to all the !ro#ucts of $ihilism& eve$ as he exhausts each of its stages)

o$se?ue$tl*& affirmatio$ here is o$l* the !ha$tom of affirmatio$ the $egative is the o$l*

realit*)

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was $ever !ure& "ut alwa*s accom!a$ie# "* other themes such as the tra$smigratio$ of souls)

or was it co$ceive# i$ a u$iform wa*& "ut #e!e$#i$g o$ the civiliatio$ a$# the school& it coul#

"e co$ceive# i$ a$* $um"er of wa*s) .lso& the retur$ was !erha!s $ot total or eter$al& co$sisti$g

rather i$ !artial c*cles that were i$comme$surate) trictl* s!ea'i$g& we ca$$ot eve$

categoricall* affirm that the eter$al retur$ was a$ a$cie$t #octri$e a$# the theme of the Great

Near is sufficie$tl* com!lex for us to "e cautious i$ our i$ter!retatio$s) 8 ietsche '$ew this&

u$willi$g as he was to ac'$owle#ge a$* !recursors here& $either ;eraclitus& $or the ve$era"le

Roroaster) =ve$ if we #o su!!ose that a$ eter$al retur$ was ex!licitl* !rofesse# "* the .$cie$ts&

we must the$ recog$ie that it is either a ?ualitative or a$ exte$sive eter$al retur$) +$ other

wor#s& either it is the c*clical tra$sformatio$ of ?ualitative eleme$ts& each i$ the other& that

#etermi$es the retur$ of each thi$g& i$clu#i$g celestial "o#ies) r o$ the other ha$#& it is the

local circular moveme$t of ?ualities a$# thi$gs i$ the su"lu$ar worl#) :e here vacillate "etwee$a !h*sical a$# a$ astro$omical i$ter!retatio$)

>ut $either the o$e $or the other corres!o$#s to ietsches thought) .$# if ietsche

co$si#ers his thought so a"solutel* $ew& it is certai$l* $ot #ue to a$* lac' of familiarit* with the

.$cie$ts) ;e '$ows that what he calls the eter$al retur$ is ta'i$g us i$to a #ime$sio$ as *et

u$ex!lore# $either exte$sive ?ua$tit* $or local moveme$t& $or !h*sical ?ualit*& "ut a #omai$ of

!ure i$te$sities) Ar) #e chloeer ma#e a rather im!orta$t o"servatio$ there is i$#ee# a$

assig$a"le #iffere$ce "etwee$ o$e time a$# a hu$#re# or a thousa$# times& "ut $ot "etwee$ o$e

time a$# a$ i$fi$ite $um"er of times) This im!lies that i$fi$it* is i$ this case li'e the $th !ower

of 1& or li'e that #evelo!e# i$te$sit* which corres!o$#s to 1) Ar) >eaufret& moreover& as'e# a

fu$#ame$tal ?uestio$ is >ei$g a !re#icate@ +s it $ot somethi$g more a$# somethi$g less& a$# is

it $ot itself a"ove all a more and a 'ess= This more a$# this less& which must "e u$#erstoo# as a

#iffere$ce of i$te$sit* i$ "ei$g& a$# of "ei$g& as a #iffere$ce of levels& is o$e of the fu$#ame$tal

!ro"lems ietsche is wor'i$g o$) ietsches taste for the !h*sical scie$ces a$# e$ergetics has

occasio$e# much sur!rise) +$ fact& ietsche was i$tereste# i$ !h*sics as a scie$ce of i$te$sive

?ua$tities& a$# ultimatel* he was aimi$g at the will to !ower as a$ i$te$sive !ri$ci!le& as a

!ri$ci!le of !ure i$te$sit*"ecause the will to !ower #oes $ot mea$ wa$ti$g !ower o$ theco$trar*& whatever o$e #esires& it mea$s raisi$g this to its ultimate !ower& to the nt !ower) +$ a

wor#& it mea$s extracti$g te superior form of ever*thi$g that is ,the form of i$te$sit*-)

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:e have ever* right to "elieve that ietsche i$ his !u"lishe# wor's ha# o$l* !re!are# the

revelatio$ of the eter$al retur$& "ut that he #i# $ot reveal it& i$#ee# #i# $ot have the time to #o so)

=ver*thi$g suggests that his !ro/ecte# wor'& o$ the eve of the crisis of 1888& woul# have go$e

much farther i$ this #irectio$) >ut alrea#* the texts from Tus Spo:e Iaratustra o$ the o$e

ha$#& a$# the $otes from 1881(1882 o$ the other& at least tell us what the eter$al retur$ is not

accor#i$g to ietsche) +t is $ot a c*cle) +t #oes $ot !resu!!ose the $e& the ame& the =?ual or

e?uili"rium) +t is $ot the retur$ of .ll) +t is $ot the retur$ of the ame) +t thus has $othi$g i$

commo$ with what is !resume# to "e a$cie$t #octri$e& the i#ea of a c*cle that causes ever*thi$g

to come "ac'& !assi$g through a !oi$t of e?uili"rium& "ri$gi$g the .ll "ac' to the $e&

amou$ti$g to the ame) There *ou have the same ol# so$g or the over(sim!lificatio$ the

eter$al retur$ as a !h*sical tra$sformatio$ or a$ astro$omical moveme$tthe eter$al retur$

live# as though it were a $atural a$imal certai$t* ,such as the low$ or as Rarathoustras a$imalsees it-) :e are all too familiar with the criti?ue that ietsche& i$ all his wor'& "ri$gs to "ear o$

the ge$eral $otio$s of $e& ame& =?ual& a$# .ll) till more to the !oi$t& the $otes from 1881(

1882 ex!licitl* o!!ose the c*clical h*!othesis the* exclu#e the !resu!!ositio$ of a$* state of

e?uili"rium) These $otes !roclaim that .ll #oes $ot come "ac'& "ecause the eter$al retur$ is

esse$tiall* se'ective, i$#ee# selective !ar excelle$ce) %urthermore& what ha!!e$e# i$

Rarathoustras two mome$ts& "etwee$ the time whe$ he was sic' a$# whe$ he was recoveri$g@

:h* #i# the eter$al retur$ first i$s!ire him with u$"eara"le #isgust a$# fear& which the$

#isa!!ear whe$ he feels "etter@ .re we to "elieve that Rarathoustra ta'es it o$ himself to

shoul#er what he coul# $ot "ear a mome$t "efore@ "viousl* $ot the cha$ge is $ot sim!l*

!s*chological) +ts a #ramatic !rogressio$ i$ the ver* com!rehe$sio$ of the eter$al retur$)

:hat sic'e$e# Rarathoustra was the i#ea that the eter$al retur$ was i$ the e$#& i$ s!ite of

ever*thi$g& li$'e# to a c*cle that it woul# cause ever*thi$g to come "ac' that ever*thi$g woul#

come "ac'& eve$ huma$it*& little huma$it*))) The great #isgust for the ;uma$ is what

suffocate# me a$# got stuc' i$ m* throat& a$# also what the seer !re#icte# .ll is e?ual))) .$# the

eter$al retur$& of eve$ the littlest thi$g& was the cause of m* lassitu#e with all of existe$ce) +f

Rarathoustra feels "etter& its "ecause he u$#ersta$#s that the eter$al retur$ is $ot that at all) ;e

fi$all* u$#ersta$#s the u$e?ual a$# the selectio$ i$ the eter$al retur$)

=sse$tiall*& the u$e?ual& the #iffere$t is the true ratio$ale for the eter$al retur$) +t is "ecause

$othi$g is e?ual& or the same& that it comes "ac') +$ other wor#s& the eter$al retur$ is

!re#icate# o$l* of "ecomi$g a$# the multi!le) +t is the law of a worl# without "ei$g& without

u$it*& without i#e$tit*) %ar from presupposing the $e or the ame& the eter$al retur$ co$stitutes

the o$l* u$it* of the multi!le as such& the o$l* i#e$tit* of what #iffers comi$g "ac' is the o$l*

"ei$g of "ecomi$g) o$se?ue$tl*& the fu$ctio$ of the eter$al retur$ as >ei$g is $ever to

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. s!ecial tha$'s to Ar) Gol#"ec'& a$# to As) #e a"ra$& who !la*e# the Manfred score& a$# to BT% for letti$g

us hear the melo#ies of ietsche

tha$'s to them we ex!erie$ce# a$ as!ect of ietsche little '$ow$ i$ %ra$ce ietsche(as(musicia$) +$ #iffere$t wa*s&Ar) Gol#"ec'& Ga"riel Aarcel& a$# >oris #e chloeer ex!lai$e# to us what seeme# movi$g or i$teresti$g i$ this

music) .$# the ?uestio$ occurre# to us what sort of mas' was ietsche(as( musicia$@ + ho!e *ou wo$t mi$# me

formulati$g o$e last h*!othesis ietsche is !erha!s #ee!l* theatrical) ;e $ot o$l* wrote a !hiloso!h* of theatre,Dio$*sos-& he also "rought theatre i$to !hiloso!h* itself) .$# with it& he "rought $ew mea$s of ex!ressio$ totra$sform !hiloso!h*) ;ow ma$* a!horisms must "e u$#erstoo# as the !ri$ci!les a$# evaluatio$s of a directorJ%

ietsche co$ceives Rarathoustra com!letel* i$ !hiloso!h*& "ut also com!letel* for the stage) ;e #reams of !utti$gRarathoustra to >iets music& as a form of #erisive :ag$eria$ theatre) ;e #reams of a music& as he #oes of a mas'& for

his ow$ !hiloso!hical theatre& which is alrea#* a theatre of cruelt*& a theatre of the will to !ower a$# the eter$alretur$

147



)1

iet=she;s rst o' aghter;

I;ow was the $ew e#itio$ of ietsches &omp'ete )i'osopica' /or:s esta"lishe#@J2

Gilles Deleue: The !ro"lem was to reclassif* the !osthumous $otesthe Nac- 'ass i$

accor#a$ce with the #ates ietsche ha# writte$ them& a$# to !lace them after the wor's with

which the* were co$tem!ora$eous) ome of them ha# "ee$ use# i$ a$ a"usive wa* after

ietsches #eath to com!ose Te /i'' to )ower% o it was esse$tial to reesta"lish the exact

chro$olog*) This ex!lai$s wh* the first volume& Te *ay Science, is more tha$ half com!ose# of

!reviousl* u$!u"lishe# fragme$ts #ati$g from 1881(1882) ur co$ce!tio$ of ietsches thought

as well as his creative !rocess ma* "e !rofou$#l* altere# as a result) The $ew e#itio$ will a!!earsimulta$eousl* i$ +tal*& Germa$*& a$# %ra$ce) >ut we owe the texts to the wor' of two +talia$s&

olli a$# Ao$ti$ari)

Gu1 Du&ur: ;ow #o *ou ex!lai$ that +talia$s rather tha$ Germa$s #i# the /o"@

Gilles Deleue: Aa*"e the Germa$s were $ot i$ a goo# !ositio$ to #o it) The* alrea#* ha#

$umerous e#itio$s& which the* were fo$# of& #es!ite the ar"itrar* orga$iatio$ of the $otes) .lso&

ietsches ma$uscri!ts were i$ :eimar& =ast Germa$*where the +talia$s were "etter receive#

148



tha$ a$* :est Germa$ coul# have ho!e# to "e) %i$all*& the Germa$s were u$#ou"te#l*

em"arrasse# at havi$g acce!te# the e#itio$ of Te /i'' to )ower create# "* ietsches sister)

=lia"eth %orster(ietsche !ut together a$ extremel* harmful wor' that !rivileges ma$* ai

i$ter!retatio$s) he #i#$t falsif* the texts& "ut we '$ow well e$ough that there are other wa*s to

#istort a$ authors thi$'i$g& eve$ if it is merel* a$ ar"itrar* selectio$ from amo$g his !a!ers)

ietschea$ co$ce!ts li'e those of force or master are com!lex e$ough to "e "etra*e# "* a

selectio$ such as hers)

Gu1 Du&ur: :ill the tra$slatio$s "e $ew@

Gilles Deleue: om!letel* $ew) This is es!eciall* im!orta$t for those writi$gs towar# the e$#

,there have "ee$ some !oor rea#i$gs& for which =lia"eth ietsche a$# <eter Gast are

res!o$si"le-) The first two volumes to "e !u"lishe#& Te *ay Science a$# +uman, A'' Too

+uman, have "ee$ tra$slate# "* <ierre Flossows'i a$# Bo"ert Bovi$i) This #oes$t mea$ that the

!rior tra$slatio$s "* ;e$ri .l"ert& a$# "* Ge$evieve >ia$?uis& were "a#$ot at all) >ut if the*

were #etermi$e# to !u"lish ietsches $otes with his wor's& the* ha# to "egi$ from scratch a$#

u$if* the termi$olog*) $ that $ote& i$teresti$gl* e$ough& ietsche was first i$tro#uce# i$

%ra$ce $ot "* the right& "ut "* harles .$#ler a$# ;e$ri .l"ert& who re!rese$te# a whole

socialist tra#itio$ with a$archical colori$gs)

Gu1 Du&ur: Do *ou thi$' a retur$ to ietsche is ta'i$g !lace i$ %ra$ce to#a*@ .$# if so&

wh* is it@

149



Gilles Deleue: +ts #ifficult to sa*) Aa*"e there has "ee$ a cha$ge& or ma*"e the cha$ge is

ta'i$g !lace $ow& with res!ect to the mo#es of thought which have "ee$ so familiar to us si$ce

the i"eratio$) :e were use# to thi$'i$g #ialectical( l*& historicall*) To#a* it seems the ti#e has

tur$e# from #ialectical thi$'i$g towar# structuralism& for exam!le& as well as other s*stems of

thought)

%oucault i$sists o$ the im!orta$ce of the tech$i?ues of i$ter!retatio$) +ts !ossi"le that i$ the

actual i#ea of i$ter!retatio$ is somethi$g which goes "e*o$# the #ialectical o!!ositio$ "etwee$

'$owi$g a$# tra$sformi$g the worl#) %reu# is the great i$ter!reter& so is ietsche& "ut i$ a

#iffere$t wa*) ietsches i#ea is that thi$gs a$# actio$s are alrea#* i$ter!retatio$s) o to

i$ter!ret is to i$ter!ret i$ter!retatio$s& a$# thus to cha$ge thi$gs& to cha$ge life) :hat is clear

for ietsche is that societ* ca$$ot "e a$ ultimate authorit*) The ultimate authorit* is creatio$& it

is art or rather& art re!rese$ts the a"se$ce a$# the im!ossi"ilit* of a$ ultimate authorit*) %rom the

ver* "egi$$i$g of his wor'& ietsche !osits that there exist e$#s /ust a little higher tha$ those

of the tate& tha$ those of societ*) ;e i$serts his e$tire cor!us i$ a #ime$sio$ which is $either

historical& eve$ u$#erstoo# #ialecticall*& $or eter$al) :hat he calls this $ew #ime$sio$ which

o!erates "oth i$ time a$# agai$st time is te untime'y% +t is i$ this that life as i$ter!retatio$ fi$#s

its source) Aa*"e the reaso$ for the retur$ to ietsche is a re#iscover* of the u$timel*& that

#ime$sio$ which is #isti$ct "oth from classical !hiloso!h* i$ its timeless e$ter!rise a$# from

#ialectical !hiloso!h* i$ its u$#ersta$#i$g of histor* a si$gular eleme$t of u!heaval)

Gu1 Du&ur: oul# we the$ sa* this is a retur$ to i$#ivi#ualism@

Gilles Deleue: Nes& "ut a "iarre i$#ivi#ualism& i$ which mo#er$ co$scious$ess u$#ou"te#l*

recog$ies itself to some #egree) >ecause i$ ietsche& this i$#ivi#ualism is accom!a$ie# "* a

livel* criti?ue of the $otio$s of self a$# +) %or ietsche there is a 'i$# of #issolutio$ of the

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self) The reactio$ agai$st o!!ressive structures is $o lo$ger #o$e& for him& i$ the $ame of a self

or a$ +) $ the co$trar*& it is as though the self a$# the + were accom!lices of those

structures)

Aust we sa* that the retur$ to ietsche im!lies a 'i$# of estheticism& a re$u$ciatio$ of

!olitics& a$ i$#ivi#ualism as #e!erso$alie# as it is #e!oliti( cie#@ Aa*"e $ot) <olitics& too& is

i$ the "usi$ess of i$ter!retatio$) Te untime'y, which we /ust #iscusse#& is $ever re#uci"le to the

!olitical(historical eleme$t) >ut it ha!!e$s from time to time that& at certai$ great mome$ts& the*

coi$ci#e) :he$ !eo!le #ie of hu$ger i$ +$#ia& such a #isaster is !olitical(historical) >ut whe$ the

!eo!le struggle for their li"eratio$& there is alwa*s a coi$ci#e$ce of !oetic acts a$# historical

eve$ts or !olitical actio$s& the glorious i$car$atio$ of somethi$g su"lime or u$timel*) uch great

coi$ci#e$ces are assers "urst of laughter whe$ he $atio$alie# ue& or astros gestures& a$#

that other "urst of laughter& Gia!s televisio$ i$terview) ;ere we have somethi$g that remi$#s us

of Bim"au#s or ietsches im!eratives a$# which !uts o$e over o$ Aarxa$ artistic /o* that

comes to coi$ci#e with historical struggle) There are creators i$ !olitics& a$# creative

moveme$ts& that are !oise# for a mome$t i$ histor*) ;itler& o$ the co$trar*& lac'e# to a si$gular

#egree a$* ietschea$ eleme$t) ;itler is $ot Rarathoustra) or is Tru/illo) The* re!rese$te#

what ietsche calls the mo$'e* of Rarathoustra) .s ietsche sai#& if o$e wa$ts to "e a

master& it is $ot e$ough to come to !ower) Aore ofte$ tha$ $ot it is the slaves who come to

!ower& a$# who 'ee! it& a$# who remai$ slaves while the* 'ee! it)

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The masters accor#i$g to ietsche are te untime'y, those who create& who #estro* i$ or#er tocreate& $ot to !reserve) ietsche sa*s that u$#er the huge earth(shatteri$g eve$ts are ti$* sile$teve$ts& which he li'e$s to the creatio$ of $ew worl#s there o$ce agai$ *ou see the !rese$ce of

the !oetic u$#er the historical) +$ %ra$ce& for i$sta$ce& there are $o earth(shatteri$g eve$ts right$ow) The* are far awa*& a$# horri"le& i$ Hiet$am) >ut we still have ti$* im!erce!ti"le eve$ts&

which ma*"e a$$ou$ce a$ exo#us from to#a*s #esert) Aa*"e the retur$ to ietsche is o$e of

those ti$* eve$ts a$# alrea#* a rei$ter!retatio$ of the worl#)1

ystiism and asohism;

$a*eleine ha!sal ;ow #i# *ou come to "e i$tereste# i$ acher(Aasoch@

Gilles Deleue: I alwa*s felt Aasoch was a great $ovelist) + was struc' "* the i$/ustice of

rea#i$g so much a#e& "ut $ever Aasoch !eo!le ma'e him out to "e a !athetic& reverse a#e)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: ;is wor' is har#l* tra$slate#)))

Gilles Deleue: o& $o& it was ver* much tra$slate# towar# the e$# of the $i$etee$th(ce$tur* a$#

was well('$ow$& "ut for !olitical a$# fol'loric reaso$s rather tha$ sexual o$es) ;is wor' is

co$$ecte# to the !olitical a$# $atio$al moveme$ts of ce$tral =uro!e& to !a$(lavism) Aasoch is

as i$se!ara"le from the revolutio$s of 48 i$ the .ustria$ =m!ire& as a#e from the %re$ch

Bevolutio$) The t*!es of sexual mi$orities that Aasoch imagi$es refer i$ a rather com!lex wa*

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to the $atio$al mi$orities of the .ustria$ =m!ire/ust as the li"erti$e mi$orities i$ a#e refer to

!re(Bevolutio$ar* lo#ges a$# sects)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: :he$ someo$e sa*s Aasoch& *ou sa* a#e)))

Gilles Deleue: ecessaril*& "ecause + wa$t to #issociate their !seu#o(i#e$tit*O There are values

that "elo$g s!ecificall* to Aasoch& eve$ if these were o$l* o$ the level of literar* tech$i?ue)

There are s!ecificall* masochistic !rocesses i$#e!e$#e$t of a$* reversal or tur$i$g "* sa#ism)

>ut& i$teresti$gl*& the sa#o(masochistic u$it* goes without sa*i$g& whereas i$ m* view the* have

e$tirel* #iffere$t esthetic a$# !athological mecha$isms) =ve$ %reu# himself i$ve$ts $othi$g $ew

here his ge$ius set a"out i$ve$ti$g the !assagewa*s of tra$sformatio$ from the o$e to the other&

"ut $ever ?uestio$e# the u$it* itself) +$ a$* eve$t& !erversio$ is the least stu#ie# #omai$ i$

!s*chiatr* its $ot a thera!eutic co$ce!t)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: ;ow #o *ou ex!lai$ that it is $ot !s*chiatrists "ut writers& a#e a$#

Aasoch& who are the ex!erts i$ the #omai$ of !erversio$@

Gilles Deleue: <erha!s there are three #iffere$t me#ical acts s*m!tomolog*& or the stu#* of

sig$s etiolog*& or the search for causes a$# thera!eutics& or the search for a$# a!!licatio$ of a

treatme$t) :hereas etiolog* a$# thera!eutics are i$tegral !arts of me#ici$e& s*m!tomolog*

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a!!eals to a 'i$# of $eutral !oi$t& a limit that is !reme#ical or su"(me#ical& "elo$gi$g as much

to art as to me#ici$e its all a"out #rawi$g a !ortrait) The wor' of art exhi"its s*m!toms& as #o

the "o#* or the soul& al"eit i$ a ver* #iffere$t wa*) +$ this se$se& the artist or writer ca$ "e a great

s*m!tomologist& /ust li'e the "est #octor so it is with a#e or Aasoch)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: :h* o$l* them@

Gilles Deleue: ot o$l* them) There are of course others whose wor' has$t *et "ee$

recog$ie# as a creative s*m!tomolog*& as i$ the case of Aasoch) amuel >ec'etts wor' is a$

extraor#i$ar* !ortrait of s*m!toms its $ot /ust a"out i#e$tif*i$g a$ ill$ess& "ut a"out the worl#

as s*m!tom& a$# the artist as s*m!tomologist)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: ow that *ou me$tio$ it& we might sa* the same thi$g a"out Faf'as wor'

or the wor' of Aarguerite Duras)))

Gilles Deleue: ."solutel*)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: ot to me$tio$ that Cac?ues aca$ ex!resse# his a!!reciatio$ of Te Ravising of4o' Stein a$# tol# Aarguerite Duras that he saw i$ it the exact& trou"li$g #escri!tio$

of !articular ma$ias fou$# i$ the cli$ic))) >ut certai$l* that is $ot the case with the wor' of ever*

writer)

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tra$sformatio$s the i#ea of a sa#o(masochism is sim!l* a !re/u#ice) ,There is a sa#ism of the

masochist& "ut this sa#ism is well withi$ masochism a$# is $ot true sa#ism the same goes for the

masochism of the sa#ist-) This !re/u#ice results from hast* s*m!tomolog*& such that we $o

lo$ger attem!t to see what is there& "ut see' i$stea# to /ustif* our !rior i#ea) %reu# himself

ex!erie$ce# this #ifficult*& for exam!le& i$ his a#mira"le A &i'd is 3eing 3eaten= a$# *et he

still #i#$t see' to ?uestio$ the theme of sa#o(masochistic u$it*) o it #oes ha!!e$ that a writer

ca$ go farther i$ s*m!tomolog*& that the wor' of art gives him a $ew mea$s!erha!s also

"ecause the writer is less co$cer$e# with causes)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: %reu# $o$etheless res!ecte# the cli$ical ge$ius of writers& ofte$ loo'i$g to

literar* wor's to co$firm his !s*choa$al*tic theories)))

Gilles Deleue: Her* much so& "ut he #i#$t #o it for a#e or Aasoch) .ll too ofte$ the writer is

still co$si#ere# as o$e more case a##e# to cli$ical !s*cholog*& whe$ the im!orta$t thi$g is what

the writer himself& as a creator& "ri$gs to cli$ical !s*cholog*) The #iffere$ce "etwee$ literature

a$# cli$ical !s*cholog*& a$# this ma'es a$ ill$ess $ot the same thi$g as a wor' of art& is the 'i$#

of wor: #o$e o$ the !ha$tasm) +$ each case& the source is the same its the !ha$tasm) >ut from

there the wor' is ?uite #iffere$t& eve$ i$comme$surate& "etwee$ the wor' of the artist a$# the

wor' of !atholog*) Her* ofte$ the writer goes farther tha$ the cli$icia$ a$# eve$ the !atie$t)

Aasoch& for exam!le& is the first a$# o$l* !erso$ to sa* a$# to show that the esse$ce of

masochism is the co$tract& a s!ecial co$tractual relatio$)

$a*eleine Cha7sal: The o$l* !erso$@

Gilles Deleue: +ve $ever see$ this s*m!tomthe $ee# to esta"lish a co$tract cou$te# as a$

eleme$t of masochism) +$ this i$sta$ce& Aasoch we$t farther tha$ the cli$icia$s& who afterwar#s

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$a*eleine Cha7sal: $e other thi$g co$cer$i$g Aasoch& somethi$g that *ou wrote i$ *our

!revious wor'& )roust and Signs8 *ou sa* that the esse$ce of a$* great wor' of art is comic& a$#

that it is a misrea#i$g to "e satisfie# with tragic first im!ressio$s) !ecificall*& o$ Faf'a& *ou

write 2Tis pseudo-sense of te tragic ma:e us stupid% +ow many autors we deface by

substituting a pueri'e, tragic fee'ing for te aggressive, comic power of te tougt wic

animates teir wor:% 2

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Gilles Deleue: Nes& the esse$ce of art is a 'i$# of/o*& a$# this is the ver* !oi$t of art) There ca$ "e $o tragic wor' "ecause there is a $ecessar* /o* i$ creatio$ art is $ecessaril* a li"eratio$ thatex!lo#es ever*thi$g& first a$# foremost the tragic) o& there is $o u$ha!!* creatio$& it is alwa*s a

vis comica% ietsche sai# the tragic hero is ha!!*) o is the masochist hero& i$ his ow$ wa*&

which is i$se!ara"le from Aasochs ow$ literar* tech$i?ues)On iet=sheand the mage o' Thoght1

Jean#Noel 8uarne): Gallimar#s ree#itio$ of ietsches com!lete wor's has starte# to a!!ear

o$ the shelves) Nou a$# %oucault have "ee$ cre#ite# with res!o$si"ilit* for the first volume) 2

:hat exactl* was *our role@

Gilles Deleue: :e !la*e# a small role) Nou are $o #ou"t well aware that the whole !oi$t of this

e#itio$ is to !u"lish all !osthumous $otes& ma$* of which have $ever see$ the light of #a*& "*

#istri"uti$g them chro$ologicall* i$ the or#er of the "oo's that ietsche himself !u"lishe#)

.ccor#i$gl*& Te *ay Science, tra$slate# "* Flossows'i& i$clu#es the !osthumous $otes of

1881(1882) The authors of this e#itio$ are& o$ the o$e ha$#& olli a$# Ao$ti$ari& to whom we

are i$#e"te# for the texts& a$# o$ the other& the tra$slators& for whom ietsches st*le a$#

tech$i?ues have !ose# e$ormous !ro"lems) :e were res!o$si"le o$l* for grou!i$g the texts i$

or#er)

Jean#Noel 8uarne): In Niet(sce and )i'osopy, *ou write that his !ro/ect i$ the most ge$eral

se$se is to "ri$g the co$ce!ts of se$se a$# value i$to !hiloso!h*& a$# that 2it goes witout saying

tat modern pi'osopy as for te most part 'ived off and sti'' 'ives off Niet(sce% 2 ;ow shoul#

we i$ter!ret these #eclaratio$s@

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Gilles Deleue: The* have to "e u$#erstoo# i$ two wa*s $egativel* as well as !ositivel*)

>ut first there is this fact ietsche ?uestio$s the co$ce!t of truth& he #e$ies that the true

ca$ "e a$ eleme$t of la$guage) :hat he is co$testi$g is the ver* $otio$s of true a$# false) ot

"ecause he wa$ts to relativie them li'e a$ ot#i( $ar* s'e!tic) +$ their !lace he su"stitutes

se$se a$# value as rigorous $otio$s the se$se of what o$e sa*s& a$# the evaluatio$ of the o$e

sa*i$g it) Nou alwa*s get the truth *ou #eserve accor#i$g to the se$se of what *ou sa*& a$#

accor#i$g to the values to wic you give voice% This !resu!!oses a ra#icall* $ew co$ce!tio$ of

thought a$# la$guage& "ecause se$se a$# value& sig$ificatio$ a$# evaluatio$& "ri$g i$to !la*

mecha$isms of the u$co$scious) +t thus goes without sa*i$g that ietsche lea#s !hiloso!h* a$#

thought i$ ge$eral i$to a $ew eleme$t) :hat is more& this eleme$t im!lies $ot o$l* $ew wa*s of

thi$'i$g a$# /u#gi$g& "ut also $ew wa*s of writi$g& a$# ma*"e acti$g)

+$ this res!ect& mo#er$ !hiloso!h* has "ee$ a$# is clearl* ietschea$& "ecause it $ever

tires of #iscussi$g se$se a$# value) f course& other ver* #iffere$t a$# $o less esse$tial

i$flue$ces must "e a##e# here the Aarxist co$ce!tio$ of value& the %reu#ia$ co$ce!tio$ of se$se

the* tur$e# ever*thi$g u!si#e #ow$) >ut the fact that mo#er$ !hiloso!h* has fou$# the source

of its re$ewal i$ the ietsche(Aarx(%reu# tri$it* is i$#ee# rather am"iguous a$# e?uivocal)

>ecause it ca$ "e i$ter!rete# !ositivel* as well as $egativel*) %or exam!le& after the war&

!hiloso!hies of value were i$ vogue) =ver*o$e was tal'i$g a"out values& a$# the* wa$te#

axiolog* to re!lace "oth o$tolog* a$# the theor* of '$owle#ge)) )>ut it was$t the least "it

ietschea$ or Aarxist i$ i$s!iratio$) $ the co$trar*& $o o$e tal'e# a"out ietsche or Aarx at

all& $o o$e '$ew them& a$# the* #i#$t wa$t to '$ow them) :hat the* ma#e of value was a

!lace to resurrect the most tra#itio$al& a"stract s!iritualism imagi$a"le the* calle# o$ values i$

or#er to i$s!ire a $ew co$formit* which the* "elieve# was "etter suite# to the mo#er$ worl#&

*ou '$ow& the res!ect for values& etc) %or ietsche& as well as for Aarx& the $otio$ of value is

strictl* i$se!ara"le 1- from a ra#ical a$# total criti?ue of societ* a$# the worl# ,loo' at the theme

of the fetish i$ Aarx& or the theme of i#ols i$ ietsche-& a$# 2- from a creatio$ $o less

ra#ical ietsches tra$s(valuatio$& a$# Aarxs revolutio$ar* actio$) o& i$ the !ost(war co$text&

ever*o$e was all for usi$g a co$ce!t of value& "ut the* ha# com!letel* $eutralie# it the* ha#

su"tracte# all critical or creative se$se from it) :hat the* ma#e of it was a$ i$strume$t of

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The $ew $ovelists tal' of $othi$g else the* give voice to these $o$(!etso$al i$#ivi#uatio$s&

these $o$(i$#ivi#ual si$gularities)

>ut most im!orta$tl*& all this corres!o$#s to somethi$g ha!!e$i$g i$ the co$tem!orar*

worl#) +$#ivi#uatio$ is $o lo$ger e$close# i$ a wor#) i$gularit* is $o lo$ger e$close# i$ a$

i$#ivi#ual) This is reall* im!orta$t& es!eciall* !oliticall* its li'e the fish #issolve# i$ water

its the revolutio$ar* struggle& the struggle for li"eratio$))) .$# i$ our wealth* societies& the

ma$* a$# various forms of $o$(i$tegratio$& the #iffere$t forms of refusal "* *ou$g !eo!le to#a*&

are !erha!s ma$ifestatio$s of it) Nou see& the forces of re!ressio$ alwa*s $ee# a elf that ca$ "e

assig$e#& the* $ee# #etermi$ate i$#ivi#uals o$ which to exercise their !ower) :he$ we "ecome

the least "it flui#& whe$ we sli! awa* from the assig$a"le elf& whe$ there is $o lo$ger a$*

!erso$ o$ whom Go# ca$ exercise his !ower or "* whom ;e ca$ "e re!lace#& the !olice lose it)

This is $ot theor*) .ll the stuff goi$g o$ as we s!ea' is what matters) :e ca$t #ismiss the

u!heavals trou"li$g the *ou$ger ge$eratio$ /ust "* sa*i$g oh& the*ll grow out of it) +ts #ifficult&

of course& sometimes worrisome& "ut its also reall* /o*ful& "ecause the*re creati$g somethi$g&

accom!a$ie# "* the co$fusio$ a$# sufferi$g that atte$#s a$* !ractical creatio$& + thi$')

:ell the$& !hiloso!h*& too& must create worl#s of thought& a whole $ew co$ce!tio$ of

thought& of what it mea$s to thi$'& a$# it must "e a#e?uate to what is ha!!e$i$g arou$# us) +t

must a#o!t as its ow$ those revolutio$s goi$g o$ elsewhere& i$ other #omai$s& or those that are

"ei$g !re!are#) <hiloso!h* is i$se!ara"le from criti?ue) $l*& there are two wa*s of goi$g

a"out it) $ the o$e ha$#& *ou criticie false a!!licatio$s false moralit*& false '$owle#ge&

false religio$s& etc) This is how Fa$t& for i$sta$ce& thi$'s of his famous riti?ue i#eal

'$owle#ge& true moralit*& a$# faith come out !erfectl* i$tact) $ the other ha$#& *ou have this

other famil* of !hiloso!hers who su"/ect true moralit*& true faith& a$# i#eal '$owle#ge to

com!rehe$sive criticism& i$ the !ursuit of somethi$g else& as a fu$ctio$ of a $ew image of

thought) .s lo$g as were co$te$t with criticii$g the false& were $ot "otheri$g a$*o$e ,true

criti?ue is the criticism of true forms& $ot false co$te$ts) Nou #o$t criticie ca!italism or

im!erialism "* #e$ou$ci$g their mista'es-) This other famil* of !hiloso!hers i$clu#es

ucretius& !i$oa& ietschea$ i$cre#i"le li$eage i$ !hiloso!h*& a "ro'e$ li$e& ex!losive&

totall* volca$ic)

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Jean#Noel 8uarne): Nouve writte$ "oo's o$ ;ume& ietsche& Fa$t& >ergso$& <roust& Aasoch)

a$ *ou ex!lai$ these successive choices& #o the* somehow co$verge@ .$# #o$t *ou have a

!articular i$terest i$ ietsche@

Gilles Deleue: h *es& for reaso$s that + have "ee$ tr*i$g to ex!lai$ ietsche is $ot at all the

i$ve$tor of the famous !hrase Go# is #ea#) $ the co$trar*& he is the first to "elieve this

!hrase to have $o im!orta$ce whatsoever as lo$g as the huma$ occu!ies the !lace of Go#)

ietsche was tr*i$g to u$cover somethi$g that was $either Go# $or ;uma$& tr*i$g to give

voice to these im!erso$al i$#i( vi#uatio$s a$# these !re(i$#ivi#ual si$gularities)))thats what he

calls Dio$*sos& or also the su!er(ma$) +t is his !articular !hiloso!hical a$# literar* ge$ius to

have fou$# the tech$i?ues to give them voice) ietsche sa*s of the su!er(ma$ its the su!erior

'i$# of ever*thi$g that is& i$clu#i$g a$imalsli'e Bim"au# sa*s& he is

loa#e# with huma$it*& eve$ a$imalsSSSSSSSSo$se?ue$tl*& ietsche rei$ve$ts that

total criti?ue which is at the same time a creatio$& total !ositivit*)

The other "oo's +ve #o$e for #iffere$t reaso$s) Fa$t& for exam!le& is the !erfect i$car$atio$

of false criti?ue thats wh*he fasci$ates me) >ut whe$ *oure faci$g such a wor' of ge$ius&

theres $o !oi$t sa*i$g *ou #isagree) %irst *ou have to '$ow how to a#mire *ou have to

164



re#iscover the !ro"lems e !oses& his !articular machi$er*) +t is through a#miratio$ that *ou will

come to ge$ui$e criti?ue) The ma$ia of !eo!le to#a* is $ot '$owi$g how to a#mire a$*thi$g

either the*re agai$st& or the* situate ever*thi$g at their ow$ level while the* chit(chat a$#

scruti$ie) Thats $o wa* to go a"out it) Nou have to wor' *our wa* "ac' to those !ro"lems

which a$ author of ge$ius has !ose#& all the wa* "ac' to that which he #oes $ot sa* in what he

sa*s& i$ or#er to extract somethi$g that still "elo$gs to him& though *ou also tur$ it agai$st him)

Nou have to "e i$s!ire#& visite# "* the ge$iuses *ou #e$ou$ce)

Cules Halles sa*s that a revolutio$ar* must first '$ow how to a#mire a$# res!ect this is a$

extraor#i$ar* remar'& !racticall* s!ea'i$g) oo' at ci$ema& for exam!le) :he$ Cerr* ewis or

Tati criticie mo#er$ life& the* #o$t have the com!lace$c*& the vulgarit* to show us ugl*

thi$gs) :hat the* criticie& the* show as beautifu', as magnificent, the* love what the* criticie

a$# give it a $ew "eaut*) Their criti?ue is o$l* the more forceful) +$ ever* mo#er$it* a$# ever*

$ovelt*& *ou fi$# co$formit* a$# creativit* a$ i$si!i# co$formit*& "ut also a little $ew music

somethi$g i$ co$formit* with the time& "ut also somethi$g u$timel*se!arati$g the o$e from

the other is the tas' of those who '$ow how to love& the real #estro*ers a$# creators of our #a*)

Goo# #estructio$ re?uires love)

;ume& >ergso$& a$# <roust i$terest me so much "ecause i$ their wor' ca$ "e fou$#

!rofou$# eleme$ts for a $ew image of thought) Theres somethi$g extraor#i$ar* i$ the wa* the*

tell us thi$'i$g mea$s somethi$g else tha$ what *ou "elieve) :e live with a !articular image of

thought& that is to sa*& "efore we "egi$ to thi$'& we have a vague i#ea of what it mea$s to thi$'&

its mea$s a$# e$#s) .$# the$ someo$e comes alo$g a$# !ro!oses a$other i#ea& a whole other

image) <roust& for exam!le& has the i#ea that ever* thought is a$ aggressio$& a!!eari$g u$#er the

co$strai$t of a sig$& a$# that we thi$' o$l* whe$ we are force# a$# co$strai$e# to thi$') %rom

the$ o$& thought is $o lo$ger carrie# o$ "* a volu$tar* self& "ut "* i$volu$tar* forces& the

effects of machi$es)))till& *ou have to "e a"le to love the i$sig$ifica$t& to love what goes

"e*o$# !erso$s

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a$# i$#ivi#uals *ou have to o!e$ *ourself to e$cou$ters a$# fi$# a la$guage i$ the

si$gularities that excee# i$#ivi#uals& a la$guage i$ the i$#ivi#uatio$s that excee# !erso$s) Nes&

what were loo'i$g for these #a*s is a $ew image of the act of thought& its fu$ctio$i$g& its

ge$esis i$ thought itself)

Jean#Noel 8uarne): :oul# this ?uote ta'e$ from *our "oo' o$ <roust sum u! *our thi$'i$g

here 2Tere is no 'ogos, tere are on'y ierog'yps2= =lsewhere& s!ea'i$g of Aasoch& *ou

sai# the artist was 2a symptomo'ogist, 2 i$#icati$g that 2etio'ogy, te scientific or e!perimenta'

part of medicine, must ma:e room for symptomo'ogy, wic is te 'iterary or artistic part% +s

this the same !ro"lem i$ each case@

Gilles Deleue: +ts the same !ro"lem hierogl*!hs vs) the logos& s*m!toms vs) esse$ces

,s*m!tom here mea$s eve$ts& #ro!s& e$cou$ters& aggressio$s-) The artist is a s*m!tomologist)

+$ the se$se that characters from ha'es!eare sa* KKOSNgoes it with the worl#@ :ith all the

!s*chological a$# !olitical im!licatio$s such a ?uestio$ e$tails) aism is a rece$t #isease o$

this earth) .$# what the .merica$s are #oi$g i$ Hiet$am is *et a$other #isease) The worl# ca$

"e treate# as a s*m!tom a$# searche# for sig$s of #isease& sig$s of life& sig$s of a cure& sig$s

of health) .$# sometimes a viole$t reactio$ is a sig$ of a ro"ust health retur$i$g) ietschethought of the !hiloso!her as the !h*sicia$ of civiliatio$) ;e$r* Ailler was a$ extraor#i$ar*

#iag$osticia$) The artist i$ ge$eral must treat the worl# as a s*m!tom& a$# "uil# his wor' $ot

li'e a thera!eutic& "ut i$ ever* case li'e a cli$ic) The artist is $ot outsi#e the s*m!toms& "ut

ma'es a wor' of art from them& which sometimes serves to !reci!itate them& a$# sometimes to

tra$sform them)

Jean#Noel 8uarne): ;ere is somethi$g *ou wrote somewhere 2Tepysio'ogist, te pysician

is an interpreter, one wo considers penomena as symptoms and spea:s in aporisms% Te

artist eva'uates, bot considering and creating perspectives, and spea:s in poems% Te

pi'osoper of te future is bot artist and pysicianLin a word, a 'egis'ator +t has alwa*s

struc' me that most of those !hiloso!hers i$s!ire# "*

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ietsches thought& !ara#oxicall*& write i$ a$ almost tra#itio$al form) +t seems to me that the

structure of some of *our "oo's ,which o$e coul# !erha!s ?ualif* as a mosaic structure- is

movi$g towar# i$ve$ti$g a $ew la$guage for !hiloso!h* to#a*) ;ow shoul# we i$ter!ret the

clear i$terest *ou have i$ literature@

Gilles Deleue: .s *ou are $o #ou"t aware& the !ro"lem of formal re$ewal ca$ "e !ose# o$l*

whe$ the co$te$t is $ew) ometimes& eve$& the formal re$ewal comes after) +t is what o$e has

to sa*& what o$e thi$'s o$e has to sa*& that im!oses $ew forms) ow !hiloso!h*& its true& is

$othi$g s!ectacular) <hiloso!h* has $ot at all u$#ergo$e similar revolutio$s or ex!erime$ts as

those !ro#uce# i$ scie$ce& !ai$ti$g& scul!ture& music& or literature) <lato& Fa$t& a$# the rest

the*

remai$ fu$#ame$tal& a$# thats fi$e) + mea$& $o$(=ucli#ea$ geometries #o$t 'ee! =ucli# from

"ei$g fu$#ame$tal to geometr*) choe$"erg #oes$t $ullif* Aoart) imilarl*& the search for

mo#es of ex!ressio$ ,"oth a $ew image of thought a$# $ew tech$i?ues- must "e esse$tial for

!hiloso!h*) >ec'etts com!lai$t .h& the ol# st*leO ta'es o$ its full sig$ifica$ce here) :e get

the feeli$g that we ca$t go o$ writi$g !hiloso!h* "oo's i$ the ol# st*le much lo$ger the* $o

lo$ger i$terest the stu#e$ts& the* #o$t eve$ i$terest their authors) o& + thi$' ever*o$e is o$ the

loo'(out for somethi$g $ew) ietsche #iscovere# extraor#i$ar* metho#s& "ut *ou ca$t #o it

over agai$) Nou reall* have to "e a$ im!u#e$t "astar# to write .ruits of te Eart after Tus

Spo:e Iaratustra%

The $ovel #iscovere# its ow$ re$ewal) +t matters little that some !eo!le re!roach the

nouveau roman for "ei$g ex!erime$tal or la"orator* wor') Those "oo's writte$ agai$st

somethi$g have $ever amou$te# to much ,agai$st the nouveau roman, agai$st structuralism&

etc)-) +t is o$l* i$ the $ame of $ew creatio$ that *ou ca$ o!!ose& a$# the$ *ou have other thi$gs

167



to thi$' a"out) ets ta'e a$ exam!le from ci$ema Go#ar# tra$sforms ci$ema "* i$tro#uci$g

thought i$to it) ;e #i#$t have thoughts on ci$ema& he #oes$t !ut more or less vali# thought into

ci$ema he starts ci$ema thi$'i$g& a$# for the first time& if +m $ot mista'e$) Theoreticall*&

Go#ar# woul# "e ca!a"le of filmi$g Fa$ts &riti@ue or !i$oas Etics, a$# it woul#$t "e

a"stract ci$ema or a ci$ematogra!hic a!!licatio$) Go#ar# '$ew how to fi$# "oth a $ew mea$s

a$# a $ew imagewhich $ecessaril* !resu!!oses a revolutio$ar* co$te$t) o& i$ !hiloso!h*&

were all ex!erie$ci$g this !ro"lem of formal re$ewal) +ts certai$l* !ossi"le) +t "egi$s with little

thi$gs) %or exam!le& usi$g the histor* of !hiloso!h* as a collage ,alrea#* a$ ol# tech$i?ue i$

!ai$ti$g- woul# $ot i$ the least #imi$ish the great !hiloso!hers of the !astma'i$g a collage at

the heart of a !ro!erl* !hiloso!hical !icture) That woul# "e "etter tha$ selectio$s& "ut it woul#

re?uire !articular tech$i?ues) Nou woul# $ee# some Aax =r$sts i$ !hiloso!h*))) .lso& the me#i(

um i$ !hiloso!h* is the co$ce!t ,li'e sou$# for the musicia$ or color for the !ai$ter-& the !hiloso!her creates co$ce!ts) ;e executes his creatio$ i$ a co$ce!tual co$ti$uum /ust li'e the

musicia$ #oes i$ a so$orous co$ti$uum) :hats im!orta$t here is this where #o co$ce!ts come

from@ :hat is the creatio$ of co$ce!ts@ . co$ce!t exists $o less tha$ characters #o) +$ m*

o!i$io$& what we $ee# is a massive ex!e$#iture of co$ce!ts& a$ excess of co$ce!ts) Nou have to

!rese$t co$ce!ts i$ !hiloso!h* as though *ou were writi$g a goo# #etective $ovel the* must

have a o$e of !rese$ce& resolve a local situatio$& "e i$ co$tact with the #ramas& a$# "ri$g a

certai$ cruelt* with them) The* must exhi"it a certai$ cohere$ce "ut get it from somewhere else)

amuel >utler coi$e# a fa"ulous wor# to #esig$ate those stories that seem to come from

elsewhere =B=:;& its "oth $o(where& the $owhere of origi$s& a$# $ow(here& the here a$#

$ow tur$e# u!si#e #ow$& #is!lace#& #isguise#) This is the ge$ius of em!iricism& which is so

!oorl* u$#erstoo# the creatio$ of co$ce!ts i$ the wil#& s!ea'i$g i$ the $ame of a cohere$ce

which is $ot their ow$& $or that of Go#& $or that of the elf& "ut a cohere$ce alwa*s o$ the wa*&

alwa*s i$ #ise?uili"rium with itself) :hat !hiloso!h* lac's is em!iricism)

Jean#Noel 8uarne): The* sa* *oure $ow wor'i$g o$ a "oo' ce$tere# arou$# the co$ce!t of

re!etitio$) ;ow #oes this co$ce!t affect the huma$ scie$ces& literature& or !hiloso!h*@

168



Gilles Deleue: Nes& I fi$ishe# the "oo'o$ re!etitio$ a$# #iffere$ce ,the*re the same thi$g- asthe actual categories of our thought) +ts the !ro"lem of re!etitio$s a$# co$sta$ts& "ut also the !ro"lem of mas's& #isguises& #is!laceme$ts& a$# variatio$s i$ re!etitio$) These themes must

mea$ somethi$g to our time if !hiloso!hers a$# $ovelists 'ee! circli$g arou$# them) <eo!leusuall* thi$' a"out these themes ?uite i$#e!e$#e$tl* of o$e a$other) >ut theres $othi$g ?uite so

festive as a !o!ular tu$e& is there@ +ts also o$e of m* themes& rather i$volu$taril*& /ust somethi$gthat !reoccu!ies me) :ithout tr*i$g to& +ve "ee$ loo'i$g for it i$ all the writers +ve love#) There

are ma$* rece$t excelle$t stu#ies o$ the co$ce!ts of #iffere$ce a$# re!etitio$) o wh* $ot /oi$ i$@:h* $ot li'e so ma$* others as' the ?uestio$ :hat are we #oi$g i$ !hiloso!h*@ :ere loo'i$g

for vitalit*) =ve$ !s*choa$al*sis $ee#s to a##ress a certai$ vitalit* i$ the !atie$t& which the !atie$t has lost& "ut which the a$al*st has lost& too) <hiloso!hical vitalit* is $ot far off& $or is

!olitical vitalit*) Aa$* thi$gs& ma$* #ecisive re!etitio$s a$# ma$* cha$ges are $ot far off)1

<i""es e"e=e Ta"s +hi"osophy1

Jeane))e Colo&9el: Nou /ust !u"lishe# two "oo's& #ifference and Repetition a$# Spino(a and

te )rob'em of E!pression% .$# a still more rece$t wor'& Te 4ogic of Sense, will come out ver*

soo$) :ho s!ea's i$ these "oo's@

Gilles Deleue :he$ever we write& we s!ea' as someo$e else) .$# it is a !articular form that

s!ea's through us) +$ the classical worl#& for exam!le& what s!ea's is the i$#ivi#ual) The

classical worl# is e$tirel* fou$#e# o$ the form of i$#ivi#ualit* the i$#ivi#ual is coexte$sive

with "ei$g ,we see this i$ Go#s !ositio$ as the i$#ivi#uate# sovereig$ "ei$g-) +$ the roma$tic

worl#& it is !erso$s who s!ea'& a$# this is ?uite #iffere$t the !erso$ is #efi$e# as coexte$sive

with re!rese$tatio$) These were $ew values i$ la$guage a$# life) !o$ta$eit* to#a* !erha!s

esca!es the i$#ivi#ual as much as the !erso$& a$# $ot sim!l* "ecause of a$o$*mous !owers) %or

a lo$g time we were stuc' with the alter$ative either *ou are !erso$s or i$#ivi#uals& or *ou si$'

"ac' i$to a$ u$#iffere$tiate# sea of a$o$*mit*) To#a*& however& we are u$coveri$g a worl# of

!re(i$#ivi#ual& im!erso$al si$gularities) The* are $ot re#uci"le to i$#ivi#uals or !erso$s& $or to

a sea without #iffere$ce) These si$gularities are mo"ile& the* "rea' i$& thievi$g a$# steali$g

awa*& alter$ati$g "ac' a$# forth& li'e a$arch* crow$e#& i$ha"iti$g a $oma# s!ace) There is a "ig

#iffere$ce "etwee$ !artitio$i$g a fixe# s!ace amo$g se#e$tar* i$#ivi#uals accor#i$g to

"ou$#aries or e$closures& a$# #istri"uti$g si$gularities i$ a$ o!e$ s!ace without e$closures or

169



!ro!erties) The !oet %erli$ghetti tal's a"out the fourth !erso$ si$gular it is that to which we tr*

to give voice)

Jeane))e Colo&9el: +s that how *ou see the !hiloso!hers *ou i$ter!ret& as si$gularities i$ a$

o!e$ s!ace@ To this #a*& + have alwa*s wa$te# to com!are what *ou #o to what a stage #irector

#oes whe$ he illumi$ates the writte$ #ramatic text) +$ #ifference and Repetition, however& the

com!ariso$ has "ee$ #is!lace# *oure $o lo$ger a$ i$ter!reter& *oure a creator) +s this

com!ariso$ still vali#@ r is the role of the histor* of !hiloso!h* #iffere$t@ +s the histor* of

!hiloso!h* the collage *ou are after& the collage that re$ews the la$#sca!e& or is it the cita(

tio$ i$tegrate# i$to the text@

Gilles Deleue Nes& !hiloso!hers ofte$ have a #ifficult time with the histor* of !hiloso!h* itshorri"le& its $ot eas* to !ut "ehi$# *ou) <erha!s a goo# wa* of #eali$g with the !ro"lem is& as

*ou sa*& to su"stitute a 'i$# of stagi$g for it) tagi$g mea$s that the writte$ text is goi$g to "e

illumi$ate# "* other values& $o$(textual values ,at least i$ the or#i$ar* se$seit is i$#ee#

!ossi"le to su"stitute for the histor* of !hiloso!h* a theatre of !hiloso!h*) Nou sa* + have sought

a$other tech$i?ue& closer to collage tha$ to theatre& for m* co$ce!tio$ of #iffere$ce) The 'i$# of

collage tech$i?ue or eve$ the ge$esis of series ,re!etitio$ with slight variatio$s- which *ou see i$

<o! .rt) >ut *ou also thought + was$t e$tirel* successful) + "elieve + go farther i$ m* "oo' o$

the logic of se$se)

Jeane))e Colo&9el: :hat stri'es me es!eciall* is the frie$#shi! *ou have for the authors *ou

write a"out) ometimes *our rece!tio$ seems too favora"le eve$ for exam!le& whe$ *ou sile$ce

the co$servative as!ects of >ergso$s thought) $ the other ha$#& *ou are merciless with ;egel)

:h* is that@

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Gilles Deleue: +f *ou #o$t a#mire somethi$g& if *ou #o$t love it& *ou have $o reaso$ to write a

wor# a"out it) !i$oa or ietsche are !hiloso!hers whose critical a$# #estructive !owers are

without e?ual& "ut this !ower alwa*s s!ri$gs from affirmatio$& from /o*& from a cult of

affirmatio$ a$# /o*& from the exige$c* of life agai$st those who woul# mutilate a$# mortif* it)

%or me& that is !hiloso!h* itself) >ut *oure as'i$g me a"out two other !hiloso!hers) <recisel*&

"* virtue of those criteria of stagi$g or collage we /ust #iscusse#& it seems a#missi"le to extract

from a !hiloso!h* co$si#ere# co$servative as a whole those si$gularities which are $ot reall*

si$gularities that is what + #i# for >ergso$ism a$# its image of life& its image of li"ert* or me$tal

ill$ess) :h* $ot ;egel@ :ell& some"o#* has to !la* the role of traitor) :hat is !hiloso!hicall*

i$car$ate# i$ ;egel is the e$ter!rise to "ur#e$ life& to overwhelm it with ever* "ur#e$& to

reco$cile life with the tate a$# religio$& to i$scri"e #eath i$ lifethe mo$strous e$ter!rise to

su"mit life to $egativit*& the e$ter!rise of rese$tme$t a$# u$ha!!* co$scious$ess) aturall*& withthis #ialectic of $egativit* a$# co$tra#ictio$& ;egel has i$s!ire# ever* la$guage of "etra*al& o$

the right as well as o$ the left ,theolog*& s!iritualism& tech$ocrac*& "ureaucrac*& etc)-)

Jeane))e Colo&9el: Nour hatre# of $egativit* lea#s *ou to show #iffere$ce a$# co$tra#ictio$ as

a$tago$istic) ertai$l* the s*mmetrical o!!ositio$ of co$traries i$ the ;egelia$ #ialectic

co$firms *our !oi$t& "ut is this relatio$ the same for Aarx@ :h* #o *ou a##ress this o$l* i$ a$

allusive wa*@ Nour a$al*sis& which is so fruitful& of the co$flict(#iffere$ces relatio$ i$ %reu#

u$mas's false s*mmetries sa#ismmasochism& #eath i$sti$ct#eath #rivecoul#$t o$e #o the

same for Aarx@

Gilles Deleue Noure right& "ut this li"eratio$ of Aarx from ;egel& this rea!!ro!riatio$ of

Aarx& this u$coveri$g of #iffere$tial a$# affirmative mecha$isms i$ Aarx& is$t this what

.lthusser is accom!lishi$g so a#mira"l*@ +$ a$* case& u$#er the false o!i$io$s& u$#er the false

o!!ositio$s& *ou #iscover much more ex!losive s*stems& u$s*mmetrical wholes i$

#ise?uili"rium ,fetishes& for exam!le& "oth eco$omic a$# !s*choa$al*tic-)

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Jeane))e Colo&9el: $e last ?uestio$ i$ co$$ectio$ with the u$(s!o'e$ i$ Aarx + clearl* see

the li$' "etwee$ *our !hiloso!h* a$# !la*& a$# + u$#ersta$# its relatio$shi! to co$testatio$) >ut

ca$ it have a !olitical #ime$sio$ a$# co$tri"ute to a revolutio$ar* !ractice@

172



Gilles Deleue: Thats a tough ?uestio$& + #o$t '$ow) +$ the first !lace& there are relatio$s offrie$#shi! or love that #o $ot wait for the revolutio$& that #o $ot !refigure it& although the* arerevolutio$ar* o$ their ow$ accou$t the* have i$ them a co$testi$g force which is !ro!er to the

!oetic life& the "eat$i's for i$sta$ce) The* have more to #o with Re$ >u##hism tha$ Aarxism& "ut there are effective& ex!losive thi$gs i$ Re$) .s for social relatio$s& lets su!!ose that the tas'

of !hiloso!h* i$ this or that era is to have a !articular i$sta$ce s!ea' through it the i$#ivi#ual i$the classical worl#& the !erso$ i$ the roma$tic worl#& or si$gularities i$ the mo#er$ worl#)

<hiloso!h* #oes $ot "ri$g a"out the existe$ce of these i$sta$ces it gives them voice throughitself) >ut the* #o exist a$# are !ro#uce# i$ histor* a$# themselves #e!e$# o$ social relatio$s)

:ell the$O Bevolutio$ woul# "e the tra$sformatio$ of those relatio$s corres!o$#i$g to the#evelo!me$t of this or that i$sta$ce ,such as the "ourgeois i$#ivi#ual i$ the classical revolutio$

of 1789-) The real !ro"lem of revolutio$& a revolutio$ without "ureaucrac*& woul# "e the !ro"lemof $ew social relatio$s& where si$gularities come i$to !la*& active mi$orities i$ $oma# s!ace

without !ro!ert* or e$closure)<ero"t;s <enera" ethod'or Spino=a;

A) Geuroult has !u"lishe# the first volume of his Spino(a, which focuses o$ >oo' + of the

Etics% +t is too "a# that the !u"lisher has its ow$ reaso$s for 'ee!i$g the seco$# volume& which

is fi$ishe#& from "ei$g release# at this time& si$ce the seco$# volume !romises to follow u! the#irect co$se?ue$ces of the first) $e ca$ $evertheless a!!reciate the im!orta$ce of this first

volume& from the !ers!ective of !i$oism as well as the !ers!ective of the ge$eral metho#

#evelo!e# "* Gueroult)

Gueroult re$ewe# the histor* of !hiloso!h* through a ge$etic(structural metho# which he

ha# #evelo!e# well "efore structuralism "ecame fashio$a"le i$ other #isci!li$es) +$ Gueroultsmetho#& a structure is #efi$e# "* a$ order of reasons% Beaso$s are the #iffere$tial a$# ge$erative

eleme$ts of the corres!o$#i$g s*stem the* are ge$ui$e !hiloso!hemes that exist o$l* i$ relatio$

to o$e a$other) Beaso$s are $o$etheless ?uite #iffere$t accor#i$g to whether the* are sim!le rea(

so$s of '$owle#ge or ge$ui$e reaso$s of "ei$gi$ other wor#s& accor#i$g to whether their or#er

is a$al*tic or s*$thetic& a$ or#er of '$owle#ge vs) a$ or#er of !ro#uctio$) +t is o$l* i$ the seco$#

case that the ge$esis of the s*stem is also a ge$esis of thi$gs through a$# i$ the s*stem) >ut we

must "e careful $ot to o!!ose the two s*stems i$ too summaril* a fashio$) :he$ the reaso$s are

reaso$s of '$owle#ge& it is true that the metho# of i$ve$tio$ is esse$tiall* a$al*tical s*$thesis&

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however& is i$tegrate# withi$ it& either as a metho# of ex!ositio$& or more !rofou$#l*& "ecause

reaso$s of "ei$g are e$cou$tere# i$ the or#er of reaso$s& "ut !recisel* that !lace assig$e# to

them "* the relatio$ amo$g eleme$ts of '$owle#ge ,e)g)& Descartess o$tological !roof-)

o$versel*& i$ the other t*!e of s*stem& whe$ the reaso$s are #etermi$e# as reaso$s of "ei$g& it

is true that the s*$thetic metho# "ecomes the real metho# of i$ve$tio$ however& si$ce regressive

a$al*sis is #esti$e# to lea# as @uic:'y as possib'e to the #etermi$atio$ of those eleme$ts which

are reaso$s of "ei$g& it ta'es o$ mea$i$g or se$se at the ver* !oi$t where it is rela*e# a$# eve$

a"sor"e# "* !rogressive s*$thesis) The two t*!es of s*stems ca$ thus "e #isti$guishe#

structurall*& that is to sa*& more !rofou$#l* tha$ /ust "* a sim!le o!!ositio$)

Gueroult #emo$strate# this alrea#* co$cer$i$g %ichtes metho#& which is o!!ose# to Fa$ts

a$al*tic metho#) The o!!ositio$ is $ot com!rise# of a ra#ical #ualit*& "ut a !articular reversal

the a$al*tic !rocess is $ot ig$ore# or re/ecte# "* %ichte& "ut wor's to su!!ress itself) .s the

!ri$ci!le te$#s to a"sor" it com!letel*& the a$al*tic !rocess ta'es o$ a$ ever larger scale))) .t

ever* mome$t& 0Te #octrine of Science1 affirms that& si$ce the !ri$ci!le must sta$# alo$e& the

a$al*tic metho# must $ot !ursue a$* e$# other tha$ its ow$ su!!ressio$) This mea$s that the

co$structive metho# alo$e shoul# "e effective)2 The #ee! !i$( oism of %ichte lea#s us to

thi$' that a$ a$alogous !ro"lem ma* "e !ose# co$cer$i$g !i$oa himself& "ut i$ o!!ositio$ to

Descartes) >ecause it is literall* false that !i$oa "egi$s with the i#ea of Go#& i$ a s*$thetic

!rocess which is assume# to "e rea#*(ma#e) The Treatise on te Reform of te ;nte''ect i$vites

us to raise ourselves& "egi$$i$g from a$* i#ea at all& as @uic:'y as possib'e to the i#ea of Go#&

where all fictio$ ceases& a$# where !rogressive ge$esis rela*s a$# i$ a wa* war#s off& "ut #oes

$ot su!!ress& the !relimi$ar* a$al*sis) or #oes the Etics "egi$ with the i#ea of Go# i$ the

or#er of #efi$itio$s& it comes i$ sixth !lace& a$# i$ the or#er of !ro!ositio$s& $i$th a$# te$th

!lace) o$se?ue$tl*& o$e of the fu$#ame$tal !ro"lems of Gueroults "oo' ca$ "e formulate# i$

this wa* what exactl* is goi$g o$ i$ the first eight !ro!ositio$s@

The or#er of reaso$s is i$ $o case a hi##e$ or#er) +t #oes $ot refer to a late$t co$te$t& to

somethi$g left u$sai# rather& the or#er of reaso$s is alwa*s o$ the same !la$e as the s*stem ,e)g)

the or#er of reaso$s of '$owle#ge i$ Descartess Meditationes, or the or#er of reaso$s of "ei$g

i$ !i$oas Etics$% .ccor#i$g to Gueroult& this is wh* the historia$ of !hiloso!h* is $ot a$

174



i$ter!reter) tructure is $ever somethi$g left u$sai# which must "e #iscovere# "e$eath what is

sai# the structure ca$ "e #iscovere# o$l* "* followi$g the ex!licit or#er of the author) .$# *et&

though alwa*s ex!licit a$# ma$ifest& the structure is the most #ifficult thi$g to see it goes

u$$otice#& $eglecte# "* the historia$ of i#eas or other su"/ects) This is "ecause structure is

i#e$tical to the fact of sa*i$g& a !ure !hiloso!hical give$ "factum$, "ut which is co$sta$tl*

twiste# "* what o$e sa*s& "oth the material treate# a$# the i#eas "rought together) eei$g

structure or the or#er of reaso$s is thus followi$g the !ath alo$g which the material is #issociat(

e# accor#i$g to the #ema$#s of the or#er& a$# the i#eas #ecom!ose# accor#i$g to their

ge$erative #iffere$tial eleme$ts& alo$g which also the eleme$ts or reaso$s are orga$ie# i$to

series o$e must follow the chai$s to where i$#e!e$#e$t series form a 2ne!us2 the i$tersectio$

of !ro"lems or solutio$s)

Cust as he followe# Descartess a$al*tic geometric or#er ste! "* ste! i$ the Meditationes, so

Gueroult follows !i$oas s*$thetic geometric or#er ste! "* ste! i$ the Etics8 #efi$itio$s&

axioms& !ro!ositio$s& #emo$stratio$s& corollaries& scolia))) .$# this !roce#ure $o lo$ger has a

sim!l* #i#actic a!!licatio$& as it #oes i$ ewis Bo"i$so$s comme$tar*) 5 The rea#er has ever*

right to ex!ect 1- the emerge$ce of the structure of the !i$oist s*stem& that is& the #etermi(

$atio$ of the ge$erative eleme$ts a$# 'i$#s of relatio$s the* exhi"it& the series i$to which the*

fall& a$# the $exuses "etwee$ series ,structure as spritua' automaton$ 2- the reaso$s wh*

!i$oas geometric metho# is strictl* a#e?uate to this structure& that is& how the structure

effectivel* frees the geometric co$structio$ from the limits that affect it as lo$g as it is a!!lie# to

figures ,"ei$gs of reaso$ or imagi$atio$-& a$# causes it to im!act real "ei$gs "* assig$i$g the

co$#itio$s of such a$ exte$sio$6 fi$all*& a$# this is har#l* a #etail& 3- the reaso$s wh* a

#emo$stratio$ shows u! i$ o$e !articular !lace& is accom!a$ie# whe$ $ecessar* "* other

#emo$stratio$s to #ou"le it& a$# refers to this or that !revious #emo$stratio$ ,whe$ the im!atie$t

rea#er coul# imagi$e other filiatio$s-) These last two as!ects& co$cer$i$g the !ro!er metho# a$#

the !ro!er formalism of the s*stem& #erive #irectl* from the structure)

ets a## a fi$al theme si$ce the structure of the s*stem is #efi$e# "* a$ or#er or a s!ace of

coexiste$t reaso$s& we ca$ as' what the !ro!er histor* of the s*stem& its i$ter$al evolutio$

"ecome) +f Gueroult more ofte$ tha$ $ot relegates such a stu#* to a!!e$#ices& it is $ot at all

175



"ecause it is $egligi"le& $or "ecause his "oo' is mea$t to "e a comme$tar* o$ the Etics as

master!iece) Bather& a$ evolutio$u$less it is !urel* imagi$ar*& ar"itraril* fixe# "* the

historia$ of i#easca$ "e #e#uce# o$l* from a rigorous com!ariso$ of the structural states of

the s*stem) $l* the structural state of the Etics e$a"les o$e to #eci#e& for exam!le& whether

the Sort Treatise exhi"its some other structure or sim!l* a$other state less reso$a$t with the

same structure& a$# what is the im!orta$ce of the revisio$s from the !ers!ective of the

ge$erative eleme$ts a$# their relatio$s) +$ ge$eral& a s*stem evolves i$asmuch as certai$ !ieces

cha$ge their !ositio$& i$ such a wa* that the* cover a larger s!ace tha$ "efore& eve$ while the*

more tightl* co$trol this s!ace) ;owever& it ca$ ha!!e$ that a s*stem i$clu#es e$ough !oi$ts of

i$#etermi$atio$ for several !ossi"le or#ers to coexist withi$ it Gueroult "rillia$tl* showe# this

for Aale"ra$che) >ut i$ the case of s*stems that are !articularl* saturate# or tight('$it& a$

evolutio$ is $ecessar* for !articular reaso$s to cha$ge their !ositio$s a$# thus !ro#uce a $eweffect) o$cer$i$g %ichte& Gueroult alrea#* #iscusses i$ter$al surges of the s*stem which

#etermi$e $ew #issociatio$s& #is!laceme$ts& a$# relatio$s) Gueroult raises the ?uestio$ of such

i$ter$al surges i$ !i$oism o$ several occasio$s i$ the a!!e$#ices of his "oo' co$cer$i$g the

esse$ce of Go#& the !roofs of the existe$ce of Go#& a$# the #emo$stratio$ of a"solute

#etermi$ism& "ut most im!orta$tl*& i$ two extremel* #e$se a$# exhaustive !ages& co$cer$i$g the

#efi$itio$s of su"sta$ce a$# attri"ute)10

+$ effect& it seems that the Sort Treatise is a"ove all !reoccu!ie# with i#e$tif*i$g Go# a$#

ature thus attri"utes ca$ "e u$co$#itio$all* i#e$tifie# with su"sta$ces& a$# su"sta$ces #efi$e#

as attri"utes) o we fi$# a !articular valoriatio$ of ature& si$ce Go# is #efi$e# as >ei$g which

!rese$ts o$l* ever* attri"ute or su"sta$ce& a$# a #evaloriatio$ of su"sta$ces or attri"utes& which

are $ot *et self(cause# "ut o$l* self(co$ceive#) $ the other ha$#& the Etics is co$cer$e# to

i#e$tif* Go# a$# su"sta$ce itself so we fi$# a valoriatio$ of su"sta$ce which is ge$ui$el*

co$stitute# "* ever* attri"ute or ?ualifie# su"sta$ce& each full* e$/o*i$g the !ro!ert* of "ei$g

self(cause#& a$# each "ei$g a co$stitutive eleme$t a$# $o lo$ger a sim!le !rese$ce we also fi$#

a !articular #is!laceme$t of ature& whose i#e$tit* with Go# must "e esta"lishe#& a$# so from

that !oi$t o$& such a #is!laceme$t a!tl* ex!resses the mutual imma$e$ce of create# $ature a$#creative $ature) u##e$l*& we realie that it is less a ?uestio$ of a$other structure tha$ of a$other

state of the same structure) Thus the stu#* of the i$ter$al evolutio$ com!letes the stu#* of the

metho# !ro!er as well as the stu#* of the characteristic formalism& all three of which "ecome

clear o$ce the structure of the s*stem has "ee$ #etermi$e#)

176



:hat exactl* is goi$g o$ i$ the first eight !ro!ositio$s& whe$ !i$oa #emo$strates that

there is o$e su"sta$ce !er attri"ute& a$# thus that there are /ust as ma$* ?ualifie# su"sta$ces as

there are attri"utes& each ?ualifie# su"sta$ce e$/o*i$g the !ro!erties of "ei$g u$i?ue i$ its 'i$#&

self(cause#& a$# i$fi$ite@ ritics have ofte$ acte# li'e !i$oas reaso$i$g ha# a#o!te# a

h*!othesis that was $ot his ow$ a$# the$ asce$#e# to the u$it* of su"sta$ce as a$ ah*!otheical

!ri$ci!le which $ullifies his i$itial h*!othesis) This !ro"lem is crucial for several reaso$s) %irst&

this ah*!othetical !roce#ure attri"ute# to !i$oa ca$ "e corro"orate# "* a corres!o$#i$g

eleme$t i$ the Treatise on te Reform of te ;nte''ect8 here !i$oas !oi$t of #e!arture is a$*

true i#ea& i#eas of geometrical "ei$gs which ca$ still "e im!reg$ate# with fictio$& i$ or#er to

reach as ?uic'l* as !ossi"le the i#ea of Go#& where all fictio$ ceases) eco$#l*& from the

!ers!ective of the Etics, the !ractical evaluatio$ of the role of the first eight !ro!ositio$s

"ecomes #ecisive for the theoretical com!rehe$sio$ of the $ature of attri"utes certai$l*&moreover& it is o$l* i$sofar as the first eight !ro!ositio$s are accor#e# merel* a h*!othetical

se$se that we get two misrea#i$gs of the attri"ute 1- the Fa$tia$ illusio$ that ma'es attri"utes

forms or co$ce!ts of the u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# 2- the $eo(<lato$ic vertigo that ma'es attri"utes

alrea#* #egra#e# ema$atio$s or ma$ifestatio$s) %i$all*& it is clear that somethi$g i$ the first

eight !ro!ositio$s is merel* !rovisio$al a$# co$#itio$e#& so the real ?uestio$ is what& a$#

whether we ca$ sa* that it is the first eight !ro!ositio$s as a whole which are !rovisio$al a$#

co$#itio$e#)

Gueroults a$swer is that the first eight !ro!ositio$s are !erfectl* categorical) +f the* were$t&

the$ we coul# $ot u$#ersta$# how these !ro!ositio$s co$fer o$ each ?ualifie# su"sta$ce !ositive

a$# a!o#ictic !ro!erties& a$# es!eciall* the !ro!ert* of "ei$g self(cause# ,?ualifie# su"sta$ces

#i# $ot *et have this !ro!ert* i$ the Sort Treatise$% That there is o$e su"sta$ce !er attri"ute& a$#

o$e o$l*& is ta$tamou$t to sa*i$g that attri"utes& a$# o$l* attri"utes& are i$ realit* #isti$ct this

affirmatio$ from the Etics, moreover& has $othi$g h*!othetical a"out it) 12 +t is o$l* "* ig$ori$g

the $ature of real #isti$ctio$ accor#i$g to !i$oa& a$# thus the whole logic of #isti$ctio$& that

comme$tators have co$ferre# a merel* h*!othetical se$se o$ the first eight !ro!ositio$s) +$ fact&

it is "ecause real #isti$ctio$ cannot "e $umerical that ?ualifie# su"sta$ces or attri"utes which arei$ realit* #isti$ct co$stitute o$e a$# the same su"sta$ce) Aore tha$ that& i$ all rigor& one as a

$um"er is $o more a#e?uate to su"sta$ce tha$ 2& 3& 4)))are a#e?uate to attri"utes as ?ualifie#

su"sta$ces a$# throughout his comme$tar*& Gueroult em!hasies a #evaluatio$ of $um"er i$

ge$eral& si$ce it #oes $ot a#e?uatel* ex!ress the $ature of mo#e) a*i$g that attri"utes are i$

realit* #isti$ct is ta$tamou$t to sa*i$g that each is co$ceive# of itself& without $egatio$ or i$

o!!ositio$ to a$other& a$# that the* are all therefore affirme# of the same su"sta$ce) %ar from

"ei$g a$ o"stacle& their real #isti$ctio$ is the co$#itio$ for co$stituti$g a "ei$g all the more rich

for havi$g attri"utes)14 The logic of real #isti$ctio$ is a logic of !urel* affirmative #iffere$ce a$#

177



without $egatio$) .ttri"utes i$#ee# co$stitute a$ irre#uci"le mu'tip'icity, "ut the whole ?uestio$

is what t*!e of multi!licit*) The !ro"lem is erase# if the su"sta$tive multi!licit* is tra$sforme#

i$to two o!!ose# a#/ectives "mu'tip'e attri"utes a$# one su"sta$ce-) .ttri"utes are a formal or

?ualitative multi!licit*& a co$crete !luralit* which& "ecause it im!lies the i$tri$sic #iffere$ce

a$# reci!rocal heteroge$eit* of the "ei$gs that com!rise it& has $othi$g i$ commo$ with the

!luralit* of $um"er literall* u$#erstoo#) $ two occasio$s& moreover& Gueroult uses the term

motle* 0bigarre18 Go# is sim!le i$sofar as he is $ot com!ose# of !arts& "ut $o less com!lex

i$sofar as he is co$stitute# "* 2prima e'ementa2 which alo$e are a"solutel* sim!le Go# is thus

a motle* ens rea'issimum, $ot a !ure& i$effa"le a$# u$?ualifia"le ens simp'icissimum i$ which all

#iffere$ces woul# #isa!!ear Go# is motle*& "ut u$fragme$ta"le& co$stitute# of heteroge$eous

"ut i$se!ara"le attri"utes)16

Fee!i$g i$ mi$# the i$a#e?uac* of $umerical la$guage& we ca$ sa* that attri"utes are

?ui##ities or su"sta$tial forms of a"solutel* o$e su"sta$ce co$stitutive eleme$ts& which are

irre#uci"le& of a su"sta$ce that is o$tologicall* co$stitute# as o$e structural eleme$ts& which are

multi!le& of the s*stematic u$it* of the su"sta$ce #iffere$tial eleme$ts ot a su"sta$ce that $either

/uxta!oses $or grou$#s them& "ut i$tegrates them)17 +$ other wor#s& we fi$# i$ !i$oism $ot

o$l* a ge$esis of mo#es from the su"sta$ce& "ut a genea'ogy of te substance itse'f, a$# the

se$se of the first eight !ro!ositio$s !recisel* esta"lishes this ge$ealog*) ertai$l*& the ge$esis of

the mo#es is $ot the same as the ge$ealog* of the su"sta$ce& si$ce the first co$cer$s the

#etermi$atio$s or the !arts of o$e same realit*& a$# the seco$# #eals with the #iverse realities of

o$e same "ei$g the first co$cer$s !h*sical com!ositio$& the seco$# #eals with logical co$(

stitutio$ or to "orrow a$ ex!ressio$ from ;o""es which i$s!ire# !i$oa the first is a

2descriptio generati,2 whereas the seco$# is a 2descriptio generationis%2 5J evertheless& "oth the

ge$esis a$# the ge$ealog* ca$ "e s!o'e$ of in one and te same sense ,Go# as the cause of all

thi$gs havi$g the same se$se as "ei$g self( cause#- !recisel* "ecause the ge$esis of mo#es

comes a"out i$ the attri"utes& a$# this coul# $ot occur imma$e$tl* if the attri"utes themselves

were $ot the ge$ealogical eleme$ts of the su"sta$ce) :hat emerges from this is the metho#(

ological u$it* of !i$oism as a ge$etic !hiloso!h*)

178



This ge$etic or co$structive !hiloso!h* is i$se!ara"le from a s*$thetic metho#& i$ which

attri"utes are #etermi$e# as ge$ui$e reaso$s of "ei$g) These reaso$s are co$stitutive eleme$ts

there is thus $o asce$sio$ from attri"utes to su"sta$ce& from attri"utive su"sta$ces to

a"solutel* i$fi$ite su"sta$ce the a"solutel* i$fi$ite su"sta$ce co$tai$s $o other realit* tha$ these

attri"utive su"sta$ces& although the a"solutel* i$fi$ite su"sta$ce is their i$tegratio$ a$# $ot their

sum ,a sum woul# *et !resu!!ose $um"er a$# $umerical #isti$ctio$-) >ut as we saw earlier&

Gueroult has show$ that the s*$thetic metho# ca$$ot "e sim!l* o!!ose# to a$ a$al*tic a$#

regressive !rocess) .$# i$ the Treatise on te Reform of te ;nte''ect, the !oi$t of #e!arture is

a$* true i#ea whatsoever& eve$ if it is still im!reg$ate# with fictio$ a$# $othi$g i$ $ature

corres!o$#s to it& i$ or#er the$ to asce$# as ?uic'l* as !ossi"le to the i#ea of Go#& where all

fictio$ ceases& a$# where thi$gs as well as i#eas are e$ge$#ere# starti$g from Go#) +$ the Etics,

to "e sure& we #o $ot asce$# from attri"ute(su"sta$ces to the a"solutel* i$fi$ite su"sta$ce "utwe attai$ attri"ute(su"sta$ces as real co$stitutive eleme$ts through a regressive a$al*tic !rocess&

such that the attri"ute(su"sta$ces are $ot o"/ects of a ge$etic co$structio$& a$# the* must $ot "e

rather& the* are o"/ects of a demonstration from absurdity ,esse$tiall*& the mo#es of su"sta$ce are

to!!le# to show that each attri"ute ca$ o$l* #esig$ate a$ i$comme$sura"le su"sta$ce& u$i?ue

i$ its 'i$#& existi$g for itself& a$# $ecessaril* i$fi$ite-) .$# what is a"olishe# or overcome after

that is $ot the result of the regressive !rocess& si$ce the attri"utes exist exactl* as the* are

!erceive#& "ut the !rocess itself which& as soo$ as the attri"utes are !erceive# as co$stitutive

eleme$ts& gives wa* to the !rocess of ge$etic co$structio$) Thus ge$etic co$structio$ i$tegrates

the a$al*tic !rocess a$# its se'f-suppression% +$ this se$se& the$& we are sure to attai$ reaso$s of

"ei$g a$# $ot sim!le reaso$s of '$owle#ge) +$ this se$se& too& the geometric metho# surmou$ts

what was still fictio$al whe$ it was a!!lie# to sim!le figures& reveali$g itself a#e?uate to the

co$structa"ilit* of the real)19 +$ short& what is !rovisio$al is $ot the co$te$t of the first eight

!ro!ositio$s& $or is it a$* of the !ro!erties co$ferre# o$ the attri"ute(su"sta$ces& it is o$l* the

a$al*tic !ossi"ilit* for these su"sta$ces to form se!arate existe$ces& a !ossi"ilit* that was $ot

effecte# at all i$ the first eight !ro!ositio$s)20

179



GE=BET <+R.

ow we see that the co$structio$ of the u$i?ue su"sta$ce occurs at the i$tersectio$ of two series a$# !recisel* forms a ne!us ,"ecause comme$tators were u$aware of this& the* acte# li'e there was a$ asce$t from the attri"utes to the

su"sta$ce& accor#i$g to a si$gle h*!othetical series& or li'e the attri"utes were o$l* reaso$s of '$owle#ge& accor#i$g toa !ro"lematic series-) +$ fact& the first eight !ro!ositio$s re!rese$t a first series through which we asce$# to the #iffer(

e$tial co$stitutive eleme$ts the$ the 9th& 10th& a$# 11th re!rese$t a$other series through which the i#ea of Go#i$tegrates these eleme$ts a$# ma'es clear it ca$ "e co$stitute# o$l* "* all these eleme$ts together) This is wh* !i$oa

ex!ressl* states that the first eight !ro!ositio$s ca$ have $o im!act if we #o $ot simulta$eousl* 'ee! i$ mi$# the#efi$itio$ of Go#) !i$oa is $ever satisfie# with #rawi$g a co$clusio$& accor#i$g to o$e series o$l*& a"out the u$icit*

of the co$stitute# su"sta$ce from the u$it* of co$stitutive su"sta$ces) $ the co$trar*& he i$vo'es the i$fi$ite !ower ofa$ Ens rea'issimum, a$# its $ecessar* u$icit* as su"sta$ce& to #raw a co$clusio$ a"out the u$it* of the su"sta$ces thatco$stitute it without losi$g a$* of their !revious !ro!erties)21 Thus we #isti$guish the structural eleme$ts that are i$realit* #isti$ct from the co$#itio$ u$#er which the* com!ose a structure that fu$ctio$s as a whole& where ever*thi$g

wor's i$ !airs& a$# where real #isti$ctio$ will "e a guara$tee of formal corres!o$#e$ce a$# o$tological i#e$tit*)The$exus "etwee$ the two series is a!!are$t i$ the $otio$ of self(cause& with the ce$tral role it !la*s i$ ge$esis) &ausa

sui is first a$# foremost a !ro!ert* of each ?ualifie# su"sta$ce) .$# the a!!are$t vicious circle accor#i$g to which it#erives itself from the i$fi$ite& eve$ as it grou$#s the i$fi$ite& ca$ "e u$#o$e i$ the followi$g wa* it #erives itself from

i$fi$itu#e as the full !erfectio$ of essence, "ut grou$#s i$fi$itu#e as the a"solute affirmatio$ of e!istence% The samegoes for Go# or the u$i?ue su"sta$ce its existe$ce is !rove# first "* the i$fi$it* of its esse$ce& the$ "* self(causatio$ asthe ge$etic reaso$ of the i$fi$itu#e of existe$ce& $amel* the i$fi$itel* i$fi$ite !ower of the Ens rea'issimum, "* whichthis "ei$g& $ecessaril* causi$g itself& a"solutel* !osits its existe$ce i$ all its exte$sio$ a$# !le$itu#e& without limitatio$

or fault)22 $ the o$e ha$#& it follows that the ge$etic co$structio$ as a whole is i$se!ara"le from a #e#uctio$ of its#isti$ctive features& whose causa sui is !aramou$t) The #e#uctio$ of #isti$ctive features is i$terwove$& i$tertwi$e# with

the ge$etic co$structio$ +f we #iscovere# that the thi$g causes itself after havi$g !roce#e# to the genesis of itsessence% ))it is $o less certai$ that the genesis of te ting was o"tai$e# o$l* "* the '$owle#ge of this #isti$ctive feature

that accou$ts for its existe$ce) .$# from this fact& we have ma#e real !rogress also i$ the '$owle#ge of esse$ce& si$cewith its truth "ei$g rigorousl* #emo$strate#& it "ecomes rigorousl* clear that it is i$ realit* a$ esse$ce) .$# what hol#s

for the causa sui hol#s& i$ var*i$g #egrees& for all the other #isti$ctive features eter$it*& i$fi$itu#e& i$#ivisi"ilit*&u$icit*& etc)& "ecause these are $othi$g more tha$ the causa sui itself from #iffere$t !oi$ts of view)2 $ the other ha$#&the causa sui a!!ears at the $exus of the two series of ge$esis& "ecause it is the i#e$tit* of the attri"utes& as to thecause or causal act& that ex!lai$s the u$icit* of a si$gle su"sta$ce existi$g of itself& #es!ite the #iffere$ce of its

attri"utes as to its esse$ce the attri"utes are #iverse a$# i$comme$sura"le realities& i$tegrate# i$to a$ i$#ivisi"le "ei$go$l* "* the i#e$tit* of the causal act through which the* give themselves existe$ce a$# !ro#uce their mo#es)24

The causa sui a$imates the whole theme of !ower) ;owever& we ris' a misrea#i$g as we evaluate the i$tertwi$i$g

of $otio$s& if we attri"ute to this !ower a$ i$#e!e$#e$ce which it #oes $ot have& a$# to the #isti$ctive features& a$

auto$om* which the* #o $ot have i$ relatio$ to the esse$ce) <ower itself& the causa sui, is o$l* a #isti$ctive feature

a$# if it is true that it is #is!lace# from ?ualifie# su"sta$ces to the u$i?ue su"sta$ce& it is o$l* i$sofar as this su"sta$ce&

"ecause of its esse$ce& ma#e use a fortiori of the characters of the su"sta$tial attri"utes& "ecause of teir esse$ce) +$

co$formit* with the #iffere$ce "etwee$ #isti$ctive feature a$# esse$ce& the su"sta$ce woul# $ot "e u$i?ue without

!ower& "ut it is $ot "* virtue of !ower that the su"sta$ce is u$i?ue& it is "* virtue of its esse$ce +f "* the u$icit* of

!ower ,i)e) the !ower of the attri"utes-& we u$#ersta$# ow it is possib'e that the attri"utes are o$e #es!ite the #iversit*

of their !ro!er esse$ces& te reason tat grounds their u$io$ i$ o$e su"sta$ce alo$e is $othi$g other tha$ the i$fi$ite

co$stitutive !erfectio$ of the esse$ce of Go#) 25 This ex!lai$s wh* it is so mislea#i$g to i$vert !i$oas formulatio$

a$# claim that the esse$ce of Go# is !ower& es!eciall* whe$ !i$oa himself sa*s the !ower of Go# is his ver*

esse$ce)26 +$ other wor#s& !ower is the i$se!ara"le #isti$ctive feature of esse$ce& a$# it ex!resses at o$ce how the

esse$ce is the cause of the existe$ce of su"sta$ce a$# the cause of the other thi$gs that #erive from it) o& !ower is

$othi$g other tha$ esse$ce mea$s two thi$gs 1- Go# has $o other !ower tha$ the !ower of his esse$ce he acts a$#

!ro#uces o$l* through his esse$ce& a$# $ot through a$ u$#ersta$#i$g or a will he is thus the cause of ever* thi$g i$

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GE=BET <+R.

the same se$se that he is self(cause#& si$ce the $otio$ of !ower ex!resses !recisel* the i#e$tit* of the cause of ever*

thi$g with the self(cause# 2- the !ro#ucts or effects of Go# are properties which #erive from esse$ce& "ut which are

$ecessaril* produced i$ the co$stitutive attri"utes of this esse$ce the* are thus modes, whose u$it* i$ the #iffere$t

attri"utes is i$ tur$ ex!lai$e# "* the theme of !ower& that is& the i#e$tit* of the causal act which !osits the !ro!erties i$

each of the mo#es ,whe$ce *ou have the assimilatio$ real effects M !ro!erties M mo#es !lus the formulatio$ Go#

!ro#uces a$ i$fi$it* of thi$gs i$ a$ i$fi$it* of mo#es& where ting refers to the si$gular cause acti$g i$ all the

attri"utes at o$ce& a$# modes, to the esse$ces #e!e$#e$t o$ the res!ective attri"utes-)27

The rigorous i$terweavi$g of esse$ce a$# !ower !reclu#es esse$ces from "ei$g mo#els i$ a creative

u$#ersta$#i$g& a$# !ower from "ei$g raw force i$ a creative will) The co$ce!tio$ of !ossi"les is exclu#e# from Go#&

/ust as is the realiatio$ of co$ti$ge$ts the u$#ersta$#i$g as well as the will ca$ o$l* "e a fi$ite or i$fi$ite mo#e) :e

must ta'e a mome$t to a!!reciate this #evaluatio$ of the u$#ersta$#i$g) >ecause whe$ u$#ersta$#i$g i$ the esse$ce of

Go# is esta"lishe#& the wor# u$#ersta$#i$g "ecomes am"iguous clearl*& the i$fi$ite u$#ersta$#i$g ca$ o$l* "e

relate# to our ow$ "* a$alog*& a$# clearl*& the !erfectio$s ge$erall* "elo$gi$g to Go# ca$$ot have the same form as

those "elo$gi$g to his creatures) $ the co$trar*& whe$ we sa* that #ivi$e u$#ersta$#i$g is $o less a mo#e tha$ fi$ite

or huma$ u$#ersta$#i$g is& we $ot o$l* esta"lish the a#e?uatio$ of the huma$ u$#ersta$#i$g as !art& to the #ivi$e

u$#ersta$#i$g as whole& we also esta"lish the a#e?uatio$ of all u$#ersta$#i$g to the forms which it i$clu#es& si$ce

modes enve'ope te perfections on wic tey depend in te same form as te perfections wic constitute te essence

of substance% Ao#e is a$ effect "ut if the effect #iffers from the cause i$ esse$ce a$# existe$ce& it at least has i$

commo$ with cause the forms that it e$velo!es o$l* i$ its esse$ce& whereas the forms co$stitute the esse$ce of the

su"sta$ce)28 Thus& the re#uctio$ of the i$fi$ite u$#ersta$#i$g to the state of a mo#e is i$se!ara"le from two other

theses& which e$sure at o$ce the most rigorous #isti$ctio$ of esse$ce a$# existe$ce "etwee$ su"sta$ce a$# its !ro#ucts&

a$# *et the most !erfect commo$alit* of form ,u$ivocit*-) o$versel*& the co$fusio$ of i$fi$ite u$#ersta$#i$g with the

esse$ce of su"sta$ce lea#s to a #istortio$ of the forms which Go# !ossesses o$l* i$ his i$com!rehe$si"le ma$$er& i)e)

emi$e$tl*& "ut also a co$fusio$ of esse$ce "etwee$ su"sta$ce a$# its creatures& si$ce the !er fectio$s of huma$'i$# are

com!lace$tl* attri"ute# to Go# "* raisi$g them to the i$fi$ite)29

This formal status of the u$#ersta$#i$g ex!lai$s the !ossi"ilit* of the geometric& s*$rhetic& a$# ge$etic metho#)

:he$ce we have Gueroults i$siste$ce o$ the $ature of the !i$oist u$#ersra$#i$g& the o!!ositio$ "etwee$ Descartesa$# !i$oa as to this !ro"lem& $ot to me$tio$ !i$oisms most ra#ical thesis a"solute ratio$alism& "ase# o$ thea#e?uatio$ of our u$#ersta$#i$g to a"solute '$owle#ge) >* affirmi$g the total i$telligi"ilit* for huma$'i$# of theesse$ce of Go# a$# thi$gs& !i$oa is co$sciousl* o!!osi$g Descartes))) ."solute ratio$alism& im!osi$g the total

i$telligi"ilit* of Go#& the 'e* of the total i$telligi"ilit* of thi$gs& is thus for !i$oism the first article of faith) ThroughGo# alo$e is the soul !urge# from the multi!le su!erstitio$s& for which a$ i$com!rehe$si"le Go# serves as the ultimaterefuge& a$# through him #oes the soul accom!lish this !erfect u$io$ of Go# a$# huma$it* that co$#itio$s salvatio$)0 There woul# "e $o ge$etic a$# s*$thetic metho# if what is e$ge$#ere# were $ot i$ a wa* e?ual to what e$ge$#ers ,thus

the mo#es are $either more $or less tha$ the su"sta$ce-& a$# if what e$ge$#ers were $ot itself the o"/ect of age$ealog* that grou$#s the ge$esis of what is e$ge$#ere# ,thus the attri"utes are the ge$ealogical eleme$ts ofsu"sta$ce& a$# the ge$etic !ri$ci!les of the mo#es-) Gueroult a$al*es this structure of !i$oism i$ ever* #etail) .$#

"ecause a structure is #efi$e# "* its effect as a whole& $o less tha$ "* its eleme$ts& relatio$s& ne!uses and intertwinings,

we sometimes wit$ess a cha$ge i$ to$e& as though Gueroult were u$veili$g or su##e$l* reveali$g the fu$ctio$i$g effectof the structure as a whole& which he will #evelo! i$ the volumes to follow such as the effect of :now'edge ,how #oes

huma$'i$# ma$age to situate itself i$ Go#& that is& to occu!* i$ the structure that !lace which the '$owle#ge of thetrue assig$s to Go#& a$# which also e$sures true '$owle#ge a$# true free#om- or also& the effect of 'ife ,how #oes

!ower& as esse$ce& co$stitute the life of Go# which is commu$icate# to huma$'i$#& a$# how #oes it i$ realit* grou$#the i#e$tit* of huma$'i$#s i$#e!e$#e$ce i$ Go# a$# of its i$#e!e$#e$ce from Go#-)32 The im!orta$ce of this

a#mira"le "oo' "* Gueroult is twofol# from the sta$#!oi$t of the ge$eral metho# he esta"lishes& a$# from the

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sta$#!oi$t of !i$oism& of which the metho# #oes $ot re!rese$t merel* o$e a!!licatio$ amo$g others& "ut i$#ee#em"o#ies& comi$g as it #oes at the e$# of a series of stu#ies o$ Descartes& Aale"ra$che a$# ei"$i& the most a#e?uate&

the most saturate#& a$# the most exhaustive o"/ect for such a metho#) Gueroults "oo' esta"lishes the ge$ui$el*scie$tific stu#* of !i$oism

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)The &issre o' !naxagoras and the oa"&ires o' ,era"its

Fostas .xelos& i$ search of !la$etar* thought& #efi$es it i$ these terms <la$etar* certai$l*

mea$s !la$et earth& the terrestrial glo"e& a$# its relatio$shi! to the other !la$ets) +t is the g'oba'%>ut the exte$sio$ of this co$ce!t remai$s too great))) <la$etar* mea$s whatever is itinerant and

errant, wa$#eri$g as it follows a tra/ector* i$ s!ace(time a$# !erformi$g a rotatio$al moveme$t)

<la$etar* i$#icates the era of glo"al !la$$i$g& i$ which the su"/ects a$# the o"/ects of the will to

orga$ie a$# foresee are swe!t u! motio$less o$ a$ iti$erar* that sur!asses "oth su"/ect a$#

o"/ect) <la$etar* $ames the reig$ of p'atitude as it s!rea#s a$# flatte$s ever*thi$g& which is also

more erra$t tha$ a"erra$t) .s a $ou$& moreover& a$# accor#i$g to #ictio$aries& the !la$etar*

#esig$ates a 'i$# of tecno'ogica' mecanism, or gears and wee's% Therefore& the !la* of

thought a$# the !la$etar* is g'oba', erratic, itinerant, organi(ing, p'anning and f'attening,

caugt up in gears and wee's% 2 The histor* of the worl# is mar'e# "* the great figures of

erra$c* #*sseus& Do$ uixote& the :a$#eri$g Cew& >ouvar# a$# <echuet& >loom& Aalo$e

who i$ the wor#s of =ra <ou$# are average se$sual t*!es ho!i$g a$# !ra*i$g for the most

ge$eral ge$eraliatio$) The great figures of erra$c* are i$#ee# thi$'ers) >ouvar# a$# <echuet

are the first !la$etar* cou!le) >ut we have !erfecte# erra$c*& as though we $o lo$ger $ee#e# to

move) <la$etar* thought i$clu#es the sa$itie# !hiloso!h* of tech$icia$(ge$erals who #ream of

!recisio$(gui#e# "om"s& a$# whose cosmolog* rivals that of Teilhar#& as well as the meager

reflectio$s of those who are goi$g to the moo$& "ut also the thought recor#e# i$ the i$strume$ts

that !ro!el them i$to s!ace& a$# fi$all* the thoughts of us all as we watch& glue# to the

televisio$& motio$less a$# schioi# average& se$sual& com!act a$# fissure#)1 There is $o

reaso$ to !rivilege o$e as!ect over the other !la$$i$g over glo"aliatio$& or erra$c* over

!latitu#e) :e have achieve# what was foretol# the a"se$ce of a$* goal) =rra$c* has cease#

"ei$g a retur$ to the origi$ it is $o lo$ger eve$ a"(erratio$& which woul# still !resu!!ose a fixe#

!oi$t it is as far from error as it is from truth) =rra$c* has co$?uere# auto$om* i$ a 'i$# of

catato$ic immo"ilit*

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.tte$tio$ has "ee$ tur$e# to the mea$s .xelos uses to ex!ress the magma which !la$etar*

thought ought to "e& a$# which it is i$#ee#& "ut which !oses co$si#era"le tech$ical !ro"lems of

registratio$& tra$slatio$& a$# !oeticiatio$& with o$e filter !lace# o$ a$other& a$# o$e fragme$t

lo#ge# i$ a$other) .xelos !ulls u! short of <lato& te$#i$g towar# the !re(ocratics a$# he goes

"e*o$# Aarx& movi$g towar# !ost(Aarxism) +$ his wor' we fi$# a tur$i$g of a!horisms

"orrowe# from what survives of ;eraclitus& a !osi$g of theses "orrowe# from the milita$t Aarx&

e$(li'e a$ec#otes& !ro/ects& refrai$s& tracts& a$# !la$s remi$isce$t of the Eto!ia$ socialists) >ut

o$e feels& too& that .xelos woul# li'e to have au#io(visual mea$s at his #is!osal& that he is

#reami$g of a ;eraclitus at the hea# of a !ost(Aarxist grou! of comma$#os& seii$g a ra#io

statio$ to "roa#cast short a!horistic messages or rou$#(ta"les of eter$al retur$) +$ his wor'&

;ei#eggeria$ termi$olog* is retu$e# a$# ta'es o$ $ew mea$i$g& eve$ as it is co$verte# from the

cou$tr* to the cit*) .xelos tries to reevaluate the !ossi"ilities of ci$ema as a$ ex!ressio$ of themo#er$ forms of erra$c*1 >ut his assi#uous stu#* of the !re( ocratics is $o more a retur$ to

origi$s tha$ !ost(Aarxism is itself a goal it is rather a"out gras!i$g a$ a"se$ce of origi$ as the

!la$etar* "ecomi$g that a!!eare# i$ Greece& a$# that $ow a!!ears to us& as we #eviate with

res!ect to ever* goal)

4e ?eu du monde is writte$ i$ a!horisms) The o"/ect !ro!er to the a!horism is the !artial

o"/ect& the fragme$t& the !art) To#a* we are familiar with what Aaurice >la$chot has taught us

a"out the co$#itio$s of a thought a$# a la$guage of fragme$t s!ea'i$g a$# thi$'i$g the !artial

o"/ect $ot as !resu!!osi$g a$* a$terior totalit* from which it woul# #erive& $or a$* !osterior

whole which woul# #erive from the fragme$t& "ut ?uite the o!!osite letti$g the fragme$t evolve

for itself a$# for other fragme$ts) This is accom!lishe# "* ma'i$g the #ista$ce& the #iverge$ce&

a$# the #ece$teri$g which se!arate the fragme$ts& "ut which also mix them u!& i$to a$

affirmatio$ such as a $ew relatio$ with the utsi#e& a$# which ca$$ot "e re#uce# to u$it*)

=ach a!horism must "e co$ceive# as e$#owe# with a !ro!ulsive mecha$ism a$# !ro/ectio$s&

i$tro/ectio$s& as well as fixatio$s& regressio$s& a$# su"limatio$s& are $ot sim!l* !s*chological

!rocesses "ut cosmo(a$thro!ological mecha$isms) +$ a se$se& huma$'i$# re$ews its ties with a

#esti$* that ca$ "e rea# i$ the !la$ets a$# stars)

5

<la$etar* thought is $ot u$if*i$g it im!lieshi##e$ #e!ths i$ s!ace& a$ exte$sio$ of #ee! u$iverses& i$comme$surate #ista$ces a$#

!roximities& $o$(exact $um"ers& a$ esse$tial o!e$i$g of our s*stem& a whole fictio$(!hiloso!h*)

This is wh* the !la$etar* is $ot the same thi$g as the worl#& eve$ i$ ;ei#eggeria$ terms

;ei#eggers worl# is #islocate#& the worl# a$# the cosmos are $ot i#e$tical) 6 or are the

affective overto$es of !la$etar* "ei$g the same as those of "ei$g(i$(the(worl#) harles Foechli$&

i$?uiri$g i$to the ex!ressive se$time$tal !ossi"ilities of mo#er$ music& claims that mo#er$

music has re$ou$ce# classical affirmatio$s a$# roma$tic effusio$s& "ut that it is rather a!t for

ex!ressi$g a !articular #isarra*& a !articular #ise?uili"rium& eve$ a !articular i$#iffere$ce& a$#

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also a stra$ge /o* almost li'e ha!!i$ess) This tri!le !articular#isarra*& #ise?uili"rium&

i$#iffere$ce #efi$es !la$etar* music& the !athos of !la$etar* thought& which is "itter& "ut

/o*ful "* #i$t of a !articular stra$ge$ess ,stra$ge$ess& rather tha$ alie$atio$& as the #etermi$atio$

of erra$c*-

To this !athos there corres!o$#s a logic& a logos) The a!horisms small form must $ot "e

remi$isce$ce or archaicism& a collectio$ of !ieces survivi$g a !ast whole& "ut a mea$s a#a!te# to

ex!lori$g the co$tem!orar* worl#& its holes a$# co$stellatio$s) The logic here is o$e of

!ro"a"ilit*& referri$g $ot to !ro!erties or classes "ut to cases) :he$ce the im!orta$ce of a$

am"iguous sig$ "andor$ that must i$#icate all at o$ce co$/u$ctio$ Band$, #is/u$ctio$ Bor$, a$#

exclusio$ Bnor$% :he$ .xelos accumulates ex!ressio$s such as meta!h*sicall* a$ti(meta!h*si(

cal& #iscor#a$t co$cor#& to marvel "ut without asto$ishme$t& o$e cra" #evouri$g a$other is

#evoure# "* a thir#& what #oes the ma$i!ulati$g is ma$i!ulate#& etc)& the* are $ot so much

facile #ialectical tra$sformatio$s& the mo$oto$e i#e$tit* of o!!osites& as se?ue$ces of ra$#om

cases i$ which co$/u$ctio$ a$# #is/u$ctio$& #is/u$ctio$ or co$/u$ctio$ re!lace the form of the

/u#gme$t of existe$ce a$# attri"utio$ which was still the "asis of #ialectical thi$'i$g Bis, is not$%

:hat if the tere is a$# the is $o lo$ger t*ra$$ie# us& what

if the tere is not a$# the is not #i# $ot a!!ear as sim!le !rivatio$SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS sThe

;egelia$& as well as Aarxist #ialectic& which is !erha!s ;ei#eggaria$& too& evolves i$ the

categories of "ei$g& $o$("ei$g& a$# the $e(.ll) .$# what ca$ the .ll #o exce!t totalie

$othi$g$ess& a$# $ihilie $othi$g$ess $o less tha$ "ei$g@ ihilism $ihilies $othi$g$ess&

"ecause it leaves notingness untougt This noting ca$ #rive us ma#& cause us a$guish& eve$

"e imagi$e#& "ut it $o$etheless remai$s u$thought i$ $ihilism) ihilism is i$#ee# the u$iversal

#etermi$atio$ of mo#er$it*& /ust as !latitu#e is the moveme$t of erra$c*) .s .xelos 'ee!s sa*i$g

185



a$# showi$g its $ot a"out sto!!i$g the !rocess& whether fighti$g agai$st !latitu#e or

overcomi$g $ihilism)10 >ut this noting i$ $ihilism is !recisel* what remai$s u$thought as total

u$iversal co$flagratio$ or e$# of the worl#& a$# it is also what #etotalies a$# #is!erses its ow$

moveme$t& 'i$#li$g here a$# there the local fires of these fragme$ts i$ which $ihilism is alrea#*

self(overcome a$# self(foresee$which causes .xelos to remar' ever to "egi$ agai$ a$#

agai$) Till the fi$al a$# fatal ex!losio$& which will come muc 'ater tha$ we thi$') <la$etar*

thought ca$ have $o other logic it wills itself& it !rese$ts itself as !olitics& strateg*) ome of the

"oo's .xelos has !u"lishe# i$ his .rgume$ts series he li'es to thi$' of as u$sta"le states of

that !la$etar* thought of which he #reams) $e of the first "oo's i$ the series was lausewits

On /ar% >e*o$# lausewit& the mo#er$ i#e$tit* of strateg* a$# !olitics from the !ers!ective of

thermo$uclear $ihilism has "ee$ rece$tl* show$ to !ro#uce #etotalie# a$# #is!erse# war wars

a$#or limite# agreeme$ts)12

The revolutio$ar* res!o$se to .merica$ worl# !olitics& i$vo'i$ggame theor*& is four or five Hiet$ams) ;eraclitus as strategist& com"at !hiloso!her ;eraclitus

sa*s that all thi$gs "ecome fire& "ut is !recisel* $ot thi$'i$g of a u$iversal co$flagratio$& which

he leaves u$thought as the $othi$g of $ihilism& showi$g $ihilism $ecessaril* self(overcome or

overcome "* what is u$thought i$ it& i$ the local fires that u$ite the !eo!les of the earth) 13

<h*sics& meta!h*sics& !s*cholog* a$# sociolog* are $o more i$ !la$etar* thought there is

$othi$g left "ut a ge$eralie# strateg*)

This is our #iffere$ce from lausewit& "ut also ;egel& Aarx& ;ei#egger& a$# eve$ still from

;eraclitus))) >ecause we thi$' without origi$& a$# without #esti$atio$& #iffere$ce "ecomes the

highest thought& "ut we ca$$ot thi$' it between two thi$gs& "etwee$ a !oi$t of #e!arture a$# a

!oi$t of arrival& $ot eve$ "etwee$ >ei$g 0;etre1 a$# "ei$g 0;etant1% Differe$ce ca$$ot "e

affirme# as such without #evouri$g the two terms that cease to co$tai$ it& though it #oes $ot

itself cease from !assi$g through assig$a"le terms) Differe$ce is the true logos& "ut logos is the

erra$c* that #oes awa* with fixe# !oi$ts i$#iffere$ce is its !athos) Differe$ce emerges from a$#

re(e$ters a fissure that swallows u! all thi$gs a$# "ei$gs) :here #oes #iffere$ce go@ as's

.xelos& with o$e $ear(sighte#& a$# o$e far(sighte# e*e) :hat li$e se!arates the horio$ of the

visi"le from the i$visi"le harmo$*@ :here #oes the rh*thm alter$ate@ +$ the greate$com!assi$g s!ace a$# $ot i$ o$e s!ecific !lace@ .xelos traces a comme$tar* "* .$axagoras&

which 'ee!s as'i$g the ?uestio$ where is the fissure@ :here #oes it lie@ +s there o$ o$e si#e a$

auto$omous !ure Noi's, a$# o$ the other a chaos of !reexisti$g "ei$gs& a$# i$ a thir# !lace& a

chaos tra$sforme# i$to a cosmos "* the Nous= :here #oes the fissure lie@ +$ the chaos@ >etwee$

the chaos a$# the cosmos@ +$ the cosmos@ +$ the Nous a$# its !ositio$@ +$ its actio$@ +$ the

com!ositio$ of the worl#@ +$ the ex!ositio$ of .$axagoras@ +$ our com!rehe$sio$@))):e are

struc' "* the fragme$tatio$ a$# #is!ersio$ that go ha$# i$ ha$# with #iffere$ces we grow

$ostalgic& crushe# "* a$# u$#er the !ressure of i$#iffere$ce we mix ever*thi$g u!& *et we come

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from this mixture)))we are o"sesse# "* our time& *et how ca$ we commu$icate with a$cie$t time

a$# with the !la* of time@1 .xelos occu!ies that !oi$t where #iffere$ce ceaselessl*

commu$icateswhere the #iffere$ce "etwee$ mixture a$# se!aratio$ is also the #iffere$ce i$ the

mixture a$#or i$ the se!aratio$& a$# the #iffere$ce i$ .$axagoras is also our #iffere$ce from

.$axagoras& at o$ce origi$ a$# #esti$atio$) Therefore& it woul# "e im!recise to !rese$t .xelos as

a critic of totalit*& retai$i$g o$l* a worl# of fragme$ts) +t is true that the whole is $ever co$ceive#

as totaliatio$ $either the wa* <lato #oes& as the actio$ of a u$it* !ri$ci!le or#eri$g chaos& $or

the wa* ;egel a$# Aarx #o& as the !rocess of a "ecomi$g that gathers a$# sur!asses its

mome$ts) $ce agai$& here we see .xelos& who with his .rgume$ts"oth the /our$al a$# the

series#i# all he coul# to #issemi$ate u'acs a$# the %ra$'furt chool i$

%ra$ce& mar'i$g off his ow$ #iffere$ce with res!ect to a co$ce!tio$ of the :hole) 15 .ll

totaliatio$& i$clu#i$g first a$# foremost the totaliatio$ of the !rocess of social a$# historical

ex!erie$ce !raxis& is $ihilism to .xelos& a$# lea#s to the noting which remai$s u$thought i$

$ihilism) Totaliatio$ seems to him the moveme$t of "ureaucratic !latitu#e) >ut if it is true that

$ihilism is self( overcome i$ the se$se that the noting is thought& it must "e thought as a :hole

"ut a whole that #oes $ot totalie or u$if*& whose !arts #o $ot !resu!!ose it as a lost u$it* $or

eve$ as a fragme$te# totalit*& a$# which is $ot forme# or !refigure# "* the !arts i$ the course of

a logical #evelo!me$t or orga$ic evolutio$) . whole that $o lo$ger cou$ts o$ existe$ce a$#

attri"utio$& "ut thrives o$ co$/u$ctio$ a$# #is/u$ctio$& i$ mixture or se!aratio$& "ei$g "ut o$e

with the u$foresee$ course of the fissure i$ ever* #irectio$& a river carr*i$g !artial o"/ects a$#

var*i$g their #ista$ces& co$stituti$g i$ >la$chots wor#s a $ew relatio$ with the utsi#e& which

is the o"/ect of thought to#a* +$ this se$se& the 'e*$ote of all .xeloss "oo's is "ei$g i$ the

!rocess of "ecomi$g a fragme$tar* totalit* a$# writi$g i$ a!horisms& he ca$ sa* that the

a!horism a$# the s*stem are the same thi$g& the :hole(%ragme$t alwa*s outsi#e itself& which

throws itself "oth i$ the fissure of .$axagoras a$# i$ the local fires of ;eraclitus)

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.xeloss 4ejeu du monde is a !la$etar* histor* The eleme$tar* forces of wor' a$# strife&la$guage a$# thought& love a$# #eath com!rise the great !owers of m*ths a$# religio$s& !oetr*a$# art& scie$ce a$# !hiloso!h* >ut the tech$olog* at wor' i$ all these !owers "ri$gs a"out a

ge$eralie# !la$$i$g that ushers i$ their crisis& a$# it raises the ?uestio$ of their !la$etar* #esti$*)+t is as if at o$e a$# the same time a si$gle co#e !ersists& the co#e of tech$olog*& a$# *et there is

$o lo$ger a$* co#e ca!a"le of coveri$g the whole of the social fiel#) +$ !la$etar* "ei$g& the earthhas "ecome flat agai$) ;owever& this leveli$g of #ime$sio$s !reviousl* fille# "* such !owers&

this flatte$i$g that re#uces thi$gs a$# "ei$gs to the unidimensiona' i$ a wor#& this $ihilism& hasthe most "iarre effect it revitalies the eleme$tar* forces i$ the raw !la* of all their #ime$sio$s

it 'iberates te untougt noting in a counter-power wic is mu'tidimensiona' p'ay% f the mostu$fortu$ate souls& o$e $o lo$ger sa*s that the* are alie$ate# or torture# "* the !owers& "ut rather

that the* are !la*e# "* forces) =ve$ the !la$etar* !olitics of the E$ites tates& i$ its role asaggressive !olicema$& is s*stematie# a$# fragme$te# i$ game theor*) .$# the efforts of the

revolutio$ ca$ res!o$# to it o$l* "* local strategies& givi$g as goo# as it gets& i$ve$ti$g !ara#es&

i$itiatives& a$# $ew stratagems) %rom the outset& .xeloss wor' has ta'e$ this co$ce!t of !la* toits highest !oi$t) :ith %i$'& .xelos was o$e of the first to go "e*o$# the tra#itio$al co$ce!tio$ ofthe game which was a circumscri"e# a$# s!ecific huma$ activit* #efi$e# i$ o!!ositio$ to other !owers a$# other forces ,realit*& utilit*& wor'& the sacre#)))-) +$ this co$$ectio$& Cac?ues =hrma$$

has rece$tl* a$al*e# all the !ostulates of this tra#itio$al co$ce!tio$ that tries to #efi$e the gamei$ isolatio$ from realit*& culture& a$# serious$ess)17 To this com!artme$taliatio$ is o!!ose#%i$'s attem!t he shows how the Game s!rea#s through the u$iverse& i$terferes with it& a$# to the

exte$t that o$e moves awa* from the meta!h*sical i$ter!retatio$ that #evalues a$# isolates gamesa$# towar# the m*thical i$ter!retatio$ of the game as a relatio$ with the worl#& o$e fi$all*

reaches the Game as "ei$g& totall* of the worl# a$# without a !la*er) 18 .xelos u$#ou"te#l*acce!ts this #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ games !la*e#& !la* i$ the worl#& a$# the games of the worl#) >ut

.xelos gives it the tur$ that he #oes to all ;ei#eggeria$ co$ce!ts& where the worl# gives wa* tothe !la$etar*& the ratio$al to strateg*& "ei$g a$# truth to erra$c*) .xelos is to ;ei#egger what a

'i$# of e$ is to the >u##ha) .xe( los #oes $ot start from the game of huma$it*

,!he$ome$ologicall*- to see huma$it* a"le to s*m"olie the game of the worl# ,o$tologicall*-);e starts from a #ialogue& from a game calle# !la$etar* that alrea#* co$$ects !la* of huma$it*a$# !la* of the worl#) .xelos gives full force to this !hrase ;t p'ays, witout p'ayers% :ith

.xelos& the overcomi$g of meta!h*sics re#iscovers the se$se that Carr* ha# give$ it i$accor#a$ce with the et*molog*& !ata!h*sics& the !la$etar* gesture of Dr) %austroll& from where

the salvatio$ of !hiloso!h* ca$ $ow come)1

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,me;

The Signi4i'an'e o4 E&7iri'is&

The histor* of !hiloso!h* has !rett* much a"sor"e# a$# #igeste# em!iricism& which has "ee$

tra#itio$all* #efi$e# as the reverse of ratio$alism *es or $o& is there withi$ i#eas somethi$g $ot

i$ the se$ses or se$se(#ata@ The histor* of !hiloso!h* has ma#e em!iricism a criti?ue of the a

priori a$# i$$ate i#eas) >ut em!iricism has alwa*s hel# other secrets) .$# it is these which

;ume "ri$gs to light a$# #evelo!s to the utmost i$ his extremel* su"tle a$# #ifficult wor') Thus

;ume has a !eculiar !lace i$ the histor* of !hiloso!h*) ;is em!iricism is& so to s!ea'& a 'i$# of

u$iverse of scie$ce fictio$ as i$ scie$ce fictio$& the worl# seems fictio$al& stra$ge& foreig$&

ex!erie$ce# "* other creatures "ut we get the feeli$g that this worl# is our ow$& a$# we are thecreatures) .t the same time& scie$ce or theor* u$#ergoes a co$versio$ theor* "ecomes in@uiry

,this co$ce!tio$ origi$ates with >aco$ recalli$g this co$ce!tio$& Fa$t will tra$sform a$#

ratio$alie it whe$ he co$ceives of theor* as a tri"u$al-) cie$ce or theor* is a$ i$?uir*& i$ other

wor#s& a !ractice a !ractice of the a!!are$tl* fictitious worl# #escri"e# "* em!iricism& a stu#*

of the co$#itio$s of legitimac* of the !ractices i$ this our em!irical worl#) This is the great

co$versio$ of theor* i$to !ractice) ;istor* of !hiloso!h* ma$uals will misu$#ersta$# what the*

call associatio$ism whe$ the* see i$ it a theor*& i$ the or#i$ar* se$se of the wor#& a$#

somethi$g li'e ratio$alism stoo# o$ its hea#) ;ume as's some "iarre ?uestio$s which seem

somehow familiar to us to ta'e !ossessio$ of a$ a"a$#o$e# cit* is it e$ough to throw o$es s!ear

agai$st the gate& or #o *ou have to touch it with *our ha$#@ Cust how far ca$ we !ossess the seas@

:h* i$ a s*stem of /ustice is the soil more im!orta$t tha$ the surface@ >ut the$ wh* is the !ai$t

more im!orta$t tha$ the ca$vas@ $l* here #oes the !ro"lem of associatio$ ta'e o$ its full

im!licatio$s)

189



:hat is calle# the theor* of associatio$ locates its #esti$atio$ a$# its truth i$ a casuistr* of

relatio$s& i$ a !ractice of law& !olitics& a$# eco$om*& which com!letel* cha$ges the $ature of

!hiloso!hical reflectio$)

The Na)ure o4 Rela)ion

;umes origi$alit*& o$e as!ect of his origi$alit*& #erives from the force with which he affirms

re'ations are e!terior to teir terms% uch a thesis ca$ "e u$#erstoo# o$l* i$ o!!ositio$ to the

tireless effort "* ratio$alist !hiloso!hers to resolve the !ara#ox of relatio$s either a mea$s is

fou$# to ma'e the relatio$ i$ter$al to the terms& or a more !rofou$# a$# i$clusive term is

#iscovere# to which the relatio$ is alrea#* i$ter$al) <eter is smaller tha$ <aul how #oes o$e

ma'e this relatio$ i$ter$al to <eter or <aul@ r to their co$ce!t@ r to the whole the* com!ose@

r to the +#ea i$ which the* !artici!ate@ ;ow #oes o$e overcome the irre#uci"le exteriorit* of

their relatio$@ ertai$l* em!iricism ha# alwa*s militate# for the exteriorit* of relatio$s& "ut i$ a

certai$ wa*& its !ositio$ o$ this to!ic was occlu#e# "* the !ro"lem of the origi$ of '$owle#ge or

i#eas ever*thi$g ha# to have its origi$ i$ se$se(#ata& a$# i$ the o!eratio$s of the mi$# o$ these

se$se(#ata) ;ume effects a$ i$versio$ that will ta'e em!iricism to a higher !ower if i#eas

co$tai$ $othi$g else& a$# $othi$g more& tha$ what there is i$ se$se im!ressio$s& this is !recisel* "ecause the relatio$s are heteroge$eous a$# exterior to their terms& im!ressio$s& or i#eas) The

#iffere$ce& therefore& is $ot "etwee$ i#eas and im!ressio$s& "ut "etwee$ two 'i$#s of

im!ressio$s or i#eas the im!ressio$s or i#eas of terms and the im!ressio$s or i#eas of relatio$s)

ow the em!iricist worl# ca$ for the first time trul* u$fol# i$ all its exte$sio$ a worl# of

exteriorit*& a worl# where thought itself is i$ a fu$#ame$tal relatio$ to the utsi#e& a worl#

where terms exist li'e verita"le atoms& a$# relatio$s li'e verita"le exter$al "ri#gesa worl#

where the co$/u$ctio$ a$# #ethro$es the i$teriorit* of the ver" is& a ;arle?ui$ worl# of

colore# !atter$s a$# $o$(totalia"le fragme$ts& where o$e commu$icates via exter$al relatio$s)

;umes thought is fou$#e# o$ a #ual register atomism, which ex!lai$s how i#eas or se$se

im!ressio$s refer to #iscrete mi$ima that !ro#uce s!ace a$# time associationism, which

ex!lai$s how relatio$s are esta"lishe# "etwee$ these terms& relatio$s which are alwa*s exter$al

to them a$# #e!e$# o$ other !ri$ci!les) $ the o$e ha$#& a !h*sics of the mi$# o$ the other& a

logic of relatio$s) ;ume #eserves the cre#it for "rea'i$g the "o$#s im!ose# "* the form of the

/u#gme$t of attri"utio$& for ma'i$g !ossi"le a$ auto$omous logic of relatio$s& a$# #iscoveri$g a

co$/u$ctive worl# of atoms a$# relatio$s& whose ulterior #evelo!me$t ca$ "e see$ i$ Bussell a$#

mo#er$ logicrelatio$s are& after all& co$/u$ctio$s themselves)

190



Hu&an Na)ure

:hat is a relatio$@ +t is what allows a !assage from a give$ im!ressio$ or i#ea to the i#ea of

somethi$g $ot !rese$tl* give$) %or exam!le& + thi$' of somethi$g similar))) :he$ + see <eters

!ortrait& + thi$' of <eter who is a"se$t) +$ vai$ woul# we search i$ the give$ term for the

ratio$ale of the !assage) Belatio$ is itself the effect of so(calle# !ri$ci!les of associatio$

co$tiguit*& resem"la$ce& a$# causalit*& which i$#ee# co$stitute uman nature% ;uma$ $ature

mea$s that which is u$iversal or co$sta$t i$ the huma$ mi$#) +t is $ever this or that i#ea as a

term& "ut merel* wa*s of !rocee#i$g from o$e !articular i#ea to a$other) +$ this se$se& ;ume

will e$gage i$ the co$certe# #estructio$ of three great limit( i#eas i$ meta!h*sics the elf& the

:orl#& a$# Go#) .t first "lush& however& ;umes thesis loo's #isa!!oi$ti$g what is the

a#va$tage of ex!lai$i$g relatio$s "* !ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature& !ri$ci!les of associatio$ that

a!!ear to "e /ust a$other $ame to #esig$ate such relatio$s@ >ut we are #isa!!oi$te# o$l* to the

exte$t that we misu$#ersta$# the !ro"lem) The !ro"lem is $ot o$e of causes& "ut the fu$ctio$i$g

of relatio$s as the effects of these causes& a$# the !ractical co$#itio$s of this fu$ctio$i$g)

ets loo' at a s!ecial relatio$ i$ this regar# the relatio$ of cause) This relatio$ is s!ecial

"ecause it $ot o$l* allows the !assage from a give$ term to the i#ea of somethi$g that is $ot

!rese$tl* give$ "ut causalit* also allows the !assage from somethi$g give$ to what has $ever

"ee$ give$& eve$ somethi$g u$a"le to "e give$ i$ ex!erie$ce) %or exam!le& give$ sig$s i$ a

"oo'& + "elieve that aesar live#) :atchi$g the su$ come u!& + sa* that it will come u! agai$

tomorrow havi$g o"serve# that water "oils at 100U & + sa* that it will $ecessaril* #o so at 100U

) >ut ex!ressio$s such as alwa*s& tomorrow& or $ecessaril* ex!ress somethi$g u$a"le to

"e give$ i$ ex!erie$ce tomorrow is $ot give$ without "ecomi$g to#a*& without ceasi$g to "e

tomorrow& a$# ever* ex!erie$ce is of a co$ti$ge$t !articular) +$ other wor#s& causalit* is a

relatio$ accor#i$g to which + go "e*o$# what is give$& + sa* more tha$ what is give$ or a"le to

"e give$i$ short& infer and ; be'ieve, + await& + ex!ect))) :hat is esse$tial here is this i$itial

#is!laceme$t which ;ume effects& !ositi$g "elief as the "asis a$# !ri$ci!le of '$owle#ge) This

fu$ctio$i$g of causal relatio$ is ex!lai$e# i$ the followi$g wa* similar o"serva"le cases ,ever*

time + have see$ . followe# or accom!a$ie# "* >- are fuse# i$ the imagi$atio$& whereas the*

remai$ se!arate a$# #isti$ct from o$e a$other i$ the u$#ersta$#i$g) This !ro!ert* of fusio$ i$ the

imagi$atio$ co$stitutes ha"it ,+ ex!ect-& while the #isti$ctio$ i$ the u$#ersta$#i$g calculates

191



"elief i$ !ro!ortio$ to those cases that have "ee$ o"serve# ,!ro"a"ilit* as a calculatio$ of the

#egrees of "elief-) The !ri$ci!le of ha"it& as fusio$ of similar cases i$ the imagi$atio$& a$# the

!ri$ci!le of ex!erie$ce& as o"servatio$ of #isti$ct cases i$ the u$#ersta$#i$g& thus com"i$e to

!ro#uce "oth relatio$ a$# the i$fere$ce followi$g o$ relatio$ ,"elief-& accor#i$g to which

causalit* fu$ctio$s)

Fi')ion

%ictio$ a$# $ature have a !articular #istri"utio$ i$ the em!iricist worl#) eft to itself& the mi$#

#oes $ot lac' the !ower to !ass from o$e i#ea to a$other& "ut i$#ee# #oes so ha!haar#l*& i$ a

#elirium that goes through the u$iverse #reami$g u! fire("reathi$g #rago$s& wi$ge# horses&

gia$ts& a$# other mo$strosities) $ the other ha$#& the !ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature im!ose o$ this

#elirium u$cha$gi$g rules as laws of !assage& tra$sitio$& a$# i$fere$ce& i$ accor#a$ce with

ature itself) %rom this !oi$t o$& however& a stra$ge "attle e$sues) >ecause if it is true that the

!ri$ci!les of associatio$ #etermi$e the mi$# "* im!osi$g o$ it a $ature to #isci!li$e its #elirium

or fictio$s of the imagi$atio$& co$versel* the imagi$atio$ uses these same !ri$ci!les to !ass off

its fictio$s a$# fa$tasies as real& le$#i$g them a suret* the* woul# $ot otherwise have) +$ this

se$se& what is !ro!er to fictio$ is feig$i$g the relatio$s themselves& i$#uci$g .ctive relatio$s&

a$# ma'i$g us "elieve i$ tales of ma#$ess) :e see this $ot o$l* i$ the imagi$atio$s gift for

#ou"li$g !rese$r relatio$s with other relatio$s that #o $ot exist i$ a !articular case& "ut

es!eciall* where causalit* is co$cer$e# the imagi$atio$ forges .ctive causal chai$s& illegitimate

rules& simulacra of "elief) =ither it co$fuses the acci#e$tal with the esse$tial& or it uses the

!ro!erties of la$guage ,i)e) sur!assi$g ex!erie$ce- to su"stitute for the re!etitio$ of similar cases

that have "ee$ actuall* o"serve#& a sim!le ver"al re!etitio$ that mimics the effect) The liar

comes i$ this wa* to "elieve his lies "* re!eati$g them) .$# e#ucatio$& su!erstitio$& elo?ue$ce&

a$# !oetr* all wor' i$ the same wa*) +t is $o lo$ger o$ the !ath of scie$ce that we go "e*o$#

ex!erie$ce& co$firme# "* ature itself a$# a corres!o$#i$g calculatio$ we go "e*o$# it alwa*s

a$# ever*where i$ our #elirium& which #reams u! a cou$ter($ature a$# e$sures the fusio$ of

a$*thi$g whatsoever) The imagi$atio$ uses the !ri$ci!les of associatio$ to re#irect these

!ri$ci!les themselves& givi$g them a$ illegitimate exte$sio$) ;ume is here effecti$g a seco$#ma/or #is!laceme$t i$ !hiloso!h* for the tra#itio$al co$ce!t of error he su"stitutes the co$ce!t

of illusio$ or #elirium& accor#i$g to which there are $ot false "ut illegitimate "eliefs& illegitimate

o!eratio$s of the faculties& a$# illegitimate fu$ctio$i$gs of relatio$s) +$ this res!ect& Fa$t o$ce

agai$ owes somethi$g esse$tial to ;ume) :ere $ot threate$e# "* error) +ts much worse were

swimmi$g i$ #elirium)

192



till& its $ot so "a# that the fictio$s of the imagi$atio$ tur$ the !ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature

agai$st themselves& as lo$g as its u$#er co$#itio$s that ca$ alwa*s "e correcte# so i$ the case of

causalit*& a$ u$forgivi$g calculatio$ of !ro"a"ilities ca$ ex!ose feig$e# relatio$s or #elirious

fa$tasies that go "e*o$# ex!erie$ce) >ut the illusio$ is !articularl* more serious whe$ it "elo$gs

to huma$ $ature& that is& whe$ the illegitimate o!eratio$ or "elief is i$corrigi"le& i$se!ara"le

from legitimate "eliefs& a$# i$#is!e$sa"le to their orga$iatio$) ow the fa$ciful use of the

!ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature "ecome themselves a !ri$ci!le) Delirium a$# fictio$ come over to the

si#e of huma$ $ature) This is what ;ume will #emo$strate i$ his most su"tle& most #ifficult

a$al*ses of i#eas of the elf& the :orl#& a$# Go# how !ositi$g a #isti$ct a$# co$ti$uous

existe$ce of "o#ies& a$# how !ositi$g a$ i#e$tit* of the self i$tro#uce all 'i$#s of .ctive

fu$ctio$i$gs of relatio$s& es!eciall* a .ctive causalit*& u$#er co$#itio$s where $o fictio$ ma* "e

correcte#& #rivi$g us rather from o$e fictio$ to a$other& all of which "elo$g to huma$ $ature);ume& i$ the !osthumous #ia'ogues concerning Natura' Re'igion, which ma* "e his

master!iece& a!!lies the same critical metho# $ot o$l* to reveale# religio$& "ut to so(calle#

$atural religio$ a$# the teleological argume$ts o$ which it is "ase#) ever has ;umes se$se of

humor reache# such heights the more illegitimate these "eliefs are from the !oi$t of view of the

!ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature& the more com!letel* the* "elo$g to our $ature) ertai$l* $ow were

i$ a !ositio$ to u$#ersta$# the com!lex $otio$ of mo#er$ s'e!ticism as ;ume !ractices it)

o$trar* to a$cie$t s'e!ticism& fou$#e# o$ the variet* of se$sor* a!!eara$ces a$# the errors of

the se$ses& mo#er$ s'e!ticism is fou$#e# o$ the status of relatio$s a$# their exteriorit*) The first

act of mo#er$ s'e!ticism is #iscoveri$g "elief at the "asis of '$owle#ge& that is& $aturalii$g

"elief ,!ositivism-) %rom the$ o$& the seco$# act is ex!osi$g illegitimate "eliefs as those which

#o $ot o"e* rules effectivel* !ro#uctive of '$owle#ge ,!ro"a"ilism& the calculatio$ of

!ro"a"ilities-) The thir# act gives it a fi$al touch the illegitimate "eliefs i$ the :orl#& the elf&

a$# Go# a!!ear as the horio$ of ever* !ossi"le legitimate "elief& or as the lowest #egree of

"elief) >ecause if ever*thi$g is "elief& ever*thi$g is a ?uestio$ of the #egrees of "elief& eve$ the

#elirium of $o$(u$#ersta$#i$g) The virtue of ;umes mo#er$ s'e!ticism is humoras agai$st

iro$*& the a$cie$t #ogmatic virtue of ocrates a$# <lato)

The I&agina)ion

ow if the i$?uir* i$to the u$#ersta$#i$g has s'e!ticism as its !ri$ci!le a$# result& a$# if it lea#s

to a$ i$extrica"le mixture of fictio$ a$# huma$ $ature& this is !erha!s "ecause it is o$l* !art of

the i$?uir*& $ot eve$ its !ri$ci!al !art) The !ri$ci!les of associatio$ i$#ee# ma'e se$se o$l* i$

relatio$ to the !assio$s) ot o$l* #o affective circumsta$ces #irect the associatio$ of i#eas& "ut

the relatio$s themselves are assig$e# a se$se& a #irectio$& a$ irreversi"ilit*& a$# a$ exclusivit*

accor#i$g to the !assio$s) +$ a wor#& what co$stitutes huma$ $ature& a$# what gives the mi$# its

193



$ature or co$siste$c* are $ot o$l* the !ri$ci!les of associatio$ whe$ce #erive relatio$s& "ut also

the !ri$ci!les of !assio$ whe$ce #erive our i$cli$atio$s) :e have to 'ee! two thi$gs i$ mi$#

here o$ the o$e ha$#& the !assio$s #o $ot #etermi$e the mi$#& #o $ot im!art a $ature to the

mi$# i$ the same wa* the !ri$ci!les of associatio$ #o a$# o$ the other ha$#& the esse$ce of the

mi$# as #elirium or fictio$ #oes $ot react to the !assio$s i$ the same wa* it reacts to relatio$s)

:e saw how the !ri$ci!les of associatio$& es!eciall* causalit*& com!el the mi$# to go

"e*o$# what is give$& i$s!iri$g it with "eliefs or fa$ciful $otio$s $ot all of which are legitimate)

The effect of the !assio$s& however& is to restrict the ra$ge of the mi$# a$# attach it to !rivilege#

i#eas a$# o"/ects) +$ fact& the esse$ce of !assio$ is $ot egoismits worse partia'ity% :e have

stro$g feeli$gs a"out our !are$ts& si"li$gs& a$# frie$#s ,restricte# causalit*& co$tiguit*& a$#

resem"la$ce-) .$# this is much worse tha$ if we were gover$e# "* egoism) To ma'e societ*

!ossi"le& egoism woul# o$l* have to "e limite#) +$ this se$se& the cele"rate# theories of the

co$tract& from the sixtee$th( to the eightee$th(ce$tur*& have !ose# the social !ro"lem i#eall* as

the limitatio$ of $atural rights& or eve$ a re$u$ciatio$ of them& whe$ce arises the co$tractual

societ*) >ut whe$ ;ume sa*s that huma$s are $ot $aturall* egoist& "ut $aturall* !artial& we

must$t see this as a sim!le $ua$ce of wor#i$g) +t is a ra#ical cha$ge i$ the !ractical !ositi$g of

the social !ro"lem) The !ro"lem is $o lo$ger how #o we limit egoism a$# its corres!o$#i$g

$atural rights@ The !ro"lem is $ow how #o we go "e*o$# !artialit*@ ;ow #o we go from

limite# s*m!ath* to a$ exte$#e# ge$erosit*@ ;ow #o we exte$# the !assio$s& give them a$

exte$sio$ that the* #o $ot have of themselves@ ociet* is $o lo$ger co$ceive# as a s*stem of

legal a$# co$tractual limitatio$s& "ut as a$ i$stitutio$al i$ve$tio$ ;ow #o we invent artifices,

create i$stitutio$s that force the !assio$s to go "e*o$# their !artialit*& !ro#uci$g moral&

/uri#ical& a$# !olitical feeli$gs ,for exam!le& the feeli$g of /ustice-@ :he$ce *ou have the

o!!ositio$ that ;ume esta"lishes "etwee$ the co$tract a$# the co$ve$tio$ or artifice) ;ume is

certai$l* the first to "rea' with the restrictive mo#el of co$tract a$# law that still #omi$ates the

sociolog* of the eightee$th(ce$tur*) ;e !ro!oses i$stea# the !ositive mo#el of artifice a$# i$sti(

tutio$) o$se?ue$tl*& the whole !ro"lem of huma$it* has "ee$ #is!lace# it is $o lo$ger a

?uestio$& as it is i$ u$#ersta$#i$g& of the com!lex relatio$shi! "etwee$ fictio$ a$# huma$$ature& "ut "etwee$ huma$ $ature a$# artifice ,huma$'i$# as a$ i$ve$tive s!ecies-)

194



The Passions

+$ the u$#ersta$#i$g& the !ri$ci!les of huma$ $ature themselves esta"lishe# the rules for

exte$#i$g or goi$g "e*o$# the give$& which the imagi$atio$ use# to !ass off simulacra of "elief

as legitimate co$se?ue$tl*& a calculatio$ was co$sta$tl* $ecessar* as a correctio$& to

#isti$guish the legitimate from the illegitimate) :ith the !assio$s& however& the !ro"lem is

#iffere$t how ca$ we i$ve$t the artificial exte$sio$ that goes "e*o$# the !artialit* of huma$

$ature@ ;ere fictio$ or fa$tas* ta'es o$ a $ew se$se) .s ;ume sa*s& the mi$# or the imagi$atio$

#oes $ot fu$ctio$& i$ relatio$ to the !assio$s& li'e a wi$# i$strume$t& "ut li'e a !ercussio$

i$strume$t where after each stro'e the vi"ratio$s still retai$ some sou$#& which gra#uall* a$#

i$se$si"l* #eca*s)2 +$ short& what is !ro!er to the imagi$atio$ is reflecti$g the !assio$s& ma'i$g

them reso$ate& a$# causi$g them to go "e*o$# the limits of their $atural !artialit* a$#

!rese$t$ess) ;ume shows how esthetic a$# moral feeli$gs come a"out the !assio$s reflecte# i$

the imagi$atio$ "ecome those of the imagi$atio$) >* reflecti$g the !assio$s& the imagi$atio$

li"erates them& stretches them ver* thi$& a$# !ro/ects them "e*o$# their $atural limits) +$ o$e

res!ect& however& the !ercussio$ meta!hor must "e revise# as the* reso$ate i$ the imagi$atio$&

the !assio$s are $ot co$te$t to "ecome gra#uall* less !rese$t a$# less i$te$se the* com!letel*

cha$ge their color a$# their to$e& much the same wa* the sa#$ess of a re!rese$te# !assio$ i$trage#* cha$ges i$to the !leasure of a$ almost i$fi$ite !la* of the imagi$atio$) The !assio$s

ac?uire a $ew $ature a$# are atte$#e# "* a $ew 'i$# of "elief) Thus the will seems to move

easil* ever* wa*& a$# casts a sha#ow or image of itself eve$ to that si#e o$ which it #i# $ot

settle)

:hat co$stitutes the worl# of artifice or culture is !recisel* this reso$a$ce& this reflectio$ of

the !assio$s i$ the imagi$atio$& a$# it is what ma'e culture at o$ce the most frivolous a$# most

serious of worl#s) >ut there are two #efects to "e avoi#e# i$ these cultural formatio$s o$ the

o$e ha$#& exte$#e# !assio$s that are less i$te$se tha$ actual !assio$s& eve$ if the* are of a$other

$ature a$# o$ the other& !assio$s that are i$#etermi$ate& !ro/ecti$g their fai$ter images i$ ever*

#irectio$ i$#e!e$#e$tl* of a$* rule) The first #efect fi$#s its solutio$ i$ the gov er$i$g "o#ies of

social !ower& i$ the a!!aratuses of !ermissio$& rewar# a$# !u$ishme$t& which le$# to am!lifie#

feeli$gs or reflecte# !assio$s a su!!leme$tar* #egree of i$te$sit* or "elief !rimaril* the

gover$eme$t& "ut also more su"terra$ea$ a$# im!licit authorities such as custom a$# taste

195



o$ce agai$& we see ;ume is o$e of the first to have !ose# the !ro"lem of !ower a$# gover$me$t

i$ terms of cre#i"ilit*& $ot re!rese$tivit*)

.s for the seco$# #efect& it also i$volves the wa* i$ which ;umes !hiloso!h* forms a

ge$eral s*stem) >ecause if the !assio$s are reflecte# i$ the imagi$atio$& it is $ot i$ some "are

imagi$atio$& "ut a$ imagi$atio$ as it is alrea#* #etermi$e# or $aturalie# "* the !ri$ci!les of

associatio$) Besem"la$ce& co$tiguit*& a$# causalit*i$ a wor#& a$* a$# all relatio$s that are the

o"/ect of u$#ersta$#i$g or calculatio$fur$ish ge$eral rules to #etermi$e reflecte# feeli$gs&

"e*o$# the imme#iate a$# restricte# use that the $o$(reflecte# !assio$s ma'e of them) o the

esthetic feeli$gs #iscover ge$ui$e rules of taste i$ the !ri$ci!les of associatio$) Aost

im!orta$tl*& ;ume ex!lai$s i$ #etail how the !assio$s of !ossessio$& "ei$g reflecte# i$ the

imagi$atio$& fi$# i$ the !ri$ci!les of associatio$ the mea$s to #etermi$e ge$eral rules that

co$stitute the factors at wor' i$ !ro!ert* or the worl# of law) There is a whole stu#* of the

variatio$s of relatio$s& a whole calculus of relatio$s& that allows a res!o$se i$ each case to the

?uestio$ #oes there exist "etwee$ this !erso$ a$# that o"/ect such a relatio$ as to ma'e us

"elieve ,to ma'e the imagi$atio$ "elieve- that o$e "elo$gs to the other@ . !erso$ who has

hu$te# a hare to the last #egree of weari$ess woul# loo' u!o$ it as a$ i$/ustice for a$other to

rush i$ "efore him a$# seie his !re*) >ut the same !erso$& a#va$ci$g to !luc' a$ a!!le that

ha$gs withi$ his reach& has $o reaso$ to com!lai$ if a$other& more alert& !asses him a$# ta'es

!ossessio$) :hat is the reaso$ of this #iffere$ce& "ut that immo"ilit*& $ot "ei$g $atural to the

hare& "ut the effect of i$#ustr*& forms i$ that case a stro$g relatio$ with the hu$ter& which is

wa$ti$g i$ the other@4 Does a s!ear throw$ agai$st the gate suffice to e$sure ow$ershi! of a$

a"a$#o$e# cit*& or #o *ou have to touch it with *our ha$# to esta"lish a sufficie$t relatio$@ :h*

i$ civil law #oes the soil have !riorit* over the surface& "ut the !ai$t over the ca$vas& whereas

the !a!er has it over writi$g@ The !ri$ci!les of associatio$ fi$# their true se$se i$ a casuistr* of

relatio$s that #etermi$e the last #etail of the worl# of culture a$# law) .$# this is i$#ee# the

ge$ui$e o"/ect of ;umes !hiloso!h* relatio$s as the mea$s of a$ activit*& a !ractice at o$ce

/uri#ical& eco$omic& a$# !olitical)

A Philoso7h1 9o)h Po7ular an* S'ien)i4i'

196



;ume is a rather !recocious !hiloso!her he was a"out twe$t*(five *ears ol# whe$ he wrote hismaster!iece A Treatise of +uman Nature ,!u"lishe# i$ 1739 1740-) . $ew to$e i$ !hiloso!h*&a$ extraor#i$ar* sim!licit* a$# co$crete$ess& emerges from a great com!lexit* of argume$ts&

which simulta$eousl* "ri$g i$ the use of fictio$s& the scie$ce of huma$ $ature& a$# the !ractice ofartifices) . 'i$# of !hiloso!h* that is !o!ular a$# scie$tific a !o!(!hiloso!h* +ts i#eal@ .

#ecisive clarit*& which is $ot the clarit* of i#eas& "ut that which comes from relatio$s a$#o!eratio$s) +t is clarit* that he will attem!t to wor' more a$# more i$to his later "oo's& eve$

though it mea$s givi$g u! some of the com!lexit*& a$# re$ou$ci$g what was thought too #ifficulti$ his Treatise8 Essays, Mora' and )o'itica' ,1742-& An En@uiry concerning +uman

nderstanding ,1748-& An En@uiry concerning te )rincip'es of Mora's ,1751- a$# )o'itica' #iscourses ,1752-) The$ he will tr* his ha$# at Te +istory of *reat 3ritain ,1754(1762-) The

a#mira"le #ia'ogues concerning Natura' Re'igion, a!!eari$g after ;umes #eath i$ 1779& fi$#him agai$ more com!lex a$# more clear) This is !erha!s the o$l* exam!le of a ge$ui$e #ialogue

i$ !hiloso!h* "ecause there are $ot o$l* two& "ut three characters) .$# the* #o$t have u$ivocal

roles the* form !rovisio$al allia$ces& "rea' them off& see' reco$ciliatio$& etc) Demea is thea#vocate of reveale# religio$ lea$thes& of $atural religio$ a$# <hilo$ is the s'e!tic) The se$seof humor of ;ume(<hilo$ is $ot o$l* a wa* of getti$g ever*o$e to agree& i$ the $ame of as'e!ticism that assig$s #egrees of "elief& "ut it is alrea#* a ru!ture& "rea'i$g with the #omi$a$t

curre$ts of the eightee$th(ce$tur*& to !refigure a future !hiloso!h*1

,o* o %e Beogni=e Strtra"ismG

ot lo$g ago we use# to as' :hat is existe$tialism@ ow we as' :hat is structuralism@ These

?uestio$s are of 'ee$ i$terest& !rovi#e# the* are timel* a$# have some "eari$g o$ wor' actuall*

i$ !rogress) Tis is 5P>% Thus we ca$$ot i$vo'e the u$fi$ishe# character of such wor' to avoi#

a re!l*& for it is that character alo$e which gives the ?uestio$ its sig$ifica$ce) o& the ?uestio$

/at is structura'ism= must u$#ergo certai$ tra$sformatio$s) +$ the first !lace& wo is a

structuralist@ +$ the curre$t climate& rightl* or wro$gl*& it is customar* to $ame $ames

0designer1, to !rovi#e sam!les Iecha$tillo$$erJ a li$guist li'e Boma$ Ca'o"so$ a sociologist

li'e lau#e evi(trauss a !s*choa$al*st li'e Cac?ues aca$ a !hiloso!her li'e Aichel

%oucault& re$ewi$g e!istemolo( g* a Aarxist !hiloso!her li'e ouis .lthusser& o$ce agai$

ta'i$g u! the !ro"lem of the i$ter!retatio$ of Aarxism a literar* critic li'e Bola$# >arthes

writers li'e those from Te' Gue'%%% f these& some #o $ot re/ect the wor# structuralism& a$# use

structure& structural) thers !refer the aussurea$ term s*stem) These are all ver* #iffere$t

'i$#s of thi$'ers& a$# from #iffere$t ge$eratio$s& a$# some have exercise# a real i$flue$ce o$

their co$tem!oraries) >ut more im!ort is the extreme #iversit* of the #omai$s the* ex!lore) =ach

of them #iscovers !ro"lems& metho#s& solutio$s that are a$alogicall* relate#& as if shari$g i$ a

free atmos!here or s!irit of the time& "ut o$e that #istri"utes itself i$to si$gular creatio$s a$#

#iscoveries i$ each of these #omai$s) ;sm wor#s& i$ this se$se& are !erfectl* /ustifie#)

197



There is goo# reaso$ to ascri"e the origi$ of structuralism to li$guistics $ot o$l* aussure&

"ut the Aoscow a$# <rague schools) .$# if structuralism the$ migrates to other #omai$s& this

occurs without it "ei$g a ?uestio$ of a$alog*& $or merel* i$ or#er to esta"lish metho#s

e?uivale$t to those that first succee#e# for the a$al*sis of la$guage) +$ fact& la$guage is the

o$l* thi$g that ca$ !ro!erl* "e sai# to have structure& "e it a$ esoteric or eve$ $o$(ver"al la$(

guage) There is a structure of the u$co$scious o$l* to the exte$t that the u$co$scious s!ea's a$#

is la$guage) There is a structure of "o#ies o$l* to the exte$t that "o#ies are su!!ose# to s!ea'

with a la$guage which is o$e of the s*m!toms) =ve$ thi$gs !ossess a structure o$l* i$ so far as

the* mai$tai$ a sile$t #iscourse& which is the la$guage of sig$s) o the ?uestio$ /at is struc-

tura'ism= is further tra$sforme#it is "etter to as' :hat #o we recog$ie i$ those that we call

structuralists@ .$# what #o the* themselves recog$ie@ si$ce o$e #oes $ot recog$ie !eo!le&

i$ a visi"le ma$$er& exce!t "* the i$visi"le a$# im!erce!ti"le thi$gs the* themselves recog$iei$ their ow$ wa*) ;ow #o the structuralists go a"out recog$ii$g a la$guage i$ somethi$g& the

la$guage !ro!er to a #omai$@ :hat #o the* #iscover i$ this #omai$@ :e thus !ro!ose o$l* to

#iscer$ certai$ formal criteria of recog$itio$& the sim!lest o$es& "* i$vo'i$g i$ each case the

exam!le of cite# authors& whatever the #iversit* of their wor's a$# !ro/ects)

I Firs) Cri)erion: The S1&9oli'

:e are use# to& almost co$#itio$e# to a certai$ #isti$ctio$ or correlatio$ "etwee$ the real a$# the

imagi$ar*) .ll of our thought mai$tai$s a #ialectical !la* "etwee$ these two $otio$s) =ve$ whe$

classical !hiloso!h* s!ea's of !ure i$tellige$ce or u$#ersta$#i$g& it is still a matter of a facult*

#efi$e# "* its a!titu#e to gras! the #e!ths of the real B'e ree' en son fond$, the real i$ truth& the

real as such& i$ o!!ositio$ to& "ut also i$ relatio$ to the !ower of imagi$atio$) et us cite some

creative moveme$ts that are ?uite #iffere$t Boma$ticism& *m"olism& urrealism))) +$ #oi$g so&

we i$vo'e at o$ce the tra$sce$#e$t !oi$t where the real a$# the imagi$ar* i$ter!e$etrate a$#

u$ite& a$# their shar! "or#er& li'e the cutti$g e#ge of their #iffere$ce) +$ a$* case& we get $o

farther tha$ the o!!ositio$ a$# com!leme$tarit* of the imagi$ar* a$# the realat least i$ the

tra#itio$al i$ter!retatio$ of Boma$ticism& *m"olism& etc) =ve$ %reu#ia$ism is i$ter!rete# from

the !ers!ective of two !ri$ci!les the realit* !ri$ci!le with its !ower to #isa!!oi$t& the !leasure

!ri$ci!le with its halluci$ator* !ower of satisfactio$) :ith all the more reaso$& metho#s li'e

those of Cu$g a$# >achelar# are wholl* i$scri"e# withi$ the real a$# the imagi$ar*& withi$ the

frame of their com!lex relatio$s& tra$sce$#e$t u$it* a$# limi$ar* te$sio$& fusio$ a$# cutti$g

e#ge)

198



.s soo$ as we see two i$ o$e& as soo$ as we ma'e #ou"les 0dedoub'ons1, the imagi$ar*

a!!ears i$ !erso$& eve$ if it is i$ the real that its actio$ is carrie# out) %or exam!le& the real father

is o$e& or wa$ts to "e accor#i$g to his law "ut the image of the father is alwa*s #ou"le i$ itself&

cleave# accor#i$g to a law of the #ual or #uel) +t is !ro/ecte# o$to two !erso$s at least& o$e

assumi$g the role of the !la*( father& the father("uffoo$& a$# the other& the role of the wor'i$g

a$# i#eal father li'e the <ri$ce of :ales i$ ha'es!eare& who !asses from o$e father image to

the other& from %alstaff to the row$) The imagi$ar* is #efi$e# "* games of mirrori$g& of

#u!licatio$& of reverse# i#e$tificatio$ a$# !ro/ectio$& alwa*s i$ the mo#e of the #ou"le) 5 >ut

!erha!s& i$ tur$& the s*m"olic is three& a$# $ot merel* the thir# "e*o$# the real a$# the

imagi$ar*) There is alwa*s a thir# to "e sought i$ the s*m"olic itself structure is at least tria#ic&

without which it woul# $ot circulatea thir# at o$ce u$real& a$# *et $ot imagi$a"le)

:e will see wh* later "ut alrea#* the first criterio$ co$sists of this the !ositi$g of a

s*m"olic or#er& irre#uci"le to the or#ers of the real a$# the imagi$ar*& a$# #ee!er tha$ the* are)

:e #o $ot *et '$ow what this s*m"olic eleme$t co$sists of) :e ca$ sa* at least that the

corres!o$#i$g structure has $o relatio$shi! with a se$si"le form& $or with a figure of the

imagi$atio$& $or with a$ i$telligi"le esse$ce) +t has $othi$g to #o with a form8 for structure is $ot

at all #efi$e# "* a$ auto$om* of the whole& "* a !reemi$e$ce 0pregnance1 of the whole over its

!arts& "* a *esta't which woul# o!erate i$ the real a$# i$ !erce!tio$) tructure is #efi$e#& o$ the

co$trar*& "* the $ature of certai$ atomic eleme$ts which claim to accou$t "oth for the formatio$

of wholes a$# for the variatio$ of their !arts) +t has $othi$g to #o wit figures of the imagi$atio$&

although structuralism is ri##le# with reflectio$s o$ rhetoric& meta!hor a$# meto$*m*& for these

figures themselves im!l* structural #is!laceme$ts which must accou$t for "oth the literal a$# the

figurative) or has it has a$*thi$g to #o with a$ essence8 it is more a com"i$ator* formula 0une

combinatoire1 su!!orti$g formal eleme$ts which "* themselves have $either form& $or

sig$ificatio$& $or re!rese$tatio$& $or co$te$t& $or give$ em!irical realit*& $or h*!othetical

fu$ctio$al mo#el& $or i$telligi"ilit* "ehi$# a!!eara$ces) o o$e has "etter #etermi$e# the status

of the structure as i#e$tical to the Theor* itself tha$ ouis .lthussera$# the s*m"olic must

"e u$#erstoo# as the !ro#uctio$ of the origi$al a$# s!ecific theoretical o"/ect)

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ometimes structuralism is aggressive& as whe$ it #e$ou$ces the ge$eral misu$#ersta$#i$g

of this ultimate s*m"olic categor*& "e*o$# the imagi$ar* a$# the real) ometimes it is

i$ter!retative& as whe$ it re$ews our i$ter!retatio$ of wor's i$ relatio$ to this categor*& a$#

claims to #iscover a$ origi$al !oi$t at which la$guage is co$stitute#& i$ which wor's ela"orate

themselves& a$# where i#eas a$# actio$s are "ou$# together) Boma$ticism a$# *m"olism& "ut

also %reu#ia$ism a$# Aarxism& thus "ecome the o"/ects of !rofou$# rei$ter!retatio$s) ot to

me$tio$ the m*thical& !oetic& !hiloso!hical& or !ractical wor's which themselves are su"/ecte# to

structural i$ter!retatio$) >ut this rei$ter!retatio$ o$l* has value to the exte$t that it a$imates $ew

wor's which are those of to#a*& as if the s*m"olic were the source& i$se!ara"l*& of livi$g

i$ter!retatio$ a$# creatio$)

II Se'on* Cri)erion: 0o'al or Posi)ional

:hat #oes the s*m"olic eleme$t of the structure co$sist of@ :e se$se the $ee# to go slowl*& to

state re!eate#l*& first of all& what it is $ot) Disti$ct from the real a$# the imagi$ar*& the s*m"olic

ca$$ot "e #efi$e# either "* !re(existi$g realities to which it woul# refer a$# which it woul#

#esig$ate& or "* the imagi$ar* or co$ce!tual co$te$ts which it woul# im!licate& a$# which woul#

give it a sig$ificatio$) The eleme$ts of a structure have $either extri$sic #esig$atio$& $or i$tri$sicsig$ificatio$) The$ what is left@ .s evi(trauss recalls rigorousl*& the* have $othi$g other tha$

a sense 0sens Q mea$i$g a$# #irectio$J a se$se which is $ecessaril* a$# u$i?uel* !ositio$al)

+t is $ot a matter of a locatio$ i$ a real s!atial ex!a$se& $or of sites i$ imag i$ar* exte$sio$s&

"ut rather of !laces a$# sites i$ a !ro!erl* structural s!ace& that is& a to!ological s!ace) !ace is

what is structural& "ut a$ u$exte$#e#& !re( exte$sive s!ace& !ure spatium co$stitute# "it "* "it as

a$ or#er of !roximit*& i$ which the $otio$ of !roximit* first of all has !recisel* a$ or#i$al se$se

a$# $ot a sig$ificatio$ i$ exte$sio$)5 r ta'e ge$etic "iolog* the ge$es are !art of a structure to

the exte$t that the* are i$se!ara"le from loci& sites ca!a"le of cha$gi$g their relatio$ withi$ the

chromosome) +$ short& !laces i$ a !urel* structural s!ace are !rimar* i$ relatio$ to the thi$gs a$#

real "ei$gs which come to occu!* them& !rimar* also i$ relatio$ to the alwa*s somewhat imagi(

$ar* roles a$# eve$ts which $ecessaril* a!!ear whe$ the* are occu!ie#)

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The scie$tific am"itio$ of structuralism is $ot ?ua$titative& "ut to!ologi( cal a$# relatio$al& a

!ri$ci!al that evi(trauss co$sta$tl* reaffirms) .$# whe$ .lthusser s!ea's of eco$omic

structure& he s!ecifies that the true su"/ects there are $ot those who come to occu!* the !laces&

i)e) co$crete i$#ivi#uals or real huma$ "ei$gs$o more tha$ the true o"/ects are the roles that

the* fulfill a$# the eve$ts that are !ro#uce#) Bather& these su"/ects are a"ove all the !laces i$ a

to!ological a$# structural s!ace #efi$e# "* relatio$s of !ro#uctio$) 6 :he$ %oucault #efi$es

#etermi$atio$s such as #eath& #esire& wor'& or !la*& he #oes $ot co$si#er them as #ime$sio$s of

em!irical huma$ existe$ce& "ut a"ove all as the ?ualificatio$s of !laces a$# !ositio$s which will

re$#er those who come to occu!* them mortal a$# #*i$g& or #esiri$g& or wor'ma$(li'e& or !la*(

ful) These& however& o$l* come to occu!* the !laces a$# !ositio$s seco$#aril*& fulfilli$g their

roles accor#i$g to a$ or#er of !roximit* that is a$ or#er of the structure itself) That is wh*

%oucault ca$ !ro!ose a $ew #istri"utio$ of the em!irical a$# the tra$sce$#e$tal& the latter fi$#i$gitself #efi$e# "* a$ or#er of !laces i$#e!e$#e$tl* of those who occu!* them em!iricall*7

tructuralism ca$$ot "e se!arate# from a $ew tra$sce$#e$tal !hiloso!h*& i$ which the sites

!revail over whatever occu!ies them) %ather& mother& etc)& are first of all sites i$ a structure a$#

if we are mortal& it is "* movi$g i$to the li$e& "* comi$g to a !articular site& mar'e# i$ the

structure followi$g this to!ological or#er of !roximities ,eve$ whe$ we #o so ahea# of our tur$-)

+t is $ot o$l* the su"/ect& sa*s aca$& "ut su"/ects gras!e# i$ their i$ter( su"/ectivit*& who

li$e u!))) a$# who mo#el their ver* "ei$g o$ the mome$t of the sig$if*i$g chai$ which traverses

them))) The #is!laceme$t of the sig$ifier #etermi$es su"/ects i$ their acts& i$ their #esti$*& i$ their

refusals& i$ their "li$#$esses& i$ their co$?uests a$# i$ their fate& their i$$ate gifts a$# social

ac?uisitio$ $otwithsta$#i$g& without regar# for character or sex)))8 $e coul# $ot sa* more

clearl* that em!irical !s*cholog* is $ot o$l* fou$#e#& "ut #etermi$e# "* a tra$sce$#e$tal

to!olog*)

everal co$se?ue$ces follow from this local or !ositio$al criterio$) %irst of all& if the

s*m"olic eleme$ts have $o extri$sic #esig$atio$ $or i$tri$sic sig$ificatio$& "ut o$l* a !ositio$al

se$se& it follows $ecessaril* a$# "* rights that sense a'ways resu'ts from te combination of

e'ements wic are not temse'ves signifying= .s evi(trauss sa*s i$ his #iscussio$ with <aul

Bicoeur& se$se is alwa*s a result& a$ effect $ot merel* a$ effect li'e a !ro#uct& "ut a$ o!tical

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effect& a la$guage effect& a !ositio$al effect) There is& !rofou$#l*& a $o$se$se of se$se& from

which se$se itself results) ot that we retur$ i$ this wa* to what was o$ce calle# a !hiloso!h*

of the a"sur# si$ce& for such a !hiloso!h*& se$se itself is lac'i$g& esse$tiall*) %or structuralism&

o$ the other ha$#& there is alwa*s too much se$se& a$ over!ro#uctio$& a$ over(#etermi$atio$ of

se$se& alwa*s !ro#uce# i$ excess "* the com"i$atio$ of !laces i$ the structure) ,;e$ce the

im!orta$ce& i$ .lthussers wor' for exam!le& of the co$ce!t of over-determination A o$se$se

is $ot at all the a"sur# or the o!!osite of se$se& "ut rather that which gives value to se$se a$#

!ro#uces it "* circulati$g i$ the structure) tructuralism owes $othi$g to .l"ert amus& "ut

much to ewis arroll)

The seco$# co$se?ue$ce is structuralisms i$cli$atio$ for certai$ games a$# a certai$ 'i$#

of theatre& for certai$ !la* a$# theatrical s!aces) +t is $o acci#e$t that evi(trauss ofte$ refers

to the theor* of games& a$# accor#s such im!orta$ce to !la*i$g car#s) .s #oes aca$ to his

game meta!hors which are more tha$ meta!hors $ot o$l* the movi$g o"/ect 0'efuret, literall*

the ferret or& movi$g to'e$ i$ te jeu de furet, the game of hu$t(the(sli!!erJ which #arts arou$#

the structure& "ut also the #umm*(ha$# 0'ap'ace du mort1 that circulates i$ "ri#ge) The $o"lest

games such as chess are those that orga$ie a com"i$ator* s*stem of !laces i$ a !ure spatium

i$fi$itel* #ee!er tha$ the real exte$sio$ of the chess"oar# a$# the imagi$ar* exte$sio$ of each

!iece) r whe$ .lthusser i$terru!ts his comme$tar* o$ Aarx to tal' a"out theatre& "ut a theatre

that is $either of realit* $or of i#eas& a !ure theatre of !laces a$# !osi tio$s& the !ri$ci!le of

which he sees i$ >recht&12 a$# that woul# to#a* !erha!s fi$# its most extreme ex!ressio$ i$

.rma$# Gattis wor') +$ short& the ver* ma$ifesto of structuralism must "e sought i$ the famous

formula& emi$e$tl* !oetic a$# theatrical to thi$' is to cast a throw of the #ice 0penser, cest

emet- tre un coup de des1%5

The thir# co$se?ue$ce is that structuralism is i$se!ara"le from a $ew materialism& a $ew

atheism& a $ew a$ti(huma$ism) %or if the !lace is !rimar* i$ relatio$ to whatever occu!ies it& it

certai$l* will $ot #o to re!lace Go# with ma$ i$ or#er to cha$ge the structure) .$# if this !lace

is the #umm*(ha$# 0'a p'ace du mort, i)e) the #ea# ma$s !laceJ& the #eath of Go# surel* mea$s

the #eath of ma$ as well& i$ favor& we ho!e& of somethi$g *et to come& "ut which coul# o$l*

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come withi$ the structure a$# through its mutatio$) This is how we u$#ersta$# the imagi$ar*

character of ma$ for %oucault or the i#eological character of huma$ism for .lthusser)

III Thir* Cri)erion: The Di44eren)ial an* )he Singular

:hat the$ #o these s*m"olic eleme$ts or u$its of !ositio$ fi$all* co$sist of@ et us retur$ to the

li$guistic mo#el) :hat is #isti$ct "oth from the voice# eleme$ts& a$# the associate# co$ce!ts a$#

images& is calle# a !ho$eme& the smallest li$guistic u$it ca!a"le of #iffere$tiati$g two wor#s of

#iverse mea$i$gs for exam!le& Aillar# I"illiar#J a$# Villar# I!illagerJ) +t is clear that the

!ho$eme is em"o#ie# i$ letters& s*lla"les a$# sou$#s& "ut that it is $ot re#uci"le to them)

Aoreover& letters& s*lla"les a$# sou$#s give it a$ i$#e!e$#e$ce& whereas i$ itself& the !ho$eme is

i$se!ara"le from the !ho$emic relatio$ which u$ites it to other !ho$emes " !) <ho$emes #o

$ot exist i$#e!e$#e$tl* of the relatio$s i$to which the* e$ter a$# through which the*

reci!rocall* #etermi$e each other)14

:e ca$ #isti$guish three t*!es of relatio$) . first t*!e is esta"lishe# "etwee$ eleme$ts

which e$/o* i$#e!e$#e$ce or auto$om* for exam!le& 3 W 2& or eve$ 2 3) The eleme$ts are real&

a$# these relatio$s must themselves "e sai# to "e real) . seco$# t*!e of relatio$shi!& for

exam!le& x2 W *2 ( B2 M 0& is esta"lishe# "etwee$ terms for which the value is $ot s!ecifie#& "ut

which i$ each case& however& must have a #etermi$e# value) uch relatio$s ca$ "e calle#

imagi$ar*) >ut the thir# t*!e is esta"lishe# "etwee$ eleme$ts which have $o #etermi$e# value

themselves& a$# which $evertheless #etermi$e each other reci!rocall* i$ the relatio$ thus *#* W

x#x M 0& or #*( #x M ( x*) uch relatio$shi!s are s*m"olic& a$# the corres!o$#i$g eleme$ts are

hel# i$ a #iffere$tial relatio$shi!) D* is totall* u$#etermi$e# i$ relatio$ to *& a$# #x is totall*u$#etermi$e# i$ relatio$ to x each o$e has $either existe$ce& $or value& $or sig$ificatio$) .$#

*et the relatio$ #*#x is totall* #etermi$e#& the two eleme$ts #etermi$i$g each other reci!rocall*

i$ the relatio$)15 This !rocess of a reci!rocal #etermi$atio$ is at the heart of a relatio$shi! that

allows o$e to #efi$e the s*m"olic $ature) ometimes the origi$s of structuralism are sought i$

the area of axiomatics& a$# it is true that >our"a'i& for exam!le& uses the wor# structure) >ut

this use& it seems to me& is i$ a ver* #iffere$t se$se& that of relatio$s "etwee$ $o$(s!ecifie#

eleme$ts& $ot eve$ ?ualitativel* s!ecifie#& whereas i$ structuralism& eleme$ts s!ecif* each other

reci!rocall* i$ relatio$s) +$ this se$se& axiomatics woul# still "e imagi$ar*& $ot s*m"olic

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!ro!erl* s!ea'i$g) The mathematical origi$ of structuralism must "e sought rather i$ the #omai$

of #iffere$tial calculus& s!ecificall* i$ the i$ter!retatio$ which :eierstrass a$# Bussell gave to it&

a static and ordina' i$ter!retatio$& which #efi$itivel* li"erates calculus from all refere$ce to the

i$fi$itel* small& a$# i$tegrates it i$to a !ure logic of relatio$s)

orres!o$#i$g to the #etermi$atio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s are si$gularities& #istri"utio$s of

si$gular !oi$ts which characterie curves or figures ,a tria$gle for exam!le has three si$gular

!oi$ts-) +$ this wa*& the #etermi$atio$ of !ho$emic relatio$s !ro!er to a give$ la$guage ascri"es

si$gularities i$ !roximit* to which the vocaliatio$s a$# sig$ificatio$s of the la$guage are

co$stitute#) Te reciproca' determination of s*m"olic eleme$ts co$ti$ues he$ceforth i$to te

comp'ete determination of si$gular !oi$ts that co$stitute a s!ace corres!o$#i$g to these

eleme$ts) The crucial $otio$ of si$gularit*& ta'e$ literall*& seems to "elo$g to all the #omai$s i$

which there is structure) The ge$eral formula& to thi$' is to cast a throw of the #ice& itself refers

to the si$gularities re!rese$te# "* the shar!l* outli$e# !oi$ts o$ the #ice) =ver* structure

!rese$ts the followi$g two as!ects a s*stem of #iffere$tial relatio$s accor#i$g to which the

s*m"olic eleme$ts #etermi$e themselves reci!rocall*& a$# a s*stem of si$gularities

corres!o$#i$g to these relatio$s a$# traci$g the s!ace of the structure) =ver* structure is a

multi!licit*) The ?uestio$& +s there structure i$ a$* #omai$ whatsoever@& must "e s!ecifie# i$

the followi$g wa* i$ a give$ #omai$& ca$ o$e u$cover s*m"olic eleme$ts& #iffere$tial relatio$s

a$# si$gular !oi$ts which are !ro!er to it@ *m"olic eleme$ts are i$car$ate# i$ the real "ei$gs

a$# o"/ects of the #omai$ co$si#ere# the #iffere$tial relatio$s are actualie# i$ real relatio$s

"etwee$ these "ei$gs the si$gularities are so ma$* !laces i$ the structure& which #istri"utes the

imagi$ar* attitu#es or roles of the "ei$gs or o"/ects that come to occu!* them) 16

+t is $ot a matter of mathematical meta!hors) +$ each #omai$& o$e must fi$# eleme$ts&

relatio$shi!s a$# !oi$ts) :he$ evi(trauss u$#erta'es the stu#* of eleme$tar* 'i$shi!

structures& he $ot o$l* co$si#ers the real fathers i$ a societ*& $or o$l* the father(images that ru$

through the m*ths of that societ*) ;e claims to #iscover real 'i$shi! !ho$emes& that is& :in-emes

0parentemes1, !ositio$al u$its which #o $ot exist i$#e!e$#e$tl* of the #iffere$tial relatio$s i$to

which the* e$ter a$# that #etermi$e each other reci!rocall*) +t is i$ this wa* that the four

relatio$s"rother sister& hus"a$# wife& father so$& mater$al u$cle sisters so$form the

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sim!lest structure) .$# to this com"i$ator* s*stem of 'i$shi! $ames corres!o$# i$ a com!lex

wa*& "ut without resem"li$g them& the 'i$shi! attitu#es that realie the si$gularities

#etermi$e# i$ the s*stem) $e coul# /ust as well !rocee# i$ the o!!osite ma$$er start from

si$gularities i$ or#er to #etermi$e the #iffere$tial relatio$s "etwee$ ultimate s*m"olic eleme$ts)

Thus& ta'i$g the exam!le of the e#i!us m*th& evi(trauss starts from the si$gularities of the

stor* ,e#i!us marries his mother& 'ills his father& immolates the !hi$x& is $ame# clu"(foot&

etc)- i$ or#er to i$fer from them the #iffere$tial relatio$s "etwee$ m*themes which are

#etermi$e# reci!rocall* ,overestimatio$ of 'i$shi! relatio$s& u$#erestimatio$ of 'i$shi!

relatio$s& $egatio$ of a"origi$alit*& !ersiste$ce of a"origi$alit*-)17 +$ a$* case& the s*m"olic

eleme$ts a$# their relatio$s alwa*s #etermi$e the $ature of the "ei$gs a$# o"/ects which come to

realie them& while the si$gularities form a$ or#er of !ositio$s that simulta$eousl* #etermi$es

the roles a$# the attitu#es of these "ei$gs i$ so far as the* occu!* them) The #etermi$atio$ of thestructure is therefore com!lete# i$ a theor* of attitu#es which ex!lai$s its fu$ctio$i$g)

i$gularities corres!o$# with the s*m"olic eleme$ts a$# their relatio$s& "ut #o $ot resem"le

them) $e coul# sa*& rather& that si$gularities s*m"olie with them& #erive from them& si$ce

ever* #etermi$atio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s e$tails a #istri"utio$ of si$gular !oi$ts) Net& for

exam!le the values of #iffere$tial relatio$s are i$car$ate# i$ s!ecies& whereas si$gularities are

i$car$ate# i$ the orga$ic !arts corres!o$#i$g to each s!ecies) The former co$stitute varia"les&

the latter co$stitute fu$ctio$s) The former co$stitute withi$ a structure the #omai$ of

appe''ations, the latter the #omai$ of attitudes%2 5 evi(trauss i$siste# o$ this #ou"le as!ect

#erive#& *et irre#uci"leof attitu#es i$ relatio$ to a!!ellatio$s)19 . #isci!le of aca$& erge

eclaire& shows i$ a$other fiel# how the s*m"olic eleme$ts of the u$co$scious $ecessaril* refer

to li"i#i$al moveme$ts of the "o#*& i$car$ati$g the si$gularities of the structure i$ such a$#

such a !lace)20 +$ this se$se& ever* structure is !s*chosomatic& or rather re!rese$ts a categor*(

attitu#e com!lex)

et us co$si#er the i$ter!retatio$ of Aarxism "* .lthusser a$# his colla"orators a"ove all&

the relatio$s of !ro#uctio$ are #etermi$e# as #iffere$tial relatio$s that are esta"lishe#& $ot

"etwee$ real me$ or co$crete i$#ivi#uals& "ut "etwee$ o"/ects a$# age$ts which& first of all& have

a s*m"olic value ,o"/ect of !ro#uctio$& i$strume$t of !ro#uctio$& la"or force& imme#iate

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wor'ers& imme#iate $o$(wor'ers& such as the* are hel# i$ relatio$s of !ro!ert* a$#

a!!ro!riatio$-)21 =ach mo#e of !ro#uctio$ is thus characterie# "* si$gularities corres!o$#i$g to

the values of the relatio$s) .$# if it is o"vious that co$crete me$ come to occu!* the !laces a$#

carr* forth the eleme$ts of the structure& this ha!!e$s "* fulfilli$g the role that the structural

!lace assig$s to them ,for exam!le the ca!italist-& a$# "* servi$g as su!!orts for the structural

relatio$s) This occurs to such a$ exte$t that the true su"/ects are $ot these occu!a$ts a$# fu$c(

tio$aries))) "ut the #efi$itio$ a$# #istri"utio$ of these !laces a$# these fu$ctio$s) The true

su"/ect is the structure itself the #iffere$tial a$# the si$gular& the #iffere$tial relatio$s a$# the

si$gular !oi$ts& the reci!rocal #etermi$atio$ a$# the com!lete #etermi$atio$)

I8 Four)h Cri)erion: The Di44eren'ia)or, Di44eren)ia)ion

tructures are $ecessaril* u$co$scious& "* virtue of the eleme$ts& relatio$s a$# !oi$ts that

com!ose them) =ver* structure is a$ i$frastructure& a micro(structure) +$ a certai$ wa*& the* are

$ot actual) :hat is actual is that i$ which the structure is i$car$ate# or rather what the structure

co$stitutes whe$ it is i$car$ate#) >ut i$ itself& it is $either actual $or fictio$al& $either real& $or

!ossi"le) Ca'o"so$ !oses the !ro"lem of the status of the !ho$eme& which is $ot to "e co$fuse#

with a$* actual letter& s*lla"le or sou$#& $o more tha$ it is a fictio$& or a$ associate# image) 22

<erha!s the wor# virtualit* woul# !recisel* #esig$ate the mo#e of the structure or the o"/ect of

theor*& o$ the co$#itio$ that we elimi$ate a$* vague$ess a"out the wor#) %or the virtual has a

realit* which is !ro!er to it& "ut which #oes $ot merge with a$* actual realit*& a$* !rese$t or !ast

actualit*)

The virtual has a$ i#ealit* that is !ro!er to it& "ut which #oes $ot merge with a$* !ossi"le image&

a$* a"stract i#ea) :e will sa* of structure rea' witout being actua', idea' witout being

abstract%5D This is wh* evi(trauss ofte$ !rese$ts the structure as a sort of i#eal reservoir or

re!ertoire& i$ which ever*thi$g coexists virtuall*& "ut where the actualiatio$ is $ecessaril*

carrie# out accor#i$g to exclusive rules& alwa*s im!licati$g !artial com"i$atio$s a$#

u$co$scious choices) To #iscer$ the structure of a #omai$ is to #etermi$e a$ e$tire virtualit* of

coexiste$ce which !re(exists the "ei$gs& o"/ects a$# wor's of this #omai$) =ver* structure is a

multi!licit* of virtual coexiste$ce) ouis .lthusser& for exam!le& shows i$ this se$se that the

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origi$alit* of Aarx ,his a$ti(;egelia$ism- resi#es i$ the ma$$er i$ which the social s*stem is

#efi$e# "* a coexiste$ce of eleme$ts a$# eco$omic relatio$s& without o$e "ei$g a"le to e$ge$#er

them successivel* accor#i$g to the illusio$ of a false #ialectic) 24

:hat is it that coexists i$ the structure@ .ll the eleme$ts& the relatio$s a$# relatio$al values&

all the si$gularities !ro!er to the #omai$ co$si#ere#) uch a coexiste$ce #oes $ot im!l* a$*

co$fusio$& $or a$* i$#etermi$atio$ for the relatio$shi!s a$# #iffere$tial eleme$ts coexist i$ a

com!letel* a$# !erfectl* #etermi$e# whole) =xce!t that this whole is $ot actualie# as such)

:hat is actualie#& here a$# $ow& are !articular relatio$s& relatio$al values& a$# #istri"utio$s of

si$gularities others are actualie# elsewhere or at other times) There is $o total la$guage

0'angue1, em"o#*i$g all the !ossi"le !ho$emes a$# !ho$emic relatio$s) >ut the virtual totalit*

of the la$guage s*stem 0'angage1 is actualie# followi$g exclusive rules i$ #iverse& s!ecific

la$guages& of which each em"o#ies certai$ relatio$shi!s& relatio$al values& a$# si$gularities)

There is $o total societ*& "ut each social form em"o#ies certai$ eleme$ts& relatio$shi!s& a$#

!ro#uctio$ values ,for exam!le ca!italism-) :e must therefore #isti$guish "etwee$ the total

structure of a #omai$ as a$ e$sem"le of virtual coexiste$ce& a$# the su"(structures that

corres!o$# to #iverse actualiatio$s i$ the #omai$) f the structure as virtuali( t*& we must sa*

that it is still u$#iffere$tiate# ,c-& eve$ though it is totall* a$# com!letel* #iffere$tial ,t-) f

structures which are em"o#ie# i$ a !articular actual form ,!rese$t or !ast-& we must sa* that the*

are #iffere$tiate#& a$# that for them to "e actualie# is !recisel* to "e #iffere$tiate#) The

structure is i$se!ara"le from this #ou"le as!ect& or from this com!lex that o$e ca$ #esig$ate

u$#er the $ame of #iffere$tial ,t- #iffere$tiatio$ ,c-& where t c co$stitutes the u$iversall*

#etermi$e# !ho$emic relatio$shi!)25

208



;ow Do := B=G+R= TBETEB.+A@

.ll #iffere$tiatio$& all actualiatio$ is carrie# out alo$g two !aths s!ecies a$# !arts) The #iffere$tial relatio$s arei$car$ate# i$ ?ualitativel* #isti$ct s!ecies& while the corres!o$#i$g si$gularities are i$car$ate# i$ the !arts a$#

exte$#e# figures which characterie each s!ecies he$ce& the la$guage s!ecies& a$# the !arts of each o$e i$ the vici$it*of the si$gularities of the li$guistic structure the s!ecificall* #efi$e# social mo#es of !ro#uctio$ a$# the orga$ie#

!arts corres!o$#i$g to each o$e of these mo#es& etc) $e will $otice that the !rocess of actualiatio$ alwa*s im!lies a$i$ter$al tem!oralit*& varia"le accor#i$g to what is actualie#) ot o$l* #oes each t*!e of social !ro#uctio$ have a

glo"al i$ter$al tem!oralit*& "ut its orga$ie# !arts have !articular rh*thms) .s regar#s time& the !ositio$ ofstructuralism is thus ?uite clear time is alwa*s a time of actualiatio$& accor#i$g to which the eleme$ts of virtual

coexiste$ce are carrie# out at #iverse rh*thms) Time goes from the virtual to the actual& that is& from structure to itsactualiatio$s& a$# $ot from o$e actual form to a$other) r at least time co$ceive# as a relatio$ of successio$ of twoactual forms ma'es #o with ex!ressi$g a"stractl* the i$ter$al times of the structure or structures that are realie# at #if(fere$t #e!ths i$ these two forms& a$# the #iffere$tial relatio$s "etwee$ these times) .$# !recisel* "ecause the structure

is $ot actualie# without "ei$g #iffere$tiate# i$ s!ace a$# time& he$ce without #iffere$tiati$g the s!ecies a$# the !artswhich carr* it out& we must sa* i$ this se$se that structure produces these s!ecies a$# these !arts themselves) +t

!ro#uces them as #iffere$tiate# s!ecies a$# !arts& such that o$e ca$ $o more o!!ose the ge$etic to the structural tha$time to structure) Ge$esis& li'e time& goes from the virtual to the actual& from the structure to its actualiatio$ the two

$otio$s of multi!le i$ter$al time a$# static or#i$al ge$esis are i$ this se$se i$se!ara"le from the !la* of structures)26:emust i$sist o$ this #iffere$ciati$g role) tructure is i$ itself a s*stem of eleme$ts a$# of #iffere$tial relatio$s& "ut it also#iffere$tiates the s!ecies a$# !arts& the "ei$gs a$# fu$ctio$s i$ which the structure is actualie#) +t is #iffere$tial i$itself& a$# #iffere$tiati$g i$ its effect) omme$ti$g o$ evi(trausss wor'& Cea$ <ouillo$ #efi$e# the !ro"lem of

structuralism ca$ o$e ela"orate a s*stem of #iffere$ces which lea#s $either to their sim!le /uxta!ositio$& $or to theirartificial erasure@2 +$ this regar#& the wor' of Georges Dumeil is exem!lar*& eve$ from the !oi$t of view of

structuralism $o o$e has "etter a$al*e# the ge$eric a$# s!ecific #iffere$ces "etwee$ religio$s& a$# also the#iffere$ces i$ !arts a$# fu$ctio$s "etwee$ the go#s of a !articular& si$gle religio$) %or the go#s of a religio$& for

exam!le& Cu!iter& Aars& uiri$us& i$car$ate eleme$ts a$# #iffere$tial relatio$s& at the same time as the* fi$# theirattitu#es a$# fu$ctio$s i$ !roximit* to the si$gularities of the s*stem or !arts of the societ* co$si#ere#) The* are thus

esse$tiall* #iffere$tiate# "* the structure which is actualie# or carrie# out i$ them& a$# which !ro#uces them "* "ei$gactualie#) +t is true that each of them& co$si#ere# solel* i$ its actualit*& attracts a$# reflects the fu$ctio$ of the others&such that o$e ris's $o lo$ger #iscoveri$g a$*thi$g of this origi$ar* #iffere$ciatio$ which !ro#uces them from thevirtual to the actual) >ut it is !recisel* here that the "or#er !asses "etwee$ the imagi$ar* a$# the s*m"olic the

imagi$ar* te$#s to reflect a$# to resituate arou$# each term the total effect of a wholistic mecha$ism& whereas thes*m"olic structure assures the #iffere$tial of terms a$# the #iffere$tiatio$ of effects) ;e$ce the hostilit* of structuralismtowar# the metho#s of the imagi$ar* aca$s criti?ue of Cu$g& a$# the criti?ue of >achelar# "* !ro!o$e$ts of ewriticism) The imagi$ario$ #u!licates a$# reflects& it !ro/ects a$# i#e$tifies& loses itself i$ a !la* of mirrors& "ut the

#isti$ctio$s that it ma'es& li'e the assimilatio$s that it carries out& are surface effects that hi#e the otherwise su"tle

#iffere$tial mecha$isms of s*m"olic thought) omme$ti$g o$ Dumeil& =#mo$# rtigues has this to sa* :he$ o$ea!!roaches the material imagi$atio$& the #iffere$tial fu$ctio$ #imi$ishes& o$e te$#s towar#s e?uivale$ces whe$ o$ea!!roaches the formative eleme$ts of societ*& the #iffere$tial fu$ctio$ i$creases& o$e te$#s towar#s #isti$ctive values0va'ences1%2

tructures are u$co$scious& $ecessaril* overlai# "* their !ro#ucts or effects) .$ eco$omic structure $ever exists i$

a !ure form& "ut is covere# over "* the /uri#ical& !olitical a$# i#eological relatio$s i$ which it is i$car$ate#) $e ca$

o$l* read, fi$#& retrieve the structures through these effects) The terms a$# relatio$s which actualie them& the s!eciesa$# !arts that realie them& are as much forms of i$terfere$ce 0broui''age1 as forms of ex!ressio$) This is wh* o$e of

aca$s #isci!les& C)(.) Ailler& #evelo!s the co$ce!t of a meto$*mic causalit*& or .lthusser& the co$ce!t of a !ro!erl*

structural causalit*& i$ or#er to accou$t for the ver* !articular !rese$ce of a structure i$ its effects& a$# for the wa* i$

which it #iffere$ciates these effects& at the same time as these latter assimilate a$# i$tegrate it) 29 The u$co$scious of the

structure is a #iffere$tial u$co$scious) $e might "elieve the$ that structuralism goes "ac' to a !re(%reu#ia$

co$ce!tio$ #oes$t %reu# u$#ersta$# the u$co$scious as a mo#e of the co$flict of forces or of the o!!ositio$ of

#esires& whereas ei"$iia$ meta!h*sics alrea#* !ro!ose# the i#ea of a #iffere$tial u$co$scious of little !erce!tio$s@

209




>ut eve$ i$ %reu#s writi$g& there is a whole !ro"lem of the origi$ of the u$co$scious& of its co$stitutio$ as la$guage&

which goes "e*o$# the level of #esire& of associate# images a$# relatio$s of o!!ositio$) o$versel*& the #iffere$tial

u$co$scious is $ot co$stitute# "* little !erce!tio$s of the real a$# "* !assages to the limit& "ut rather of variatio$s of

#iffere$tial relatio$s i$ a s*m"olic s*stem as fu$ctio$s of #istri"utio$s of si$gularities) evi(trauss is right to sa* that

the u$co$scious is ma#e $either of #esires $or of re!rese$tatio$s& that it is alwa*s em!t*& co$sisti$g sole l* i$ the

structural laws that it im!oses o$ re!rese$tatio$s a$# o$ #esires)30

%or the u$co$scious is alwa*s a !ro"lem& though $ot i$ the se$se that woul# call its existe$ce i$to ?uestio$)

Bather& the u$co$scious "* itself forms the !ro"lems a$# ?uestio$s that are resolve# o$l* to the exte$t that the

corres!o$#i$g structure is i$sta$tiate# 0seffectue1 a$# alwa*s accor#i$g to the wa* that it is i$sta$tiate#) %or a

!ro"lem alwa*s gai$s the solutio$ that it #eserves "ase# o$ the ma$$er i$ which it is !ose#& a$# o$ the s*m"olic fiel#

use# to !ose it) .lthuss( er ca$ !rese$t the eco$omic structure of a societ* as the fiel# of !ro"lems that the societ*

!oses for itself& that it is #etermi$e# to !ose for itself& a$# that it resolves accor#i$g to its ow$ mea$s& that is& accor#i$g

to the li$es of #iffere$tiatio$ alo$g which the structure is actualie# ,ta'i$g i$to accou$t the a"sur#ities& ig$omi$ies

a$# cruelties that these solutio$s i$volve "* reaso$ of the structure-) imilarl*& erge eclaire& followi$g aca$& ca$

#isti$guish !s*choses a$# $euroses& a$# #iffere$t 'i$#s of $euroses& less "* t*!es of co$flict tha$ "* mo#es of

?uestio$s that alwa*s fi$# the a$swer that the* #eserve as a fu$ctio$ of the s*m"olic fiel# i$ which the* are !ose#

thus the h*sterical ?uestio$ is $ot that of the o"sessive) +$ all of this& !ro"lems a$# ?uestio$s #o $ot #esig$ate a !rovi(

sio$al a$# su"/ective mome$t i$ the ela"oratio$ of our '$owle#ge& "ut o$ the co$trar*& #esig$ate a !erfectl* o"/ective

categor*& full a$# com!lete o"/ectali( ties 0objectites7 F which are the structures ow$) The structural u$co$scious is at

o$ce #iffere$tial& !ro"lematii$g a$# ?uestio$i$g) .$#& as we shall see& it is fi$all* serial)

8 Fi4)h Cri)erion: Serial

.ll of the !rece#i$g& however& still seems i$ca!a"le of fu$ctio$i$g& for we have o$l* "ee$ a"le to #efi$e half of the

structure) . structure o$l* starts to move& a$# "ecome a$imate#& if we restore its other half) +$#ee#& the s*m"olic

eleme$ts that we have !reviousl* #efi$e#& ta'e$ i$ their #iffere$tial relatio$s& are orga$ie# $ecessaril* i$ series) >ut

so orga$ie#& the* relate to a$other series& co$stitute# "* other s*m"olic eleme$ts a$# other relatio$s this refere$ce to

a seco$# series is easil* ex!lai$e# "* recalli$g that si$gularities #erive from the terms a$# relatio$s of the first& "ut are

$ot limite# sim!l* to re!ro#uci$g or reflecti$g them) The* thus orga$ie themselves i$ a$other series ca!a"le of a$

auto$omous #evelo!me$t& or at least the* $ecessaril* relate the first to this other series) o it is for !ho$emes a$#

mor!hemes or for the eco$omic a$# other social series or for %oucaults tri!le series& li$guistic& eco$omic a$#

"iological& etc) The ?uestio$ of '$owi$g if the first series forms a "asis a$# i$ which se$se& if it is sig$if*i$g& the

others o$l* "ei$g sig$ifie#& is a com!lex ?uestio$ the $ature of which we ca$$ot *et assess) $e must state sim!l* that

ever* structure is serial& multi(serial& a$# woul# $ot fu$ctio$ without this co$#itio$)

210




:he$ evi(trauss agai$ ta'es u! the stu#* of totemism& he shows the exte$t to which the !he$ome$o$ is !oorl*

u$#erstoo# as lo$g as it is i$ter!rete# i$ terms of imagi$atio$) %or accor#i$g to its law& the imagination $ecessaril*

co$ceives totemism as the o!eratio$ "* which a ma$ or a grou! are i#e$tifie# with a$ a$imal) >ut symbo'ica''y, it is

?uite a #iffere$t matter& $ot the imagi$ar* i#e$tificatio$ of o$e term with a$other& "ut the structural homolog* of two

series of terms o$ the o$e ha$#& a series of a$imal s!ecies ta'e$ as eleme$ts of #iffere$tial relatio$s o$ the other& a

series of social !ositio$s themselves caught s*m"olicall* i$ their ow$ relatio$s) This co$fro$tatio$ occurs "etwee$

these two s*stems of #iffere$ces& these two series of eleme$ts a$# relatio$s)

The u$co$scious& accor#i$g to aca$& is $either i$#ivi#ual $or collective& "ut i$tersu"/ective& which is to sa* that

it im!lies a #evelo!me$t i$ terms of series $ot o$l* the sig$ifier a$# the sig$ifie#& "ut the two series at a mi$imum

orga$ie themselves i$ ?uite a varia"le ma$$er accor#i$g to the #omai$ u$#er co$si#eratio$) Hl +$ o$e of aca$s most

famous texts& he comme$ts o$ The <urloi$e# etter "* =#gar .lle$ <oe& showi$g how the structure !uts i$to !la*

two series& the !laces of which are occu!ie# "* varia"le su"/ects) %irst series the 'i$g who #oes $ot see the letter& the

?uee$ who is thrille# at havi$g so cleverl* hi##e$ it "* leavi$g it out i$ the o!e$& the mi$ister who sees ever*thi$g a$#

ta'es !ossessio$ of the letter)31 eco$# series the !olice who fi$# $othi$g at the mi$isters hotel the mi$ister who is

thrille# at havi$g so cleverl* hi##e$ the letter "* leavi$g it out i$ the o!e$ Du!i$ who sees ever*thi$g a$# ta'es "ac'

!ossessio$ of the letter) .lrea#* i$ a !revious text& aca$ exami$e# the case of Te Rat Man o$ the "asis of a #ou"le

series& !ater$al a$# filial& i$ which each !ut i$to !la* four relatio$al terms accor#i$g to a$ or#er of !laces #e"t

frie$#& rich woma$ !oor woma$)36

+t goes without sa*i$g that the orga$iatio$ of the co$stitutive series of a structure su!!oses a verita"le mise en

scene a$#& i$ each case& re?uires !recise evaluatio$s a$# i$ter!retatio$s) There is $o ge$eral rule at all we touch here

o$ the !oi$t at which structuralism im!lies& from o$e !ers!ective& a true creatio$& a$# from a$other& a$ i$itiative a$# a

#iscover* that is $ot without its ris's) The #etermi$atio$ of a structure occurs $ot o$l* through a choice of "asic

s*m"olic eleme$ts a$# the #iffere$tial relatio$s i$to which the* e$ter& $or merel* through a #istri"utio$ of the si$gular

!oi$ts which corres!o$# to them) The #etermi$atio$ also occurs through the co$stitutio$ of a seco$# series& at least&

that mai$tai$s com!lex relatio$s with the first) .$# if the structure #efi$es a !ro" lematic fiel#& a fiel# of !ro"lems& it is

i$ the se$se that the $ature of the !ro"lem reveals its !ro!er o"/ectivit* i$ this serial co$stitutio$& which sometimes

ma'es structuralism seem close to music) <hilli!e ollers writes a $ovel& #rame, !u$ctuate# 0rytme1 "* the

ex!ressio$s <ro"lem a$# Aissi$g 0Man@ue1, i$ the course of which te$tative series are ela"orate# ,a chai$ of

maritime memories !asses through his right arm))) the left leg& o$ the other co$trar*& seeme# to "e ri##le# with mi$eral

grou!i$gs-)7 r Cea$(<ierre %a*es attem!t i$ Ana'ogues, co$cer$i$g a serial co(existe$ce of $arrative mo#es)8

211




>ut what 'ee!s the two series from sim!l* reflecti$g o$e a$other& a$# he$ceforth& i#e$tif*i$g each of their terms

o$e to o$e@ The whole of the structure woul# the$ fall "ac' i$to the state of a figure of imagi$atio$) The factor that

alla*s such a threat is seemi$gl* ?uite stra$ge) +$#ee#& the terms of each series are i$ themselves i$se!ara"le from the

sli!!ages 0deca'ages1 or #is!laceme$ts that the* u$#ergo i$ relatio$ to the terms of the other) The* are thus

i$se!ara"le from the variatio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s) +$ the case of the !urloi$e# letter& the mi$ister i$ the seco$#

series comes to the !lace that the ?uee$ ha# occu!ie# i$ the first o$e) +$ the filial series of Te Rat Man, the !oor

woma$ comes to occu!* the frie$#s !lace i$ relatio$ to the #e"t) 9 r agai$& i$ the #ou"le series of "ir#s a$# twi$s

cite# "* evi(trauss& the twi$s are the !eo!le from o$ high i$ relatio$ to the !eo!le from "elow& $ecessaril* comi$g

to occu!* the !lace of the "ir#s from "elow& $ot of the "ir#s from o$ high) 4 This relative #is!laceme$t of the two

series is $ot at all seco$#ar* it #oes $ot come to affect a term from the outsi#e a$# seco$#aril*& as if givi$g it a$

imagi$ar* #isguise) $ the co$trar*& the #is!laceme$t is !ro!erl* structural or s*m"olic it "elo$gs esse$tiall* to the

!laces i$ the s!ace of the structure& a$# thus regulates all the imagi$ar* #isguises of "ei$gs a$# o"/ects that come

seco$#aril* to occu!* these !laces) This is wh* structuralism "ri$gs so much atte$tio$ to "ear o$ meta!hor a$#

meto$*m*) These are $ot i$ a$* wa* figures of the imagi$atio$& "ut are& a"ove all& structural factors) The* are eve$ te

two structural factors& i$ the se$se that the* ex!ress the two #egrees of free#om of #is!laceme$t& from o$e series to

a$other a$# withi$ the same series) %ar from "ei$g imagi$ar*& the* !reve$t the series that the* a$imate from co$fusi$g

or #u!licati$g their terms i$ imagi$ar* fashio$) >ut what are these relative #is!laceme$ts the$& if the* "elo$g

a"solutel* to !laces i$ the structure@

8I Si%)h Cri)erion: The E&7)1 Suare ;0a Case 8i*e<

+t a!!ears that the structure e$velo!s a wholl* !ara#oxical o"/ect or eleme$t) et us co$si#er the case of the letter& i$

=#gar .lle$ <oes stor*& as exami$e# "* aca$ or the case of the #e"t& i$ Te Rat Man% +t is o"vious that this o"/ect is

emi$e$tl* s*m"olic& "ut we sa* emi$e$tl* "ecause it "elo$gs to $o series i$ !articular the letter is $evertheless

!rese$t i$ "oth of <oes series the #e"t is !rese$t i$ "oth Rat Man series) uch a$ o"/ect is alwa*s !rese$t i$ the

corres!o$#i$g series& it traverses them a$# moves with them& it $ever ceases to circulate i$ them& a$# from o$e to the

other& with a$ extraor#i$ar* agilit*) $e might sa* that it is its own meta!hor& a$# its own meto$*m*) The series i$

each case are co$stitute# "* s*m"olic terms a$# #iffere$tial relatio$s& "ut this o"/ect seems to "e of a$other $ature) +$

fact& it is i$ relatio$ to the o"/ect that the variet* of terms a$# the variatio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s are #etermi$e# i$

each case) The two series of a structure are alwa*s #iverge$t ,"* virtue of the laws of #iffere$ciatio$-& "ut this si$gular

o"/ect is the co$verge$ce !oi$t of the #iverge$t series as such) +t is emi$e$tl* s*m"olic& "ut !recisel* "ecause it is

imma$e$t to the two series at o$ce) :hat else woul# we call it& if $ot "/ect M !, the ri##le "/ect or the great Ao"ile

eleme$t@ :e ca$ $evertheless remai$ a "it #ou"tful what Cac?ues aca$ i$vites us to #iscover i$ two cases& the

!articular role !la*e# "* a letter or a #e"tis it a$ artifice& strictl* a!!lica"le to these cases& or rather is it a trul*

ge$eral metho#& vali# for all the structura"le #omai$s& a criterio$ for ever* structure& as if a structure were $ot #efi$e#

without assig$i$g a$ o"/ect M x that ceaselessl* traverses the series@ .s if the literar* wor'& for exam!le& or the wor'

of art& "ut other oeuvres as well& those of societ*& those of ill$ess& those of life i$ ge$eral& e$velo!e# this ver* s!ecial

o"/ect which assumes co$trol over their structure) .$# as if it were alwa*s a matter of fi$#i$g who is ;& 41 or of #is(

coveri$g a$ ! shrou#e# withi$ the wor') uch is the case with so$gs the refrai$ e$com!asses a$ o"/ect M !, while the

verses form the #iverge$t series through which this o"/ect circulates) +t is for this reaso$ that so$gs trul* !rese$t a$ ele(42

212




me$tar* structure)

. #isci!le of aca$& .$#re Gree$& sig$als the existe$ce of the ha$#'erchief that circulates i$ Ote''o, traversi$g

all the series of the !la*)43 :e also s!o'e of the two series of the <ri$ce of :ales& %alstaff or the father("uffoo$& ;e$r*

+H or the ro*al father& the two images of the father) The crow$ is the o"/ect M ! that traverses the two series& with

#iffere$t terms a$# u$#er #iffere$t relatio$s) The mome$t whe$ the !ri$ce tries o$ the crow$& his father $ot *et #ea#&

mar's the !assage from o$e series to the other& the cha$ge i$ s*m"olic terms a$# the vari atio$ of #iffere$tial relatio$s)

The ol# #*i$g 'i$g is a$gere#& a$# "elieves that his so$ wa$ts to i#e$tif* with him !rematurel*) Net res!o$#i$g ?uite

ca!a"l* i$ a s!le$#i# s!eech& the !ri$ce shows that the crow$ is $ot the o"/ect of a$ imagi$ar* i#e$tificatio$& "ut o$

the co$trar*& is the emi$e$tl* s*m"olic term that traverses all the series& the i$famous series of %alstaff a$# the great

ro*al series& a$# that !ermits the !assage from o$e to the other at the heart of the same structure) .s we saw& there was

a first #iffere$ce "etwee$ the imagi$ar* a$# the s*m"olic the #iffere$tiati$g role of the s*m"olic& i$ o!!ositio$ to the

assimilati$g a$# reflecti$g role& #ou"li$g a$# #u!licati$g& of the imagi$ar*) >ut the seco$# #ivi#i$g li$e a!!ears more

clearl* here agai$st the #ual character of the imagi$atio$& the Thir# which esse$tiall* i$terve$es i$ the s*m"olic

s*stem& which #istri"utes series& #is!laces them relativel*& ma'es them commu$icate with each other& all the while

!reve$ti$g the o$e from imagi$aril* falli$g "ac' o$ the other)

De"t& the letter& the ha$#'erchief or the crow$& the $ature of this o"/ect is s!ecifie# "* aca$ it is alwa*s

#is!lace# i$ relatio$ to itself) +ts !eculiar !ro!ert* is $ot to "e where o$e loo's for it& a$# co$versel*& also to "e fou$#

where it is $ot) $e woul# sa* that it is missi$g from its !lace 0i' man@ue a sap'ace1 ,a$#& i$ this& is $ot somethi$g

real- furthermore& that it #oes $ot coi$ci#e with its ow$ resem"la$ce ,a$#& i$ this& is $ot a$ image- a$# that it #oes

$ot coi$ci#e with its ow$ i#e$tit* ,a$#& i$ this& is $ot a co$ce!t-) :hat is hi##e$ is $ever what is missing from its

p'ace, as the call sli! !uts it whe$ s!ea'i$g of a volume lost i$ the li"rar*) .$# eve$ if the "oo' "e o$ a$ a#/ace$t shelf

or i$ the $ext slot& it woul# "e hi##e$ there& however visi"le it ma* a!!ear) %or o$l* somethi$g that ca$ cha$ge its

!lace ca$ 'itera''y "e sai# to "e missi$g from it i)e)& the s*m"olic) %or the real& whatever u!heaval we su"/ect it to& is

alwa*s i$ its !lace it carries it glue# to its heel& ig$ora$t of what might exile it from it) 44 +f the series that the o"/ect M

! traverses $ecessaril* !rese$t relative #is!laceme$ts i$ relatio$ to each other& this is so "ecause the re'ative !laces of

their terms i$ the structure #e!e$# first o$ the abso'ute !lace of each& at each mome$t& i$ relatio$ to the o"/ect M x that

is alwa*s circulati$g& alwa*s #is!lace# i$ relatio$ to itself) 45 +t is i$ this se$se that the #is!laceme$t& a$# more

ge$erall* all the forms of excha$ge& #oes $ot co$stitute a characteristic a##e# from the outsi#e& "ut the fu$#ame$tal

!ro!ert* that allows the structure to "e #efi$e# as a$ or#er of !laces su"/ect to the variatio$ of relatio$s) The whole

structure is #rive$ "* this origi$ar* Thir#& "ut that also fails to coi$ci#e with its ow$ origi$) Distri"uti$g the

#iffere$ces through the e$tire structure& ma'i$g the #iffere$tial relatio$s var* with its #is!laceme$ts& the o"/ect M !

co$stitutes the #iffere$ciati$g eleme$t of #iffere$ce itself)

213




):hat #oes it co$sist of& this o"/ect M x@ +s it a$# must it remai$ the !er!etual o"/ect of a ri##le& the perpetuum mobi'e5H This woul# "e a wa* of recalli$g the o"/ective co$siste$c* that the categor* of the !ro"lematic ta'es o$ at the heart of

structures) .$# i$ the lo$g ru$& it is goo# that the ?uestio$ +ow do we recogni(e structura'ism= lea#s to !ositi$gsomethi$g that is $ot recog$ia"le or i#e$tifia"le) et us co$si#er aca$s !s*choa$al*tic res!o$se54 the o"/ect M x is

#etermi$e# as !hallus) >ut this !hallus is $either the real orga$& $or the series of associa"le or associate# images it isthe s*m"olic !hallus) ;owever& it is i$#ee# sexualit* that is i$ ?uestio$& a ?uestio$ of $othi$g else here& co$trar* to the

!ious a$# ever(re$ewe# attem!ts i$ !s*choa$al*sis to re$ou$ce or mi$imie sexual refere$ces) >ut the !hallus a!!ears$ot as a sexual give$ or as the em!irical #etermi$atio$ of o$e of the sexes) +t a!!ears rather as the s*m"olic orga$ that

fou$#s sexualit* in its entirety as s*stem or structure& a$# i$ relatio$ to which the !laces occu!ie# variousl* "* me$ a$#wome$ are #istri"ute#& as also the series of images a$# realities) +$ #esig$ati$g the o"/ect M x as !hallus& it is thus $ot a?uestio$ of i#e$tif*i$g this o"/ect& of co$ferri$g to it a$ i#e$tit*& which is re!el( la$t to its $ature) uite the co$trar*&for the s*m"olic !hallus is !recisel* that which #oes $ot coi$ci#e with its ow$ i#e$tit*& alwa*s fou$# there where it is

$ot si$ce it is $ot where o$e loo's for it& alwa*s #is!lace# i$ relatio$ to itself& from te side of te moter% +$ this se$se&it is certai$l* the letter a$# the #e"t& the ha$#'erchief or the crow$& the $ar' a$# the ma$a) %ather& mother& etc)& ares*m"olic eleme$ts hel# i$ #iffere$tial relatio$s) >ut the !hallus is ?uite a$other thi$g& the o"/ect M ! that #etermi$es therelative !lace of the eleme$ts a$# the varia"le value of relatio$s& ma'i$g a structure of the e$tiret* of sexualit*) The

relatio$s var* as a fu$ctio$ of the #is!laceme$ts of the o"/ect M !, as relatio$s "etwee$ !artial #rives co$stitutive ofsexualit*)55

"viousl* the !hallus is $ot a h$al wor#& a$# is eve$ somewhat the locus of a ?uestio$& of a #ema$# that

characteries the em!t* s?uare of the sexual structure) uestio$s& li'e a$swers& var* accor#i$g to the structure u$#er

co$si#eratio$& "ut $ever #o the* #e!e$# o$ our !refere$ces& or o$ a$ or#er of a"stract causalit*) +t is o"vious that the

em!t* s?uare of a$ eco$omic structure& such as commo#it* excha$ge& must "e #etermi$e# i$ ?uite a$other wa*) +t co$(

sists of somethi$g which is re#uci"le $either to the terms of the excha$ge& $or to the excha$ge relatio$ itself& "ut that

forms a$ emi$e$tl* s*m"olic thir# term i$ !er!etual #is!laceme$t& a$# as a fu$ctio$ of which the relatio$al variatio$s

will "e #efi$e#) uch is va'ue as ex!ressio$ of a 2genera'i(ed la"or& "e*o$# a$* em!iricall* o"serva"le ?ualit*& a

locus of the ?uestio$ that ru$s through or traverses the eco$om* as structure)56

. more ge$eral co$se?ue$ce follows from this& co$cer$i$g the #iffere$t or#ers) %rom a structuralist !ers!ective&

it is $o #ou"t u$satisfactor* to resurrect the !ro"lem of whether there is a structure that #etermi$es all the others i$ the

fi$al i$sta$ce) %or exam!le& which is first& value or the !hallus& the eco$omic fetish or the sexual fetish@ %or several

reaso$s& these ?uestio$s are mea$i$gless) .ll structures are i$frastructures) The structural or#ersli$guistic& familial&

eco$omic& sexual& etc)are characterie# "* the form of their s*m"olic eleme$ts& the variet* of their #iffere$tialrelatio$s& the s!ecies of their si$gularities& fi$all* a$#& a"ove all& "* the $ature of the o"/ect M ! that !resi#es over their

fu$ctio$i$g) ;owever& we coul# o$l* esta"lish a$ or#er of li$ear causalit* from o$e structure to a$other "* co$ferri$g

o$ the o"/ect M ! i$ each case the t*!e of i#e$tit* that it esse$tiall* re!u#iates) >etwee$ structures& causalit* ca$ o$l*

"e a t*!e of structural causalit*) +$ each structural or#er& certai$l*& the o"/ect M x is $ot at all somethi$g u$'$owa"le&

somethi$g !urel* u$#etermi$e# it is !erfectl* #eter( mi$a"le& i$clu#i$g withi$ its #is!laceme$ts a$# "* the mo#e of

#is!laceme$t that characteries it) +t is sim!l* $ot assig$a"le that is& it ca$$ot "e fixe# to o$e !lace& $or i#e$tifie# with

a ge$re or a s!ecies) Bather& it co$stitutes itself the ultimate ge$re of the structure or its total !lace it thus has $o

215




i#e$tit* exce!t i$ or#er to lac' this i#e$tit*& a$# has $o !lace exce!t i$ or#er to "e #is!lace# i$ relatio$ to all !laces) .s

a result& for each or#er of structure the o"/ect M x is the em!t* or !erforate# site that !ermits this or#er to "e articulate#

with the others& i$ a s!ace that e$tails as ma$* #irectio$s as or#ers) The or#ers of the structure #o $ot commu$icate i$

a commo$ site& "ut the* all commu$icate through their em!t* !lace or res!ective o"/ect M x) This is wh*& #es!ite

several of evi(trausss hast* !ages& $o !rivilege ca$ "e claime# for eth$ogra!hic social structures& "* referri$g the

!s*choa$al*tic sexual structures to the em!irical #etermi$atio$ of a more or less #e(socialie# i$#ivi#ual) =ve$

li$guistic structures ca$$ot !ass as s*m"olic eleme$ts or as ultimate sig$ifiers) <recisel* to the exte$t that the other

structures are $ot limite# sim!l* to a!!l*i$g "* a$alog* metho#s "orrowe# from li$guistics& "ut #iscover o$ their ow$

accou$t verita"le la$guages& "e the* $o$ver"al& alwa*s e$taili$g their sig$ifiers& their s*m"olic eleme$ts a$#

#iffere$tial relatio$s) <osi$g& for exam!le& the !ro"lem of the relatio$s "etwee$ eth$ogra!h* a$# !s*choa$al*sis&

%oucault is right to sa* The* i$tersect at right a$gles for the sig$if*i$g chai$ "* which the u$i?ue ex!erie$ce of the

i$#ivi#ual is co$stitute# is !er!e$#icular to the formal s*stem o$ the "asis of which the sig$ificatio$s of a culture are

co$stitute# at a$* give$ i$sta$t& the structure !ro!er to i$#ivi#ual ex!erie$ce fi$#s a certai$ $um"er of !ossi"le

choices ,a$# of exclu#e# !ossi"ilities- i$ the s*stems of the societ* co$versel*& at each of their !oi$ts of choice the

social structures e$cou$ter a certai$ $um"er of !ossi"le i$#ivi#uals ,a$# others who are $ot-)57

.$# i$ each structure& the o"/ect M ! must "e #is!ose# to give a$ accou$t 1- of the wa* i$ which it su"or#i$ates

withi$ its or#er the other or#ers of structure& that the$ o$l* i$terve$e as #ime$sio$s of actualiatio$ 2- of the wa* i$

which it is itself su"or#i$ate# to the other or#ers i$ their ow$ or#er ,a$# $o lo$ger i$terve$es exce!t i$ their ow$

actualiatio$- 3- of the wa* i$ which all the o"/ects M x a$# all the or#ers of structure commu$icate with o$e a$other&

each or#er #efi$i$g a #ime$sio$ of the s!ace i$ which it is a"solutel* !rimar* 4- of the co$#itio$s i$ which& at a give$

mome$t i$ histor* or i$ a give$ case& a !articular #ime$sio$ corres!o$#i$g to a !articular or#er of the structure is $ot

#e!lo*e# for itself a$# remai$s su"or#i$ate# to the actualiatio$ of a$other or#er ,the aca$ia$ co$ce!t of

foreclosure woul# agai$ "e of #ecisive im!orta$ce here-)

8II Final Cri)eria: Fro& )he Su9=e') )o Pra')i'e

+$ o$e se$se& !laces are o$l* fille# or occu!ie# "* real "ei$gs to the exte$t that the structure is actualie#) >ut i$

a$other se$se& we ca$ sa* that !laces are alrea#* fille# or occu!ie# "* s*m"olic eleme$ts& at the level of the structure

itself) .$# the #iffere$tial relatio$s of these eleme$ts are the o$es that #etermi$e the or#er of !laces i$ ge$eral) Thus

there is a !rimar* s*m"olic filli$g(i$ 0remp'issement1, "efore a$* filli$g(i$ or occu!atio$ "* real "ei$gs) =xce!t that

we agai$ fi$# the !ara#ox of the em!t* s?uare) %or this is the o$l* !lace that ca$$ot a$# must $ot "e fille#& were it

eve$ "* a s*m"olic eleme$t) +t must retai$ the !erfectio$ of its em!ti$ess i$ or#er to "e #is!lace# i$ relatio$ to itself&

a$# i$ or#er to circulate throughout the eleme$ts a$# the variet* of relatio$s) .s s*m"olic& it must "e for itself its ow$

s*m"ol& a$# eter$all* lac' its other half that woul# "e li'el* to come a$# occu!* it) ,This voi# is& however& $ot a $o$(

"ei$g or at least this $o$("ei$g is $ot the "ei$g of the $egative& "ut rather the !ositive "ei$g of the !ro"lematic& the

216




o"/ective "ei$g of a !ro"lem a$# of a ?uestio$)-5 This is wh* %oucault ca$ sa* +t is $o lo$ger !ossi"le to thi$' i$ our

#a* other tha$ i$ the voi# left "* ma$s #isa!!eara$ce) %or tis void does not create a deficiency it does not constitute

a 'acuna tat must be fi''ed in% +t is $othi$g more a$# $othi$g less tha$ the u$fol#i$g of a s!ace i$ which it is o$ce

more !ossi"le to thi$')5

evertheless& if the em!t* s?uare is $ot fille# "* a term& it is $evertheless accom!a$ie# "* a$ emi$e$tl* s*m"olic

i$sta$ce which follows all of its #is!laceme$ts& accom!a$ie# without "ei$g occu!ie# or fille#) .$# the two& the

i$sta$ce a$# the !lace& #o $ot cease to lac' each other& a$# to accom!a$* each other i$ this ma$$er) The subject is

!recisel* the age$c* 0instance1 which follows the em!t* !lace as aca$ sa*s& it is less su"/ect tha$ su"/ecte#

0assujetti1 su"/ecte# to the em!t* s?uare& su"/ecte# to the !hallus a$# to its #is!laceme$ts) +ts agilit* is !eerless& or

shoul# "e) Thus& the su"/ect is esse$tiall* i$tersu"/ective) To a$$ou$ce the #eath of Go#& or eve$ the #eath of ma$ is

$othi$g) :hat cou$ts is ow% ietsche showe# alrea#* that Go# #ies i$ several wa*s a$# that the go#s #ie& "ut from

laughter& u!o$ heari$g o$e go# sa* that he is the $l* $e) tructuralism is $ot at all a form of thought that su!!resses

the su"/ect& "ut o$e that "rea's it u! a$# #istri"utes it s*stematicall*& that co$tests the i#e$tit* of the su"/ect& that

#issi!ates it a$# ma'es it shift from !lace to !lace& a$ alwa*s $oma# su"/ect& ma#e of i$#ivi#uatio$s& "ut im!erso$al

o$es& or of si$gularities& "ut !re( i$#ivi#ual o$es) 60 This is the se$se i$ which %oucault s!ea's of #is!ersio$ a$#

evi(trauss ca$ o$l* #efi$e a su"/ective age$c* as #e!e$#i$g o$ the "/ect co$#itio$s u$#er which the s*stems of

truth "ecome co$verti"le a$#& thus& simulta$eousl* receiva"le to several #iffere$t su"/ects)61

;e$ceforth& two great acci#e$ts of the structure ma* "e #efi$e#) =ither the em!t* a$# mo"ile s?uare is $o lo$ger

accom!a$ie# "* a $oma# su"/ect that acce$tuates its tra/ector*& a$# its em!ti$ess "ecomes a verita"le lac'& a lacu$a)

r /ust the o!!osite& it is fille#& occu!ie# "* what accom!a$ies it& a$# its mo"ilit* is lost i$ the effect of a se#e$tar* or

fixe# !le$itu#e) $e coul# /ust as well sa*& i$ li$guistic terms& either that the sig$ifier has #isa!!eare#& that the

stream 0f'ot1 of the sig$ifie# $o lo$ger fi$#s a$* sig$if*i$g eleme$t that mar's it& or that the sig$ifie# has fa#e#

awa*& that the chai$ of the sig$ifier $o lo$ger fi$#s a$* sig$ifie# that traverses it the two !athological as!ects of

!s*chosis) $e coul# sa* further& i$ theo(a$thro!ological terms& that either Go# ma'es the #esert grow a$# hollows

out a lacu$a i$ the earth& or that ma$ fills it& occu!ies the !lace& a$# i$ this vai$ !ermutatio$ ma'es us !ass from o$e

acci#e$t to the other this "ei$g the reaso$ wh* ma$ a$# Go# are the two sic'$esses of the earth& that is to sa*& of the

structure)

217




:hat is im!orta$t is '$owi$g accor#i$g to what factors a$# at what mome$ts these acci#e$ts are #etermi$e# i$

structures of o$e or#er or a$other) et us agai$ co$si#er the a$al*ses of .lthusser a$# his colla"orators o$ the o$e

ha$#& the* show i$ the eco$omic or#er how the a#ve$tures of the em!t* s?uare ,Halue as o"/ect M !$ are mar'e# "* the

goo#s& mo$e*& the fetish& ca!ital& etc)& that characterie the ca!italist structure) $ the other ha$#& the* show how co$(

tra#ictio$s are thus "or$ i$ the structure) %i$all*& the* show how the real a$# the imagi$ar*that is& the real "ei$gs

who come to occu!* !laces a$# the i#eologies which ex!ress the image that the* ma'e of itare $arrowl* #etermi$e#

"* the !la* of these structural a#ve$tures a$# the co$tra#ictio$s resulti$g from it) ot that the co$tra#ictio$s are at all

imagi$ar* the* are !ro!erl* structural& a$# ?ualif* the effects of the structure i$ the i$ter$al time that is !ro!er to it)

Thus it ca$$ot "e sai# that the co$tra#ictio$ is a!!are$t& "ut rather that it is #erive# it #erives from the em!t* !lace

a$# from its "ecomi$g i$ the structure) As a genera' ru'e, te rea', te imaginary and teir re'ations are a'ways

engendered secondari'y by te functioning of te structure, wic starts wit aving its primary effects in itse'f

This is wh* what we were earlier calli$g acci#e$ts #oes $ot at all ha!!e$ to the structure from the outsi#e) $ the

co$trar*& it is a matter of a$ imma$e$t te$#e$c*& 63 of i#eal eve$ts that are !art of the structure itself& a$# that

s*m"olicall* affect its em!t* s?uare or su"/ect) :e call them acci#e$ts i$ or#er "etter to em!hasie $ot a co$ti$ge$t

or exterior character& "ut this ver* s!ecial characteristic of the eve$t& i$terior to the structure i$ so far as the structure

ca$ $ever "e re#uce# to a sim!le esse$ce)

;e$ceforth& a set of com!lex !ro"lems are !ose# for structuralism& co$cer$i$g structural mutatio$s ,%oucault-

or forms of tra$sitio$ from o$e structure to a$other ,.lthusser-) +t is alwa*s as a fu$ctio$ of the em!t* s?uare that

the #iffere$tial relatio$s are o!e$ to $ew values or variatio$s& a$# the si$gularities ca!a"le of $ew #istri"utio$s&

co$stitutive of a$other structure) The co$tra#ictio$s must *et "e resolve#& that is& the em!t* !lace must "e ri# of the

s*m"olic eve$ts that ecli!se it or fill it& a$# "e give$ over to the su"/ect which must accom!a$* it o$ $ew !aths&

without occu!*i$g or #eserti$g it) Thus& there is a structuralist ero8 $either Go# $or ma$& $either !erso$al $or

u$iversal& it is without a$ i#e$tit*& ma#e of $o$(!erso$al i$#ivi#uatio$s a$# !re(i$#ivi#ual si$gularities) +t assures the

"rea'(u! 0;ec'atement1 of a structure affecte# "* excess or #eficie$c* it o!!oses its own i#eal eve$t to the i#eal

eve$ts that we have /ust #escri"e#)64 %or a $ew structure $ot to !ursue a#ve$tures that agai$ are a$alogous to those of

the ol# structure& $ot to cause fatal co$tra#ictio$s to "e re"or$& #e!e$#s o$ the resista$t a$# creative force of this hero&

o$ its agilit* i$ followi$g a$# safeguar#i$g the #is!laceme$ts& o$ its !ower to cause relatio$s to var* a$# to

re#istri"ute si$gularities& alwa*s casti$g a$other throw of the #ice) This mutatio$ !oi$t !recisel* #efi$es a !raxis& or

rather the ver* site where !raxis must ta'e hol#) %or structuralism is $ot o$l* i$se!ara"le from the wor's that it

creates& "ut also from a !ractice i$ relatio$ to the !ro#ucts that it i$ter!rets) :hether this !ractice is thera!eutic or

!olitical& it #esig$ates a !oi$t of !erma$e$t revolutio$& or of !erma$e$t tra$sfer)

These last criteria& from the su"/ect to !ractice& are the most o"scurethe criteria of the future) .cross the six !rece#i$g characteristics& we have sought o$l* to /uxta!ose a s*stem of echoes "etwee$ authors who are ver*i$#e!e$#e$t from each other& ex!lori$g ver* #iverse #omai$s& a$# as #iverse as the theor* that the* themselves !ro!ose

regar#i$g these echoes) .t the #iffere$t levels of the structure& the real a$# the imagi$ar*& real "ei$gs a$# i#eologies&

218




se$se a$# co$tra#ictio$& are effects that must "e u$#erstoo# at the co$clusio$ of a !rocess& of a !ro!erl* structural&#iffere$ciate# !ro#uctio$ stra$ge static ge$esis for !h*sical ,o!tical& sou$#& etc)- effects) >oo's agai$st structuralism

,or those agai$st the ew ovel- are strictl* without im!orta$ce the* ca$$ot !reve$t structuralism from exerti$g a !ro#uctivit* which is that of our era) o "oo' against a$*thi$g ever has a$* im!orta$ce all that cou$ts are "oo's for

somethi$g& a$# that '$ow how to !ro#uce it

219



)1

Three <rop-Be"ated +ro."ems;

. milita$t !olitical activist a$# a !s*choa$al*st /ust so ha!!e$ to meet i$ the same !erso$& a$#

i$stea# of each mi$#i$g his ow$ "usi$ess& the* ceaselessl* commu$icate& i$terfere with o$e

a$other& a$# get mixe# u!each mista'i$g himself for the other) .$ u$commo$ occurre$ce atleast si$ce Beich) <ierre%elix Guattari #oes $ot let !ro"lems of the u$it* of the elf !reoccu!*

him) The self is rather o$e more thi$g we ought to #issolve& u$#er the com"i$e# assault of

!olitical a$# a$al*tical forces) Guattaris formula& we are all grou!uscles& i$#ee# heral#s the

search for a $ew su"/ectivit*& a grou! su"/ectivit*& which #oes $ot allow itself to "e e$close# i$ a

whole "e$t o$ reco$stituti$g a self ,or eve$ worse& a su!erego-& "ut which s!rea#s itself out over

several grou!s at o$ce) These grou!s are #ivisi"le& ma$ifol#& !ermea"le& a$# alwa*s o!tio$al) .

goo# grou! #oes $ot ta'e itself to "e u$i?ue& immortal& a$# sig$ifica$t& u$li'e a #efe$se mi$istr*

or homela$# securit* office& u$li'e war vetera$s& "ut i$stea# !lugs i$to a$ outsi#e that co$fro$ts

the grou! with its ow$ !ossi"ilities of $o$se$se& #eath& a$# #is!ersal !recisel* as a result of its

o!e$i$g u! to other grou!s) +$ tur$& the i$#ivi#ual is also a grou!) +$ the most $atural wa* imag(

i$a"le& Guattari em"o#ies two as!ects of a$ a$ti(elf o$ the o$e ha$#& he is li'e a catato$ic

sto$e& a "li$# a$# har# "o#* i$va#e# "* #eath as soo$ as he ta'es off his glasses o$ the other

ha$#& he lights u! a$# seethes with multi!le lives the mome$t he loo's& acts& laughs& thi$'s or

attac's) Thus he is $ame# <ierre a$# %elix schio!hre$ic !owers)

+$ this meeti$g of the milita$t a$# the !s*choa$al*st& there are at least three #iffere$t

!ro"lems that emerge 1- +$ what form #oes o$e i$tro#uce !olitics i$to !s*choa$al*tic theor*a$# !ractice ,it "ei$g u$#erstoo# that& i$ a$* case& !olitics is alrea#* i$ the u$co$scious-@ 2- +s

there a reaso$ to i$tro#uce !s*choa$al*sis i$to milita$t revolutio$ar* grou!s& a$# if so& how@ 3-

;ow #oes o$e co$ceive a$# form s!ecific thera!eutic grou!s whose i$flue$ce woul# im!act

!olitical grou!s& as well as !s*chiatric a$# !s*choa$al*tic grou!s@ The series of articles from

1955 to 1970 which Guattari !rese$ts here& a##resses these three #iffere$t !ro"lems a$# exhi"its

a !articular evolutio$& whose two ma/or focal !oi$ts are the ho!es(a$#(#es!air after the

i"eratio$& a$# the ho!es(a$#( #es!air followi$g Aa* 68while i$("etwee$ the #ou"le age$t is

har# at wor' !re!ari$g for Aa*)

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.s for the first !ro"lem& Guattari earl* o$ ha# the i$tuitio$ that the u$co$scious is #irectl*

relate# to a whole social fiel#& "oth eco$omic a$# !olitical& rather tha$ the m*thical a$# familial

gri# tra#itio$all* #e!lo*e# "* !s*choa$al*sis) +t is i$#ee# a ?uestio$ of li"i#o as such& as the

esse$ce of #esire a$# sexualit* "ut $ow it i$vests a$# #isi$vests flows of ever* 'i$# as the*

tric'le through the social fiel#& a$# it effects cuts i$ these flows& sto!!ages& lea's& a$# rete$tio$s)

To "e sure& it #oes $ot o!erate i$ a ma$ifest wa*& as #o the o"/ective i$terests of co$scious$ess or

the chai$s of historical causalit*) +t #e!lo*s a late$t #esire coexte$sive with the social fiel#&

e$taili$g ru!tures i$ causalit* a$# the emerge$ce of si$gularities& stic'i$g !oi$ts as well as lea's)

The *ear 1936 is $ot o$l* a$ eve$t i$ historical co$scious$ess& it is also a com!lex of the

u$co$scious) ur love affairs& our sexual choices& are less the "*(!ro#ucts of a m*thical

Aomm*(Da##*& tha$ the excesses of a social(realit*& the i$terfere$ces a$# effects of flows

i$veste# "* the li"i#o) :hat #o we $ot ma'e love with& i$clu#i$g #eath@ Guattari is thus a"le tore!roach !s*choa$al*sis for the wa* i$ which it s*stematicall* crushes the socio(!olitical

co$te$ts of the u$co$scious& though the* i$ realit* #etermi$e the o"/ects of #esire)

<s*choa$al*sis& sa*s Guattari& starts from a 'i$# of a"solute $arcissism "#as #ing$ a$# aims at

a$ i#eal social a#a!tatio$ which it calls a cure this !roce#ure& however& alwa*s o"scures a

si$gular social co$stellatio$ which i$ fact must "e "rought to light& rather tha$ sacrifice# to the

i$ve$tio$ of a$ a"stract& s*m"olic u$co$scious) #as #ing IThe Thi$gJ is $ot some recurre$t

horio$ that co$stitutes a$ i$#ivi#ual !erso$ i$ a$ illusor* wa*& "ut a social "o#* servi$g as a

"asis for late$t !ote$tialities ,wh* are these !eo!le lu$atics& a$# those !eo!le revolutio$aries@-)

%ar more im!orta$t tha$ momm*& #a##*& a$# gra$#ma are all the characters hau$ti$g the

fu$#ame$tal ?uestio$s of societ*& such as the class co$flict of our #a*) Aore im!orta$t tha$

recalli$g how& o$e fi$e #a*& e#i!us totall* cha$ge# Gree' societ*& is the e$ormous Spa'tung

I#ivisio$& rift& fissureJ traversi$g the commu$ist !art* to#a*) ;ow #oes o$e overloo' the role the

tate !la*s i$ all the #ea#(e$#s where the li"i#o is caught& a$# re#uce# to i$vesti$g i$ the

i$timist images of the famil*@ .re we to "elieve that the castratio$ com!lex will fi$# a

satisfactor* solutio$ as lo$g as societ* assig$s it the u$co$scious role of social re!ressio$ a$#

regulatio$@ +$ a wor#& the social relatio$ $ever co$stitutes somethi$g "e*o$# or somethi$g a##e#

after the fact& where i$#ivi#ual or familial !ro"lems occur) :hat is remar'a"le is how ma$ifest

the eco$omic a$# !olitical social co$te$ts of the li"i#o "ecome& the more o$e co$fro$ts the most

#esocialie# as!ects of certai$ s*$#romes& as i$ !s*chosis) >e*o$# the elf& the su"/ect

ex!lo#es i$ fragme$ts throughout the u$iverse& the ma#ma$ "egi$s s!ea'i$g foreig$ la$guages&

rewriti$g histor* as halluci$atio$& a$# usi$g war a$# class co$flict as i$strume$ts of !erso$al

ex!ressio$ I)))J the #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ !rivate life a$# the various levels of social life $o lo$ger

hol#s) ,om!are this with %reu#& who #erives from war o$l* a$ u$#etermi$e# #eath(#rive& a$#a $o$(?ualifie# shoc' or excess of excitatio$ cause# "* a "ig "oom-) Bestori$g to the

u$co$scious its historical !ers!ectives& agai$st a "ac'#ro! of #is?uiet a$# the u$'$ow$& im!lies

a reversal of !s*choa$al*sis a$# certai$l* a re#iscover* of !s*chosis u$#er$eath the chea!

tra!!i$gs of $eurosis) <s*choa$al*sis has i$#ee# /oi$e# forces with the most tra#itio$al

!s*chiatr* to stifle the voices of the i$sa$e co$sta$tl* tal'i$g !olitics& eco$omics& or#er& a$#

revolutio$) +$ a rece$t article& Aarcel Caeger shows how the #iscourse !ro#uce# "* the i$sa$e

#oes $ot o$l* co$tai$s the #e!th of their i$#ivi#ual !s*chic #isor#ers the #iscourse of ma#$ess

also co$$ects with the #iscourse of !olitical& social& a$# religious histor* that s!ea's i$ each of

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us) I)))J +$ certai$ cases& the use of !olitical co$ce!ts !rovo'es a state of crisis i$ the !atie$t& as

though these co$ce!ts "rought to light the ver* co$tra#ictio$s i$ which the !atie$t has "ecome

e$ta$gle#) I)))J o !lace is free& $ot eve$ the as*lum& from the historical i$scri!tio$ of the

wor'ers moveme$t) These formulatio$s ex!ress the same orie$tatio$ that Guattaris wor'

#is!la*s i$ his first articles& the same effort to reevaluate !s*chosis)

:e see the #iffere$ce here with Beich there is $o li"i#i$al eco$om* to im!art& "* other

mea$s& a su"/ective !rolo$gatio$ to !olitical eco$om* there is $o sexual re!ressio$ to i$ter$alie

eco$omic ex!loitatio$ a$# !olitical su"/ectio$) +$stea#& #esire as li"i#o is ever*where alrea#*

!rese$t& sexualit* ru$s through the e$tire social fiel# a$# em"races it& coi$ci#i$g with the flows

that !ass u$#er the o"/ects& !erso$s a$# s*m"ols of a grou!& a$# it is o$ #esire as li"i#o that

these same o"/ects& !erso$s a$# s*m"ols #e!e$# for their #istri"utio$ a$# ver* co$stitutio$)

:hat we wit$ess here& !recisel*& is the late$t character of the sexualit* of #esire& which "ecomes

ma$ifest o$l* with the choice of sexual o"/ects a$# their s*m"ols ,if it $ee#s to "e sai# that the

s*m"ols are co$sciousl* sexual-) o$se?ue$tl*& this is !olitical eco$om* as such& a$ eco$om* of

flows& which is u$co$sciousl* li"i#i$al there is o$l* o$e eco$om*& $ot two a$# #esire or li"i#o

is /ust the su"/ectivit* of !olitical eco$om*) +$ the e$#& the eco$omic is the motor of

su"/ectivit*) ow we see the mea$i$g of the $otio$ of institution, #efi$e# as a su"/ectivit* of

flows a$# their i$terru!tio$ i$ the o"/ective forms of a grou!) The #ualities of the o"/ective a$#

the su"/ective& of i$frastructure a$# su!erstructure& of !ro#uctio$ a$# i#eolog*& va$ish a$# give

wa* to the strict com!leme$tarit* of the #esiri$g su"/ect of the i$stitutio$& a$# the i$stitutio$al

o"/ect) ,Guattaris i$stitutio$al a$al*ses shoul# "e com!are# with those ar#a$ #i# arou$# the

same time i$ Socia'isme ou 3arbarie, "oth assimilate# i$ the same "itter criti?ue of the

Trots'*ites)-4

The seco$# !ro"lemis there a reaso$ to i$tro#uce !s*choa$al*sis i$to !olitical grou!s&

a$# if so how@exclu#es& to "e sure& a$* a!!licatio$ of !s*choa$al*sis to historical a$#

social !he$ome$a) <s*choa$al*sis has accumulate# ma$* such ri#iculous a!!licatio$s& e#i!us

"ei$g foremost amo$g them) Bather& the !ro"lem is this the situatio$ that has ma#e ca!italism

the thi$g to "e overthrow$ "* revolutio$ is the same situatio$ that ma#e the Bussia$ Bevolutio$&

as well as the histor* imme#iatel* followi$g it& $ot to me$tio$ the orga$iatio$ of commu$ist

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!arties& a$# $atio$al u$io$s& all i$to so ma$* authorities i$ca!a"le of effecti$g the #estructio$ of

ca!italism) +$ this regar#& the !ro!er character of ca!italism& which is !rese$te# as a

co$tra#ictio$ "etwee$ the #evelo!me$t of !ro#uctive forces a$# the relatio$s of !ro#uctio$& is

esse$tiall* the re!ro#uctio$ !rocess of ca!ital) This !rocess& however& o$ which the !ro#uctive

forces of ca!ital i$ the s*stem #e!e$#& is i$ fact a$ i$ter$atio$al !he$ome$o$ im!l*i$g a

worl#wi#e #ivisio$ of la"or $evertheless& ca!italism ca$$ot shatter the $atio$al framewor's

withi$ which it #evelo!s its relatio$s of !ro#uctio$& $or ca$ it smash the tate as the i$strume$t

of the valuatio$ of ca!ital)5 The i$ter$atio$alism of ca!ital is thus accom!lishe# "* $atio$al a$#

state structures that cur" ca!ital eve$ as the* ma'e it wor' these archaic structures have

ge$ui$e fu$ctio$s) tate mo$o!ol* ca!italism& far from "ei$g a$ ultimate give$& is the result of a

com!romise) +$ this ex!ro!riatio$ of the ca!italists at the heart of ca!ital& the "ourgeoisie

mai$tai$s its stra$glehol# o$ the tate a!!aratus through its i$creasi$g efforts to i$stitutio$aliea$# i$tegrate the wor'i$g class& i$ such a wa* that class co$flict is #ece$tere# with res!ect to the

real !laces a$# #eci#i$g factors that go "e*o$# tates a$# !oi$t to the i$ter$atio$al ca!italist

eco$om*) +t is "* virtue of the same !ri$ci!le that a $arrow s!here of !ro#uctio$ is alo$e

i$serte# i$ the worl#wi#e re!ro#uctio$ !rocess of ca!ital& while i$ thir#(worl# tates& the rest

remai$s su"/ecte# to !reca!italist relatio$s ,ge$ui$e archaisms of a seco$# 'i$#-)

Give$ this situatio$& we see the com!licit* of $atio$al commu$ist !arties !romoti$g the

i$tegratio$ of the !roletariat i$to the tate& such that the "ourgeoisies $atio$al se$se of i#e$tit*

results i$ large measure from the !roletariats ow$ $atio$al se$se of i#e$tit* so& too& #oes the

i$ter$al #ivisio$ of the "ourgeoisie result from the #ivisio$ of the !roletariat) Aoreover& eve$

whe$ the $ecessit* of revolutio$ar* struggle i$ the thir# worl# is affirme#& these struggles

mostl* serve as chi!s i$ a $egotiatio$& i$#icati$g the same re$u$ciatio$ of a$ i$ter$atio$al

strateg* a$# the #evelo!me$t of class co$flict i$ ca!italist cou$tries) +t comes #ow$ to this

im!erative te wor:ing c'ass must defend nationa' productive forces, struggle agai$st

mo$o!olies& a$# a!!ro!riate a tate a!!aratus)

This situatio$ origi$ates i$ what Guattari calls the great e$i$ist ru!ture of 1917& which

#etermi$e# for "etter or worse the ma/or attitu#es& the !ri$ci!al #iscourse& i$itiatives&

stereot*!es& !ha$tasms& a$# i$ter!retatio$s of the revolutio$ar* moveme$t) This ru!ture was

223



!rese$te# as the !ossi"ilit* of effecti$g a real "rea' i$ historical causalit* "* i$ter!reti$g the

militar*& eco$omic& !olitical a$# social #isarra* as a victor* of the masses) .risi$g to re!lace the

$ecessit* of a sacre# u$io$ of the ce$ter with the left was the !ossi"ilit* of a socialist rev olutio$)

>ut this !ossi"ilit* was o$l* acce!te# "* tur$i$g the !art*& o$ce a mo#est cla$#esti$e grou!&

i$to a$ em"r*o$ic tate a!!aratus a"le to #irect ever*thi$g& to fulfill a messia$ic vocatio$ a$#

su"stitute itself for the masses) Two more or less lo$g(term co$se?ue$ces e$sue#) +$asmuch as

the $ew tate co$fro$te# ca!italist tates& it e$tere# i$to relatio$s of force with them& a$# the

i#eal of such relatio$s was a 'i$# of status ?uo what ha# "ee$ the e$i$ist tactic at the creatio$

of the =< was co$verte# i$to a$ i#eolog* of !eaceful coexiste$ce a$# eco$omic com!etitio$

with the :est) This i#ea of com!etitio$ s!elle# the rui$ of the revolutio$ar* moveme$t) .$#

i$asmuch as the $ew tate assume# res!o$si"ilit* for the !roletariat the worl# over& it coul#

#evelo! a socialist eco$om* o$l* i$ accor#a$ce with the realities of the glo"al mar'et a$#accor#i$g to o"/ectives similar to those of i$ter$atio$al ca!ital) The $ew tate all the more

rea#il* acce!te# the i$tegratio$ of local commu$ist !arties i$to the relatio$s of ca!italist

!ro#uctio$ si$ce it was i$ the $ame of the wor'i$g class #efe$#i$g the $atio$al forces of

!ro#uctio$) +$ short& there is $o reaso$ to agree with the tech$ocrats whe$ the* sa* that two

'i$#s of regimes a$# tates co$verge# as the* evolve# $or with Trots'*& whe$ he su!!oses that

"ureaucrac* corru!te# a health* !roletaria$ tate& with the cure co$sisti$g i$ a sim!le !olitical

revolutio$) The outcome was alrea#* #eci#e# or "etra*e# i$ the wa* i$ which the tate(!art*

responded to the cit*(tates of ca!italism& eve$ i$ their relatio$s of mutual hostilit* a$#

a$$o*a$ce) The clearest evi#e$ce of this is that wea' i$stitutio$s were create# i$ ever* sector i$

Bussia as soo$ as the oviets li?ui#ate# ever*thi$g earl* o$ ,for exam!le& whe$ the* im!orte#

!re(assem"le# automo"ile factories& the* u$witti$gl* im!orte# certai$ t*!es of huma$ relatio$s&

tech$ological fu$ctio$s& se!aratio$s "etwee$ i$tellectual a$# ma$ual wor'& a$# mo#es of

co$sum!tio$ #ee!l* foreig$ to socialism-)

:hat gives this a$al*sis its force is the #isti$ctio$ Guattari !ro!oses "etwee$ subjugated

groups a$# group-subjects% Grou!s are su"/ugate# $o less "* the lea#ers the* assig$ themselves&

or acce!t& tha$ "* the masses) The hierarch*& the vertical or !*rami#al orga$iatio$& whichcharacteries su"/ugate# grou!s is mea$t to war# off a$* !ossi"le i$scri!tio$ of $o$se$se& #eath

or #is!ersal& to #iscourage the #evelo!me$t of creative ru!tures& a$# to e$sure the self(

!reservatio$ mecha$isms roote# i$ the exclusio$ of other grou!s) Their ce$traliatio$ wor's

through structure& totaliatio$& u$ificatio$& re!laci$g the co$#itio$s of a ge$ui$e collective

uttera$ce with a$ assem"lage of stereot*!ical uttera$ces cut off "oth from the real a$# from

su"/ectivit* ,this is whe$ imagi$ar* !he$ome$a such as e#i!aliatio$& su!eregoficatio$& a$#

grou!(castratio$ ta'e !lace-) Grou!(su"/ects& o$ the other ha$#& are #efi$e# "* coefficie$ts of

transversa'ity that war# off totalities a$# hierarchies) The* are age$ts of e$u$ciatio$&

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e$viro$me$ts of #esire& eleme$ts of i$stitutio$al creatio$) Through their ver* !ractice& the*

ceaselessl* co$form to the limit of their ow$ $o$se$se& their ow$ #eath or ru!ture) till& it is less

a ?uestio$ of two grou!s tha$ two si#es of the i$stitutio$& si$ce a grou!( su"/ect is alwa*s i$

#a$ger of allowi$g itself to "e su"/ugate#& i$ a !ara$oi# co$tractio$ where the grou! wa$ts to

!er!etuate itself at all cost a$# live forever as a su"/ect) o$versel*& a !art* that was o$ce

revolutio$ar* a$# $ow more or less su"/ugate# to the #omi$a$t or#er ca$ still occu!*& i$ the e*es

of the masses& the !lace which the su"/ect of histor* has left em!t*& ca$ still "ecome i$ s!ite of

itself the mouth!iece of a #iscourse $ot its ow$& eve$ if it mea$s "etra*i$g that #iscourse whe$

the evolutio$ of the relatio$s of force causes a retur$ to $ormalc* the grou! $o$etheless

!reserves& almost i$volu$taril*& a !ote$tialit* of su"/ective ru!ture which a tra$sformatio$ of

co$text will reveal) ,To ta'e a$ extreme exam!le the wa* i$ which the worst archaisms ca$

"ecome revolutio$ar*& i)e) the >as?ues& the +rish Be!u"lica$ .rm*& etc)-

+t is certai$l* true that if the !ro"lem of the grou!s fu$ctio$i$g is $ot !ose# to "egi$ with& it

will "e too late afterwar#s) Too ma$* grou!uscles that as *et i$s!ire o$l* !ha$tom masses

alrea#* !ossess a structure of su"/ugatio$& com!lete with lea#ershi!& a mecha$ism of

tra$smissio$& a$# a core mem"ershi!& aimlessl* re!ro#uci$g the errors a$# !erversio$s the* are

tr*i$g to o!!ose) Guattaris ow$ ex!erie$ce "egi$s with Trots'*ism a$# !rocee#s through

=$tr*ism& the eftist !!ositio$ "4a oie communiste$, a$# the Aarch 22$# Aoveme$t)

Throughout this tra/ector*& the !ro"lem remai$s o$e of #esire or u$co$scious su"/ectivit* how

#oes a grou! carr* its ow$ #esire& co$$ect it to the #esires of other grou!s a$# to the #esires of

the masses& !ro#uce the a!!ro!riate creative uttera$ces a$# co$stitute the co$#itio$s $ot of

u$ificatio$& "ut of multi!licatio$ co$#ucive to uttera$ces i$ revolt@ The misrea#i$g a$#

re!ressio$ of !he$ome$a of #esire i$s!ire structures of su"/ugatio$ a$# "ureaucratiatio$ the

milita$t st*le com!ose# of hateful love #etermi$i$g a limite# $um"er of exclusive #omi$a$t

uttera$ces) The co$sta$c* with which revolutio$ar* grou!s have "etra*e# their tas' is well

'$ow$) These grou!s o!erate through #etachme$t& electio$& a$# resi#ual selectio$ the* #etach a

su!!ose#l* ex!ert ava$t(gar#e the* elect a #isci!li$e#& orga$ie#& hierarchie# !roletariat the*

select a resi#ual su"(!roletariat to "e exclu#e# or ree#ucate#) >ut this tri!artite #ivisio$re!ro#uces !recisel* the #ivisio$s which the "ourgeoisie i$tro#uce# i$to the !roletariat& a$# o$

which it has "ase# its !ower withi$ the framewor' of ca!italist relatio$s of !ro#uctio$)

.ttem!ti$g to tur$ these #ivisio$s agai$st the "ourgeoisie is a lost cause) The revolutio$ar* tas'

is the su!!ressio$ of the !roletariat itself& that is to sa*& the imme#iate su!!ressio$ of the

#isti$ctio$s "etwee$ ava$t(gar#e a$# !roletariat& "etwee$ !roletariat a$# su"(!roletariatthe

effective struggle agai$st all mecha$isms of #etachme$t& electio$& a$# resi#ual selectio$such

that su"/ective a$# si$gular !ositio$s ca!a"le of tra$sversal commu$icatio$ ma* emerge i$stea#

,cf) Guattaris text& etu#ia$t& le fou et le Fata$gais-)

225



Guattaris stre$gth co$sists i$ showi$g that the !ro"lem is $ot at all a"out choosi$g "etwee$

s!o$ta$eit* a$# ce$tralism) or "etwee$ guerrilla a$# ge$eralie# warfare) +t serves $o !ur!ose

to recog$ie i$ o$e "reath the right to s!o$ta$eit* #uri$g a first stage& if it mea$s i$ the $ext

"reath #ema$#i$g the $ecessit* of ce$traliatio$ for a seco$# stage the theor* of stages is the

rui$ of ever* revolutio$ar* moveme$t) %rom the start we have to "e more ce$tralist tha$ the

ce$tralists) learl*& a revolutio$ar* machi$e ca$$ot remai$ satisfie# with local a$# occasio$al

struggles it has to "e at the same time su!er(ce$tralie# a$# su!er(#esiri$g) The !ro"lem&

therefore& co$cer$s the $ature of u$ificatio$& which must fu$ctio$ i$ a tra$sversal wa*& through

multi!licit*& a$# $ot i$ a vertical wa*& so a!t to crush the multi!licit* !ro!er to #esire) +$ the first

!lace& this mea$s that a$* u$ificatio$ must "e te unification of a war-macine and not a State

apparatus ,a Be# .rm* sto!s "ei$g a war(machi$e to the exte$t that it "ecomes a more or less

im!orta$t cog i$ a tate a!!aratus-) +$ the seco$# !lace& this mea$s that u$ificatio$ must occurthrough ana'ysis, that it must !la* te ro'e of an ana'y(er with res!ect to the #esire of the grou!

a$# the masses& a$# $ot the role of a s*$thesier o!erati$g through ratio$aliatio$& totaliatio$&

exclusio$& etc) :hat exactl* a war(machi$e is ,as com!are# to a tate(a!!aratus-& a$# what

exactl* a$ a$al*sis or a$ a$al*er of #esire is ,as o!!ose# to !seu#o(ratio$al a$# scie$tific

s*$thesis-& are the two ma/or li$es of thought that Guattaris "oo' !ursues& sig$ali$g i$ his view

the theoretical tas' to "e u$#erta'e$ at the !rese$t time)

This !ursuit& however& is $ot a"out a!!l*i$g !s*choa$al*sis to grou! !he$ome$a) or is it

a"out a thera!eutic grou! that woul# somehow treat the masses) +ts a"out co$stituti$g i$ the

grou! the co$#itio$s of a$ a$al*sis of #esire& for o$eself a$# for others its a"out !ursui$g the

flows that co$stitute m*ria# li$es of flight i$ ca!italist societ*& a$# "ri$gi$g a"out ru!tures&

im!osi$g i$terru!tio$s at the ver* heart of social #etermi$ism a$# historical causalit* its a"out

allowi$g collective age$ts of e$u$ciatio$ to emerge& ca!a"le of formulati$g $ew uttera$ces of

#esire its a"out co$stituti$g $ot a$ ava$t(gar#e& "ut grou!s a#/ace$t to social !rocesses& whose

o$l* tas' is to a#va$ce a truth alo$g !aths it usuall* $ever ta'esi$ a wor#& its a"out co$(

stituti$g a revolutio$ar* su"/ectivit* a"out which there is $o more reaso$ to as' whether

li"i#i$al& eco$omic& or !olitical #etermi$atio$s shoul# come first& si$ce this su"/ectivit* traversestra#itio$all* se!arate or#ers its a"out gras!i$g that !oi$t of rupture where& !recisel*& !olitical

eco$om* a$# li"i#i$al eco$om* are one and te same% The u$co$scious is $othi$g else tha$ the

or#er of grou! su"/ectivit* which i$tro#uces ex!losive machi$es i$to so(calle# sig$if*i$g

structures as well as causal chai$s& forci$g them to o!e$ to li"erate their hi##e$ !ote$tialities as a

future realit* i$flue$ce# "* the ru!ture) The Aarch 22$# Aoveme$t is exem!lar* i$ this res!ect&

"ecause while it was i$sufficie$t as a war(machi$e& it $o$etheless fu$ctio$e# excee#i$gl* well as

a$ a$al*tic a$# #esiri$g grou! which $ot o$l* hel# a #iscourse o$ the mo#e of trul* free asso(

ciatio$& "ut which was a"le also to co$stitute itself as a$ a$al*er of a co$si#era"le mass of

226



stu#e$ts a$# wor'ers& without a$* claims to hegemo$* or ava$t(gar#e status it was sim!l* a$

e$viro$me$t allowi$g for the tra$sfer a$# the removal of i$hi"itio$s) .$al*sis a$# #esire fi$all*

o$ the same si#e& with #esire ta'i$g the lea# such a$ actualiatio$ of a$al*sis i$#ee# character(

ies grou!(su"/ects& whereas su"/ugate# grou!s co$ti$ue to exist u$#er the laws of a sim!le

a!!licatio$ of !s*choa$al*sis i$ a close# e$viro$me$t ,the famil* as a co$ti$uatio$ of the tate

"* other mea$s-) The !olitical a$# eco$omic co$te$t of li"i#o as such& the li"i#i$al a$# sexual

co$te$t of the !olitico(eco$omic fiel#this whole turn of istory "ecome ma$ifest o$l* i$ a$

o!e$ e$viro$me$t a$# i$ grou!(su"/ects& wherever a truth shows u!) >ecause truth is $ot theor*&

a$# $ot orga$iatio$) +ts $ot structure& a$# $ot the sig$ifier its the war(machi$e a$# its

$o$se$se) :he$ the truth shows itself& theor* a$# orga$iatio$ will /ust have to #eal with it its

$ot #esires role to !erform self(criticism& theor* a$# orga$iatio$ have to #o it)

The tra$sformatio$ of !s*choa$al*sis i$to schio(a$al*sis im!lies a$ evaluatio$ of the

s!ecificit* of ma#$ess) This is /ust o$e of the !oi$ts Guattari i$sists o$& /oi$i$g forces with

%oucault& who sa*s that ma#$ess will $ot "e re!lace# "* the !ositivist #etermi$atio$& treatme$t&

a$# $eutraliatio$ of me$tal ill$ess& "ut that me$tal ill$ess will "e re!lace# "* somethi$g we

have $ot *et u$#erstoo# i$ ma#$ess)6 >ecause the real !ro"lems have to #o with !s*chosis ,$ot

the $euroses of a!!licatio$-) +t is alwa*s a !leasure to elicit the moc'er* of !ositivists Guattari

$ever tires of !roclaimi$g the legitimac* of a meta!h*sical or tra$sce$#e$tal !oi$t of view&

which co$sists i$ !urgi$g ma#$ess of me$tal ill$ess& a$# $ot me$tal ill$ess of ma#$ess :ill

there come a #a* whe$ we will fi$all* stu#* <resi#e$t chre"ers or .$to$i$ .rtau#s #efi$itio$s

of Go# with the same serious$ess a$# rigor as those of Descartes or Aale"ra$che@ %or how lo$g

will we !er!etuate the s!lit "etwee$ the i$$er wor'i$gs of !ure theoretical criti?ue a$# the

co$crete a$al*tical activit* of the huma$ scie$ces@ ,+t shoul# "e u$#erstoo# that ma# #efi$itio$s

are more serious a$# more rigorous tha$ the u$health*(ratio$al #efi$itio$s "* mea$s of which

su"/ugate# grou!s relate to Go# i$ the form of reaso$)- Aore !recisel*& Guattaris i$stitutio$al

a$al*sis criticies a$ti(!s*chiatr* $ot o$l* for refusi$g to ac'$owle#ge a$* !harmacological

fu$ctio$& $ot o$l* for #e$*i$g the i$stitutio$ a$* revolutio$ar* !ossi"ilit*& "ut es!eciall* for

co$fusi$g me$tal alie$atio$ with social alie$atio$ a$# there"* su!!ressi$g the s!ecificit* ofma#$ess) :ith the "est i$te$tio$s& "oth moral a$# !olitical& the* ma$age# to refuse the i$sa$e

their right to "e i$sa$e& the its-a''-societys-fau't ca$ mas' a wa* of su!!ressi$g #evia$ce) The

$egatio$ of the i$stitutio$ woul# the$ "e the #e$ial of the si$gular fact of me$tal alie$atio$) ot

that some ge$eral theor* of ma#$ess must "e !osite#& $or must a m*stical i#e$tit* of the

revolutio$ar* a$# lu$atic "e i$vo'e#) ,ertai$l*& it is useless to attem!t to forestall such a

criticism& which will "e ma#e i$ a$* eve$t)- Bather& its $ot ma#$ess which must "e re#uce# to

the or#er of the ge$eral& "ut the mo#er$ worl# i$ ge$eral or the e$tire social fiel# which must

a'so "e i$ter!rete# i$ terms of the si$gularit* of the lu$atic& i$ its ver* ow$ su"/ective !ositio$)

227



Ailita$t revolutio$aries ca$$ot "e co$cer$e# with #eli$?ue$c*& #evia$ce& a$# ma#( $ess$ot as

e#ucators or reformers& "ut as those who ca$ rea# the face of their !ro!er #iffere$ce o$l* i$ such

mirrors) Ta'e for exam!le this "it of #ialogue with Cea$ ur*& at the start of this collectio$

omethi$g s!ecific to a grou! of milita$ts i$ the !s*chiatric #omai$ is "ei$g committe# to

social struggle& "ut also "ei$g i$sa$e e$ough to e$tertai$ the !ossi"ilit* of being wit the i$sa$e

"ut there are #efi$itel* !eo!le i$ !olitics who are i$ca!a"le of "elo$gi$g to such a grou!)))

Guattaris !ro!er co$tri"utio$ to i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!* resi#es i$ a certai$ $um"er of

$otio$s ,whose formatio$ we ca$ actuall* trace i$ this collectio$- the #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ two

'i$#s of grou!s& the o!!ositio$ "etwee$ grou! !ha$tasms a$# i$#ivi#ual !ha$tasms& a$# the

co$ce!tio$ of tra$sver( salit*) .$# these $otio$s have a !recise !ractical orie$tatio$ i$tro#uci$g

a milita$t !olitical fu$ctio$ i$to the i$stitutio$& co$stituti$g a 'i$# of mo$ster which is $either

!s*choa$al*sis& $or hos!ital !ractice& eve$ less grou! #*$amics& a$# which is ever*where

a!!lica"le& i$ the hos!ital& at school& i$ a milita$t grou!a machi$e to !ro#uce a$# give voice to

#esire) This is wh* Guattari claime# the $ame of i$stitutio$al a$al*sis for his wor' rather tha$

i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!*) +$ the i$stitutio$al moveme$t le# "* Tos?uelles a$# Cea$ ur* there

i$#ee# "egi$s a thir# age of !s*chiatr* the i$stitutio$ as mo#el& "e*o$# the co$tract a$# the law)

+f it is true that the ol# as*lum was gover$e# "* re!ressive law& i$sofar as the i$sa$e were /u#ge#

i$ca!a"le a$# therefore exclu#e# from the co$tractual relatio$s that u$ite so(calle# reaso$a"le

"ei$gs& %reu#s stro'e of ge$ius was to show that "ourgeois families a$# the fro$tiers of the

as*lum co$tai$e# a large grou! of !eo!le ,$eurotics- who coul# "e "rought u$#er a !articular

co$tract& i$ or#er to lea# them& usi$g origi$al mea$s& "ac' to the $orms of tra#itio$al me#ici$e

,the !s*choa$al*tic co$tract as a !articular case of the li"eral(me#ical co$tractual relatio$-) The

a"a$#o$me$t of h*!$osis was a$ im!orta$t ste! i$ this #evelo!me$t) +t seems to me that $o o$e

has *et a$al*e# the role a$# effects of this co$tractual mo#el i$ which !s*choa$al*sis lo#ge#

itself o$e of the !ri$ci!al co$se?ue$ces of this was that !s*chosis remai$e# o$ the horio$ of

!s*choa$al*sis& as a ge$ui$e source of cli$ical material& a$# *et was exclu#e# as "e*o$# the

co$tractual fiel#) +t will come as $o sur!rise& as several texts i$ this collectio$ #emo$strate& that

i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!* e$tails i$ its !ri$ci!al !ro!ositio$s a criti?ue of re!ressive law aswell as the so(calle# li"eral co$tract& for which it ho!e# to su"stitute the mo#el of the i$stitutio$)

This criti?ue was mea$t to "e exte$#e# i$ several #irectio$s at o$ce& i$asmuch as the !*rami#al

orga$iatio$ of grou!s& their su"/ugatio$ a$# hierarchical #ivisio$ of la"or are "ase# o$ co$(

tractual relatio$s $o less tha$ legalist structures) +$ the collectio$s first text& #eali$g with #octor(

$urse relatio$shi!s& ur* i$ter/ects There is a ratio$alism i$ societ* that is $othi$g more tha$ a

ratio$aliatio$ of "a# faith a$# rotte$ "ehavior) The view from the i$si#e is the relatio$shi! o$e

has with the i$sa$e o$ a #a*(to(#a* "asis& provided a certain 2contract2 wit te traditiona' as

been voided% o& i$ a se$se& we ca$ sa* that '$owi$g what it is to "e i$ co$tact with the i$sa$e is

228



at the same time "ei$g a !rogressive) I)))J learl*& the ver* terms #octor($urse "elo$g to the

co$tract we sai# we ha# to voi#) There is i$ i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!* a 'i$# of !s*chiatric

i$s!iratio$ a la ai$t( Cust& i$ the se$se that ai$t(Cust #efi$es the re!u"lica$ regime "* ma$*

i$stitutio$s a$# few laws ,few co$tractual relatio$s also-) +$stitutio$al !s*chothera!* threa#s a

#ifficult !assage "etwee$ a$ti(!s*chiatr*& which te$#s to fall "ac' i$to #es!erate co$tractual

forms ,cf) a rece$t i$terview with ai$g-& a$# !s*chiatr* to#a*& with its tight !olice co$trols& its

!la$$e# tria$gulatio$& which will ver* li'el* cause us to regret the close# as*lums of ol#& ah the

goo# ol# #a*s& the goo# ol# st*le)

229



:hat comes i$to !la* here are Guattaris !ro"lems co$cer$i$g the $ature of cure#(curi$g grou!s

ca!a"le of formi$g grou!(su"/ects& that is to sa*& ca!a"le of ma'i$g the i$stitutio$ the o"/ect of age$ui$e creatio$ where ma#$ess a$# revolutio$ each reflect& without com"i$i$g& the face of their

#iffere$ce i$ the si$gular !ositio$s of a #esiri$g su"/ectivit*) %or exam!le& i$ the article e$title#:here #oes grou! !s*chothera!* "egi$@& there is the a$al*sis of >TEs ,"asic thera!eutic u$its-at a >or#e) ;ow #oes o$e war# off su"/ugatio$ from alrea#* su"/ugate# grou!s& with which

tra#itio$al !s*choa$al*sis is i$ com!etitio$@ .$# !s*choa$al*tic associatio$s o$ what si#e of thei$stitutio$& i$ what grou!& #o the* fall@ . great !ortio$ of Guattaris wor' !rior to Aa* 68 was#e#icate# to !atie$ts ta'i$g charge of their ow$ ill$ess& with the su!!ort of the e$tire stu#e$t

moveme$t) . !articular #ream of $o$se$se a$# empty words, i$stitute# as such& agai$st laws orthe co$tract of saturate# s!eech& a$# legitimie# sci(o-f'ow have ceaselessl* i$s!ire# Guattari i$

his e$#eavor to "rea' #ow$ the #ivisio$s a$# hierarchical or !seu#o(fu$ctio$alcom!artme$taliatio$se#ucator& !s*chiatrist& a$al*st& milita$t))) =ver* text i$ this collectio$ is

a$ article writte$ for a s!ecific occasio$) .$# the* have a twofol# goal the o$e is co$$ecte# totheir origi$ at a certai$ /u$cture of i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!*& a certai$ mome$t of milita$t

!olitical life& a certai$ as!ect of the %reu#ia$ school a$# aca$s teachi$g the other loo's to theirfu$ctio$& their !ossi"le fu$ctio$i$g i$ other circumsta$ces) This "oo' must "e ta'e$ i$ "its a$#

!ieces& li'e a mo$tage or i$stallatio$ of the cogs a$# wheels of a machi$e) ometimes the cogsare small& mi$iscule& "ut #isor#erl*& a$# thus all the more i$#is!e$sa"le) This "oo' is a machi$e

of #esire& i$ other wor#s& a war(machi$e& a$ a$al*ser) o& + woul# li'e to si$gle out two texts i$ !articular that seem es!eciall* im!orta$t i$ this collectio$ a theoretical text& where the ver*

!ri$ci!le of a machi$e is #isti$guishe# from the h*!othesis of structure a$# #etache# fromstructural ties ,Aachi$e a$# tructure-& a$# a schio(text where the $otio$s of sig$(!oi$t a$#

sig$("lot are free# from the o"stacle of the sig$ifier)F%hat Or+risoners %ant &rom /s$$$F1

omethi$g $ew is ha!!e$i$g i$ a$# arou$# our !riso$s) +$mates are #eci#i$g what form the*

wish to give their collective actio$ withi$ the co$text of each !articular !riso$ ,si$ce Toul& for

exam!le the Tract %i$al war$i$g at Aelu$& the wor' sto!!age at imes& the "rea' out a$#

occu!atio$ of the roof to!s at a$c*-) 2 >ut i$ this great variet* there a!!ears to "e a series of

!recise #ema$#s& which are $o lo$ger a##resse# to the !e$ite$tiar* a#mi$istratio$& "ut are #irect(

l* a##resse# to the !owers that "e a$# call #irectl* o$ the %re$ch !eo!le) These #ema$#s i$

commo$ esse$tiall* #eal with ce$sure the court a$# solitar* co$fi$eme$t as "rutal

re!ressio$ without a$* !ossi"le #efe$se o$ the !riso$ers !art the ex!loitatio$ of wor' i$ the

!riso$s co$#itio$al free#om& the !olice recor#& i$ter#ictio$ from visiti$g a !lace a$# the call to

esta"lish mo$itori$g commissio$s that are i$#e!e$#e$t of the gover$me$t a$# !riso$

a#mi$istratio$)

230



The fact itself of !u$ishme$t a$# im!riso$me$t has $ot *et "ee$ calle# i$to ?uestio$ still& a

fro$t of !olitical struggle has alrea#* move# i$to the !riso$s) The realiatio$ that !riso$ is

esse$tiall* a"out class& that it co$cer$s a"ove all the wor'i$g class& a$# that it also has to #o with

the la"or mar'et ,re!ressio$ will "e all the more harsh& es!eciall* o$ the *ou$g& to the exte$t that

u$em!lo*me$t is a threat a$# their la"or su!erfluous o$ the mar'et-these realiatio$s are

"ecomi$g more a$# more clear i$ the !riso$s) The esse$tial !ri$ci!le articulate# "* the i$mates

at Aelu$ is that social rei$sertio$ of the !riso$ers coul# "e the wor' o$l* of the !riso$ers

themselves)

.$ active grass roots "ase i$si#e the !riso$ is $ot e$ough there must "e a grass roots "ase

o$ the outsi#e& a$ activist "ase& su!!orti$g a$# !ro!agati$g the !riso$ers #ema$#s) The G+< is

$ot& as Ar) <leve$ a$# the $ews!a!er Minute woul# have the !u"lic "elieve& a su"versive grou!

i$s!iri$g the actio$s of !riso$ers from the exterior) or as the <resi#e$t of the Toul +$?uir*

ommissio$ A) chmelc' co$te$#s& is the G+< a grou! of i$tellectual #reamers) +t aims to

orga$ie activist exter$al hel!& which first must "e le# "* former i$mates a$# the families of

i$mates& "ut the$ must recruit more a$# more wor'ers a$# #emocrats to the cause)

+$ this res!ect also& there is somethi$g u$!rece#e$te# goi$g o$) +$ Toul& ille& a$c*& a$#

elsewhere& a $ew 'i$# of !u"lic gatheri$g is ta'i$g !lace& which has $othi$g to #o with the

!u"lic co$fessio$& a$# which is $ot the classical tow$ meeti$g either former !riso$ers& who

have settle# i$ the cities where the* !ai# their #e"t to societ*& are comi$g forwar# to sa* what

was #o$e to them& what the* saw& !h*sical a"use& re!risals& lac' of me#ial care& etc) This is a

persona'i(ed criti@ue, the exam!le of which was give$ "* Dr) Bose& whose re!ort too' u! the

!riso$ers cause)3

This is what too' !lace i$ a$c*& i$ a$ extraor#i$ar* gatheri$g of more tha$ o$e thousa$#

i$#ivi#uals& which the !ress !asse# over i$ sile$ce)

231

:;.T EB <B+=B :.T)



This is what too' !lace i$ Toul& where the !riso$ guar#s& from the last row& 'e!t shouti$g at

the i$mates o$l* the former i$mates were a"le to shut them u!& whe$ without hesitatio$ each

ex!lai$e# wh* he we$t to !riso$ a$# si$gle# out this or that !riso$ guar# to remi$# him of his

"rutalit*) The !hrase + '$ow him& with which the !riso$ guar#s wa$te# to i$timi#ate the

i$mates& "ecame the !hrase the i$mates co(o!te# to sile$ce# the !riso$ guar#s)

The #a* is comi$g whe$ $ot o$e !riso$ guar# will "e a"le to "eat a !riso$er without "ei$g

!u"licl* #e$ou$ce# a #a* or mo$th later "* his victim or a wit$ess& i$ the ver* cit* where it has

ta'e$ !lace) %ormer !riso$ers& a$# curre$t !riso$ers ali'e& have cease# to "e afrai# a$# $o lo$ger

feel ashame#)

%ace# with such a moveme$t& the gover$me$t has res!o$#e# o$l* with i$crease# re!ressio$

,the B is ever rea#* to i$terve$e i$ the !riso$s- a$# a#mi$istrative reforms ,i$ which !riso$ers a$# former !riso$ers have $o right to ma'e themselves hear#-) The* are givi$g !ower

"ac' to the !refects of !olice which o$ce agai$ amou$ts to $othi$g more tha$ the Ai$ister of

Custice !assi$g the "uc' to the Ai$ister of the +$terior) The gulf "etwee$ the <leve$ reforms 4 a$#

the more mo#erate #ema$#s of the !riso$ers ex!resses i$ all their $a'e#$ess the relatio$shi!s of

class& viole$ce& a$# !ower)

1

nte""eta"s and +o*er;

232



+T==TE. .D <:=B

$i'hel Fou'aul): . Aaoist tol# me + ca$ see wh* artre is o$ our si#e& for what a$# wh* he is i$volve# i$ !oliticsa$# *ou& + ca$ eve$ see wh* *ou #o it& si$ce *ouve alwa*s co$si#ere# im!riso$me$t a !ro"lem) >ut Deleue& reall*& +

#o$t see it) ;is ?uestio$ too' me totall* "* sur!rise& "ecause its cr*stal clear to me)Gilles Deleue: Aa*"e its "ecause for us the relatio$shi!s "etwee$ theor* a$# !raxis are "ei$g live# i$ a $ew wa*) $ the o$e ha$#& !raxis use#

to "e co$ceive# as a$ a!!licatio$ of theor*& as a co$se?ue$ce o$ the other ha$#& a$# i$versel*& !raxis was su!!ose# toi$s!ire theor*& it was su!!ose# to create a $ew form of theor*) +$ a$* case& their relatio$shi! too' the form of a !rocess

of totaliatio$& i$ o$e sha!e or a$other) Aa*"e were as'i$g the ?uestio$ i$ a $ew wa*) %or us the relatio$shi!s "etwee$theor* a$# !raxis are much more fragme$tar* a$# !artial) +$ the first !lace& a theor* is alwa*s local& relate# to a limite#

#omai$& though it ca$ "e a!!lie# i$ a$other #omai$ that is more or less #ista$t) The rule of a!!licatio$ is $ever o$e ofresem"la$ce) +$ the seco$# !lace& as soo$ as a theor* ta'es hol# i$ its ow$ #omai$& it e$cou$ters o"stacles& walls&collisio$s& a$# these im!e#ime$ts create a $ee# for the theor* to "e rela*e# "* a$other 'i$# of #iscourse ,it is this other#iscourse which eve$tuall* causes the theor* to migrate from o$e #omai$ to a$other-) <raxis is a $etwor' of rela*s

from o$e theoretical !oi$t to a$other& a$# theor* rela*s o$e !raxis to a$other) . theor* ca$$ot "e #evelo!e# withoute$cou$teri$g a wall& a$# a !raxis is $ee#e# to "rea' through) Ta'e *ourself& for exam!le& *ou "egi$ "* theoreticall*a$al*i$g a milieu of im!riso$me$t li'e the !s*chiatric as*lum of $i$etee$th(ce$tur* ca!italist societ*) The$ *ou#iscover how $ecessar* it is !recisel* for those who are im!riso$e# to s!ea' o$ their ow$ "ehalf& for them to "ecome a

rela* ,or !erha!s *ou were alrea#* a rela* for them-& "ut these !eo!le are !riso$ers& the*re in !riso$) This was the logic "ehi$# *our creati$g the G+< ,Grou! for +$formatio$ o$ <riso$s- to !romote the co$#itio$s i$ which the !riso$ersthemselves coul# s!ea')2 +t woul# "e totall* misgui#e# to sa*& as the Aaoist seeme# to "e sa*i$g& that *ou were ma'i$ga move towar# !raxis "* a!!l*i$g *our theories) +$ *our case we fi$# $either a$ a!!licatio$& $or a reform !rogram& $or

a$ i$vestigatio$ i$ the tra#itio$al se$se) +t is somethi$g else e$tirel* a s*stem of rela*s i$ a$ assem"lage& i$ amulti!licit* of "its a$# !ieces "oth theoretical a$# !ractical) %or us& the i$tellectual a$# theorist have cease# to "e a

su"/ect& a co$scious$ess& that re!rese$ts or is re!rese$tative) .$# those i$volve# i$ !olitical struggle have cease# to "ere!rese$te#& whether "* a !art* or a u$io$ that woul# i$ tur$ claim for itself the right to "e their co$scie$ce) :ho

s!ea's a$# who acts@ +ts alwa*s a multi!licit*& eve$ i$ the !erso$ that s!ea's or acts) :e are all grou!uscles) There is$o more re!rese$tatio$) There is o$l* actio$& the actio$ of theor*& the actio$ of !raxis& i$ the relatio$s of rela*s a$#

$etwor's)

$i'hel Fou'aul): +t seems to me that tra#itio$all*& a$ i$tellectuals !olitical status resulte# from two thi$gs 1- the

!ositio$ as a$ i$tellectual i$ "ourgeois societ*& i$ the s*stem of ca!italist !ro#uctio$& i$ the i#eolog* which that s*stem

!ro#uces or im!oses ,"ei$g ex!loite#& re#uce# to !overt*& "ei$g re/ecte# or curse#& "ei$g accuse# of su"versio$ or

immoralit*& etc)-& a$# 2- i$tellectual #iscourse itself& i$ as much as it reveale# a !articular truth& u$coveri$g !olitical

relatio$shi!s where $o$e were "efore !erceive#) These two forms of "ecomi$g !oliticie# were $ot stra$gers to o$e

a$other& "ut the* #i#$t $ecessaril* coi$ci#e either) Nou ha# the curse# i$tellectual& a$# *ou ha# the socialist

i$tellectual) +$ certai$ mome$ts of viole$t reactio$& the !owers that "e willi$gl* co$fuse# these two !oliticiatio$s with

o$e a$otherafter 1848& after the ommu$e& after 1940 the i$tellectual was re/ecte#& !ersecute# at the ver* mome$t

whe$ thi$gs "ega$ to a!!ear i$ their $a'e# truth& whe$ *ou were $ot su!!ose# to #iscuss the 'i$gs $ew clothes)

i$ce the latest resurge$ce& however& i$tellectuals realie that the masses ca$ #o without them a$# still "e

'$owle#gea"le the masses '$ow !erfectl* well whats goi$g o$& it is !erfectl* clear to them& the* eve$ '$ow "etter

tha$ the i$tellectuals #o& a$# the* sa* so co$vi$ci$gl* e$ough) >ut a s*stem of !ower exists to "ar& !rohi"it& i$vali#ate

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their #iscourse a$# their '$owle#gea !ower locate# $ot o$l* i$ the u!!er echelo$s of ce$sorshi!& "ut which #ee!l*

a$# su"tl* !ermeates the whole $etwor' of societ*) The i$tellectuals are themselves !art of this s*stem of !ower& as is

the i#ea that i$tellectuals are the age$ts of co$scious$ess a$# #iscourse) The role of the i$tellectual is $o lo$ger to

situate himself slightl* ahea# or slightl* to o$e si#e so he ma* s!ea' the sile$t truth of each a$# all it is rather to

struggle agai$st those forms of !ower where he is "oth i$strume$t a$# o"/ect i$ the or#er of '$owle#ge& truth&

co$scious$ess& a$# #iscourse)

o it is that theor* #oes $ot ex!ress& tra$slate& or a!!l* a !raxis it is a !raxis "ut local a$# regio$al& as *ou sa*

$o$(totalii$g) . struggle agai$st !ower& a struggle to "ri$g !ower to light a$# o!e$ it u! wherever it is most i$visi"le

a$# i$si#ious) ot a struggle for some i$sight or realiatio$ ,for a lo$g time $ow co$scious$ess as '$owle#ge has

"ee$ ac?uire# "* the masses& a$# co$scious$ess as su"/ectivit* has "ee$ ta'e$& occu!ie# "* the "ourgeoisie-"ut a

struggle to u$#ermi$e a$# ta'e !ower si#e "* si#e with those who are fighti$g& a$# $ot off to the si#e tr*i$g to

e$lighte$ them) . theor* is the regio$al s*stem of this struggle)

Gilles Deleue: Nes& thats what a theor* is& exactl* li'e a tool "ox) +t has $othi$g to #o with the sig$ifier))) . theor*

has to "e use#& it has to wor') .$# $ot /ust for itself) +f there is $o o$e to use it& starti$g with the theorist himself who&

as soo$ as he uses it ceases to "e a theorist& the$ a theor* is worthless& or its time has $ot *et arrive#) Nou #o$t go "ac'

to a theor*& *ou ma'e $ew o$es& *ou have others to ma'e) +t is stra$ge that <roust& who !asses for a !ure i$tellectual&

shoul# articulate it so clearl* use m* "oo'& he sa*s& li'e a !air of glasses to view the outsi#e& a$# if it is$t to *our

li'i$g& fi$# a$other !air& or i$ve$t *our ow$& a$# *our #evice will $ecessaril* "e a #evice *ou ca$ fight with) . theor*

wo$t "e totalie#& it multi!lies) +ts rather i$ the $ature of !ower to totalie& a$# *ou sa* it exactl* theor* is "* $ature

o!!ose# to !ower) .s soo$ as a theor* ta'es hol# at this or that !oi$t& it ru$s u! agai$st the im!ossi"ilit* of havi$g the

least !ractical co$se?ue$ce without there "ei$g a$ ex!losio$& at some #ista$t !oi$t if $ecessar*) Thats wh* the i#ea of

reform is so stu!i# a$# h*!ocritical) =ither the reform is u$#erta'e$ "* those who claim to "e re!rese$tatives& whose

"usi$ess it is to s!ea' for others& i$ their $ame& a$# this is how !ower a#/usts& #istri"uti$g itself alo$g rei$force# li$es

of re!ressio$) r else the reform is #ema$#e# "* those who have a sta'e i$ it& a$# the$ it is $o lo$ger a reform "ut a

revolutio$) . revolutio$ar* actio$& "* virtue of its !artial character& is #etermi$e# to call i$to ?uestio$ the totalit* of

!ower a$# its hierarch*) This is $owhere clearer tha$ i$ the !riso$s the ti$iest& mee'est #ema$# "* the !riso$ers is

e$ough to 'ill <leve$s !seu#o reform "ill)( +f little chil#re$ ma$age# to ma'e their !rotests hear# i$ $urser* school& or

eve$ sim!l* their ?uestio$s& it woul# "e e$ough to #erail the whole e#ucatio$al s*stem) +$ realit*& the s*stem i$ which

we live cannot to'erate anyting, whe$ce *ou see its ra#ical fragilit* at ever* !oi$t& a$# at the same time its glo"al

re!ressio$) +$ m* o!i$io$& *ou were the first to teach us a fu$#ame$tal lesso$& "oth i$ *our "oo's a$# i$ the !ractical

#omai$ the i$#ig$it* of s!ea'i$g for others) :hat + mea$ is& we laughe# at re!rese$tatio$& sa*i$g it was over& "ut we

#i#$t follow this theoretical co$versio$ through$amel*& theor* #ema$#e# that those i$volve# fi$all* have their

sa* from a !ractical sta$#!oi$t)

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+T==TE. .D <:=B

$i'hel Fou'aul): .$# whe$ the !riso$ers "ega$ to s!ea'& the* ha# their ow$ theor* of !riso$& !u$ishme$t& a$#

/ustice) :hat reall* matters is tis 'i$# of #iscourse agai$st !ower& the cou$ter(#iscourse ex!resse# "* !riso$ers or

those we call crimi$als& a$# $ot a #iscourse on crimi$alit*) The !ro"lem of im!riso$me$t is a local a$# margi$al

!ro"lem& "ecause $o more tha$ 100&000 !eo!le go through !riso$ i$ a$* *ear) >ut this margi$al !ro"lem sha'es !eo!le

u!) + was sur!rise# to see how ma$* who were not i$ !riso$ i$tereste# i$ the !ro"lem& to see so ma$* !eo!le res!o$#

who were i$ $o wa* !re#is!ose# to heari$g this #iscourse& a$# sur!rise# to see how the* too' it) ;ow #o *ou ex!lai$

it@ +s it $ot sim!l* that& ge$erall* s!ea'i$g& the !e$al s*stem is that form where !ower shows itself as !ower i$ the

most tra$s!are$t wa*@ To !ut someo$e i$ !riso$& to 'ee! him there& #e!rive him of foo# a$# heat& 'ee! him from

goi$g out& from ma'i$g love& etc)& is that $ot the most #elirious form of !ower imagi$a"le@ The other #a* + was tal'i$g

with a woma$ who ha# "ee$ i$ !riso$& a$# she sai# To thi$' that o$e #a* i$ !riso$ the* !u$ishe# me& a fort* *ear ol#

woma$& "* forci$g me to eat stale "rea#) :hat is stri'i$g i$ this stor* is $ot o$l* the !uerilit* of the exercise of

!ower& "ut the c*$icism with which it is exercise# as !ower& i$ a form that is archaic a$# i$fa$tile) The* teach us how

to "e re#uce# to "rea# a$# water whe$ were 'i#s) <riso$ is the o$l* !lace where !ower ca$ "e exercise# i$ all its

$a'e#$ess a$# i$ its most excessive #ime$sio$s& a$# still /ustif* itself as moral) + have ever* right to !u$ish "ecause

*ou '$ow ver* well how evil it is to steal& to 'ill))) This is what is so fasci$ati$g a"out !riso$s for o$ce !ower #oes

$ot hi#e itself& #oes $ot mas' itself& "ut reveals itself as t*ra$$* #ow$ to the most i$sig$ifica$t #etail& c*$icall*

a!!lie# a$# *et its !ure& its e$tirel* /ustifie#& "ecause it ca$ "e e$tirel* formulate# i$ a moralit* that frames its

exercise its "rute t*ra$$* thus a!!ears as the sere$e #omi$atio$ of Goo# over =vil& of or#er over #isor#er)

Gilles Deleue: ow that + thi$' a"out it& the i$verse is e?uall* true) +ts $ot o$l* !riso$ers who are treate# li'e

chil#re$& "ut chil#re$ who are treate# li'e !riso$ers) hil#re$ are su"/ecte# to a$ i$fa$tiliatio$ which is $ot their ow$)

+$ this se$se& schools are a little li'e !riso$s& a$# factories are ver* much li'e them) .ll *ou have to #o is loo' at

Be$aults e$tra$ce) r a$*where *ou $ee# three vouchers to go ma'e !ee(!ee #uri$g the #a*) Nou u$covere# a text "*

Cerem* >e$tham i$ the eightee$th(ce$tur*& a !ro!osal for !riso$ reform it is i$ the $ame of this $o"le reform that

>e$tham esta"lishes a circular s*stem& where at o$e a$# the same time the re$ovate# !riso$ serves as a mo#el& a$#

where without $otici$g it& o$e moves from the school to the factor*& from the factor* to the !riso$ a$# vice versa)

There *ou have the esse$ce of reformism& of re!rese$tatio$ which has "ee$ reforme#) ;owever& whe$ !eo!le "egi$ to

s!ea' a$# act i$ their ow$ $ame& the* #o$t o!!ose o$e re!rese$tatio$& eve$ o$e which has "ee$ reforme#& to a$other

re!rese$tatio$ the* #o$t o!!ose a$other mo#e of re!rese$tatio$ to !owers false mo#e of re!rese$tatio$) %or exam!le&

+ recall whe$ *ou sai# that there was $o !o!ular /ustice agai$st /ustice& it ha!!e$s at a$other level altogether)4

$i'hel Fou'aul): +$ m* view& what comes to light "e$eath the hatre# which the !eo!le have for the /u#icial s*stem&

/u#ges& tri"u$als& !riso$s& etc)& is $ot o$l* the i#ea of some other& "etter /ustice& "ut first a$# foremost the !erce!tio$ of

a si$gular !oi$t where !ower is exercise# to the #etrime$t of the !eo!le) The a$ti(/u#icial struggle is a struggle agai$st

!ower& a$# i$ m* o!i$io$ its $ot a struggle agai$st i$/ustice& agai$st the i$/ustice of the /u#icial s*stem& $or is it for a

/u#icial i$stitutio$ that woul# wor' more efficie$tl*) till& is$t it stri'i$g that ever* time there are riots& revolts a$#

235




se#itio$s& the /u#icial a!!aratus has come u$#er fire& i$ the same wa* a$# at the same time as the fiscal a!!aratus& the

arm*& a$# the other forms of !ower@ A* h*!othesis& "ut its /ust a h*!othesis& is that !o!ular tri"u$als& for exam!le&

those #uri$g the Bevolutio$& have "ee$ a wa* for the lower mi##le class& i$ allia$ce with the masses& to recu!erate a$#

har$ess the moveme$t u$leashe# "* the struggle agai$st the /u#icial s*stem) To har$ess it& the* !ro!ose# this s*stem of

tri"u$als& which #efers to a /ustice that coul# "e /ust& to a /u#ge that coul# !ro$ou$ce a /ust se$te$ce) The ver* form of

the tri"u$al "elo$gs to a$ i#eolog* of/ustice which is a "ourgeois i#eolog*)

Gilles Deleue: +f we loo' at to#a*s situatio$& !ower $ecessaril* has a glo"al or total visio$) :hat + mea$ is that ever*

form of re!ressio$ to#a*& a$# the* are multi!le& is easil* totalie#& s*stematie# from the !oi$t of view of !ower the

racist re!ressio$ agai$st immigra$ts& the re!ressio$ i$ factories& the re!ressio$ i$ schools a$# teachi$g& a$# the

re!ressio$ of *outh i$ ge$eral) :e must$t loo' for the u$it* of these forms of re!ressio$ o$l* i$ reactio$ to Aa* 68&

"ut more so i$ a co$certe# !re!aratio$ a$# orga$iatio$ co$cer$i$g our imme#iate future) a!italism i$ %ra$ce is

#ro!!i$g its li"eral& !ater$alistic mas' of full em!lo*me$t it #es!eratel* $ee#s a reserve of u$em!lo*e# wor'ers)

+ts from this va$tage !oi$t that u$it* ca$ "e fou$# i$ the forms of re!ressio$ + alrea#* me$tio$e# the limi tatio$ of

immigratio$& o$ce its u$#erstoo# that were leavi$g the har#est a$# lowest !a*i$g /o"s to them the re!ressio$ i$

factories& "ecause $ow its all a"out o$ce agai$ givi$g the %re$ch a taste for har# wor' the struggle agai$st *outh a$#

the re!ressio$ i$ schools a$# teachi$g& "ecause !olice re!ressio$ must "e all the more active $ow that there is less $ee#

for *ou$g !eo!le o$ the /o" mar'et) =ver* categor* of !rofessio$al is goi$g to "e urge# to exercise !olice fu$ctio$s

which are more a$# more !recise !rofessors& !s*chiatrists& e#ucators of all stri!es& etc) ;ere we see somethi$g *ou

!re#icte# a lo$g time ago& a$# which we #i#$t thi$' !ossi"le the glo"al rei$forceme$t of the structures of

im!riso$me$t) o& face# with such a glo"al !olitics of !ower& our res!o$se is local cou$ter(attac's& #efe$sive fire& a$

active a$# sometimes !reve$tative #efe$se) :e must$t totalie what is totalia"le o$l* "* !ower& a$# which we coul#

totalie o$l* "* restori$g the re!rese$tative forms of ce$tralism a$# hierarch*) $ the other ha$#& what we must #o is

fi$# a wa* to create lateral co$$ectio$s& a s*stem of $etwor's& a grass roots "ase) .$# that is what is so #ifficult) +$ a$*

case& realit* for us #oes $ot !ass through the usual !olitical cha$$els i$ the tra#itio$al se$se& i)e) com!etitio$ a$# the

#istri"utio$ of !ower& li'e the so(calle# re!rese$tative authorities of the %re$ch ommu$ist <art* or the %re$ch Tra#e

E$io$) Bealit* is what is actuall* goi$g o$ i$ a factor*& a school& a "arrac's& a !riso$& a !olice statio$) o$se?ue$tl*&

actio$ there e$tails a t*!e of i$formatio$ of a$other $ature altogether tha$ what !asses for i$formatio$ i$ the !a!ers

,such as the t*!e of i$formatio$ we get from i"eratio$ <ress .ge$ts-)

$i'hel Fou'aul): Does$t this #ifficult*& the trou"le we have fi$#i$g a#e?uate forms of struggle& #erive i$ large

measure from the fact that we still #o$t '$ow what !ower is@ .fter all& we ha# to wait till the $i$etee$th(ce$tur*

"efore we '$ew what ex!loitatio$ was& a$# ma*"e we still #o$t reall* '$ow what !ower is) Aa*"e "oth Aarx a$#

%reu# are $ot e$ough to hel! us come to '$ow this thi$g which is so e$igmatic& at o$ce visi"le a$# i$visi"le& o!e$ a$#

hi##e$& i$veste# ever*where& this thi$g we call !ower) The theor* of the tate& the tra#itio$al a$al*sis of tate

a!!aratuses certai$l* #o $ot exhaust the fiel# i$ which !ower fu$ctio$s a$# is exercise#) This is to#a*s great

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+T==TE. .D <:=B

u$'$ow$ who exercises !ower@ a$# where@ To#a*& we '$ow more or less who #oes the ex!loiti$g& where the !rofit

goes& i$to whose ha$#s& a$# where it gets rei$veste#& whereas !ower))) :e '$ow ver* well that !ower is $ot i$ the

ha$#s of those who gover$) >ut the $otio$ of ruli$g class is $either clear $or well #evelo!e#) There is a whole

loosel* '$it grou! of $otio$s that $ee# a$al*sis #omi$ate& ma$age& gover$& state a!!aratus& !art*& etc)

imilarl*& we $ee# to lear$ /ust how far !ower exte$#s& through which rela*s& #ow$ to the smallest i$sta$ces of

hierarch*& co$trol& surveilla$ce& !rohi"itio$s& co$strai$ts) <ower is "ei$g exercise# wherever we fi$# it) o o$e !erso$&

!ro!erl* s!ea'i$g& hol#s it a$# *et it is alwa*s exercise# i$ o$e #irectio$ a$# $ot a$other& "* this grou! i$ this case&

"* this other grou! i$ this other case) :e #o$t reall* '$ow who has !ower& "ut we #o '$ow who #oes$t) +f rea#i$g

*our "oo's ,starti$g with Niet(sce a$# i$ a$tici!atio$ of &apita'ism and Sci(oprenia$ has "ee$ so crucial for me&

its "ecause the* seem to go a lo$g wa* towar# setti$g u! this !ro"lem usi$g ol# themes li'e mea$i$g a$# se$se&

sig$ifier a$# sig$ifie#& etc)& to !ose the ?uestio$s of !ower& the i$e?ualit* of !owers& a$# their struggle) =ver* struggle

#evelo!s arou$# a !articular focal !oi$t of !ower ,o$e of the i$$umera"le focal !oi$ts such as a "oss& a securit* guar#&

a !riso$ war#e$& a /u#ge& a u$io$ re!rese$tative& a $ews!a!ers e#itor(i$(chief-) .$# if !oi$ti$g out these focal !oi$ts

of !ower& #e$ou$ci$g them as such& tal'i$g a"out them i$ a !u"lic forum& co$stitutes a struggle& its $ot "ecause

!eo!le were u$aware of them& its "ecause s!ea'i$g u! o$ this to!ic& "rea'i$g i$to the $etwor' of i$stitutio$al

i$formatio$& $ami$g a$# sa*i$g who #i# what& is alrea#* tur$i$g the ta"les o$ !ower& its a first ste! for other struggles

agai$st !ower) +f ma'i$g a s!eech is alrea#* a struggle& li'e those ma#e "* the me#ical #octors who wor' i$ !riso$s or

"* the i$mates themselves& its "ecause such a$ actio$ mome$taril* co$fiscates the !riso$s !ower to s!ea'& which is i$

realit* co$trolle# exclusivel* "* the a#mi$istratio$ a$# its accessories& the reformers) The #iscourse of struggle is $ot

o!!ose# to the u$co$scious& its o!!ose# to the secret) This seems a let #ow$& "ut what if the secret were worth much

more@ . whole series of e?uivocatio$s co$cer$i$g what is hi##e$& re!resse#& u$s!o'e$& e$a"les a chea!

!s*choa$al*sis of what shoul# "e the o"/ect of !olitical struggle) The secret is !erha!s more #ifficult to "ri$g to light

tha$ the u$co$scious) The two themes which o$l* *ester#a* we came across o$ce agai$& that writi$g is the re!resse#

a$# that writi$g is "* rights su"versive& i$ m* o!i$io$ "etra* several o!eratio$s which must "e severel* criticie#)

Gilles Deleue: ."out the !ro"lem *ou /ust raise# that we see who #oes the ex!loiti$g& who !rofits& who gover$s& "ut

!ower is still somethi$g rather #iffuse + woul# offer the followi$g h*!othesis eve$ Aarxism& es!eciall* Aarxism&

has !ose# the !ro"lem i$ terms of i$terest ,it is a ruli$g class& #efi$e# "* its i$terests& that hol#s the !ower-) u##e$l*&

we ru$ smac' i$to the ?uestio$ how #oes it ha!!e$ that those who have little sta'e i$ !ower follow& $arrowl* es!ouse&

or gra" for some !iece of !ower@ <erha!s it has to #o with investments, as much eco$omic as u$co$scious there exist

i$vestme$ts of #esire which ex!lai$ that o$e ca$ if $ecessar* #esire $ot agai$st o$es i$terest& si$ce i$terest alwa*s

follows a$# a!!ears wherever #esire !laces it& "ut #esire i$ a wa* that is #ee!er a$# more #iffuse tha$ o$es i$terest)

:e must "e willi$g to hear Beichs cr* o& the masses were $ot foole#& the* wa$te# fascism at a !articular mome$tO

There are certai$ i$vestme$ts of #esire that sha!e !ower& a$# #iffuse it& such that !ower is locate# as much at the level

of a co! as that of a !rime mi$ister there is a"solutel* $o #iffere$ce i$ $ature "etwee$ the !ower wiel#e# "* a co! a$#that wiel#e# "* a !oliticia$) +t is !recisel* the $ature of the i$vestme$ts of #esire that ex!lai$s wh* !arties or u$io$s&

which woul# or shoul# have revolutio$ar* i$vestme$ts i$ the $ame of class i$terest& all too ofte$ have i$vestme$ts

which are reformist or totall* reactio$ar* at the level of #esire)

237




$i'hel Fou'aul): .s *ou !oi$t out& the relatio$shi!s amo$g #esire& !ower& a$# i$terest are more com!lex tha$ we

or#i$aril* imagi$e& a$# it is $ot $ecessaril* those who exercise !ower that have a$ i$terest i$ exercisi$g it those who

have a$ i$terest i$ exercisi$g it #o$t $ecessaril*& a$# the #esire of !ower !la*s a game "etwee$ !ower a$# i$terest

which is ?uite si$gular) :he$ fascism comes i$to !la*& it ha!!e$s that the masses wa$t !articular !eo!le to exercise

!ower& "ut those !articular !eo!le are $ot to "e co$fuse# with the masses& si$ce !ower will "e exercise# on the masses

a$# at their ex!e$se& all the wa* to their #eath& sacrifice& a$# massacre& a$# *et the masses wa$t it& the* wa$t this

!ower to "e exercise#) The !la* of #esire& !ower a$# i$terest is still relativel* u$'$ow$) +t too' a lo$g time to '$ow

what ex!loitatio$ was) .$# #esire& it has "ee$ a$# !romises still to "e a le$gth* affair) +ts !ossi"le that the struggles

$ow u$#er wa*& a$# the local& regio$al& #isco$ti$uous theories "ei$g ela"orate# i$ the course of these struggles& a$#

which are a"solutel* of a !iece with them& are /ust "egi$$i$g to u$cover the wa* i$ which !ower is exercise#)

Gilles Deleue: o I come "ac' to the ?uestio$ to#a*s tevolutio$ar* moveme$t has multi!le focal !oi$ts& a$# this

is$t a wea'$ess& it is$t a #eficie$c*& si$ce a !articular totaliatio$ "elo$gs rather to !ower a$# its reactio$ Hiet$am&

for exam!le& is a formi#a"le local res!o$se) >ut how #o *ou view the $etwor's& the tra$sversal co$$ectio$s "etwee$

#isco$ti$uous active !oi$ts from o$e cou$tr* to a$other or withi$ the same cou$tr*@

$i'hel Fou'aul): This geogra!hic #isco$ti$uit* *ouve me$tio$e# !erha!s mea$s that the mome$t we struggle agai$st

ex!loitatio$& the !roletariat $ot o$l* lea#s the struggle "ut #efi$es the targets& metho#s& !laces a$# i$strume$ts of

struggle to ma'e a$ allia$ce with the !roletariat is to em"race its !ositio$s& its i#eolog* we effectivel* assume the

motivatio$s of its fight) :e all melt together) >ut if we choose to struggle agai$st !ower& the$ all those who suffer the

a"uses of !ower& all those who recog$ie !ower as i$tolera"le& ca$ e$gage i$ the struggle wherever the* ha!!e$ to "e

a$# accor#i$g to their ow$ activit* or !assivit*) >* e$gagi$g i$ this struggle which is their ow$ ,the* are !erfectl*

familiar with its targets& a$# the* themselves #etermi$e the metho#s-& these !eo!le e$ter the revolutio$ar* !rocessas

allies of the !roletariat& of course& si$ce !ower is exercise# i$ the wa* that mai$tai$s ca!italist ex!loitatio$) These

!eo!le trul* serve the cause of the !roletariat revolutio$ "* fighti$g !recisel* at that !oi$t where the* suffer o!!res (

sio$) :ome$& !riso$ers& co$scri!ts& homosexuals& the sic' i$ hos!itals have& as we s!ea'& each "egu$ a s!ecific

struggle agai$st the !articular form of !ower& co$strai$t& co$trol "ei$g exercise# over them) uch struggles "elo$g to

the revolutio$ar* moveme$t to#a*& !rovi#e# the* are ra#ical& without com!romise or reformism& !rovi#e# the* #o $ot

attem!t to rea#/ust the same !ower through& at most& a cha$ge of lea#ershi!) .$# these moveme$ts are co$$ecte# to

the revolutio$ar* moveme$t of the !roletariat itself i$sofar as the !roletariat must fight ever* co$trol a$# co$strai$t

which are the co$#uits of !ower ever*where)

238



+T==TE. .D <:=B

+$ other wor#s& the ge$eralit* of the struggle most certai$l* #oes $ot occur i$ the form *ou me$tio$e# "efore

theoretical totaliatio$ i$ the form of the truth) :hat co$stitutes the ge$eralit* of the struggle is the s*stem of !ower

itself& all the forms i$ which it is exercise# a$# a!!lie#)

Gilles Deleue: .$# o$e ca$$ot ma'e the slightest #ema$# whatsoever o$ a$* !oi$t of a!!licatio$ without "ei$g

co$fro$te# "* the #iffuse whole& such that as soo$ as *ou #o& *ou are $ecessaril* le# to a #esire to ex!lo#e it) =ver* !artial revolutio$ar* attac' or #efe$se i$ this wa* co$$ects u! with the struggle of the wor'i$g class

239



)1

Bemars (on :ean-&rangois yotard;

*otar#s "oo' is at o$ce #is!erse#& fl*i$g off i$ ever* #irectio$& a$# *et as self( co$tai$e# as a$

egg) The text is "oth full of ga!s a$# tight& "oth a#rift a$# moore#) #iscours, .igure8 the figures&

eve$ the illustratio$s& are a$ i$tegral !art of the #iscourse the* sli! i$to the #iscourse& while the

#iscourse tur$s "ac' o$ the o!eratio$s that ma'e figures !ossi"le) This "oo' is "uilt o$ twoheteroge$eous ex!a$ses that #o $ot mirror o$e a$other& though the* #o assure a free circulatio$

of writi$g e$erg* ,or #esire@-) .$ egg& a varia"le i$terior i$ the mi##le& o$ a mo"ile surface) .

schio("oo' which through its com!lex tech$i?ue& achieves the highest #egree of clarit*) i'e

ever* great "oo'& #ifficult to write& "ut $ot #ifficult to rea#)

The im!orta$ce of this "oo' is that it mar's the first ge$eralie# criti?ue of the signifier% +t

tac'les this $otio$ which for so lo$g has exerte# a 'i$# of terrorism i$ literature& a$# has eve$

co$tami$ate# art or our com!rehe$sio$ of art) %i$all*& a little fresh air i$ those must* s!aces) The

"oo' shows how the sig$ifi( er(sig$ifie# relatio$ is sur!asse# i$ two #irectio$s 1- Towar#s the

exterior& o$ the si#e of #esig$atio$& "* those figure(images& "ecause it is $ot wor#s that are sig$s&

"ut the* ma'e sig$s with the o"/ects the* #esig$ate& whose i#e$tit* the* "rea' o!e$ to #iscover a

hi##e$ co$te$t& a$other face which we will $ot "e a"le to see& "ut which *et will ma'e us see

the wor# ,+ am thi$'i$g of those "eautiful !ages o$ #a$ce as #esig$atio$& a$# the visi"ilit* of the

wor#& the wor# as visi"le thi$g& as #isti$ct from "oth its legi"ilit* a$# its au#itio$- "ut the

sig$ifier(sig$ifie# relatio$ is agai$ sur!asse# i$ a$other wa* 2- Towar#s the i$terior of

#iscourse& "* a% pure figura' which u!sets the co#e# ga!s of the sig$ifier& wor's its wa* i$to

them& a$# there la"ors u$#er the co$#itio$s of the i#e$tit* of their eleme$ts ,the !ages o$ the

#ream wor'& which violates the or#er of s!eech a$# crum!les the text& creati$g $ew u$ities that

are $ot li$guistic& li'e so ma$* re"uses u$#er hierogl*!hics-)

240



B=A.B F

*otar#s "oo' o$ ever* !age !artici!ates i$ a$ a$ti(#ialectic that !erforms a total reversal of

the figure(sig$ifier relatio$) +t is $ot the figures that #e!e$# o$ the sig$ifier a$# its effects o$ the

co$trar*& it is the sig$if*i$g chai$ that #e!e$#s o$ figural effects& creati$g varia"le co$figuratio$s

of images with $o$(figurative figures& causi$g li$es to flow a$# "rea'i$g them accor#i$g to

si$gular !oi$ts& crushi$g a$# twisti$g sig$ifiers as well as sig$ifie#s) .$# *otar# #oes $ot eve$

sa* all this& he shows it& he ma'es us see it& he ma'es it visi"le a$# mo"ile a #estructio$ of

i#e$tities that carries us off o$ a !rofou$# /our$e*)1

e"e=e and <attari &ight a$$$

$auri'e Na*eau: Gilles Deleue a$# %elix Guattari woul# ver* much li'e to "egi$ this rou$#(

ta"le "* ta'i$g *our ?uestio$s) + woul# /ust as' them to ex!lai$ "riefl* the thesis of their "oo'&

a$# the$ tell us how the* carrie# out their colla"oratio$)

Feli% Gua))ari: This colla"oratio$ is $ot the !ro#uct of a sim!le meeti$g of two i$#ivi#uals)

.si#e from a variet* of circumsta$ces& there was a whole !olitical co$text that le# u! to it)

+$itiall*& it was less a ?uestio$ of !ooli$g our '$owle#ge tha$ a$ accumulatio$ of our

u$certai$ties we were co$fuse# a"out the tur$ of eve$ts after Aa* 68)

:e "oth "elo$g to that ge$eratio$ whose !olitical co$scious$ess awo'e #uri$g the

i"eratio$& i$ the e$thusiasm a$# $aivete a$# the co$s!irac* m*ths of fascism that came with it)

.lso& the ?uestio$s left u$a$swere# "* the a"orte# revolutio$ i$ Aa* 68 #evelo!e# i$ a cou$ter(

!oi$t that we fou$# trou"li$g we were worrie#& li'e ma$* others& a"out the future "ei$g

!re!are# for us "* those si$gi$g the h*m$s of a $ewl* ma#e(over fascism that woul# ma'e *ou

wish for the ais of the ol# #a*s)

241




ur starti$g !oi$t was to co$si#er how #uri$g these crucial !erio#s& somethi$g alo$g the or#er of #esire wasma$ifeste# throughout the societ* as a whole& a$# the$ was re!resse#& li?ui#ate#& as much "* the gover$me$t a$#

!olice as "* the !arties a$# so(calle# wor'ers u$io$s a$#& to a certai$ exte$t& the leftist orga$iatio$s as well).$#certai$l* we woul# have to go wa* "ac' i$ histor*O The histor* of "etra*e# revolutio$s& "etra*i$g the #esires of the

masses& is ?uite sim!l* the histor* of the wor'ers moveme$t) :hose fault is that@ >erias@ tali$s@ Fruschevs@ Thiswas $ot the !rogram& orga$iatio$& allia$ce we ho!e# for) Aarx was$t rea# sufficie$tl* i$ the origi$al))) "viousl*) >ut

this "rute fact remai$s the revolutio$ was !ossi"le& the socialist revolutio$ was withi$ reach) +t trul* exists a$# is $otsome m*th that has "ee$ i$vali#ate# "* the tra$sformatio$s of i$#ustrial societies)

Give$ the right co$#itio$s& the masses ex!ress a revolutio$ar* will) Their #esires clear awa* all o"stacles a$#

o!e$ u! $ew horio$s) >ut the last to realie it are the orga$iatio$s a$# lea#ers who are su!!ose# to re!rese$t them)

learl*O >ut the$ wh* #o the masses !a* them a$* mi$#@ oul# it "e the result of a$ u$co$scious com!licit*& a$

i$ter$aliatio$ of re!ressio$ that wor's i$ successive stages& from <ower to the "ureaucrats& from the "ureaucrats tothe milita$ts& a$# from the milita$ts to the masses themselves@ This is what we wit$esse# after Aa* 68)

%ortu$atel*& the attem!t to recu!erate a$# "rai$wash the masses has s!are# some te$s of thousa$#sma*"e more

who are $ow immu$e to the ill effects of "ureaucracies of all 'i$#s& a$# who i$te$# to retaliate agai$st the

re!ressive #irt* tric's of !ower a$# its "osses& agai$st their ma$euvers of #ialogue& !artici!atio$& a$# i$tegratio$&

which rel* o$ the com!licit* of tra#itio$al wor'ers orga$iatio$s)

.#mitte#l*& the curre$t attem!ts to re$ew forms of !o!ular struggle are #ifficult to wrest from the gri! of "ore#om

a$# revolutio$ar* "o*(scouts who& to sa* the least& are $ot too co$cer$e# with a s*stematic li"eratio$ of #esireO

DesireO Thats all *ou ever tal' a"outO This ruffles the feathers of the serious t*!es& the res!o$si"le milita$ts) :e are

certai$l* $ot goi$g to suggest that #esire "e ta'e$ seriousl*) :e woul# much rather u$#ermi$e the s!irit of serious$ess&

"egi$$i$g with the #omai$ of theoretical i$?uir*) . theor* of #esire i$ histor* shoul# "e !rese$te# as somethi$g $ot

too serious) .$# from this sta$#!oi$t& !erha!s Anti-Oedipus is still too serious a "oo'& too i$timi#ati$g) The wor' of

theor* shoul# $o lo$ger "e the "usi$ess of s!ecialists) The #esire of a theor* a$# its !ro!ositio$s shoul# stic' as

closel* as !ossi"le to the eve$t a$# the ex!ressio$ of the masses) To achieve this& we must '$it a $ew "ree# of

i$tellectual& a $ew "ree# of a$al*st& a $ew "ree# of milita$t "le$#i$g the #iffere$t t*!es a$# ru$$i$g them together)

242



:e starte# with the i#ea that #esire must $ot "e co$ceive# as a su"/ective su!erstructure that is more or less

occlu#e#) Desire $ever sto!s i$vesti$g histor*& eve$ i$ its #ar'est !erio#s) The Germa$ masses ha# come to #esire

aism) .fter :ilhelm Beich& we ca$$ot avoi# comi$g to gri!s with this fact) E$#er certai$ co$#itio$s& the #esire of

the masses ca$ tur$ agai$st their ow$ i$terests) :hat are those co$#itio$s@ That is the ?uestio$)

To formulate a$ a$swer& we realie# that we coul#$t /ust hoo' a %reu#ia$ e$gi$e u! to the Aarxist(e$i$ist trai$)

:e first ha# to u$#o a stereot*!ical hierarch* "etwee$ a$ o!a?ue eco$omic i$frastructure a$# social(i#eological

su!erstructures co$ceive# i$ such a wa* that the* co$fi$e the ?uestio$s of sex a$# ex!ressio$ to re!rese$tatio$& as far

awa* from !ro#uctio$ as !ossi"le) The relatio$s of !ro#uctio$ a$# those of re!ro#uctio$ !artici!ate i$ the same

!airi$g of !ro#uctive forces a$# a$ti(!ro#uctive structures) :e wa$te# to move #esire i$to the i$frastructure& o$ the

si#e of !ro#uctio$& while we move# the famil*& the ego& a$# the i$#ivi#ual o$ the si#e of a$ti(!ro#uctio$) This is the

o$l* wa* to e$sure that sexualit* is $ot com!letel* cut off from the eco$om*)

+$ our view& there exists a #esiri$g !ro#uctio$ !rior to a$* actualiatio$ i$ the familial #ivisio$ of the sexes a$#

i$#ivi#uals or i$ the social #ivisio$ of la"or& a$# this !ro#uctio$ i$vests the #iverse forms of the !ro#uctio$ of !leasure

as well as the structures i$te$#e# to re!ress them) Though it o"e*s #iffere$t regimes& the #esiri$g e$erg* fou$# i$ the

revolutio$ar* as!ect of histor*with the wor'i$g class& the scie$ces a$# the artsis the same as that fou$# i$ the

as!ect of ex!loitatio$ a$# how it relates to tate !ower) >oth as!ects !resu!!ose the u$co$scious !artici!atio$ of the

o!!resse#)

+f it is true that the social revolutio$ is i$se!ara"le from a revolutio$ of #esire& the$ this cha$ges the ?uestio$) :e

$ow must as' what co$#itio$s will e$a"le the revolutio$ar* ava$t(gar#e to free itself from its u$co$scious com!licit*

i$ re!ressive structures& a$# u$#ermi$e <owers ma$i!ulatio$s of the #esire of the masses who fight for their servitu#e

as though it were their salvatio$@ +f the famil* a$# the i#eologues of the famil* have a crucial role to !la* here& as we

"elieve the* #o& the$ o$e ca$$ot overestimate the fu$ctio$ of !s*choa$al*sis i$ this res!ect& si$ce it was the first to

raise these ?uestio$sa$# the first to stifle them& !rivilegi$g i$stea# the mo#er$ m*th of familial re!ressio$ through

e#i!us a$# castratio$)

243

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




To ma'e !rogress i$ this #irectio$& we feel it $ecessar* to a"a$#o$ a$ a!!roach to the u$co$scious through

$eurosis a$# the famil*& a$# to a#o!t i$stea# a$ a!!roach more s!ecific to the schio!hre$ic !rocess of #esiri$g(

machi$esa$# this !rocess has little to #o with i$stitutio$alie# ma#$ess)

%rom that !oi$t o$& a milita$t struggle "ecomes im!erative agai$st re#uctive ex!la$atio$s& agai$st the a#a!tive

tech$i?ues of suggestio$ "ase# o$ the e#i!al tria$gle) This e$tails givi$g u! o$ the com!ulsive gras!i$g after a total

o"/ect& s*m"olic of ever* #es!otism) +t e$tails goi$g over to the si#e of real multi!licities& a$# ceasi$g to o!!ose

huma$ "ei$gs to machi$e& whose relatio$shi! i$ fact co$stitutes #esire) +t e$tails !romoti$g a$ other logic a logic of

real #esire which esta"lishes the !rimac* of histor* over structure) +t e$tails !romoti$g a whole other a$al*sis

#ise$ta$gle# from s*m"olism a$# i$ter!retatio$& as well as a whole other milita$c* with the mea$s to free itself from

the fa$tasies of the #omi$a$t or#er)

Gilles Deleue: .s for the tech$ical si#e of writi$g the "oo'& the two of us wor'i$g together was $ot a !ro"lem& "ut it

#i# serve a !recise fu$ctio$& as we came to realie) $e thi$g is rather shoc'i$g a"out "oo's of !s*chiatr* or eve$

!s*choa$al*sis& a$# that is the !ervasive #ualit* "etwee$ what a$ allege# me$tal !atie$t sa*s a$# what the #octor

re!orts"etwee$ the case a$# the comme$tar* o$ the case& the a$al*sis of the case) +ts logos agai$st !athos the

me$tal !atie$t is su!!ose# to sa* somethi$g& a$# the #octor sa*s what it mea$s i$ terms of s*m!toms or se$se) This

allows what the !atie$t sa*s to "e crushe#) +ts h*!ocriticall* selective)

ow we #i#$t thi$' for a mi$ute of writi$g a ma#ma$s "oo'& "ut we #i# write a "oo' i$ which *ou $o lo$ger

'$ow who is s!ea'i$g there is $o "asis for '$owi$g whether its a #octor& a !atie$t& or some !rese$t& !ast& or future

ma#ma$ s!ea'i$g)

244



This is !recisel* wh* we use# so ma$* writers a$# !oets *ou woul# have to "e reall* clever to #eci#e whether

the* s!ea' as me$tal !atie$ts or #octorsme$tal !atie$ts a$# #octors of civiliatio$) tra$gel* e$ough& if we trie# to

get "e*o$# this tra#itio$al #ualit*& its "ecause there were two of us writi$g) either of us was the ma#ma$& a$#

$either the #octor there ha# to "e two of us if we were to u$cover a !rocess that woul# $ot "e re#uci"le to the

!s*chiatrist a$# his me$tal !atie$t& or to the me$tal !atie$t a$# his !s*chiatrist)

This !rocess is what we call a f'ow% >ut& agai$& flow is a$ ever*#a*& u$?ualifie# $otio$ that we $ee#e#) +t ca$ "e a

flow of wor#s& a flow of i#eas& a flow of shit& a flow of mo$e*) +t ca$ "e a fi$a$cial mecha$ism or a schio!hre$ic

machi$e it sur!asses all #ualit*) :e imagi$e# this "oo' as a flow("oo')

$auri'e Na*eau: +$#ee#& i$ *our first cha!ter& there is this $otio$ of a #esiri$g( machi$e& which is o"scure to the

la*ma$ a$# $ee#s to "e #efi$e#) =s!eciall* si$ce it a$swers ever*thi$g& suffices for ever*thi$g)))

Gilles Deleue: Nes& weve give$ the $otio$ of machi$e its maximum exte$sio$ i$ relatio$ to flows) :e #efi$e the

machi$e as a$* s*stem that i$terru!ts flows) o& sometimes were referri$g to tech$ological machi$es& i$ the or#i$ar*

se$se of the wor#& a$# sometimes to social machi$es& a$# sometimes to #esiri$g( machi$es) +$ our view& the machi$e

is $ot o!!ose# to huma$it* or $ature ,*ou woul# reall* have to !ersua#e us that the forms a$# relatio$s of !ro#uctio$

are $ot machi$es-) %urthermore& machi$e is $ot re#uci"le to mecha$ism) Aecha$ism serves to #esig$ate s!ecific

!rocesses i$ certai$ tech$ological machi$es& or else a s!ecific orga$iatio$ of a livi$g "ei$g) >ut macinism is totall*

#iffere$t agai$& it is a$* s*stem that i$terru!ts flows& a$# it goes "e*o$# "oth the mecha$ism of tech$olog* a$# the

orga$iatio$ of the livi$g "ei$g& whether i$ $ature& societ*& or huma$ "ei$gs) . #esiri$g(machi$e is a $o$(orga$ic

s*stem of the "o#*& a$# this is what we mea$ whe$ we tal' a"out molecular machi$es or micro(machi$es)

245

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




Aore s!ecificall*& i$ refere$ce to !s*choa$al*sis& we have two criticisms 1- !s*choa$al*sis #oes $ot u$#ersta$#

what #elirium is& "ecause it #oes $ot see how #elirium i$vests the social fiel# i$ its wi#est exte$sio$ a$# 2- it #oes $ot

u$#ersta$# that this is #esire& "ecause it fails to gras! that the u$co$scious is a factor*& a$# $ot a theatre) +f

!s*choa$al*sis misu$#ersta$#s "oth #elirium a$# #esire& what is left@ These two criticisms are o$e a$# the same

were i$tereste# i$ the !rese$ce of #esiri$g(machi$es& molecular micro(machi$es a$# the large molar social machi$es

how the* i$teract a$# wor' in o$e a$other)

Ra7hael Pi>i*al: +f *oure goi$g to #efi$e *our "oo' i$ terms of #esire& + wa$t to '$ow how this "oo' re!o$#s to

#esire) :hich #esire@ :hose #esire@

Gilles Deleue: +ts $ot as a "oo' that it coul# res!o$# to #esire& "ut o$l* i$ relatio$ to what surrou$#s it) . "oo' is $ot

worth much o$ its ow$) +ts alwa*s a ?uestio$ of flow there are ma$* !eo!le #oi$g similar wor' i$ other fiel#s) .$#

there are the *ou$ger ge$eratio$s& too) + #ou"t the* will "u* the curre$t t*!e of #iscourse& at o$ce e!istemological&

!s*choa$al*tical& a$# i#eological& which is "egi$$i$g to wear thi$ with ever*o$e)

:hat were sa*i$g is this ta'e a#va$tage of e#i!us a$# castratio$ while *ou still ca$& it wo$t last forever) E$til

$ow !s*choa$al*sis has "ee$ s!are# !s*chiatr* was attac'e#& alo$g with the !s*chiatric hos!ital) <s*choa$al*sis

seeme# u$toucha"le a$# u$com!romise#) >ut we wa$t to show that !s*choa$al*sis is worse tha$ the hos!ital&

!recisel* "ecause it o!erates i$ the !ores of ca!italist societ* a$# $ot i$ the s!ecial !laces of co$fi$eme$t) .$# that its

!rofou$#l* reactio$ar* i$ theor* a$# !ractice& $ot /ust i#eologicall*) <s*choa$al*sis fulfils !recise fu$ctio$s i$ this

societ*)

%elix thi$'s our "oo' is a##resse# to !eo!le who are $ow somewhere "etwee$ the ages of seve$ a$# fiftee$)

+#eall* so& "ecause the fact is the "oo' is still too #ifficult& too cultivate#& a$# ma'es too ma$* com!romises) :e

246



were$t a"le to ma'e it clearer a$# more #irect) ;owever& +ll /ust !oi$t out that the first cha!ter& which ma$* favora"le

rea#ers have sai# is too #ifficult& #oes $ot re?uire a$* !rior '$owle#ge) +$ a$* case& a "oo' res!o$#s to a #esire o$l*

"ecause there are ma$* other !eo!le fe# u! with a curre$t t*!e of #iscourse) o& it is o$l* "ecause the "oo' !ar (

tici!ates i$ a larger reshuffli$g& a reso$a$ce "etwee$ research a$# #esire) . "oo' ca$ res!o$# to a #esire o$l* i$ a

!olitical wa*& outsi#e the "oo') %or exam!le& a$ associatio$ of a$gr* users of !s*choa$al*sis woul#$t "e a "a# !lace

to start)

Fran'ois Cha)ele): :hat stri'es me as im!orta$t here is the eru!tio$ of such a text amo$g "oo's of !hiloso!h*

,"ecause this "oo' is co$ceive# as a "oo' of !hiloso!h*-) Anti-Oedipus smashes ever*thi$g) +$ a$ exterior wa* at first&

"* the ver* form of the text curse wor#s are use# i$ the first se$te$ce& as though to !rovo'e the rea#er) .t first *ou

thi$' it ca$t go o$& a$# the$ it #oes) There are $othi$g "ut cou!le# machi$es& a$# these cou!le# machi$es are

!articularl* o"sce$e or scatological)

%urthermore& + felt this eru!tio$ as a$ eru!tio$ of materialism) +ts "ee$ too lo$g si$ce weve wit$esse# such a

thi$g) Aetho#olog*& + have to a#mit& is starti$g to "ug the shit out of me) The whole e$ter!rise of research a$#

furtheri$g '$owle#ge is rui$e# "* the im!erialism of metho#olog*) + fell i$to the tra! m*self& so + '$ow what +m

tal'i$g a"out) .$*wa*& if + call it a materialist eru!tio$& +m thi$'i$g !rimaril* of ucretius) + #o$t '$ow if +m

flatteri$g *ou!erha!s too much& or $ot e$ough)

Gilles Deleue: +f its true& excelle$t) That woul# "e !erfect) +$ a$* case& there is $o metho#ological !ro"lem i$ our

"oo') or a$* !ro"lem of i$ter!retatio$& "ecause the u$co$scious #oes$t mea$ a$*thi$g) Aachi$es #o$t mea$

a$*thi$g& the* merel* wor'& !ro#uce& "rea' #ow$) :hat were after is o$l* how somethi$g wor's i$ the real)

247

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




or is there a$ e!istemological !ro"lem were $ot worrie# a"out a retur$ to %reu#& or to Aarx) +f the* tell us

weve misu$#erstoo# %reu#& well sa* oh well& we have too much else to #o) +ts i$teresti$g how e!istemolog* has

alwa*s "ee$ a cover for a$ im!ositio$ of !ower& a$ orga$iatio$ of !ower& a 'i$# of i#eological tech$ocrac* at the

u$iversit* level) +$ our view& writi$g or thought has $o s!ecificit* whatsoever)

Roger Da*oun: E! to this !oi$t& the #iscussio$ has ta'e$ !lace at a molar levelto use a #ichotom* fu$#ame$tal

to *our i$ter!retatio$that is& the level of ma/or co$ce!tual schema) :e have *et to "rea' through to the molecular

level& that is& the micro(a$al*ses that woul# allow us to gras! how *ou machi$e# *our wor' together) This woul# "e

!articularl* useful for the a$al*sisa schio( a$al*sis& !erha!s@of the !olitical !arts of *our text) +$ !articular& +

woul# li'e to '$ow how fascism a$# Aa* 68& the #omi$a$t $ote of the "oo'& e$tere# i$to its ma'e(u!$ot i$ a

molar wa*& thats too "a$al& "ut i$ a molecular wa*& i$ the ver* co$structio$ of the text)

erge eclaire i$ce *ou "ri$g it u!& + get the feeli$g that the "oo' is machi$e# i$ such a wa* that a$* i$terve$tio$

o$ a molecular level will "e #igeste# "* the machi$e of the "oo')

+ thi$' *our i$te$tio$ to write a "oo' i$ which ever* !ossi"le #ualit* woul# "e su!!resse#& a$ i$te$tio$ *ou /ust

reaffirme#& has succee#e# "e*o$# *our wil#est #reams) The "oo' !uts *our more !erce!tive rea#ers i$ the situatio$ of

a si$gle a$# u$i?ue !ers!ective that leaves them feeli$g a"sor"e#& #igeste#& "ou$#& eve$ $egate# "* the a#mira"le

wor'i$gs of *our so(calle# machi$eO

o& this is a #ime$sio$ that !ules me a$# somethi$g + woul# gla#l* as' *ou a"out :hat is the fu$ctio$ of this

machi$e("oo'& si$ce it too seems& from the start& !erfectl* totalii$g& a"sor"i$g& i$ a wa* that i$tegrates& a"sor"s a$*

?uestio$ which we might tr* to raise@ %irst& it seems to !ut the rea#er i$ the situatio$ of feeli$g cor$ere#& "* the sim!le

fact of s!ea'i$g a$# as'i$g a ?uestio$)

248



:h* #o$t we #o the ex!erime$t right $ow& if *ou #o$t mi$#& lets see what ha!!e$s)

$e of the esse$tial !ieces of the #esiri$g(machi$e& if + have u$#erstoo# *ou correctl*& is the !artial o"/ect) %or

someo$e who has $ot *et ma$age# to stri! off the vestiges of !s*choa$al*sis& this co$ce!t sim!l* recalls a !s*choa$a(

l*tic co$ce!t& Flei$s !artial o"/ecteve$ if& as *ou claim with a touch of humor& *oure laughi$g at co$ce!ts)

+$ *our use of the !artial o"/ect as a$ esse$tial !iece of the #esiri$g( machi$e& + $otice# somethi$g ver* im!orta$t

*ou i$#ee# tr* to #efi$e it) Nou sa* the !artial o"/ect ca$ "e #efi$e# o$l* !ositivel*) Thats a sur!rise to me) ;ow #oes

the !ositive ?ualificatio$ esse$tiall* #iffer from the $egative im!utatio$ that *ou criticie@

Aost im!orta$tl*& the least !s*choa$al*tic ex!erie$ce ma'es it clear that the !artial o"/ect ca$ "e #efi$e# o$l* "*

#iffere$ce a$# i$ relatio$ to the sig$ifier)

+$ this case& if + ma* sa* so& *our co$tra!tio$ ca$ o$l* miss its o"/ect ,oo'O The "a$ishe# lac' !o!s u! agai$O-

eve$ though *our co$tra!tio$ is writte$& as a "oo' is& it claims to "e a text without a sig$ifier& a text to s!ea' the truth

a"out the truth& stic'i$g close to some allege# real& to !ut it sim!l*) .s though that were !ossi"le& without a$* #ista$ce

or a$* me#iatio$) . text from which all #ualit* ,i$ theor*- has "ee$ ex!u$ge#) F) . co$tra!tio$ of this sort ca$ have

its use o$l* time will tell) .s for the goo# $ews it claims to "ri$g societ*& a$# much "etter tha$ !s*choa$al*sis ca$& +re!eat& *our co$tra!tio$ ca$ o$l* miss its o"/ect)

249

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




+$ m* o!i$io$& *ou *ourselves have #isarme# *our #esiri$g(machi$e& which shoul# wor' o$l* "* "rea'i$g #ow$&

through its failures a$# "ac'fires whereas tha$'s to this !ositive o"/ect a$# the a"se$ce of a$* #ualit*& as well as

a$* lac'& it is goi$g to wor' li'e)) )a wiss cloc'O

%elix Guattari + #o$t thi$' the o"/ect shoul# "e situate# !ositivel* or $egativel* *ou have to thi$' of it as

!artici!ati$g i$ $o$(totalia"le multi!licities) The o"/ect is o$l* mista'e$l* i$scri"e# as a com!lete "o#* such as the

"o#* !ro!er& or eve$ the fragme$te# "o#*) :he$ Cac?ues aca$ o!e$s u! the series of !artial o"/ects to the voice a$#

the gae& "e*o$# the "reast a$# the "uttoc's& he sig$als his refusal to close them off a$# re#uce them to the "o#*) The

voice a$# the gae esca!e the "o#*& for exam!le& as the* a$# au#iovisual machi$es "ecome i$creasi$gl* co$tiguous)

+ll leave asi#e for $ow the ?uestio$ of how aca$s !hallic fu$ctio$& i$ so far as it over(co#es each !artial o"/ect&

#oes $ot give them "ac' a !articular i#e$tit*& a$# how& #istri"uti$g a lac' to each& #oes $ot call o$ a$other form of

totaliatio$& this time i$ the s*m"olic or#er) :hatever the case ma* "e& it seems to me that aca$ alwa*s strove to

#ise$ta$gle the o"/ect of #esire from all totalii$g refere$ts that might threate$ it "egi$$i$g with the mirror(stage& the

li"i#o esca!es the su"sta$( tialist h*!othesis a$# s*m"olic i#e$tificatio$ su!!la$ts a$ exclusive refere$ce to the

orga$ism tie# #ow$ to the fu$ctio$ of s!eech a$# to the fiel# of la$guage& the #rive shatters the framewor' of those

to!ics close# i$ o$ themselves& whereas the theor* of the o"/ect a !erha!s sows the #estructio$ of the sig$ifiers

totalitaria$ism)

.s o"/ect a& the !artial o"/ect is #e(totalie# a$# #eterritorialie# it has !erma$e$tl* #ista$ce# itself from a$*

i$#ivi#uate# cor!oreit* a$# it is $ow i$ a !ositio$ to ti! i$ the #irectio$ of real si$gularities a$# o!e$ u! to the

molecular machi$isms of ever* 'i$# that sha!e histor*)

250



Gilles Deleue: Nes& is$t it stra$ge@ eclaire sa*i$g our machi$e wor's too well& that it is ca!a"le of #igesti$g

a$*thi$g a$# ever*thi$g@ This is !recisel* our criticism of !s*choa$al*sis& so its stra$ge that a !s*choa$al*st woul#

accuse us of that ver* thi$g) + me$tio$ it o$l* "ecause we have a !articular relatio$shi! to eclaire he wrote a text o$

a realite #u #esir2 which& !rior to our efforts& goes a lo$g wa* towar# a machi$ic u$co$scious& u$coveri$g certai$

ultimate eleme$ts of the u$co$scious that are $o lo$ger figurative or structural)

>ut it seems were $ot i$ !erfect agreeme$t here& si$ce eclaire sa*s we have $o i#ea what the !artial o"/ect is) ;e

sa*s its $ot im!orta$t to #efi$e it !ositivel* or $egativel* "ecause& $o matter what& it is alwa*s somethi$g else it is

#iffere$t) >ut were $ot all that i$tereste# i$ the categor* of o"/ect& !artial or otherwise) +t is "* $o mea$s clear that

#esire has a$*thi$g to #o with o"/ects) :ere tal'i$g a"out machi$es& flows& levies& #etachme$ts& resi#ues) :ere #oi$g

a criti?ue of the !artial o"/ect) .$# certai$l* eclaire is right to sa* it #oes$t matter whether the !artial o"/ect is

#efi$e# !ositivel* or $egativel*) >ut he is right o$l* i$ theor*) >ecause if we exami$e how the !artial o"/ect wor's& if

we as' ourselves what !s*choa$al*sis actuall* #oes with it& how !s*choa$al*sis ma'es it wor'& the$ '$owi$g whether

it fulfils a !ositive or $egative fu$ctio$ is $o lo$ger a matter of i$#iffere$ce)

Nes or $o Does !s*choa$al*sis use the !artial o"/ect to grou$# its i#eas of lac'& a"se$ce& or the sig$ifier of

a"se$ce& a$# to legitimate its o!eratio$s of castratio$@ =ve$ whe$ it i$vo'es $otio$s of #iffere$ce or the #iffere$t&

!s*choa$al*sis uses the !artial o"/ect i$ a $egative wa* to wel# #esire to a fu$#ame$tal lac') This is our criti?ue

!s*choa$al*sis has this !ious co$ce!tio$ of itself through lac' a$# castratio$& it ma'es itself out to "e a 'i$# of

$egative theolog* which e$tails calli$g o$ i$fi$ite resig$atio$ ,the aw& the im!ossi"le& etc)-) This is what we o!!ose)

.$# i$ its !lace we !ro!ose a !ositive co$ce!tio$ of #esire a #esire that !ro#uces& $ot a #esire that is lac'i$g)

<s*choa$al*sts are too self(righteous)

Serge 0e'laire: I wo$t re/ect *our criti?ue a$* more tha$ + ac'$owle#ge its !erti$e$ce) + /ust wa$t to !oi$t out that it

seems to "e "ase# o$ the h*!othesis of a real which is somewhat))) totalitaria$ $o sig$ifier& $o flaw& $o fissure& $o

castratio$) +$ the e$#& o$e wo$#ers what ma'es the true #iffere$ce *ou i$vo'e "etwee$ !ages 61 a$# 99) .ccor#i$g

to *ou& it must "e situate#)))lets see& $ot "etwee$)))

251

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




Gilles Deleue: )))the imagi$ar* a$# the s*m"olic)))

erge 0e'laire: ))) "ut "etwee$ the real o$ the o$e ha$#& which *ou !rese$t as the grou$#& the u$#erl*i$g eleme$t& a$#

o$ the other ha$#& somethi$g li'e su!erstructures such as the imagi$ar* a$# the s*m"olic) +$ m* view& however& the

?uestio$ of true #iffere$ce is i$ fact a ?uestio$ raise# "* the !ro"lem of the o"/ect) Cust a mome$t ago& %elix& *ou

"rought it u!& i$ refere$ce to aca$s teachi$gs *ou situate# the o"/ect a i$ relatio$ to the ego& the !erso$& etc)

Feli% Gua))ari: ))) the !erso$ a$# the famil*)))

Serge 0e'laire: Nes& "ut the co$ce!t of the o"/ect a i$ aca$ "elo$gs i$ a fourfol# structure that i$clu#es the

sig$ifier& which is #ual ,+ a$# 2-& a$# the su"/ect ,crosse#(out -) True #iffere$ce& if we are goi$g to use this term&

must "e situate# "etwee$ the sig$ifier o$ the o$e ha$#& a$# the o"/ect a o$ the other)

+ will co$ce#e that for !ious or im!ious reaso$s& whatever& at $o !oi$t is it a#visa"le to use the term sig$ifier) +$

a$* case& + #o$t see how i$ this i$sta$ce *ou ca$ re/ect a$* a$# all #ualit* a$# !rivilege the o"/ect a as somehow

self( sufficie$t& li'e a chea! su"stitute for a$ im!ious Go#) +$ m* view& there is $o thesis& $o !ro/ect& $o actio$ or

co$tra!tio$ that *ou ca$ #efe$# without i$tro#uci$g a lac' somewhere a$# ever*thi$g that it e$tails)

252



Feli% Gua))ari: +m $ot at all sure that the o"/ect a i$ aca$ is a$*thi$g other tha$ a va$ishi$g !oi$t& a lea'& a$

esca!e from the #es!otic character of sig$if*i$g chai$s)

Serge 0e'laire: :hat i$terests me most a$# what + am tr*i$g to articulate i$ a wa* o"viousl* #iffere$t from *ours& is

how #esire u$fol#s i$ the social machi$e) + #o$t thi$' we ca$ #o without a !recise clarificatio$ of the o"/ects

fu$ctio$) :e woul# have to s!ecif* its relatio$s to the other eleme$ts at wor' i$ the social machi$e& sig$if*i$g

eleme$ts& !ro!erl* s!ea'i$g ,or if *ou !refer& s*m"olic a$# imagi$ar* eleme$ts-) These relatio$s are $ot u$i(

#irectio$al) +$ other wor#s& the sig$if*i$g eleme$ts also have a$ effect o$ the o"/ect)

+f we wa$t to u$#ersta$# what is ha!!e$i$g with #esire i$ the social machi$e& we ca$$ot avoi# goi$g through the

$arrow !ass which the o"/ect re!rese$ts at !rese$t) +ts $ot e$ough to sa* ever*thi$g is #esire& *ou have to show how it

ha!!e$s) $e last ?uestio$ whats the use of *our contraptionJ%

:hat relatio$ ca$ there "e "etwee$ the fasci$atio$ of a flawless machi$e a$# the ge$ui$e i$s!iratio$ of a

revolutio$ar* !ro/ect@ This is the ?uestio$ +m as'i$g& o$ the level of actio$)

Roger Da*oun: In a$* case& *our machi$e or co$tra!tio$ wor's) +t wor's reall* well i$ literature for exam!le& it

hel!s ca!ture the flow or schio circulatio$ of .rtau#s +e'iogaba'us a$# it #elves #ee!er i$to the "i!olar schioi# !ara$oi# moveme$t of a$ author li'e Bomai$ Bolla$# it wor's for a !s*choa$al*sis of #reams& too*ou '$ow&

%reu#s #ream& +rmas i$/ectio$& which is theatrical i$ almost a tech$ical se$se& or ci$ematic& with all the stagi$g&

close(u!s& etc) +t remai$s to "e see$ how well it o!erates i$ terms of chil#re$)))

253

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




Henri Torru9ia: I wor' i$ a !s*chiatric war#& a$# + woul# li'e to u$#erli$e o$e of the ce$tral !oi$ts of *our thesis o$

schio(a$al*sis) +$ m* view& the argume$ts *ou muster to affirm the !riorit* of social i$vestme$t a$# the !ro#uctive

a$# revolutio$ar* esse$ce of #esire are trul* e*e(o!e$i$g) The* raise ge$ui$e theoretical& !ractical& a$# i#eological

!ro"lems& so *ou have to "e !re!are# for a #efe$sive reactio$)

+$ a$* eve$t& em!lo*i$g a$ a$al*tic !s*cholog* i$ a !s*chiatric esta"lishme$t #ema$#s that each !erso$ "e a"le

to ?uestio$ the i$stitutio$al $etwor' otherwise& its a waste of time& a$# eve$ i$ the "est circumsta$ces& it #oes$t go

a$*where) +$ the curre$t climate& o$e coul# $ever ho!e to get a$*where) That "ei$g the case& whe$ever a$ esse$tial

co$flict emerges somewhere& whe$ somethi$g goes awr*which is !recisel* a$ i$#icatio$ that somethi$g at the level

of #esiri$g !ro#uctio$ is a"le to ma$ifest itself a$# challe$ge the social fiel# a$# its i$stitutio$sthe$ we see a !a$ic

reactio$ set i$& a$# resista$ce is orga$ie#) This resista$ce ta'es #iffere$t forms meeti$gs are calle# to s*$thesie

#evelo!me$ts& to coor#i$ate efforts& to sum thi$gs u!& etc) .$# i$ a much more su"tle wa*& the classical !s*choa$al*tic

i$ter!retatio$ has its usual effectcrushi$g #esire& as *ou sa*)

Ra7hael Pi>i*al: +# li'e to sa* somethi$g to erge eclaire *ouve s!o'e$ at le$gth& "ut *ou faile# to a##ress what

Guattari is sa*i$g) >ecause the "oo' fu$#ame$tall* exami$es *our !rofessio$& the !ractice of a$al*sis& *ou u$#ersta$#

the !ro"lem i$ a !artial wa*) Nou ac'$owle#ge the !ro"lem o$l* "* #row$i$g it i$ the /argo$ of *our theories& i$

which *ou accor# greater im!orta$ce to fetishism& that is& the !artial o"/ect) Nou hi#e "ehi$# this /argo$ to ?ui""le over

#etails) =ver*thi$g i$ Anti-Oedipus that co$cer$s the "irth of the tate& the role of the tate& schio!hre$ia& etc)& *ou

!ass over i$ sile$ce) Nour #a*(to(#a* !ractice this& too& *ou !ass over i$ sile$ce) .$# the real !ro"lem of

!s*choa$al*sisthe !atie$t*ou !ass over i$ sile$ce) f course& you are $ot o$ trial here) ;owever& these are the

issues *ou must a##ress the relatio$shi! of !s*choa$al*sis to the tate& to ca!italism& to histor*& a$# to schio!hre$ia)

erge 0e'laire: + agree with the aim *ou !ro!ose) + o$l* i$siste# o$ this o$e !recise !oi$t& the o"/ect& to em!hasie "*

a co$crete exam!le how their co$tra!tio$s t*!e of fu$ctio$i$g is !ro#uce#)

254



;avi$g sai# that& + #o$t e$tirel* re/ect the criticism Deleue a$# Guattari level agai$st the co$cealme$t& the

crushi$g of the !s*choa$al*tic #iscover* i$#ee# $othi$g& or almost $othi$g& has "ee$ sai# a"out the relatio$ of !s* (

choa$al*tic !ractice or schio!hre$ia to the !olitical or social fiel#) >ut its $ot e$ough to a$$ou$ce *our i$te$tio$ to

#o so) +t must "e #o$e i$ a felicitous ma$$er) ur two authors ha# a go at it& a$# its their attem!t that were #iscussi$g

here)

et me remi$# *ou of what + sai#) +$ m* view& the correct a!!roach to the !ro"lem !asses through a$ extremel*

!recise corri#or the !lace of the o"/ect& a$# the fu$ctio$ of the #rive i$ a social formatio$)

.$# let me /ust sa* this a"out the argume$tit wor'sa#va$ce# to #efe$# the felicit* of this machi$e& the

"oo' u$#er #iscussio$) f course it wor'sO + was goi$g to sa* that to a certai$ exte$t& it wor's for me too) +ts $o secret

that almost a$* theoreticall* i$veste# !ractice has some cha$ce of wor'i$g& at least to "egi$ with) That is $ot i$ itself a

criterio$ of success)

Roger Da*oun: ertai$l* a !ro"lem which *our "oo' raises is how it is goi$g to wor' !oliticall*& si$ce *ou

co$ce!tualie the !olitical #omai$ as a !rimar* machi$atio$) +t is /ust a ?uestio$ of exami$i$g the thorough$ess a$#

#etail with which *ou a$al*e# the 2socius,2 es!eciall* its eth$ogra!hic a$# a$thro!ological as!ects)

<ierre lastres . !hiloso!her a$# a !s*choa$al*st& Deleue a$# Guattari& have together !ro#uce# a reflectio$ o$

ca!italism) To thi$' a"out ca!italism& the* go through schio!hre$ia& i$ which the* see the effect a$# the limit of our

societ*) .$# to thi$' a"out schio!hre$ia& the* go through e#i!al !s*choa$al*sis) >ut li'e .ttila the ;u$& there is $ot

much left i$ their wa'e) >etwee$ these two& that is& "etwee$ the #escri!tio$ of familialism ,the e#i!al tria$gle- a$#

the schio(a$al*sis !ro/ect& *ou fi$# the largest cha!ter i$ Anti-Oedipus8 avages& >ar"aria$s& a$# iviliatio$s&

which is esse$tiall* a"out those societies which eth$ologists have tra#itio$all* stu#ie#) :hat is eth$olog* #oi$g there@

255

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




+t e$sures the cohere$ce of their e$ter!rise "* shori$g u! their argume$t with $o$(:ester$ exam!les ,ta'i$g i$to

accou$t !rimitive societies a$# "ar"aria$ em!ires-) +f the authors ha# "ee$ co$te$t to sa* ca!italism wor's i$ this

!articular wa*& "ut other societies wor' #iffere$tl*we woul# $ever have left the most "a$al form of com!ariso$) >ut

this is $ot the case) The* show how the u$co$scious 0ca1 wor's #iffere$tl*) Anti-Oedipus is also a ge$eral theor* of

societ* a$# societies) +$ other wor#s& Deleue a$# Guattari have writte$ a"out avages a$# >ar"aria$s what

eth$ologists u! to $ow have $ot)

+t is certai$l* true ,we #i#$t write it& "ut we '$ew it- that the worl# of avages is a !lace where flows are

e$co#e# $othi$g esca!es the co$trol of !rimitive societies& a$# if somethi$g li'e a ru$awa* trai$ occursit ha!!e$s

these societies alwa*s fi$# a wa* to sto! it) +t is also true that im!erial formatio$s im!ose a$ over(e$co#i$g o$ the

savage eleme$ts i$tegrate# i$to the em!ire& though without $ecessaril* #estro*i$g the e$co#i$g of the flows that

!ersist at the local level for each eleme$t) The exam!le of the +$ca$ =m!ire !erfectl* illustrates Deleue a$# Guattaris

!oi$t of view) The* sa* some i$teresti$g thi$gs a"out the s*stem of cruelt* as writi$g o$ the avage "o#*& a"out

writi$g as a mo#e of the s*stem of terror amo$g the >ar"aria$s) + thi$' eth$ologists will feel !erfectl* at home i$

Anti-Oedipus% That #oes$t mea$ ever*thi$g will "e acce!te# right awa*) + ca$ see there will "e some reti ce$ce& to sa*

the least& a"out their !refere$ce for a theor* that !osits the !riorit* of a ge$ealog* of #e"t over the acce!te#

structuralist theor* of excha$ge) :e might also as' whether the i#ea of =arth #oes$t overwhelm the i#ea of territor*)

+$ a$* case& Deleue a$# Guattari are $ot laughi$g at eth$ologists the*re as'i$g us real ?uestio$s& ?uestio$s to ma'e

us thi$')

+s this some retur$ to a$ evolutio$ist i$ter!retatio$ of histor*@ . retur$ to Aarx& "e*o$# Aorga$@ ot at all)

Aarxism coul# get its "eari$gs amo$g the >ar"aria$s ,the .siatic mo#e of !ro#uctio$-& "ut it $ever ?uite '$ew what

to #o with avages) :h*@ >ecause if the Aarxist !ers!ective i$#ee# ex!lai$s the moveme$t from "ar"arism ,orie$tal

#es!otism or feu#alism- to civiliatio$ ,ca!italism-& it is !owerless to ex!lai$ the moveme$t from savager* to "ar (

"arism) There is $othi$g i$ territorial machi$es ,!rimitive societies- that woul# i$#icate or !refigure what comes $ext

$o caste(s*stem& $o class& $o ex!loitatio$& $ot eve$ la"or ,if la"or is esse$tiall* alie$atio$-) o where #oes ;istor*

come from@ .$# class(struggle@ Deterritorialiatio$& etc)@

Deleue a$# Guattari have a$ a$swer to this ?uestio$& "ecause the* #o '$ow what to #o with avages) .$# their

a$swer& i$ m* view& is the stro$gest a$# most rigorous #iscover* i$ Anti-Oedipus8 the rstaat,2 the col# mo$ster& the

256



$ightmare& the tate& which is the same ever*where a$# which has alwa*s existe#) Nes& the tate exists i$ the most

!rimitive societies& eve$ i$ the smallest "a$# of $oma#ic hu$ters) +t exists& "ut it is ceaselessl* war#e# off) +t is

ceaselessl* !reve$te# from "ecomi$g a realit*) . !rimitive societ* #irects all its efforts towar# !reve$ti$g its chief

from "ecomi$g a chief ,a$# that ca$ go as far as mur#er-) +f histor* is the histor* of class struggle ,+ mea$& i$ societies

that have classes-& the$ the histor* of classless societies is the histor* of their struggle agai$st the late$t tate) Their

histor* is the effort to e$co#e the flows of !ower)

f course& Anti-Oedipus #oes$t tell us wh* the !rimitive machi$e& here a$# there& faile# to e$co#e the flows of

!ower& this #eath which 'ee!s risi$g from withi$) +$#ee# there is $o reaso$ wh* the tri"e shoul# !ermit its chief to act

the !art at all ,there are !le$t* of exam!les to su!!ort this-) o& where #oes the 2rstaat2 come from@ ;ow #oes it

emerge full* forme# a$# all at o$ce@ +t must come from the outsi#e& a$# we ca$ ho!e that the follow(u! to Anti-Oedi-

pus will have more to sa* a"out it)

=$co#i$g& over(co#i$g& #eco#i$g& flows these categories esta"lish the theor* of societ*& whereas the i#ea of the

rstaat,2 war#e# off or trium!ha$t& esta"lishes the theor* of histor*) :hat we have here is a ra#icall* $ew thought& a

revolutio$ar* reflectio$)

Pierre Rose: %or me& what !roves the !ractical im!orta$ce of Deleue a$# Guat( taris "oo' is that it re!u#iates the

virtues of comme$tar*) This "oo' wages war) +ts a"out the situatio$ of the wor'i$g classes a$# <ower) Deleue a$#

Guattari use a$ o"li?ue a!!roach through a criti?ue of the a$al*tic i$stitutio$& "ut the ?uestio$ ca$$ot "e re#uce# to

that)

The u$co$scious is !olitics& sai# aca$ i$ 67) This was a$al*siss "i# for u$iversalit*) +ts whe$ a$al*sis ta'es

o$ !olitics& that it most "lata$tl* legitimates o!!ressio$) This is a sleight(of(ha$# which tra$sforms the su"versio$ of

257

D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)




the alle#ge#l* '$owi$g u"/ect i$to su"missio$ "efore a $ew tra$sce$#e$tal tri$it* aw& ig$ifier& a$# astratio$

Death is the life of the !irit& whats the !oi$t of revolti$g@ The ?uestio$ of <ower was erase# "* the co$servative

iro$* of ;egelia$ism o$ the right& which u$#ermi$es the ?uestio$ of the u$co$scious& from Fo/eve to aca$)

.t least this legac* ha# high sta$#ar#s) Aore sor#i# is the tra#itio$ of the theor* of i#eologies& which hau$te#

Aarxist theor* si$ce The eco$# +$ter$atio$al& that is& si$ce the thought of Cules Gues#e crushe# the thought of

%ourier) This& too& is over)

:hat the Aarxists $ever ma$age# to overcome is the theor* of reflectio$& or what ha# "ee$ ma#e of it) till& the

e$i$ist meta!hor of the little screw i$ the "ig machi$e is illumi$ati$g the reversal of <ower i$ !eo!les mi$#s is a

tra$sformatio$ that is !ro#uce# i$ ever* gear a$# wheel of the social machi$e)

The Aaoist i#eological revolutio$tha$'s to how it "rea's with the mecha$ical o!!ositio$ "etwee$ !olitical(

eco$om* a$# i#eolog*swee!i$g awa* the re#uctio$ of #esire to !olitics ,<arliame$t a$# !art* struggle-& as well as

the re#uctio$ of !olitics to #iscourse ,s!eeches "* the lea#er-& i$ or#er to restore the realit* of multi!le wars o$

multi!le fro$ts& is the o$l* metho# that eve$ comes close to the criti?ue of the tate i$ Anti-Oedipus% There is $o wa*

that a critical !ro/ect set i$ motio$ "* Anti-Oedipus ca$ "ecome a u$iversit* i$#ustr*& /ust a$other lucrative activit* for

the whirli$g #ervishes of 3eing and Time% The effect of Anti-Oedipus has "ee$ wreste# from the i$strume$ts of <ower

a$# #elivere# "ac' to the real the "oo' ca$ o$l* rei$force the assaults agai$st the !olice& /ustice& the arm*& a$# tate

!ower& i$ the factor* a$# "e*o$#)

Gilles Deleue: I thi$' what <ivi#al sai# /ust a mome$t ago& a$# what <ierre /ust sai#& is right o$ target) %or us& the

esse$tial thi$g is the relatio$ of #esiri$g( machi$es a$# social machi$es& their #iffere$t regimes& a$# their imma$e$ce

with res!ect to o$e a$other) +$ other wor#s& how is u$co$scious #esire i$veste# i$ a social& eco$omic a$# !olitical

258



fiel#@ ;ow #oes sexualit*& or what eclaire might call choice of sexual o"/ects& merel* ex!ress these i$vestme$ts&

whereas i$ realit* these i$vestme$ts are i$vestme$ts of flow@ ;ow #o our love affairs #erive from u$iversal histor*

a$# $ot momm* a$# #a##*@ . whole social fiel# is i$veste# through a ma$ or a woma$ that we love& a$# this

i$vestme$t ha!!e$s i$ a variet* of wa*s) o& we tr* to show how the flows i$vest #iffere$t social fiel#s& what the* are

flowi$g o$& a$# "* what mea$s the* are i$veste# e$co#i$g& over(co#i$g& #eco#i$g)

a$ o$e sa* that !s*choa$al*sis has touche# o$ a$* of this i$ the slightest@ %or exam!le& its ri#iculous

ex!la$atio$s of fascism it woul# have ever*thi$g #erive from images of the father a$# mother& or from familial a$#

!ious sig$ifiers li'e the ame(of(the(%ather) erge eclaire sa*s that it is $o !roof that our s*stem wor's& "ecause

a$*thi$g a$# ever*thi$g wor's) True e$ough) Thats what were sa*i$g e#i!us a$# castratio$ wor' li'e a charm) >ut

we wa$t to '$ow what are their effects the* wor' "ut at what !rice@ +t is certai$ that !s*choa$al*sis !acifies a$#

mollifies& that it teaches us resig$atio$ we ca$ live with) >ut were sa*i$g it has usur!e# its re!utatio$ for !romoti$g&

or eve$ !artici!ati$g i$& a$* effective li"eratio$) +t has smashe# the !he$ome$a of #esire o$to a familial stage& a$#

cru$che# the whole eco$omic a$# !olitical #ime$sio$ of li"i#o i$to a co$formist co#e) .s soo$ as the me$tal !atie$t

starts tal'i$g !olitics& goes i$to a !olitical #elirium& /ust loo' at what !s*choa$al*sis #oes with it) +ts what %reu# #i# to

chre"er)

<ierre lastre sai# all there was to sa* a"out eth$olog*& at least much to our a#va$tage) :hat were tr*i$g to #o is

!ut li"i#o i$ relatio$ with a$ outsi#e) The flow of wome$ amo$g the !rimitives is i$ relatio$ with flows of her#

a$imals& flows of arrows) $e #a* a grou! "ecomes $oma#ic) $e #a* warriors show u! i$ the village s?uare loo' at

Faf'as Great :all of hi$a) :hat are the flows of a societ*@ :hich flows are ca!a"le of su"verti$g that societ*@

.$# where is #esires !lace i$ all this@ omethi$g alwa*s ha!!e$s to the li"i#o& a$# it ha!!e$s from far off o$ the

horio$& $ot from withi$) houl#$t eth$olog*& as well as !s*choa$al*sis& "e i$ relatio$ with a$ outsi#e@

$auri'e Na*eau: :e shoul# !erha!s sto! here))) if we wa$t to !ri$t this i$terview i$ 4a Guin(aine ,weve !ro"a"l*

fille# more !ages tha$ we have i$ a si$gle issueO-) et me tha$' Gilles Deleue a$# %elix Guattari for the i$sightsthe*ve give$ us i$to a "oo' that seems li'el* to revolutio$ie ma$* #isci!li$es& a$# which seems all the more

im!orta$t whe$ we co$si#er the !articular wa* i$ which its authors a!!roach ?uestio$s that co$cer$ us all) et me alsotha$' %ra$cois hatelet for havi$g orga$ie# a$# !resi#e# over this #e"ate a$#& of course& all the s!ecialists who

agree# to !artici!ate to#a*

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D==ER= .D GE.+T.B+ %+G;T >.F)



)1

,e"ene Cixos) or %riting in Stro.e;

%or several *ears $ow ;ele$e ixous has !ursue# a su"terra$ea$ "o#* of wor' which remai$s

relativel* u$'$ow$ #es!ite the Ae#ici !rie awar#e# her for ;nside i$ 1969)2 he wrote a

"eautiful "oo' o$ Te E!i'e of ?ames ?oyce,5 i$ which fictio$& theor* a$# criticism are tightl*

'$it) $ first im!ressio$& her wor' i$#ee# stems from a Co*cea$ tra#itio$ a $arrative i$ !rocess&which i$clu#es itself or ta'es itself as a$ o"/ect& with a !lural author a$# a $euter su"/ect&

$euter !lural& a$# the simulta$eit* of ever* 'i$# of sce$e historical a$# !olitical& m*thical a$#

cultural& !s*choa$al*tic a$# li$guistic) >ut ma*"e this first im!ressio$& "ei$g o$l* a!!are$t&

lea#s to a misu$#ersta$#i$g& li'e the i#ea that ixous is a$ excee#i$gl* #ifficult author or that

her wor' follows the well '$ow$ tre$#s of co$tem!orar* literature) The real origi$alit* of a$

author is reveale# o$l* o$ce we ma$age to !ositio$ ourselves withi$ the !oi$t of view she

herself has i$ve$te# a$# from which the wor' "ecomes eas* to rea#& lea#i$g the rea#er "* the

ha$#) This is the m*ster* ever* trul* $ew wor' is sim!le& eas*& a$# /o*ful) oo' at Faf'a& loo'

at >ec'ett)

:e see the ixous m*ster* i$ her last "oo' Neutre8 a$ author ac'$owle#ge# as #ifficult

ge$erall* #ema$#s to "e rea# slowl* i$ this case& however& the wor' as's us to rea# it fast& a$#

we are "ou$# to rea# it agai$& faster a$# faster) The #ifficulties which a slow rea#er woul#

ex!erie$ce #issolve as the rea#i$g s!ee# i$creases) +$ m* view& ixous has i$ve$te# a $ew a$#

origi$al 'i$# of writi$g& which gives her a !articular !lace i$ mo#er$ literature writi$g i$

stro"e&4 where the stor* comes alive& #iffere$t themes co$$ect u!& a$# wor#s form various

figures accor#i$g to the !reci!itous s!ee#s of rea#i$g a$# associatio$)

<aul Aora$#s great sig$ifica$ce& so !oorl* u$#erstoo# to#a*& was to "ri$g s!ee# i$to

literature arou$# 1925& "ri$gi$g it i$to st*le itself& i$ relatio$ to /a& the automo"ile& a$# the

260



;=== +KE& B :B+T+G + TB>=

air!la$e) ixous is i$ve$ti$g other s!ee#s& sometimes cra* s!ee#s& i$ relatio$ to the

co$tem!orar*) Neutre $ever tires of sa*i$g it mix colors i$ such a wa* that through moveme$t

the* !ro#uce u$'$ow$ sha#es a$# hues) :riti$g !er seco$#& !er te$th of a seco$# The rule is

sim!le move from o$e tree to a$other either "* excha$gi$g the active "o#ies& or "* excha$gi$g

the su!!leme$tar* terms& or "* excha$gi$g the $ames of the terms that fu$ctio$ i$ !airs) This all

ha!!e$s so fast that it is #ifficult& from the exterior& to see which of the three o!eratio$s is i$

!rocess& a$# whether there is a tra$sfer from o$e tree to the other via "o#* or $ame) The

moveme$t is such that the trees "* a stro"e effect !ro#uce a 'i$# of !ole that is smooth or "arel*

striate# "* #ar' vertical cross(hatchi$g& the s!ecters of ge$eratio$s <a!er))) =ach !la*s the other

%or exam!le& the stateme$t o$e is :ithout its ther amso$ hau$ts it)

o what is the effect that ixous creates@ The material of Neutre is com!ose# of associate#

eleme$ts .ctive eleme$ts ma#e of #esires !ho$ological eleme$ts ma#e of letters li$guistic

eleme$ts ma#e of figures eleme$ts of criticism ma#e of citatio$s active eleme$ts ma#e of

sce$es& etc) These eleme$ts com!rise a$ immo"ile grou!& com!lex a$# #ifficult to #eci!her& as

lo$g as the s!ee# M 0) .t i$terme#iate s!ee#s& the eleme$ts form chai$s that s!lice i$to o$e

a$other& a$# the$ s!lice i$to this or that grou!& which has #etermi$atio$s& thus ma'i$g u! #isti$ct

stories or #isti$ct versio$s of a stor*) .$# at higher a$# higher s!ee#s& the eleme$ts reach a

!er!etual sli!!age& a$ extreme rotatio$ which !reve$ts them from s!lici$g i$to a$* grou!whatsoever& #rivi$g them ever faster through each a$# ever* stor*) +$ a wor#& the rea#i$g

fu$ctio$s accor#i$g to the rea#ers s!ee#s of associatio$) %or exam!le& the extraor#i$ar* sce$e of

the so$s #eath& which varies accor#i$g to three #egrees at least) r else those hilarious !ages

where o$e sees the letter % co$tami$ate all $eigh"ori$g wor#s a$# ?uic'l* overta'e them) This is

!leasure which comes from a "oo'( as(#rug& a #is?uieti$g stra$ge$ess& i$ accor#a$ce with a

%reu#ia$ $otio$ that ixous loves i$ ever* se$se& a rea#i$g of Neutre must "e fast a$# taut& as i$

a mo#er$ mecha$ism of #ecisive !recisio$)

1

Capita"ism and Shi=ophrenia;

8i))orio $ar'he))i: Nour "oo' Anti-Oedipus is su"title# &apita'ism and Sci(oprenia% :h* is

that@ :hat were the fu$#ame$tal i#eas *ou starte# from@

261




Gilles Deleue: <erha!s the most fu$#ame$tal i#ea is that the u$co$scious !ro#uces) :hat this mea$s is that wemust sto! treati$g the u$co$scious& as ever*o$e has #o$e u! to $ow& li'e some 'i$# of theatre where a !rivilege# #rama

is re!rese$te#& the #rama of e#i!us) :e "elieve the u$co$scious is $ot a theatre& "ut a factor*) .rtau# sai# somethi$greall* "eautiful i$ this regar#) ;e sai# the "o#*& a$# es!eciall* the aili$g "o#*& is li'e a$ overheate# factor* o& $o

more theatre) a*i$g the u$co$scious !ro#uces mea$s that its a 'i$# of mecha$ism that !ro#uces other mecha$isms)+$ other wor#s& we "elieve the u$co$scious has $othi$g i$ commo$ with theatrical re!rese$tatio$& "ut with somethi$g

calle# a #esiri$g(machi$e) ets "e clear a"out the wor# mecha$ism) The "iological theor* of mecha$ism was $evera"le to u$#ersta$# #esire a$# remai$s totall* i$ the #ar' i$ this area "ecause #esire ca$$ot "e i$tegrate# i$to

mecha$ical mo#els) :he$ we tal' a"out #esiri$g(machi$es& or the u$co$scious as a mecha$ism of #esire& we mea$somethi$g com!letel* #iffere$t) Desiri$g co$sists i$ i$terru!tio$s& letti$g certai$ flows through& ma'i$g with#rawalsfrom those flows& cutti$g the chai$s that "ecome attache# to the flows) This s*stem of the u$co$scious& or #esire thatflows& i$terru!ts& "egi$s flowi$g agai$its totall* literal a$# co$trar* to what tra#itio$al !s*choa$al*sis tells us& it is

!erfectl* mea$i$gless) :ithout a$* se$se& there is $othi$g to i$ter!ret) +$ter!retatio$ is mea$i$gless here) The !ro"lemis '$owi$g how the u$co$scious wor's) +t is '$owi$g how #esiri$g(machi$es wor'& a$# '$owi$g how to use thosemachi$es)Guattari a$# + "ega$ with the assum!tio$ that #esire coul# "e u$#erstoo# o$l* as a categor* of !ro#uctio$)o we ha# to rei$tro#uce !ro#uctio$ i$to #esire itself) Desire #oes $ot #e!e$# o$ lac'& its $ot a lac' of somethi$g& a$#

it #oes$t refer to a$* aw) Desire !ro#uces) o its the o!!osite of a theatre) .$ i#ea li'e e#i!us& the theatricalre!rese$tatio$ of e#i!us& mutilates the u$co$scious a$# gives $o ex!ressio$ to #esire) e#i!us is the effect of socialre!ressio$ o$ #esiri$g !ro#uctio$) =ve$ with a chil#& #esire is $ot e#i!al& it fu$ctio$s li'e a mecha$ism& !ro#uceslittle machi$es& esta"lishi$g co$$ectio$s amo$g thi$gs) :hat this mea$s i$ #iffere$t terms& !erha!s& is that #esire is

revolutio$ar*) This #oes$t mea$ that it wa$ts revolutio$) +ts eve$ "etter) Desire is revolutio$ar* "* $ature "ecause it "uil#s #esiri$g(machi$es which& whe$ the* are i$serte# i$to the social fiel#& are ca!a"le of #eraili$g somethi$g&

#is!laci$g the social fa"ric) Tra#itio$al !s*choa$al*sis& however& has tur$e# ever*thi$g u!si#e #ow$ i$ its little theatre)+ts exactl* as if somethi$g that reall* "elo$gs to huma$it*& to a factor*& to !ro#uctio$& were tra$slate# "* mea$s of a

re!rese$tatio$ at the ome#ie %ra$caise) o there *ou have our !oi$t of #e!arture the u$co$scious as !ro#uc i$g theselittle machi$es of #esire& which we call #esiri$g(machi$es)8i))orio $ar'he))i: o what a"out &apita'ism and Sci(oprenia=%

Feli% Gua))ari: :e wa$te# to em!hasie the extremes) =ver*thi$g i$ huma$ existe$ce is "rought "ac' to the mosta"stract categories) a!ital a$#& o$ the other extreme& or rather& the other !ole of $o$se$se& ma#$essa$# withi$ ma# (

$ess& schio!hre$ia) +$ our view& it was these two !oles commo$ ta$ge$t of $o$se$se that seeme# to have a relatio$)

.$# $ot /ust a co$ti$ge$t relatio$ ma'i$g it !ossi"le to sa* that mo#er$ societ* #rives !eo!le cra*) Auch more tha$

that if we wa$t to ex!lai$ alie$atio$& or the re!ressio$ which the i$#ivi#ual suf fers i$ the ca!italist s*stem& if we wa$t

to u$#ersta$# the real mea$i$g of the !olitics of the a!!ro!riatio$ of sur!lus value& we must "ri$g i$to !la* those same

co$ce!ts to which o$e tur$s to a$al*e schio!hre$ia) :e !rivilege# these extreme !oles& "ut it goes without sa*i$g

that all the i$terme#iate terms must also "e exami$e# ever*thi$g from the wa* i$ which $eurosis is co$fro$te# to the

stu#* of chil#hoo# or !rimitive societies) .ll the themes which the huma$ scie$ces #eal with are fair game) >ut rather

tha$ esta"lish some coexiste$ce of all the huma$ scie$ces& o$e i$ relatio$ to the other& we #eci#e# to relate ca!italism

a$# schio!hre$ia i$ a$ attem!t to e$com!ass these fiel#s as a whole that wa* we avoi#e# limiti$g ourselves to the

various !athwa*s that allow *ou to !ass "etwee$ them)

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.<+T.+A .D ;+R<;B=+.

8i))orio $ar'he))i: Di# *our research come out of co$crete ex!erie$ce@ Do *ou see a$* !ractical #evelo!me$t@ +f so&

i$ which fiel#s@

Feli% Gua))ari: To a$swer the first !art of *our ?uestio$& the research comes out of !s*chiatric !ractice&

!s*choa$al*sis& a$# i$ !articular& the stu#* of !s*chosis)

:e feel that the semiotic chai$s& the #escri!tio$s of %reu#ia$ theor*& a$# !s*chiatr* are relativel* i$a#e?uate to

ex!lai$ what is reall* goi$g o$ i$ me$tal ill$ess) :e $otice# this as soo$ as a $ew 'i$# of liste$i$g to me$tal ill$ess

"ecame !ossi"le)

%reu# #evelo!e# his co$ce!ts& to "egi$ with at least& withi$ the framewor' of a !articular 'i$# of access he ha# to

$euroses& a$# h*steria i$ !articular) ;e himself com!lai$e# towar# the e$# of his life a"out $ot havi$g ha# access toa$other fiel#& a"out $ot havi$g ha# a$* other wa* to a!!roach !s*chosis) ;e was a"le to a!!roach !s*chotic !atie$ts

o$l* acci#e$tall* a$# from the outsi#e) +t shoul# "e a##e#& too& that withi$ the framewor' of re!ressive hos!italiatio$&

*ou #o$t have access to schio!hre$ia) Nou have access to me$tal !atie$ts loc'e# i$ a s*stem that !reve$ts them from

ex!ressi$g the ver* esse$ce of ma#$ess) The* ex!ress o$l* a reactio$ to the re!ressio$ to which the* are su"/ecte#&

which the* are force# to e$#ure) .s a result& !s*choa$al*sis is !racticall* im!ossi"le with cases of !s*chosis) .$#

thi$gs will co$ti$ue this wa* as lo$g as !s*chotic !atie$ts are tra!!e# i$ the re!ressive hos!itah s*stem) ;owever&

rather tha$ tra$s!ose the #escri!tive chai$s of $eurosis o$to !s*chosis& we trie# to #o the o!!osite) +$ other wor#s& we

trie# to reexami$e the co$ce!ts use# to #escri"e $eurosis i$ the light of the i$#icatio$s we receive# from co$tact with

!s*chosis)

Gilles Deleue: :e "ega$ with the feeli$g& a$# + #o mea$ a feeli$g& a$# the '$owle#ge& that somethi$g was $ot right

with !s*choa$al*sis) +t has "ecome i$termi$a"le& s!i$$i$g its wheels a$# goi$g $owhere) Cust loo' at the !s*choa$(

263




al*tic cure) :ell& the cure has "ecome a$ e$#less !rocess i$ which "oth the !atie$t a$# the #octor chase each other

rou$# a$# rou$#& a$# this circle& whatever mo#ificatio$s are a!!lie#& remai$s e#i!al) +ts li'e F& tal'O >ut its

alwa*s a"out the same thi$g momm* a$# #a##*) The refere$ce tur$s o$ a$ e#i!al axis) The* ca$ i$sist all the* wa$t

that its $ot a"out a real mother a$# father& that its a"out some higher structure& whatever *ou li'e& some s*m"olic

or#er& a$# that it shoul#$t "e i$ter!rete# as imagi$ar*& "ut the #iscourse remai$s the same the !atie$t is there to tal'

a"out momm* a$# #a##*& a$# the a$al*st liste$s i$ terms of momm* a$# #a##*) There are !ro"lems that trou"le#

%reu# towar# the e$# of his life somethi$g is $ot right with !s*choa$al*sis& somethi$g is stuc') %reu# thought that it

was "ecomi$g e$#less& the cure loo'e# i$termi$a"le& it was goi$g $owhere) .$# aca$ was the fist to i$#icate how far

thi$gs ha# to "e revam!e#) ;e "elieve# the !ro"lem coul# "e resolve# i$ a !rofou$# retur$ to %reu#) :e o$ the other

ha$# "ega$ with the feeli$g that !s*choa$al*sis was goi$g rou$# a$# rou$# i$ a circle& a familial circle& so to s!ea'&

re!rese$te# "* e#i!us) .$# to#a* a rather worrisome situatio$ has #evelo!e#) .lthough !s*choa$al*sis has cha$ge#

its metho#s& it has $o$etheless come i$to li$e with the most classical !s*chiatr*) .s Aichel %oucault has so a#mira"l*

show$& it was i$ the $i$etee$th(ce$tur* that !s*chiatr* fu$#ame$tall* li$'e# ma#$ess to the famil*) <s*choa$al*sis

has tei$ter!tete# this co$$ectio$& "ut what is so stri'i$g is that the co$$ectio$ has sta*e# i$ !lace) .$# eve$ a$ti(!s*(

chiatr*& which !oi$ts i$ $ew a$# revolutio$ar* #irectio$s& !reserves this famil*(ma#$ess refere$ce) =ver*o$e tal's

a"out familial !s*chothera!*) o& ever*o$e co$ti$ues to locate the fu$#ame$tal refere$ce of me$tal #era$geme$t i$

familial #etermi$atio$s of the momm*(#a##* t*!e) .$# eve$ if these #etermi$atio$s are i$ter!rete# i$ a s*m"olic wa*

the father s*m"olic fu$ctio$& the mother s*m"olic fu$ctio$it #oes$t cha$ge a thi$g)

ow + su!!ose ever*o$e is familiar with the amai$g text "* that lu$atic& as the* call him& <resi#e$t chre"er& a

!ara$oi# or a schio!hre$ic& it #oes$t matter) ;is memoirs are a 'i$# of racial& racist& historical #elirium) ;is #elirium

e$com!asses whole co$ti$e$ts& cultures& a$# races) :hat ta'es *ou "* sur!rise is the !olitical& historical& a$# cultural

co$te$t of his #elirium) :he$ *ou rea# %reu#s comme$tar*& this whole as!ect of the #elirium has #isa!!eare# it has

"ee$ crushe# "* the refere$ce to a father that chre"er $ever me$tio$s) <s*choa$al*sts will sa* that it is !recisel*

"ecause he $ever me$tio$s it that its so im!orta$t) :ell& we sa* that weve $ever see$ a schio!hre$ic #elirium that is

$ot first a$# foremost racial& racist& a$# !olitical& that is $ot ru$$i$g off i$ ever* #irectio$ of histor*& that #oes $ot

i$vest cultures& that #oes $ot tal' a"out co$ti$e$ts& 'i$g#oms& etc) :e sa* that the !ro"lem of #elirium is $ot relate# to

the famil*& that it co$cer$s momm* a$# #a##* o$l* seco$#aril*& if it co$cer$s them at all) The real !ro"lem of #elirium

is the extraor#i$ar* tra$sitio$s "etwee$ two !oles the o$e is a reactio$ar* !ole& so to s!ea'& a fascist !ole of the t*!e

+ am a su!erior race& which shows u! i$ ever* !ara$oi# #elirium a$# the other is a revolutio$ar* !ole li'e Bim"au#&

whe$ he sa*s + am a$ i$ferior race& alwa*s a$# forever) 2 =ver* #elirium i$vests ;istor* "efore i$vesti$g some

ri#iculous momm*(#a##*) .$# so& eve$ where thera!* or a cure is co$cer$e#!rovi#e# this is i$#ee# a me$tal ill$ess

if the historical refere$ces of the #elirium are ig$ore#& if *ou /ust go rou$# a$# rou$# "etwee$ a s*m"olic father a$#

a$ imagi$ar* father& *ou $ever esca!e familialism a$# *ou remai$ loc'e# withi$ the framewor' of the most tra#itio$al

!s*chiatr*)

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.<+T.+A .D ;+R<;B=+.

8i))orio $ar'he))i: Do *ou thi$' li$guistic stu#ies ca$ co$tri"ute somethi$g to the i$ter!retatio$ of schio!hre$ic

la$guage@

Feli% Gua))ari: i$guistics is a ra!i#l* ex!a$#i$g scie$ce still ver* much i$ search of itself) Nou sometimes see a$

a"usive use of co$ce!ts& too hastil* em!lo*e#& give$ that the*re still "ei$g formulate#) There is o$e $otio$ i$ !ar (

ticular we felt it $ecessar* to rethi$' the sig$ifier) :e "elieve the $otio$ !oses several !ro"lems i$ #iffere$t

li$guistics) <erha!s the sig$ifier is less !ro"lematic for !s*choa$al*sis& "ut as far as were co$cer$e#& we thi$' it $ee#s

further #evelo!me$t) %ace# with the !ro"lems of co$tem!orar* societ* we have to "e i$ a !ositio$ to ?uestio$ the

tra#itio$al culture which has "ee$ #ivi#e# u!& so to s!ea'& amo$g the huma$ scie$ces& scie$ce& scie$tism ,a

fashio$a"le wor# for a while $ow-& a$# !olitical res!o$si"ilit*) =s!eciall* after Aa* 68& a revisio$ of this se!aratio$

seems im!orta$t a$# $ecessar*) %rom this !ers!ective& u$til rece$tl*& the various #isci!li$es have e$/o*e# a 'i$# of

auto$om*) The !s*choa$al*sts have their ow$ coo'i$g ute$sils& a$# the !oliticia$s have their ow$& etc) The $ecessit*

to reexami$e this #ivisio$ is $ot "or$ from some co$cer$ for eclecticism a$# #oes $ot $ecessaril* lea# to some sort of

co$fusio$) The same wa* that it is $ot #ue to co$fusio$ that a schio!hre$ic /um!s from o$e register to the $ext) +t is

the realit* he fi$#s himself co$fro$te# with that #rives him to it) The schio!hre$ic& without a$* e!istemological

guara$tee& so to s!ea'& stic's closel* to realit* a$# this realit* causes him to move from o$e level to the $ext& from a

?uestio$i$g of sema$tics a$# s*$tax to the revisio$ of the themes of histor*& etc) :ell& from this !ers!ective& !eo!le i$

the huma$ scie$ces a$# i$ !olitics shoul#& i$ a se$se& go a little schio) .$# $ot to em"race that illusor* image which

the schio!hre$ic gives us whe$ he is tra!!e# i$ re!ressio$& accor#i$g to which he is su!!ose#l* autistic& with#raw$

i$to himself& etc) $ the co$trar*& to have the same a"ilit* to em"race all the #isci!li$es together) +$ the aftermath of

Aa* 68& the ?uestio$ is !recisel* this either we attem!t to u$if* our com!rehe$sio$ of !he$ome$a such as& + #o$t

'$ow& "ureaucratiatio$ i$ !olitical orga$iatio$s& or "ureaucratiatio$ i$ tate ca!italism& with our com!rehe$sio$ of

#ista$t a$# #is!arate !he$ome$a such as& for exam!le& o"sessio$& or the #escri!tio$s give$ "* re!etitive autismor

else& if we stic' to the i#ea that thi$gs are se!arate& that each of us is a s!ecialist a$# shoul# mi$# his ow$ "usi$ess

while ma'i$g a#va$ces i$ his fiel#& ex!losio$s that totall* esca!e our !owers of #escri!tio$ a$# com!rehe$sio$& from

a !olitical as well as a$thro!ological !oi$t of view& will $o$etheless show u! i$ the worl#) +$ this se$se& the !oi$t of

calli$g i$to ?uestio$ the #ivisio$ of the various #isci!li$es& as well as the self(satisfactio$ of !s*choa$al*sts& li$guists&

eth$ologists& a$# teachers of !e#agog*& is $ot the #issolutio$ of these scie$ces) The !oi$t is to refit these scie$ces so

the* "etter measure u! to their o"/ect of i$?uir*) . whole li$e of research co$#ucte# !rior to Aa* 68 "* some small&

!rivilege# grou!s su##e$l* fou$# itself at the ce$ter of #e"ate& a$# that !ri$g& i$stitutio$al revolutio$ was the or#er of

the #a*) <s*choa$al*sts are i$creasi$gl* i$ter!olate# i$ !u"lic #iscourse the* have "ee$ force# to "roa#e$ their

#isci!li$e) The same goes for !s*chiatrists) This is a totall* $ew !he$ome$o$) :hat #oes it mea$@ +s it /ust a fa#@ r

as some i$ the !olitical s!here co$te$#& is it a wa* of #iverti$g milita$t revolutio$aries from their o"/ectives@ >ut is it

$ot rather a call& however co$fuse#& for a !rofou$# revisio$ of co$ce!tualiatio$ as it is !ractice# to#a*@

265




8i))orio $ar'he))i: oul# !s*chiatr* !la* this role a$# "ecome& so to s!ea'& the $ew huma$ scie$ce& the huma$

scie$ce !ar excelle$ce@

Feli% Gua))ari: Bather tha$ !s*chiatr*& wh* $ot the schio!hre$ics& the craies themselves@ +t seems to me that those

who wor' i$ the fiel# of !s*chiatr*& at least right $ow& are har#l* o$ the cutti$g e#geO

Gilles Deleue: .$# theres $o reaso$ a$*wa* wh* !s*chiatr* rather tha$ a$* other #isci!li$e shoul# "ecome the

huma$ scie$ce !ar excelle$ce) The whole i#ea of some huma$ scie$ce !ar excelle$ce is misgui#e#) :h* coul#$t

"i"( lio!hilia "e the huma$ scie$ce !ar excelle$ce@ r how a"out textual criticism@ The fact is too ma$* scie$ces

woul# li'e to !la* such a role) The !ro"lem is $ot #etermi$i$g which scie$ce will "e the huma$ scie$ce !ar excelle$ce

the !ro"lem is #etermi$i$g how a certai$ $um"er of machi$es e$#owe# with revolutio$ar* !ote$tial are goi$g to fit

together) %or exam!le& the literar* machi$e& the !s*choa$al*tic machi$e& a$# !olitical machi$es either the* will fi$# a

u$if*i$g !oi$t& as the* have #o$e so u! to $ow& i$ a !articular s*stem of a#a!tatio$ to ca!italist regimes& or else the*

will fi$# a shatteri$g u$it* i$ a revolutio$ar* utiliatio$) :e must$t !ose the !ro"lem i$ terms of !riorit*& we have to

!ose it i$ terms of use or utiliatio$) o& the ?uestio$ is to what use are the* !ut@ +$ our view& !s*chiatr* has u! to

$ow co$ceale# a !articular use of familialism& of the familial !ers!ective& a$# this utiliatio$ seems reactio$ar*& eve$

$ecessaril* so& $o matter how revolutio$ar* those !eo!le are $ow wor'i$g i$ the fiel# of !s*chiatr*)

8i))orio $ar'he))i: evi(trauss sa*s that !hiloso!hical or scie$tific thought o!erates "* !ro!osi$g a$# o!!osi$g

co$ce!ts& whereas m*thic thought o!erates through images ta'e$ from the se$si"le worl#) .rieti& i$ his "oo'

;nterpretation of Sci(oprenia, affirms that those sufferi$g from me$tal ill$ess have recourse to a$ i$telligi"le logic&

to a cohere$t logical s*stem eve$ if it has $othi$g to #o with the logic fou$#e# o$ co$ce!ts) .rieti tal's a"out !aleo(

logic a$# claims that this cohere$t logical s*stem resem"les m*thical thought& the thought of so(calle# !rimitive

societies& that it o!erates i$ the same wa*& "* associati$g se$si"le ?ualities) ;ow #o *ou ex!lai$ this !he$ome$o$@ +sschio!hre$ia a #efe$sive strateg* !resse# i$to the refusal of our logical s*stem@ .$# if so& #oes$t the a$al*sis of

schio!hre$ic la$guage offer a$ i$valua"le i$strume$t for the huma$ scie$ces i$ the stu#* of our societ*@

266



.<+T.+A .D ;+R<;B=+.

Gilles Deleue: I u$#ersta$# *our ?uestio$& it s !rett* tech$ical) + # li'e to hear what Guattari thi$'s)

Feli% Gua))ari: I #o$t reall* li'e the wor# !aleo(logic "ecause it still im!lies a !relogical me$talit* a$# other

#efi$itio$s of the 'i$# that o!e$e# the wa* for a literal segregatio$& $ot to me$tio$ its associatio$s with the

chil#ish$ess of me$tal !atie$ts)

Gilles Deleue: .$# logic is a co$ce!t that #oes$t i$terest us i$ the least) +ts too vague a term) =ver*thi$g is logical&

or $othi$g is) .s for the ?uestio$& its tech$ical as!ect& + woul# ?uestio$ whether what schio!hre$ics& !rimitives& or

chil#re$ are reall* a"out is a logic of se$si"le ?ualities)

+$ our ow$ research& what were #oi$g $ow& this ?uestio$ #oes$t come u!) :hat stri'es me is how easil* ever*o$e

forgets that a formulatio$ such as the logic of se$si"le ?ualities is alrea#* too theoretical) :hat we $eglect is !urelive# ex!erie$ce) :hether were tal'i$g a"out the live# ex!erie$ce of the chil#& the live# ex!erie$ce of the !rimitive&

or the live# ex!erie$ce of the schio!hre$ic& live# ex!erie$ce #oes$t mea$ se$si"le ?ualities) ive# ex!erie$ce is

i$te$sive ; fee'%%% + feel mea$s that somethi$g is ha!!e$i$g i$ me& + am ex!erie$ci$g a$ i$te$sit*& a$# i$te$sit* is

$ot the same thi$g as se$si"le ?ualities i$ fact& its totall* #iffere$t) This ha!!e$s all the time with schio!hre$ics) .

schio!hre$ic sa*s + feel +m "ecomi$g a woma$ or + feel +m "ecomi$g Go#) e$si"le ?ualities have $othi$g to #o

with it) +t seems that .rieti sta*s at the level of a logic of se$si"le ?ualities& "ut that #oes$t corres!o$# at all to what

schio!hre$ics sa*) :he$ a schio!hre$ic sa*s + feel +m "ecomi$g a woma$& + feel +m "ecomi$g Go#& + feel +m

"ecomi$g Coa$ of .rc& what #oes it mea$ i$ realit*@ chio!hre$ia is a shoc'i$g a$# ver* ver* acute ex!erie$ce& a$

i$volu$tar* ex!erie$ce& of i$te$sit* a$# the !assi$gs of i$te$sities) :he$ a schio!hre$ic sa*s + feel +m "ecomi$g a

woma$& + feel +m "ecomi$g Go#& its li'e the "o#* is crossi$g a threshol# of i$te$sit*) >iologists tal' a"out the egg

a$# the schio!hre$ic "o#* as a 'i$# of egg the catato$ic "o#* is $othi$g more tha$ a$ egg) :ell& whe$ a

schio!hre$ic sa*s +m "ecomi$g Go#& +m "ecomi$g a woma$& its li'e crossi$g what "iologists call a gra#ie$t&

traversi$g a threshol# of i$te$sit*) . schio!hre$ic is still crossi$g it& goi$g a"ove it& "e*o$# it& etc) This whole

!he$ome$o$ is what tra#itio$al a$al*sis fails to ta'e i$to accou$t) Thats wh* the !harmacological research "ei$g #o$e

o$ schio!hre$ia coul# "e so rich& although it is !oorl* utilie# at !rese$t) <harmacological stu#ies a$# #rug research

!ose the !ro"lem i$ terms of variatio$s i$ i$te$sit* of the meta"olism) The + feel))) must "e co$si#ere# i$ the light of

!assi$g se$satio$s& #egrees of i$te$sit*) o& the #iffere$ce "etwee$ our co$ce!tio$ a$# .rietis& with all #ue res!ect to

.rietis wor'& resi#es i$ the fact that we i$ter!ret schio!hre$ia i$ terms of i$te$sive ex!erie$ce)

267




8i))orio $ar'he))i: >ut what #o *ou mea$ "* the i$telligi"ilit* of schio!hre$ic #iscourse@

Feli% Gua))ari: :hat we wa$t to '$ow is whether cohere$ce #erives from& sa*& a$ or#er of ratio$al ex!ressio$& or

some sema$tic or#er& or whether it #erives from a$ or#er which o$e might call machi$ic) .fter all& we #o the "est we

ca$ with re!rese$tatio$& ever*o$e #oes the "est he ca$ with it "oth the research scie$tist& tr*i$g to reco$stitute

somethi$g i$ the or#er of ex!ressio$& a$# the schio!hre$ic) >ut the schio!hre$ic #oes$t have the !ossi"ilit* of

ma'i$g i$telligi"le what he is tr*i$g to reco$stitute& with the mea$s rea#* to ha$#& those he has at his #is!osal) +$ this

se$se& were sa*i$g that the #escri!tio$s ma#e withi$ the framewor' of !s*choa$al*sis& a$# which we call e#i!al& to

sim!lif* thi$gs& co$stitute a re!ressive re!rese$tatio$) =ve$ the most im!orta$t authors& those who have go$e the

farthest i$ the ex!loratio$ of !s*chosis a$# chil#hoo#& or those who s!otte# the !ro"lem of the !assages of i$te$sive

?ua$titieseve$ tey e$# u! #escri"i$g ever*thi$g i$ e#i!al terms all over agai$) . famous researcher& a$# + mea$

someo$e reall* im!orta$t& still s!o'e of micro(e#i!alism i$ a case of !s*chosis& #es!ite the fact that he ha# $otice#

at the level of its fu$ctio$i$g& i$ othet wor#s& the level of !artial im!ulsesa la$#sca!e remi$isce$t of ;iero$*mous

>osch& com!ose# of a$ i$fi$it* of fragme$ts& "its a$# !ieces& where the i#ea of the father& the mother& a$# the hol*

tri$it* was $ot to "e fou$#) :hat this suggests& o$ o$e level at least& is that such a re!rese$tatio$ is ta'e$ literall* from

a si$gle #omi$a$t i#eolog*)

Hittorio Aarchetti There exist t*!ical alteratio$s i$ schio!hre$ic la$guage) .re there i#e$tical alteratio$s i$ la$guage

s!ecific to certai$ social categories such as the militar* or !olitics@

%elix Guattari Defi$itel*) :e ca$ eve$ s!ea' of a !ara(!hre$ic militar* la$guage& the la$guage of milita$t !olitical

activists to#a*) >ut we woul# have to ge$eralie) The categories use# "* !s*chiatrists& !s*choa$al*sts& a$# research

scie$tists rel* o$ a la$guage of re!rese$tatio$al closure) To such a$ exte$t& that whatever esca!es the !ro#uctio$ of

#esiri$g(machi$es is alwa*s re#irecte# "ac' to restrictive& exclusive s*$theses& with a co$ti$ual retur$ to #ualist

categories& a$# a !er!etual se!aratio$ of levels) .$ e!istemological reform woul# "e i$sufficie$t to re#ress such a

situatio$& "ecause the whole "ala$ce of !ower is at sta'e& eve$ at the level of class co$flict) That mea$s it is !oi$tless to

remi$# certai$ !s*choa$al*sts& or research scie$tists& to !a* atte$tio$) +$ so far as what is at sta'e is $ot a se!arate

or#er& as it woul# "e i$ the case of a !ulsio$al or#er& for i$sta$ce& "ut rather the ver* totalit* of social mecha$isms a$#

their fu$ctio$i$g& as much i$ the or#er of #esire as i$ the or#er of revolutio$ar* struggle or scie$ce a$# i$#ustr*i$ so

far as all this is at sta'e& the s*stem i$ its totalit* woul# have to secrete its mo#els& its casts& a$# its stereot*!e#

268



.<+T.+A .D ;+R<;B=+.

ex!ressio$s all over agai$) :e ought to as' ourselves whether the ex!ressio$ of !oliticia$s& scie$tists& a$# the militar*

is $ot i$ fact !recisel* a 'i$# of a$ti(!ro#uctio$& a 'i$# of re!ressio$ wor'i$g at the level of ex!ressio$& whose goal is

to sto! the wor' of ?uestio$i$g& which $ever sto!s i$ fact& "ut overflows a$# the$ is sim!l* lost i$ the real moveme$t

of thi$gs)

8i))orio $ar'he))i: ietsche& .rtau#& Ha$ Gogh& Boussel& am!a$a what #oes me$tal ill$ess mea$ i$ their case@

Gilles Deleue: +t mea$s ma$* thi$gs) Cas!ers a$#& more rece$tl*& ai$g have #is!la*e# !e$etrati$g i$sight o$ this

to!ic& eve$ if the* are still !rett* much misu$#erstoo#) =sse$tiall*& the* sa* that what is calle# madness is com!ose#&

roughl* s!ea'i$g& of two thi$gs there is a "reach& a teari$g o!e$& li'e a su##e$ light& a wall that is !u$che# through&

a$# the$ there is this other& ver* #iffere$t #ime$sio$ which coul# "e calle# colla!se) + remem"er a letter "* Ha$ Gogh

:e have to u$#ermi$e the wall& he sa*s) =xce!t '$oc'i$g #ow$ the wall is reall* #ifficult& a$# if *ou #o it i$ a wa*

that is too "rutal& *ou '$oc' *ourself out& *ou fall #ow$& *ou colla!se) .$# Ha$ Gogh a##e# Cust file awa* at it&

slowl*& !atie$tl*) o there is this "reach& a$# a !ossi"le colla!se) Cas!ers& whe$ he tal's a"out the schio!hre$ic

!rocess& em!hasies the coexiste$ce of two eleme$ts a 'i$# of i$trusio$& the arrival of somethi$g for which there is $o

!ossi"le ex!ressio$& somethi$g wo$#erful& so wo$#erful i$ fact that it is #ifficult to articulate "ut it is so re!resse# i$

our societ*a$# here *ou have the seco$# eleme$t that it ru$s the ris' of coi$ci#i$g with colla!se) ;ere *ou see the

autistic schio!hre$ic& who $o lo$ger moves& a$# who ca$ remai$ motio$less for *ears) +$ the case of ietsche& Ha$

Gogh& .rtau#& Boussel& am!a$a& etc)& the two eleme$ts certai$l* coexist) . fa$tastic "reach& a hole i$ the wall) Ha$

Gogh& ervala$# so ma$* othershave '$oc'e# #ow$ the wall of the sig$ifier& the wall of momm*(#a##*& the*

we$t "e*o$# it a$# s!ea' to us i$ a voice which is our future) >ut the seco$# eleme$t is $o$etheless !rese$t i$ this

!rocess& a$# it is the #a$ger of colla!se) o o$e has the right to #eri#e& to treat with fli!!a$c*& the fact that the teari$g

o!e$& the "reach sli!s i$to or coi$ci#es with a 'i$# of colla!se) This #a$ger must "e co$si#ere# fu$#ame$tal) The two

eleme$ts are co$$ecte#) +t is mea$i$gless to sa* that .rtau# was $ot schio!hre$icworse& its shameful a$# stu!i#)

.rtau# was clearl* schio!hre$ic) ;e achieve# a wo$#erful "rea'through& he '$oc'e# #ow$ the wall& "ut at what

!rice@ The !rice of a colla!se that must "e ?ualifie# as schio!hre$ic) The "rea'through a$# the "rea'#ow$ are two

#iffere$t mome$ts) +t woul# "e irres!o$si"le to tur$ a "li$# e*e to the #a$ger of colla!se i$ such e$#eavors) >ut the*re

worth it)

269




8i))orio $ar'he))i: + hear# a"out these i$ter$s i$ a !s*chiatric hos!ital who& agai$st the wishes of the #irector of the

cli$ic& ha# the ha"it of !la*i$g car#s i$ the room of a !atie$t who ha# "ee$ i$ a !rofou$# catato$ic state for *ears a

vegeta"le) ot a wor#& $ot a gesture& $ot the least moveme$t) $e #a*& while the i$ter$s are !la*i$g car#s& the !atie$t&

whose hea# ha# "ee$ tur$e# towar# the wi$#ow "* the $urse& su##e$l* sa*s +ts the #irectorO ;is !er!etual sile$ce

e$sues a$# he #ies a few *ears later without ever sa*i$g a$other wor#) That is his message to the worl# +ts the

#irectorO

Gilles Deleue: . "eautiful stor*) +$ the light of schioa$al*sis& a$# thats what were after& we shoul# $ot as' so much

what the !hrase +ts the #irectorO mea$s& as what ha!!e$e# such that the autistic !atie$t& with#raw$ i$to his "o#*& was

a"le to co$stitute& with the arrival of the #irector& a little machi$e that serve# his !ur!oses& eve$ for a short time)

Feli% Gua))ari: I) seems to me far from o"vious that the !atie$t i$ the stor* actuall* saw the #irector) %rom the

sta$#!oi$t of the stor*& it woul# eve$ "e "etter if the !atie$t #i#$t see him) The sim!le fact that there was a mo#ifica(

tio$& a cha$ge of ha"its #ue to the !rese$ce of the *ou$g i$ter$s& the tra$sgressio$ of the #irectors law o$ accou$t of

the car# game& coul# have !rovo'e# the !atie$t to foregrou$# the hierarchical figure of the #irector& to articulate

sim!l* a$ a$al*tic i$ter!retatio$ of the situatio$) This re!rese$ts a "eautiful illustratio$ of the tra$sfer& the tra$slatio$

of the a$al*tic fu$ctio$) +ts $ot a !s*choa$al*st& or whoever *ou li'e& a !s*cho(sociologist& who is i$ter!reti$g the

structure of the situatio$) +t is literall* a cr*i$g out& a 'i$# of sli! of the to$gue& that i$ter!rets the se$se of the

alie$atio$ which $ot the schio!hre$ic& "ut the !eo!le for whom it is such a "ig #eal sim!l* to !la* car#s i$ the

!rese$ce of !atie$ts fi$# themselves i$)

8i))orio $ar'he))i: Nes& "ut the !atie$t is still !rese$t to himself whe$ he cries out& eve$ if he has$t see$ the

#irector)))

Feli% Gua))ari: <rese$t to himselfO +m $ot at all sure a"out that) ;e coul# have see$ a cat or somethi$g) +$ the !racticeof i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!*& it is well '$ow$ that the most o$e#(out schio!hre$ic ca$ su##e$l* #re#ge u! the most

i$cre#i"le stories a"out *our !rivate life& thi$gs *ou woul# $ever have "elieve# a$*o$e '$ew& a$# the$ will !rocee# toarticulate& i$ the cru#est ma$$er !ossi"le& truths *ou thought were secret) +ts $o m*ster*) The schio!hre$ic has i$sta$taccess to such i$sight& "ecause he is #irectl* fla*e#& so to s!ea'& o$ the hoo's that co$stitute the grou! i$ its su"/ectiveu$it*) ;e fi$#s himself i$ a clairvo*a$t situatio$ with res!ect to those i$#ivi#uals who& cr*stallie# i$ their logic& i$

their s*$tax& i$ their ow$ i$terests& are a"solutel* "li$#

270



)or Speia" Fesiring-ahinesF8 %hat !re TheyG

The rea#ers of 4es Temps Modernes will fi$# a stra$ge re!ort here) <ierre >e$i( chou has

reveale# some of the results from his i$?uir* o$ masochists ,the real masochists& those who

have others i$flict severe a$# ofte$ "loo#* treatme$t o$ themselves-) %or this i$?uir*& however&he #oes $ot a##ress the masochists themselves he #oes $ot have them tal') The* woul# gla#l*

tal') :ere the* to tal'& however& the* woul# e$ter a !reforme#& !refa"ricate# circuit the circuit

of their m*ths a$# fa$tasies& i$clu#i$g the circuit of that !s*choa$al*sis whose i#eas ever*o$e

to#a* is more or less familiar with& a circuit i$ which each of us '$ows more or less i$ a#va$ce

what is ex!ecte# of us& a$sweri$g e#i!us or momm*(#a##* as soo$ as we are as'e#that

worl# of i$teriorit* which we fi$# so tiresome)

<ierre >e$ichou su"stitutes a$ e$tirel* #iffere$t tri$it* for the !s*choa$al*tic father(mother(

ego co!(!rostitute(clie$t) :e must $ot too hastil* co$clu#e that the* are the same) .$# rather

tha$ the su"/ect s!ea'i$g& a$# the !s*choa$al*st writi$g for eve$tual !u"licatio$ i$ a scie$tific

/our$al& the su"/ect #oes $ot s!ea'& #oes $ot have the right to s!ea' he o$l* writes& he writes his

wishes a$# #ema$#s& he !asses a $ote i$ which he criticies the last sessio$& or !la$s for the $ext

o$e) >ut o$ the other ha$#& the !rostitute& the co! s!ea') <ierre >e$ichous i$?uir* !rovi#es what

is so lac'i$g i$ !s*choa$al*sis to#a* a $ew relatio$ with the utsi#e)

This is all we are as'i$g of the !s*choa$al*tic relatio$ a$ i$versio$& a caricature& a$

extreme tighte$i$g) Aasochism is that !erversio$ !ar excelle$ce which ta'es the form of a

co$tract& eve$ if it is withi$ the terms of the co$tract for it to "e excee#e# each time& to "e

su"verte# "* the ca!rice or su!erior authorit* of the all !owerful Aistress) ,<)>) i$sta$ces the

mo$thl* !a*me$t that e$titles the clie$t to a certai$ $um"er of sessio$s)- .$# so& /ust as i$ !s*(

D=+B+G(A.;+=

271



choa$al*sis& the co$tract here ta'es o$ a #ime$sio$ that has its e?uivale$t $owhere else it is $ot

!ossi"le to #isti$guish "etwee$ the co$tracti$g !arties a$# the o"/ect which the co$tract

s!ecifies) .s <ierre >e$ichou remar's sexual #eviatio$& proper'y spea:ing, is the o$l* #omai$

i$ which a #irect relatio$ o"tai$s) The !rostitute #oes more tha$ !rovi#e a$ o"/ect she is the

o"/ect) . livi$g material that liste$s& recor#s& a$swers& ?uestio$s& #eci#es a #rug that itself

!rescri"es its ow$ #ose a roulette wheel that chooses its ow$ $um"er a$# coloralwa*s the

other $um"er a$# color& of course) he has see$ ever*thi$g& hear# ever*thi$g))) .$# u$#erstoo#

$othi$g@ :hat #oes it matter& she tal's& she '$ows what shes tal'i$g a"out& she has

ex!erie$ce) Does the !erverse relatio$ #eface the !s*choa$al*tic relatio$& or #oes the

!s*choa$al*tic relatio$ #eface the !erverse relatio$@

%or a lo$g time !s*chiatr* was a $ormalii$g #isci!li$e& s!ea'i$g i$ the $ame of reaso$&

authorit*& a$# law& i$ a #ou"le relatio$ with the as*lums a$# the courts) The$ a $ew i$ter!reti$g

#isci!li$e came alo$g !s*choa$al*sis) Aa#$ess& !erversio$& $eurosis!s*choa$al*sts wa$te#

to '$ow what #i# it mea$& from the i$si#e) To#a* we are calli$g for the rights of a $ew

fu$ctio$( alism $o lo$ger what it mea$s& "ut how it wor's& how it fu$ctio$s) .s if #esire ha#

$othi$g to sa*& "ut rather was the assem"lage of ti$* machi$es& desiring- macines, alwa*s i$ a

!articular relatio$ with the "ig social machi$es a$# the tech$ological machi$es) Nour !articular

#esiri$g(machi$es what are the*@ +$ a #ifficult a$# "eautiful text& Aarx calle# for the $ecessit*to thi$' huma$ sexualit* $ot o$l* as a relatio$ "etwee$ the huma$ sexes& masculi$e a$#

femi$i$e& "ut as a relatio$ "etwee$ huma$ sex a$# $o$(huma$ sex) ;e was clearl* $ot thi$'i$g

of a$imals& "ut of what is $o$(huma$ i$ huma$ sexualit* the machi$es of #esire) <erha!s

!s*choa$al*sis ha# gotte$ $o further tha$ a$ a$thro!omor!hic i#ea of sexualit*& eve$ i$ its

co$ce!tio$ of fa$tas* a$# #reams) .$ exem!lar* i$vestigatio$ li'e <ierre >e$ichous& i$ givi$g

us real masochistic machi$es ,real !ara$oi# machi$es& real schio!hre$ic machi$es& etc)-& ma!s

out the roa# to such a fu$ctio$alism as we are calli$g for the a$al*sis of $o$(huma$ sex i$

huma$ 'i$#)

,$$;s etters1

ur !riso$s are fille# !rimaril* with lo$ers of ever* 'i$#& the u$em!lo*e#& a$# *ou$g small(

time croo's with or without wor') .s ma$* officials a#mit i$ !rivate& these *ou$g !eo!le have

$o "usi$ess "ei$g i$ !riso$ the .r!ailla$ges re!ort& 2 still secret& co$firms as much) . cou$ter(

272



ex!ert will #are sa* to ;)A) <riso$ is not a solutio$ to *our !ro"lem) :e woul# li'e to as'

this cou$ter( ex!ert for whom a$# for which !ro"lem is !riso$ a solutio$@ . !recise s*stem

com!rise# of !olice officers& crimi$al recor#s& a$# !arole officers lowers the cha$ces of esca!i$g

a first co$victio$ these *ou$g !eo!le are #esti$e# to retur$ to !riso$ almost as soo$ as the*

leave) $e co$victio$ after a$other gets them la"ele# har#e$e# crimi$als)

Nou$g !eo!le to#a* wal' a fi$e li$e i$#ee# "etwee$ a !ersiste$t tem!tatio$ to commit

suici#e a$# the "irth of a certai$ form of !olitical co$scious$ess !eculiar to !riso$) +ts $ot a"out

ma'i$g vague recrimi$atio$s agai$st societ*& or fate& or ma'i$g $ew resolutio$s its a"out

a$al*i$g their live# ex!erie$ce the !erso$ifie# mecha$isms that ceaselessl* !ush them i$to

reform school& the hos!ital& the arm*& co$fi$eme$t)

D=+B+G(A.;+=

273



;)A)s =TT=B

The $ee# to write to famil* a$# frie$#s is "or$ of isolatio$& a$# their !olitical reflectio$ is$ourishe# "* a $ew ge$re of writi$g i$ which the tra#itio$al #isti$ctio$s "etwee$ !u"lic a$#

!rivate& the sexual a$# the social& collective #ema$#s a$# !erso$al lifest*le are "lurre#) +$ ma$*of ;)A)s letters& the writi$g !rogressivel* cha$ges& u$#er Aa$#rax& Aa$#rax the Aag$ifice$t&a$# "ears wit$ess to com!leme$tar* or o!!ose# !erso$alities restlessl* stirri$g i$ the !riso$er& all

of them !artici!ati$g i$ the same effort to reflect) The suici#al !erso$alit* wo$ out there coul#have "ee$ a$other outcome& if !e$ite$tiar* me#ici$e were $ot /ust a sim!le exte$sio$ of !olici$g);)A)s corres!o$#e$ce is exem!lar* "ecause its heartfelt reflectio$s ex!ress what exactl* a

!riso$er is thi$'i$g)These letters 'ee! tur$i$g over all 'i$#s of o"sessio$s write me& if *ou o$l*'$ew what a wor# from *ou mea$s)))& i$clu#e a stam!& its $o use givi$g our mo$e* to <) a$# T)& +

write li'e a !ig with m* ha$# "ro'e$& the* "ro'e m* cast a$# wo$t re!lace it& its !erha!s goo# !eo!le who have #o$e me the most harm& Aa$#rax& +m losi$g it))) %B==DA& se$# me "oo's&

TeAnti-)syci-

atrist, a$# artres Saint *enet, Actor Martyr SSSSSSSSSSSThese letters tal' a"out all

sorts of #esires to flee& a$# to live) ot some im!ossi"le esca!e) >ut fleei$g the tra!s of the

!olice who le# him "ac' to !riso$) To flee to +$#ia& where he wa$te# to go "efore his last arrest)

. s!iritual flight& li'e Frish$a) r eve$ i$ !riso$& fleei$g right there& fleei$g himself& as he

u$#oes certai$ !erso$alities that i$ha"it him& fleei$g li'e a schio!hre$ic& i$ a$ a$#(!s*chiatric

wa*) %leei$g li'e Ge$et& whe$ hes sta*i$g cool a"out the feeli$gs of !ersecutio$ he se$ses ris (

i$g withi$ himself& a$# which he '$ows are !rovo'e# "* !ersecutio$s that are all too real)

ommu$it*(flights& where the commu$it* is #efi$e# i$ o!!ositio$ to little hi!!* societies that

#o $othi$g "ut imitate our fascist societ*) r active flights& i$ the !olitical se$se& li'e Cac'so$&

where o$e flees while loo'i$g for a wea!o$& while attac'i$g + #o$t have a law*er a$# + #o$t

'$ow if +ll as' for o$e) + #o$t wa$t a law*er who whi$es a$# !lea#s for cleme$c*) + wa$t a

law*er whos go$$a scream a$# raise hell)))) + feel li'e +m suffocati$g& + wo$t as' the tri"u$al

to show a$* merc*& +ll scream i$/ustice& +ll !roclaim the !olice are corru!t)))& + have to go $ow

"ecause +m half(cra*& a$# the*ll use these letters to loc' me awa* for goo#))) .$# if $othi$g

else is !ossi"le& to flee "* committi$g suici#e +ll wait for the ver#ict u$less life "ecomes too

#ifficult to "ear a$# + #eci#e $ot to wait a$* lo$ger) +ts somethi$g + co$tem!late ever*#a*& "ut

its /ust as #ifficult to live as to #ie) :ell& +m goi$g to "e# a$# will co$ti$ue m* "oo' "* ai$g&

"ecause +m reall* #ow$ to#a* ,writte$ the #a* "efore his suici#e-) There is ever* cha$ce that

the war#e$ a$# the guar#s co$si#ere# it "lac'mail& "a# rea#i$g material& or sim!l* !la* acti$g)

274



;)A)s =TT=B

;)A) was homosexual) There are some who "elieve that a homosexual has it easier i$

!riso$& si$ce ever*"o#* "ecomes homosexual i$ !riso$) The o!!osite is true !riso$ is the last

!lace where o$e ca$ "e $aturall* homosexual& "ecause o$e is caught i$ a s*stem of harassme$t

a$# !rostitutio$& i$ which te administration vo'untari'y p'ays a part in order to divide te

prison popu'ation against itse'f% ;)A)& however& was a!!reciate# a$# love# "* the !riso$ers

without havi$g to hi#e his homosexualit*) .$# it is !recisel* #ue to a re!ort "* a guar#&

followi$g a$ i$ci#e$t& that ;)A) was se$t to solitar* co$fi$eme$t for "ei$g caught i$ the act)

:e have to as' ourselves what right the !riso$ has to /u#ge a$# !u$ish homosexualit*)

;)A) thi$'s the* $ever give him a mome$ts !eace& i$#ee#& that !u$ishme$t o$ !u$ishme$t

is rele$tlessl* #elivere#) >ut !riso$ has a$ eve$ more secret !riso$& solitar* co$fi$eme$t& which

the <leve$ reform is careful to overloo') Duri$g a !revious co$victio$ for attem!te# larce$*&

whe$ ;)A) ha# serve# his time& the* a##e# fort*(five more #a*s of co$fi$eme$t ,for $o$(!a*(

me$t of his court fees-& a$# the$ whe$ he was leavi$g the !remises& he was reta'e$ i$to custo#*

o$ a com!lai$t file# "* a guar# who& havi$g "eate$ him& swears he was attac'e# "* the !riso$er)

r how a"out this havi$g ta'e$ some #rugs for a !s*chothera!eutic treatme$t& a$# "ei$g at the

hos!ital for some other reaso$ ,viral he!atitis-& ;)A) was !ursue# "* someo$e who tele!ho$es&

as'i$g him to co! a few "ric's of o!ium& a$# 'ee!s calli$g& i$sisti$g& till he fi$all* #e$ou$ces;)A) to the !olice) This is how the* tur$ a #rug user& former or curre$t& i$to a #a$gerous #ealer

for !olice statistics a$# the e#itorials of reactio$ar* $ews!a!ers li'e Aurore% ;e was imme#iatel*

arreste#& give$ a $ew !reve$tive #ete$tio$ a $ew !rovocatio$& "ei$g caught i$ the act of

homosexualit* la$#s him i$ solitar*& where he 'ills himself) :hat is at sta'e here is $ot o$l* a

social s*stem i$ ge$eral with its exclusio$s a$# co$#em$atio$s& "ut the #eli"erate a$#

!erso$ifie# !rovocatio$s "* mea$s of which this s*stem fu$ctio$s a$# e$sures its or#er& "*

mea$s of which the s*stem creates its exclu#e# a$# co$#em$e#& i$ co$formit* with a !olitics

share# "* <ower& the !olice& a$# the a#mi$istratio$) . s!ecific $um"er of !eo!le are #irectl* a$#

!erso$all* res!o$si"le for the #eath of ;)A)

,ot and Coo"1

The !ai$ters mo#el is commo#it*) .ll sorts of commo#ities a!!arel& toiletries& "ri#al

accessories& erotica& foo#) .$# the !ai$ter is alwa*s !rese$t i$ his !ai$ti$gs& a "lac' silhouette

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;)A)s =TT=B

who seems to watch !ai$ter a$# love& !ai$ter a$# #eath& !ai$ter a$# foo#& !ai$ter a$# car))) >ut

from o$e mo#el to the other& the* are all measure# "* the u$i?ue mo#el of ommo#it* movi$g

with the !ai$ter) =ach !ai$ti$g is "uilt o$ a #omi$a$t color& a$# the !ai$ti$gs form a series) +t is

as if the series "ega$ with the !ai$ti$g Rouge de cadmium a$# fi$ishe# with ert eromese,

re!rese$ti$g the same !ai$ti$g& "ut this time exhi"ite# i$ the #ealers sho! the !ai$ter a$# his

!ai$ti$g have themselves "ecome commo#ities) till& we coul# imagi$e other "egi$$i$gs a$#

other e$#i$gs) +$ a$* case& from o$e !ai$ti$g to the other& $ot o$l* is the !ai$ter strolli$g through

the sho!s& "ut the values of excha$ge are i$ circulatio$ it is a /our$e* of colors& a$# a /our$e* i$

each !ai$ti$g& a circulatio$ of i$to$atio$s)

othi$g is $eutral or !assive) .$# *et the !ai$ter #oes$t mea$ a$*thi$g "* his wor' $either

a!!ro"atio$ $or a$ger) or #o the colors mea$ a$*thi$g gree$ is $ot ho!e *ellow is $ot

sa#$ess re# is $ot ha!!i$ess or /o*) $l* hot or cool& hot and cool) .rt as machi$er* %roma$ger

!ai$ts& that is to sa*& he '$ows how to o!erate his !ai$ti$gs) The !ai$ti$g(machi$e of a$ artist(

e$gi$eer) The artist( e$gi$eer of a civiliatio$ how #oes he o!erate his !ai$ti$gs@

ews!a!er !hotogra!h i$ ha$#& the !ai$ter has !lotte# the !ositio$s street& store& !eo!le) +ts

$ot a"out gras!i$g the atmos!here& "ut rather a$ ever(sus!e$#e# imma$e$ce& the u$iform

!ossi"ilit* that somethi$g li'e a $ew Fe$$e#* assassi$atio$ coul# come out of $owhere& i$ a

s*stem of i$#iffere$ce where the values of excha$ge circulate) The !hotogra!h ca!tures a

$um"er of colorless cliches& a$# the !ai$ter chooses the o$e he li'es) >ut he will have chose$ the

!hoto "ase# o$ a #iffere$t choice the si$gle #omi$a$t color that flows from the !ai$t(tu"e ,the

two choices com!lime$t each other-) The !ai$ter !ro/ects the image o$to the ca$vas a$# !ai$ts

the !ro/ecte# image& /ust li'e the tech$i?ue of creati$g ta!estries) The !ai$ter !ai$ts i$ the

#ar'$ess for hours) This $octur$al activit* reveals a$ eter$al truth a"out !ai$ti$g a !ai$ter has

$ever !ai$te# o$ a "la$' ca$vas& re!ro#uci$g a$ o"/ect that fu$ctio$s as a mo#el) Bather& he has

alwa*s !ai$te# a$ image& a simulacrum& a sha#ow of the o"/ect& !ro#uci$g a ca$vas whose ver*

fu$ctio$i$g reverses the relatio$shi! "etwee$ mo#el a$# co!*) o$se?ue$tl*& there is $o lo$ger

mo#el or co!*) The co!*& a$# the co!* of the co!*& is !ushe# to the !oi$t where it reverses itself&

a$# !ro#uces the mo#el <o! .rt or !ai$ti$g for a higher realit*)

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;)A)s =TT=B

;avi$g chose$ a color& the !ai$ter a!!lies it straight from the tu#e& mixi$g it o$l* with i$c

white) This color& i$ relatio$ to the !hoto& coul# "e hot li'e Rouge &ine vermi''ionne or io'et

de 3ayeu!, or cool li'e ert Aubusson or io'et dEgypte% ;e starts with the lightest areas ,where

there is the most white- a$# co$structs his !ai$ti$g o$ a gra#ie$t that #oes$t allow for "ac'(

trac'i$g& #ri!s& or "le$#s) .$ irreversi"le asce$#i$g series of flat ti$ts rises towar# the !ure color

s?ueee# from the tu"e& or re/oi$s this !ure color as though the !ai$ti$g i$ the e$# were goi$g

to crawl "ac' i$to the tu"e)

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;T .D

till& this #oes$t full* ex!lai$ how the !ai$ti$g o!erates& "ecause a color is o$l* !ote$tiall* hot

or cool& a$# this !ote$tial will "e actualie# o$l* i$ relatio$ to the other colors) %or exam!le& aseco$# color affects a !articular !art of the !hoto a !e#estria$) ot o$l* is this color lighter or

#ar'er tha$ the #omi$a$t color& "ut "ei$g hot or cool i$ its ow$ right& it ca$ heat it u! or cool it#ow$) . circuit of excha$ge a$# commu$icatio$ is set u! i$ the !ai$ti$g& a$# from o$e !ai$ti$gto a$other) oo' at io'et de 3ayeu! with its hot asce$#i$g gra#ie$t a chil# i$ the "ac'grou$# is

!ai$te# a cool gree$& a$# so& "* co$trast& "egi$s heati$g u! the !ote$tiall* hot violet) >ut this is$te$ough to a$imate the violet) +$ the foregrou$#& a ma$ !ai$te# a hot *ellow will 'i$#le or re('i$#le the violet a$#& with the gree$ acti$g as i$terme#iar*& will actualie the violets !ote$tial

over a$# a"ove the gree$) >ut $ow the cool gree$ is out of the loo!& isolate#& as thoughexhausti$g its fu$ctio$ all at o$ce) +t must itself "e sustai$e#& i$serte# "ac' i$to the !ai$ti$g&

rea$imate# or reactivate# withi$ the !ai$ti$g as a whole) +t #oes this through a thir# character(color the cool "lue "ehi$# the *ellow) ometimes these seco$#ar* a$# circulator* colors are

grou!e# arou$# o$e si$gle color& which the* #ivi#e u! i$to "a$#s or arcs) .$# sometimes the

!hoto resists "ei$g tra$sforme# i$to a livi$g !ai$ti$g) +t leaves a resi#ue& as i$ io'et de 3ayeu!, where o$e of the character(colors i$ the foregrou$#e# grou! remai$s u$#etermi$e#) This colorwill "e treate# li'e "lac'& with a #ual !ote$tial that ca$ "e actualie# i$ bot #irectio$s or it ca$

#rift towar# cool "lue as easil* as move towar# hot re#) The resi#ue is re(i$/ecte# i$to the !ai$ti$g& such that the !ai$ti$g o!erates usi$g the refuse of the !hoto& /ust as the !hoto o!erates

usi$g the colors that ma'e u! the !ai$ti$g):e have to co$si#er a$other eleme$t which is !rese$ti$ all the !ai$ti$gs from the start& a$ eleme$t that /um!s from o$e !ai$ti$g to a$other the "lac'

!ai$ter i$ the foregrou$#) The !ai$ter who !ai$ts i$ the "lac'$ess is himself "lac' his silhouetteis massive the curves of his "o#* are salie$t his chi$ is har# a$# heav*& a$# his hair is "rai#e#

li'e a ro!e) ;e o"serves the commo#ities) ;e waits) >ut the "lac' #oes$t exist the "lac' !ai$ter#oes$t exist) The "lac' #oes$t eve$ have a !ote$tial i$ the same wa* a hot or cool color #oes) +ts !ote$tial is "elow the surface "lac' is "oth hot a$# cool cool whe$ !ulle# towar# "lue& a$# hot

whe$ !ulle# towar# re#) Though !rese$t with such force& this "lac' has $o existe$ce) +$stea#& itserves a !rimor#ial fu$ctio$ i$ the !ai$ti$g) :hether hot or cool& it will "e the a$tithesis of the

#omi$a$t color& or the same as this color for exam!le& to reheat what was cool) Ta'e the !ai$ti$gert Aubusson8 the "lac' !ai$ter watches a$# loves the seate# mo#el& a #ea# cool gree$ woma$)he is "eautiful i$ #eath) >ut to ma'e her #eath hot& some *ellow must "e extracte# from the

gree$& a$# to #o this& "lue must "e #raw$ out as the com!lime$t of *ellow) o& the "lac' !ai$termust "e coole# off agai$ i$ or#er to reheat the gree$ #eath) ,ee& too& i$ Rouge de cadmium c'air,

how the *ou$g marrie# mo#els are ver* #iscreetl* give$ #eaths(hea#s& or i$ io'et de Mars, the#ea# "athi$g "eauties are elega$t vam!ires caught i$ a varia"le relatio$ with the "lac' silhouette-)

+$ a wor#& the "lac' !ai$ter has two fu$ctio$s i$ the !ai$ti$g& accor#i$g to two #iffere$t circuits1- he is a !ara$oi#& immo"ile& heav* silhouette /ust as fixate# o$ commo#it* as commo#it* is

fixate# o$ him "ut 2- he is also a mo"ile schioi# sha#ow !er!etuall* #is!lace# with res!ect tohimself& traversi$g the whole gra#ie$t of hot a$# cool& reheati$g the cool a$# cooli$g #ow$ the

hot a $ever(e$#i$g tri! while sta$#i$g still)

The !ai$ti$g a$# its series #o$t mea$ a$*thi$g& the* fu$ctio$) .$# the* fu$ctio$ usi$g at

least four eleme$ts ,though there are ma$* others- 1- the irreversi"le asce$#i$g gra#ie$t of the

#omi$a$t color which traces i$ the !ai$ti$g a whole s*stem of connections mar'e# with white

!oi$ts 2- the $etwor' of seco$#ar* colors& which forms disjunctions of the hot a$# the cool& a

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;T .D

reversi"le excha$ge of tra$sformatio$s& reactio$s& i$versio$s& i$fere$ces& heati$gs a$# cooli$gs

3- the "lac' !ai$ter as ma/or conjunction which co$tai$s i$ itself the #is/u$ctive& a$# which

#istri"utes the co$$ectio$s a$# 4-& whe$ $ecessar*& the residue of the !hoto that re(i$/ects i$to

the !ai$ti$g ever*thi$g that was a"out to esca!e) . life force circulates here& a stra$ge a$# vital

force)

There are two coexisti$g circuits& each e$ta$gle# i$ the other) There is the circuit of the

!hoto& or the !hotos& which serves as the su!!ort of the commo#ities there is the circulatio$ of

excha$ge value& a$# whose im!orta$ce lies i$ mo"ilii$g what remai$s i$#iffere$t) This

i$#iffere$ce occurs at three levels of the !ai$ti$g 1- the i$#iffere$ce of the commo#it* i$ the

"ac'grou$#& which is e?uivale$t to love& #eath or $ourishme$t& to the $a'e# or the clothe#& to a

still life& or to a machi$e 2- the i$#iffere$ce of the !e#estria$s& some statio$ar*& others sli!!i$g

awa*& such as the "lue ma$ or the gree$ woma$ i$ io'et de Mars, or the ma$ who is eati$g as he

!asses "* the $ewl*we#s 3- the i$#iffere$ce of the "lac' !ai$ter i$ the foregrou$#& his

i$#iffere$t e?uivale$ce to ever* commo#it* a$# !asser("*) >ut !erha!s these res!ective circuits

of i$#iffere$ce& each o$e mirrori$g the other& excha$gi$g with the other& i$tro#uce somethi$g

li'e a #eclaratio$ the feeli$g that somethi$g is $ot right& that somethi$g 'ee!s #isru!ti$g the

a!!are$t e?uili"rium of circuits& that each thi$g is 'ee!i$g to itself i$ the com!artme$talie#

#e!th of the !ai$ti$g the commo#it* 'ee!s to commo#ities& the huma$s to the huma$& a$# the

!ai$ter to himself) This is the circuit of #eath& where ever*o$e is hea#i$g towar#s the grave& or is

alrea#* there) +t is at this ru!ture !oi$t& ever*where !rese$t& that the other circuit co$$ects u!&

re/oi$i$g the !ai$ti$g& reorga$ii$g it& tur$i$g the #iscrete !la$es i$to the ri$gs of a s!iral that

causes the "ac'grou$# to come forwar#& a$# the various eleme$ts to react with each other i$ a

s*stem of simulta$eous i$#uctio$s) >ut $ow it is a vital circuit& with its "lac' su$& its asce$#i$g

color a$# its ra#ia$t hots a$# cools) .$# still the circuit of life is $ourishe# "* the circuit of #eath

a$# carries it alo$g& ultimatel* to trium!h over it)

+t is har# to as' a !ai$ter& :h* #o *ou !ai$t@ The ?uestio$ ma'es $o se$se) >ut what

a"out ;ow #o *ou !ai$t@ ;ow #oes the !ai$ti$g fu$ctio$@ .$# su##e$l* :hat #o *ou get out

of !ai$ti$g@ +magi$e that %roma$ger a$swers + !ai$t i$ the #ar'& a$# what +m after is ot a$#

coo', a$# + wa$t to get it from the colors& through the colors) . coo'& too& ca$ "e after ot a$#

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coo', or a /u$'*) Aa*"e the !ai$ti$gs are %roma$gers foo#& or his #rugs) ;ot a$# cool thats

what ca$ "e extracte# from color as much as from a$*thi$g else ,li'e writi$g& #a$ce& music& or

the me#ia-) o$versel*& there are other thi$gs to "e extracte# from color as well& a$# this

extractio$ is $ever eas*& $o matter what it is) :hat this mea$s is that the o!eratio$ of extracti$g&

or extricati$g somethi$g #oes$t ha!!e$ all "* itself) .s Acuha$ has show$& 2 whe$ the me#ium

is hot& $othi$g circulates or commu$icates exce!t through the cool& which co$trols ever* active

i$teractio$& i$clu#i$g !ai$ter with mo#el& s!ectator with !ai$ter& a$# mo#el with co!*) :hat

cou$ts is the !er!etual reversals of hot a$# cool& accor#i$g to which the hot ca$ cool #ow$ the

cool a$# the cool reheat the hot its li'e heati$g a$ ove$ with s$ow "alls)

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:hat is revolutio$ar* a"out this !ai$ti$g@ <erha!s its the ra#ical absence of "itter$ess& tragicgrief& a$# a$guishall that a$$o*i$g cra! i$ the !seu#o(great !ai$ters who are su!!ose#l* thewit$esses of their times) .ll those fascist a$# sa#istic fa$tasies that ma'e a !ai$ter seem li'e a$

i$cisive critic of the mo#er$ worl#& whe$ i$ fact he is o$l* reveli$g i$ his ow$ rese$tme$t a$#com!lace$c*& $ot to me$tio$ the com!lace$c* of his !atro$s) Though such a !ai$ti$g ma* "e

a"stract& it is $o$e the less #irt*& #isgusti$g& a$# sa#) i'e the game('ee!er sa*s to the !ai$ter.ll these tu"es a$# vi"ratio$s of corrugate# iro$ are reall* stu!i#& a$# too se$time$tal the*

exhi"it wa* too much self(!it* a$# vai$ i$securit*) %roma$ger #oes the o!!osite he exhi"itssomethi$g vital a$# !owerful) <erha!s this ex!lai$s wh* he is $ot li'e# "* co$$oisseurs& a$# wh*

his wor' #oes$t sell) ;is !ai$ti$gs are full of sho! wi$#ows& a$# his silhouette is ever*wherea$# *et he offers $o mirror to reflect our gae) ;e !ai$ts agai$st the fa$tas* which mutilates life&

which tur$s life towar# #eath& a$# the !ast& eve$ whe$ its #o$e i$ a mo#er$ st*le to this%roma$ger o!!oses a life(givi$g !rocess that has "ee$ wreste# from the gri! of #eath& a$# from

the !ast) %roma$ger u$#ersta$#s the !oiso$ous $ature of his mo#el& the ruse of commo#it*& the

!e#estria$s i$evita"le stu!i#it*& a$# the hatre# that follows a !ai$ter as soo$ as he "ecomes !olitical& a$# the hatre# he himself ca$ feel) ;owever& out of this !oiso$ous $ature& this ruse& thisugli$ess a$# hatre#& %roma$ger refuses to create a $arcissistic mirror for some h*!ocritical&ge$eralie# reco$ciliatio$& exciti$g !it* for himself a$# for the worl#) ut of ever*thi$g ugl*&

re!ug$a$t& hateful a$# #etesta"le& he '$ows how to extract the hots a$# the cools that create a lifefor tomorrow) :e have to imagi$e the cool revolutio$ as $ecessaril* reheati$g to#a*s over(heate# worl#) +s this h*!er(realism@ :h* $ot& if it wrests a more( real from a mela$chol* a$#

o!!ressive realit* to create /o*& to cause a$ ex!losio$& to start a revolutio$) %roma$ger loves the#ea# gree$ woma$(commo#it*& a$# gives her life "* ma'i$g his "lac'$ess more "lue) Aa*"e he

eve$ loves the fat violet woma$ awaiti$g& a$# mour$i$g& who '$ows what clie$t) ;e lovesever*thi$g he !ai$ts) This !resu!!oses $o a"stractio$& a$# $o agreeme$t either& "ut #ema$#s

much extracti$g a$# extractive force) +ts stra$ge to what exte$t the acts of a revolutio$ar* aregover$e# "* what he loves i$ the ver* worl# he wa$ts to #estro*) The o$l* revolutio$ar* is a

/o*ful revolutio$ar*& a$# the o$l* !ai$ti$g that is estheticall* a$# !oliticall* revolutio$ar* is

/o*ful) %roma$ger lives a$# accom!lishes what awre$ce sa*s +$ m* o!i$io$& either there is /o*i$ a !ai$ti$g& or its $ot a !ai$ti$g) The most som"er !ai$ti$gs of <iero #ella %ra$cesca& o#omaa$# Go*a& "reath out this i$#escri"a"le /o* fou$# i$ real !ai$ti$g) Ao#er$ critics tal' a lot a"out

the ugli$ess of !ai$ti$gs& "ut + have $ever see$ a real !ai$ti$g that + thought was ugl*) Thesu"/ect ca$ "e ugl*& it ca$ have a terrif*i$g ?ualit*& a #es!erate& almost re!ug$a$t ?ualit*& as i$ =l

Grecos !ai$ti$gs) >ut all of this is stra$gel* swe!t awa* "* the /o* of the !ai$ti$g) o artist&eve$ the most #es!erate& has ever !ai$te# somethi$g without ex!erie$ci$g the stra$ge /o* which

the creatio$ of the image "egets5 that is to sa*& the tra$sformatio$ which the image u$#ergoes

i$ the !ai$ti$g& a$# the cha$ge that the !ai$ti$g !ro#uces i$ the image) 1

omadi Thoght;

+f we wa$t to '$ow what ietsche is or is "ecomi$g to#a*& we '$ow ver* well whom we shoul#

as'the *ou$g !eo!le $ow rea#i$g ietsche& those who are /ust #iscoveri$g ietsche) Those

of us here to#a* are& for the most !art& alrea#* too ol#) :hat is a *ou$g !erso$ #iscoveri$g i$

ietsche that was clearl* $ot #iscovere# "* earlier ge$eratio$s@ ;ow is it that *ou$g musicia$s

to#a* feel some co$$ectio$ with ietsche i$ their music& although the* #o $ot at all ma'e music

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that is ietschea$ i$ a$* se$se that ietsche woul# u$#ersta$#@ ;ow is it that *ou$g !ai$ters&

*ou$g film ma'ers feel some co$$ectio$ with ietsche@ :hat is goi$g o$@ :hat we wa$t to

'$ow is how tey have receive# ietsche) $ the outsi#e& the o$l* thi$g we ca$ reall* ex!lai$

is how ietsche reserve# for himself a$# for his rea#ers& "oth co$tem!orar* a$# future

ge$eratio$s& a !articular right to misi$ter!ret) ot /ust a$* right& to "e sure& "ecause it has its

ow$ secret rules"ut a !articular right to misi$ter!ret& which + will ex!lai$ i$ a mi$ute& a$#

which ma'es comme$ti$g o$ ietsche ver* u$li'e comme$ti$g o$ Descartes or ;egel) + as'

m*self who is the *ou$g ietschea$ to#a*@ +s it whoever is wor'i$g o$ ietsche@ <erha!s) r

is it whoever& volu$taril* or i$vol( u$taril*it #oes$t matter which& utters thi$gs which are

si$gularl* ietschea$ i$ the course of a$ actio$& !assio$& or ex!erie$ce@ This is also the case) .

"eautiful rece$t text& o$e of the most !rofou$#l* ietschea$ to m* '$owle#ge& is Bichar#

Desha*ess ivre, cestpas survivre, which he wrote /ust "efore "ei$g wou$#e# "* a gre$a#e#uri$g a #emo$stratio$)2 <erha!s the two cases are $ot mutuall* exclusive) <erha!s o$e ca$ write

o$ ietsche& a$# the$ i$ the course of ex!erie$ce !ro#uce ietschea$ uttera$ces)

/at is Niet(sce today= +$ that ?uestio$& we ca$ feel the #a$gers l*i$g i$ wait for us) .

#emagogic #a$ger ,*ou$g !eo!le are o$ our si#e)))-( . !ater$alistic #a$ger ,a#vice to a *ou$g

rea#er of ietsche)))-) .$# a"ove all& the #a$ger of a$ a!!alli$g s*$thesis) The tri$it* of

ietsche& %reu#& a$# Aarx is thought to "e the #aw$ of our mo#er$ culture) ever mi$# that "*

#oi$g so *ou #efuse the ex!losive$ess of each from the start) <erha!s Aarx a$# %reu# are the

#aw$ of our culture& "ut ietsche is somethi$g else e$tirel*& the #aw$ of a cou$terculture) +t

seems clear that our societ* #oes $ot fu$ctio$ accor#i$g to co#es) ur societ* has other

fou$#atio$s "* virtue of which it fu$ctio$s) ;owever& if o$e exami$es $ot the letter of Aarx or

%reu#& "ut the "ecomi$g of Aarxism a$# the "ecomi$g of %reu#ia$ism& we see& !ara#oxicall*&

Aarxists a$# %reu#ia$s e$gage# i$ a$ attem!t to reco#e Aarx a$# %reu# i$ the case of Aarxism&

*ou have a reco#i$g "* the tate ,the tate has ma#e *ou ill& the tate will cure *outhis

ca$$ot "e the same tate- a$# i$ the case of %reu#ia$ism& *ou have a reco#i$g "* the famil*

,*ou fall ill from the famil* a$# recover troug the famil*this is $ot the same famil*-) :hat

at the horio$ of our culture i$ fact co$stitutes Aarxism a$# !s*choa$al*sis as those twofu$#ame$tal "ureaucracies& the o$e !u"lic& the other !rivate& is their effort to reco#e as "est the*

ca$ !recisel* that which o$ the horio$ ceaselessl* te$#s to come u$co#e#) This is $ot at all what

ietsche is a"out) ;is !ro"lem is elsewhere) %or ietsche& it is a"out getti$g somethi$g

through i$ ever* !ast& !rese$t& a$# future co#e& somethi$g which #oes $ot a$# will $ot let itself

"e reco#e#) Getti$g it through o$ a $ew "o#*& i$ve$ti$g a "o#* o$ which it ca$ !ass a$# flow a

"o#* that woul# "e ours& the "o#* of =arth& the "o#* of writi$g)))

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:e are familiar with the great i$strume$ts of e$co#i$g societies are $ot that #iffere$t i$ this

res!ect there are o$l* so ma$* mea$s of e$co#i$g at their #is!osal) The three !ri$ci!le mea$s

are the law& the co$tract& a$# the i$stitutio$) %or exam!le& the relatio$shi! to "oo's which !eo!le

have or have ha# exhi"its all three) There are "oo's of law here the relatio$ of the rea#er to the

"oo' !asses through the law) +$ !articular& moreover& the* are calle# co#es& ca$o$s& or sacre#

"oo's) .$# the other sort of "oo' *ou have !asses through the co$tract& the "ourgeois co$tractual

relatio$) This other "oo' is the "asis of secular literature a$# "oo'(selli$g + !urchase& a$# *ou

give me somethi$g to rea#a co$tractual relatio$ i$ which ever*o$e is caught author& !u"lisher&

rea#er) .$# there is the thir# sort of "oo'& the !olitical "oo'& !refera"l* revolutio$ar*& which is

!rese$te# as a "oo' of i$stitutio$s& either !rese$t or to come) Nou fi$# ever* !ossi"le

com"i$atio$ of the three co$tractual or i$stitutio$al "oo's co$si#ere# sacre#& etc) This is

"ecause ever* t*!e of co#e is so !rese$t& a$# so u$#erlies ever* other co#e& that we fi$# each i$the other) Ta'e a$ e$tirel* #iffere$t exam!le ma#$ess) The attem!t to e$co#e ma#$ess has "ee$

carrie# out i$ three forms) %irst& the forms of law& i)e) the hos!ital& the as*lumthis is the

re!ressive co#e& loc'i$g someo$e awa*& "ut the ol# st*le of loc'i$g someo$e awa*& which is #es(

ti$e# to "ecome a last ho!e& whe$ !eo!le will sa* those were the goo# ol# #a*s whe$ the* use#

to loc' us awa*& "ecause much worse is i$ store for us) .$# the$ *ou have this "rillia$t move

which was !s*choa$al*sis it was u$#erstoo# that there were !eo!le who esca!e# the "ourgeois

co$tractual relatio$ as it was ma$ifeste# i$ me#ici$e& a$# those !eo!le were the #istur"e#&

"ecause the* coul#$t "e co$tractual !arties& the* were /uri#icall* i$ca!a"le) %reu#s stro'e of

ge$ius was to get at least some of the #istur"e#& i$ the largest se$se of the wor#& the $eurotics& to

!ass through the co$tractual relatio$& !rovi$g that a co$tract with such !eo!le coul# "e #o$e

,thus he a"a$#o$s h*!$osis-) This is fi$all* the $ovelt* of !s*choa$al*sis %reu# was the first to

i$tro#uce i$to !s*chiatr* the "ourgeois co$tractual relatio$ which u! to that !oi$t ha# "ee$

exclu#e# from !s*chiatr*) .$# the$ there are the still more rece$t attem!ts to e$co#e ma#$ess&

whose !olitical im!licatio$s& a$# at times revolutio$ar* am"itio$s& are clear such attem!ts are

calle# i$stitutio$al) +$ this case& we fi$# the tri!le mea$s of e$co#i$g either it will "e the law& or

if it is $ot the law& it will "e the co$tractual relatio$ if $ot the co$tractual relatio$& it will "e the

i$stitutio$) .$# it is tha$'s to these e$co#i$gs that our "ureaucracies flourish)

%ace# with the wa* i$ which our societies come u$co#e#& co#es lea'i$g awa* o$ ever* si#e&

ietsche #oes $ot tr* to !erform a reco#i$g) ;e sa*s this has$t *et go$e far e$ough& *oure

$othi$g "ut chil#re$ ,the e?ualiatio$ of =uro!ea$ i$#ivi#uals is the great irreversi"le !rocess

we shoul# accelerate it still more)- +$ terms of what he writes a$# thi$'s& ietsches e$ter!rise

is a$ attem!t at u$co#i$g& $ot i$ the se$se of a relative u$co#i$g which woul# "e the #eco#i$g of

co#es !ast& !rese$t& or future& "ut a$ a"solute e$co#i$gto get somethi$g through which is $ot

e$co#a"le& to mix u! all the co#es) +t is $ot so eas* to mix u! all the co#es& eve$ at the level of

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the sim!lest writi$g& a$# la$guage) The similarit* + see here is with Faf'a& what Faf'a #oes with

Germa$& i$ accor#a$ce with the li$guistic situatio$ of the Cews i$ <rague he "uil#s a war(

machi$e i$ Germa$ agai$st Germa$ through sheer i$#etermi$atio$ a$# so"riet*& he gets

somethi$g through i$ the Germa$ co#e which ha# $ever "ee$ hear# "efore) ietsche& for his

!art& wa$ts to "e or sees himself as <olish with res!ect to Germa$) ;e seies o$ Germa$ to "uil#

a war(machi$e which will get somethi$g through that will "e u$co#a"le i$ Germa$) Thats what

st*le as !olitics mea$s) Aore ge$erall*& how #o we characterie such thought& which claims to

get its flows through& u$#er$eath the laws "* challe$gi$g them& a$# u$#er$eath co$tractual

relatio$s "* co$tra#icti$g them& a$# u$#er$eath i$stitutio$s "* !aro#*i$g them@ et me come

"ac' ?uic'l* to the exam!le of !s*choa$al*sis) +$ what res!ect #oes a !s*choa$al*st as origi$al

as Aela$ie Flei$ still remai$ withi$ the !s*choa$al*tic s*stem@ he ex!lai$s it herself ?uite

well the !artial o"/ects that she tells us a"out& with their ex!losio$s& their flows& etc)& are o$l*fa$tas*) The !atie$ts "ri$g live# ex!erie$ces& i$te$sel* live# ex!erie$ces& to Aela$ie Flei$ a$#

she tra$slates them i$to fa$tas*) There *ou have a co$tract& s!ecificall* a co$tract give me *our

live# ex!erie$ces& a$# + will give *ou fa$tasies) .$# the co$tract im!lies a$ excha$ge& a$

excha$ge of mo$e* a$# wor#s) +$ this res!ect& a !s*choa$al*st li'e :i$$icott trul* occu!ies the

limit of !s*choa$al*sis& "ecause he feels that this !roce#ure is $o lo$ger a!!ro!riate after a

certai$ !oi$t) There comes a !oi$t where it is $o lo$ger a"out tra$slati$g& or i$ter!reti$g&

tra$slati$g i$to fa$tasies& i$ter!reti$g i$to sig$ifiers a$# sig$i( fie#s$o& $ot i$ the least) There

comes a !oi$t where *ou will have to share& have to !ut *ourself i$ the !atie$ts shoes& go all the

wa*& a$# share his ex!erie$ce) +s it a"out a 'i$# of s*m!ath*& or em!ath*& or i#e$tificatio$@ >ut

surel* its more com!licate# tha$ that) :hat we feel is rather the $ecessit* of a relatio$ that

woul# "e $either legal& $or co$tractual& $or i$stitutio$al) Thats how it is with ietsche) :e rea#

a$ a!horism or a !oem from Tus Spo:e Iaratustra% >ut materiall* a$# formall*& texts li'e that

ca$$ot "e u$#erstoo# "* the esta"lishme$t or the a!!licatio$ of a law& or "* the offer of a

co$tractual relatio$& or "* the fou$#atio$ of a$ i$stitutio$) <erha!s the o$l* co$ceiva"le

e?uivale$t is somethi$g li'e "ei$g i$ the same "oat) omethi$g of <ascal tur$e# agai$st <ascal)

:ere i$ the same "oat a sort of life"oat& "om"s falli$g o$ ever* si#e& the life"oat #rifts towar#

su"terra$ea$ rivers of ice& or towar# rivers of fire& the re$oco& the .mao$& ever*o$e is !ulli$g

a$ oar& a$# were $ot eve$ su!!ose# to li'e o$e a$other& we fight& we eat each other) =ver*o$e

!ulli$g a$ oar is shari$g& shari$g somethi$g& "e*o$# a$* law& a$* co$tract& a$* i$stitutio$)

Drifti$g& a #rifti$g moveme$t or #eterritorialiatio$ + sa* all this i$ a vague& co$fuse# wa*&

si$ce this is a$ h*!othesis or a vague im!ressio$ o$ the origi$alit* of ietsches texts) . $ew

'i$# of "oo')

o what are the characteristics of a ietschea$ a!horism that give this im!ressio$@ There is

o$e i$ !articular that Aaurice >la$chot has "rought to light i$ Te ;nfinite &onversation= +t is

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the relatio$ with the outsi#e) +$#ee#& whe$ we o!e$ at ra$#om o$e of ietsches texts& it is o$e

of the first times we $o lo$ger !ass through a$ i$terior& whether it is the i$terior of the soul or

co$scious$ess& the i$terior of esse$ce or the co$ce!t& i$ other wor#s& that which has alwa*s co$(

stitute# the !ri$ci!le of !hiloso!h*) :hat co$stitutes the st*le of !hiloso!h* is that the relatio$ to

the exterior is alwa*s me#iate# a$# #issolve# "* a$ i$terior& i$ a$ i$terior) $ the co$trar*&

ietsche grou$#s thought& a$# writi$g& i$ a$ imme#iate relatio$ with the outsi#e) :hat is this a

"eautiful !ai$ti$g or a "eautiful #rawi$g@ There is a frame) .$ a!horism has a frame& too) >ut

whatever is i$ the frame& at what !oi$t #oes it "ecome "eautiful@ .t the mome$t o$e '$ows a$#

feels that the moveme$t& that the li$e which is frame# comes from elsewhere& that it #oes $ot

"egi$ withi$ the limits of the frame) +t "ega$ a"ove& or $ext to the frame& a$# the li$e traverses

the frame) .s i$ Go#ar#s film& *ou !ai$t the !ai$ti$g wit the wall) %ar from "ei$g the limitatio$

of the !ictorial surface& the frame is almost the o!!osite& !utti$g it i$to imme#iate relatio$ withthe outsi#e) ;owever& hoo'i$g u! thought to the outsi#e is& strictl* s!ea'i$g& somethi$g

!hiloso!hers have $ever #o$e& eve$ whe$ the* were tal'i$g a"out !olitics& eve$ whe$ the* were

tal'i$g a"out ta'i$g a wal' or fresh air) +t is $ot e$ough to tal' a"out fresh air& to tal' a"out the

exterior if *ou wa$t to hoo' thought u! #irectl* a$# imme#iatel* to the outsi#e)

)))The* show u! li'e #esti$*& without cause or reaso$& without co$si#eratio$ or !retext&

there the* are with the s!ee# of light$i$g& too terri"le& too su##e$& too co$?ueri$g& too oter

even to "e a$ o"/ect of hatre#))) This is ietsches famous text o$ the fou$#ers of tates& those

artists with e*es of "ro$e BTe *enea'ogy of Mora's, ++& 17-) r is it Faf'a& writi$g Te *reat

/a'' of &ina=% +ts im!ossi"le to u$#ersta$# how the* ma#e it all the wa* to the ca!ital& which

is $o$etheless ?uite far from the fro$tier) >ut there the* are& a$# ever* mor$i$g seems to

i$crease their $um"er) I)))J +m!ossi"le to co$verse with them) The* #o$t '$ow our la$guage) I)))J

=ve$ their horses are meat(eatersO4 :ell the$& what + am sa*i$g is that texts li'e these are

traverse# "* a moveme$t which comes from the outsi#e& which #oes $ot "egi$ i$ the !age of the

"oo'& $or i$ the !rece#i$g !ages& which #oes $ot fit i$ the frame of the "oo'& a$# which is

totall* #iffere$t from the imagi$ar* moveme$t of re!rese$tatio$s or the a"stract moveme$t of

co$ce!ts as the* are wo$t to ta'e !lace through wor#s a$# i$ the rea#ers hea#) omethi$g lea!sfrom the "oo'& ma'i$g co$tact with a !ure outsi#e) +t is this& + "elieve& which for ietsches

wor' is the right to misi$ter!ret) .$ a!horism is a !la* of forces& a state of forces which are

alwa*s exterior to o$e a$other) .$ a!horism #oes$t mea$ a$*thi$g& it sig$ifies $othi$g& a$# $o

more has a sig$ifier tha$ a sig$ifie#) Those woul# "e wa*s of restori$g a texts i$teriorit*) .$

a!horism is a state of forces& the last of which& mea$i$g at o$ce the most rece$t& the most actual&

a$# the !rovisio$al(ultimate& is te most e!terna'% ietsche !osits it ?uite clearl* if *ou wa$t to

'$ow what + mea$& fi$# the force that gives what + sa* mea$i$g& a$# a $ew mea$i$g if $ee# "e)

;oo' the text u! to this force) +$ this wa*& there are $o !ro"lems of i$ter!retatio$ for ietsche&

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there are o$l* !ro"lems of machi$i$g to machi$e ietsches text& to fi$# out which actual

exter$al force will get somethi$g through& li'e a curre$t of e$erg*) +$ this res!ect& we come

across the !ro"lem raise# "* some of ietsches texts which have a fascist or a$ti(emitic

reso$a$ce))) .$# si$ce we are #iscussi$g ietsche to#a*& we must ac'$owle#ge that he has

i$s!ire# a$# i$s!ires still ma$* a *ou$g fascist) There was a time whe$ it was im!orta$t to show

how ietsche was use#& twiste#& a$# com!letel* #istorte# "* the fascists) This was #o$e i$ the

revue Acepa'e, with Cea$ :ahl& >ataille& a$# Flossows'i) To#a*& however& this is !erha!s $o

lo$ger the !ro"lem) +t is $ot at the level of the text that we must fight) ot "ecause we are

i$ca!a"le of fighti$g at that level& "ut "ecause such a fight is $o lo$ger useful) Bather& we must

fi$#& assig$& /oi$ those exter$al forces which give to a$* !articular ietschea$ !hrase its

li"erati$g mea$i$g& its se$se of exteriorit*) +t is at the level of metho# that the ?uestio$ of

ietsches revolutio$ar* character is raise# it is the ietschea$ metho# that ma'es ietschestext $ot somethi$g a"out which we have to as' is this fascist& "ourgeois& or revolutio$ar* i$

itself@"ut a fiel# of exteriorit* where fascist& "ourgeois& a$# revolutio$ar* forces co$fro$t

o$e a$other) .$# if we !ose the !ro"lem i$ this wa*& the a$swer that $ecessaril* co$forms with

the metho# is fi$# the revolutio$ar* force ,who is su!erma$@- alwa*s calli$g o$ $ew forces

which come from the exterior& a$# which traverse a$# i$tersect with the ietschea$ text i$ the

frame of the a!horism) Tere is *our legitimate misi$ter!retatio$ to treat the a!horism li'e a

!he$ome$o$ awaiti$g $ew forces that will su"/ugate it or ma'e it wor' or ex!lo#e)

The a!horism is $ot o$l* relatio$ with the outsi#e) +ts seco$# characteristic is relatio$ with

the i$te$sive) .$# the*re the same thi$g) Flossows'i a$# *otar# have sai# all there is to sa* o$

the matter) :hat + sai# a"out 'ived e!periences a mome$t ago& how the* must$t "e tra$slate#

i$to re!rese$tatio$s or fa$tasies& how the* must$t "e ma#e to !ass through the co#es of law&

co$tract& or i$stitutio$& the* must$t "e cashe# i$its ?uite the o!!osite the* must "e treate# as

flows which carr* us alwa*s farther out& ever further towar# the exterior this is !recisel*

i$te$sit*& or i$te$sities) The live# ex!erie$ce is $ot su"/ective& or $ot $ecessaril*) +t is $ot of the

i$#ivi#ual) +t is flow a$# the i$terru!tio$ of flow& si$ce each i$te$sit* is $ecessaril* i$ relatio$ to

a$other i$te$sit*& i$ such a wa* that somethi$g gets through) This is what is u$#er$eath theco#es& what esca!es them& a$# what the co#es wa$t to tra$slate& co$vert& cash i$) >ut what

ietsche is tr*i$g to tell us "* this writi$g of i$te$sities is #o$t excha$ge the i$te$sit* for

re!rese$tatio$s) The i$te$sit* se$#s *ou "ac' $either to sig$i( fie#s which woul# "e li'e the

re!rese$tatio$s of thi$gs& $or to sig$ifiers which woul# "e li'e the re!rese$tatio$s of wor#s) o

i$ what #oes i$te$sit* co$sist& as "oth age$t a$# o"/ect of u$co#i$g@ This is where ietsche is

at his most m*sterious) The i$te$sit* has to #o with !ro!er $ames& a$# these are $either

re!rese$tatio$s of thi$gs ,or !erso$s-& $or re!rese$tatio$s of wor#s) :hether the* are collective

or i$#ivi#ual $ames& the !re(ocratics& the Boma$s& the Cews& hrist& the .$ti(hrist& Culius

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aesar& >orgia& Rarathoustra& all the !ro!er $ames which come a$# go i$ ietsches texts are

$either sig$ifiers or sig$ifie#s& "ut #esig$ate i$te$sities o$ a "o#* which ca$ "e the "o#* of the

=arth& the "o#* of the "oo'& as well as ietsches ow$ sufferi$g "o#* ; am every name in

istory%%% There is a 'i$# of $oma#ism& a !er!etual migratio$ of the i$te$sities #esig$ate# "*

!ro!er $ames& a$# these i$ter!e$etrate o$e a$other as the* are live# o$ a full "o#*) The i$te$sit*

ca$ "e live# o$l* i$ relatio$ to its mo"ile i$scri!tio$ o$ a "o#*& a$# to the movi$g exteriorit* of

a !ro!er $ame& a$# this is what it mea$s for a !ro!er $ame to "e alwa*s a mas'& the mas' of a$

o!erator)

The relatio$ of the a!horism to humor a$# iro$* is the thir# !oi$t) :hoever rea#s ietsche

without laughi$g& a$# laughi$g heartil* a$# ofte$ a$# sometimes h*stericall*& is almost $ot

rea#i$g ietsche at all) This is true $ot o$l* for ietsche& "ut for all the authors who com!rise

the same horio$ of our cou$ter(culture) :hat shows us our ow$ #eca#e$ce a$# #ege$erac* is

the wa* we feel the $ee# to rea# i$ them a$guish& solitu#e& guilt& the #rama of commu$icatio$&

the whole trage#* of i$teriorit*) =ve$ Aax >ro# tells us how the au#ie$ce woul# laugh

h*stericall* whe$ Faf'a use# to rea# Te Tria'% .$#

>ec'ett& + mea$& it is #ifficult $ot to laugh whe$ *ou rea# him& movi$g from o$e /o*ful mome$t

to the $ext) aughter& $ot the sig$ifier) :hat s!ri$gs from great "oo's is schio(laughter or

revolutio$ar* /o*& $ot the a$guish of our !athetic $arcissism& $ot the terror of our guilt) all it

the come#* of the su!erhuma$& or the clow$i$g of Go#) There is alwa*s a$ i$#escri"a"le

/o* that s!ri$gs from great "oo's& eve$ whe$ the* s!ea' of ugl*& #es!erate& or terrif*i$g thi$gs)

The tra$smutatio$ alrea#* ta'es effect with ever* great "oo'& a$# ever* great "oo' co$stitutes

the health of tomorrow) Nou ca$$ot hel! "ut laugh whe$ *ou mix u! the co#es) +f *ou !ut

thought i$ relatio$ to the outsi#e& Dio$*sia$ mome$ts of laughter will eru!t& a$# this is thi$'i$g

i$ the clear air) +t ofte$ ha!!e$s that ietsche comes face to face with somethi$g sic'e$i$g&

ig$o"le& #isgusti$g) :ell& ietsche thi$'s its fu$$*& a$# he woul# a## fuel to the fire if he

coul#) ;e sa*s 'ee! goi$g& its still $ot #isgusti$g e$ough) r he sa*s excelle$t& how

#isgusti$g& what a marvel& what a master!iece& a !oiso$ous flower& fi$all* the huma$ s!ecies is

getti$g i$teresti$g) %or exam!le& this is how ietsche loo's at a$# #eals with what he calls

u$ha!!* co$scious$ess) Thus& there are the ;egelia$ comme$tators& those comme$tators of

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i$teriorit*& who reall* have $o se$se of humor) The* sa* *ou see& ietsche ta'es the u$ha!!*

co$scious$ess seriousl* he ma'es it o$e of the mome$ts i$ the "ecomi$g(s!irit of s!iritualit*)

The* !ass over ?uic'l* what ietsche ma'es of s!iritualit* "ecause the* se$se the #a$ger) o

we see that while ietsche e$titles legitimate misi$ter!retatio$s& there are also

misi$ter!retatio$s which are totall* illegitimate& those which are ex!lai$e# "* the s!irit of

serious$ess& "* the s!irit of gravit*& "* the mo$'e* of Rarathoustra& i$ other wor#s& "* the cult

of i$teriorit*) aughter i$ ietsche alwa*s har's "ac' to the exter$al moveme$t of humors a$#

iro$ies& a$# this is the moveme$t of i$te$sities& as Flossows'i a$# *otar# have ma#e clear the

wa* i$ which there is a !la* of high a$# low i$te$sities& the o$e i$ the other& such that a low

i$te$sit* ca$ u$#ermi$e the highest i$te$sit* a$# eve$ "e as high as the highest& a$# vice versa)

This !la* of levels of i$te$sit* co$trols the !ea's of iro$* a$# the valle*s of humor i$ ietsche&

a$# it is #evelo!e# as the co$siste$c* or the ?ualit* of what is live# i$ relatio$ to the exterior).$ a!horism is the !ure matter of laughter a$# /o*) +f *ou ca$$ot fi$# somethi$g to ma'e *ou

laugh i$ a$ a!horism& a #istri"utio$ of iro$* a$# humor& a !artitio$ of i$te$sities& the$ *ou have

fou$# $othi$g)

There is o$e last !oi$t) ets come "ac' to that great text& Te *enea'ogy of Mora's, o$ the

tate a$# the fou$#ers of em!ires The* show u! li'e #esti$*& without cause or reaso$)))) +$

this we recog$ie the me$ of that social !ro#uctio$ '$ow$ as .siatic) $ the fou$#atio$ of

!rimitive rural commu$ities& the #es!ot sets u! his im!erial machi$e which over(co#es

ever*thi$g& with a "ureaucrac*& a$ a#mi$istratio$ that orga$ies ma/or e$ter!rises a$#

a!!ro!riates the sur!lus wor' for itself ,wherever the* a!!ear& i$ $o time at all *ou fi$# some(

thi$g $ew& a sovereig$ machi$er* that has come alive& i$ which ever* !art& ever* fu$ctio$ is

#efi$e# a$# #etermi$e# with res!ect to the whole)))-( >ut we ca$ as' ourselves whether this

text #oes $ot "ri$g together two forces that are i$ other wa*s #isti$ctwhich Faf'a& for his !art&

'e!t se!arate a$# eve$ o!!ose# i$ Te *reat /a'' of &ina% >ecause whe$ we see' to lear$ how

!rimitive segme$tar* commu$ities gave wa* to other formatio$s of sovereig$t*& a ?uestio$

which ietsche raises i$ the seco$# essa* of his *enea'ogy, we see two !he$ome$a !ro#uce#

which are strictl* correlative& "ut ?uite #iffere$t) +t is true that rural commu$ities at their ce$terare caught a$# tra$sfixe# i$ the #es!ots "ureaucratic machi$e& with its scri"es& its !riests& its

"ureaucrats "ut o$ the !eri!her*& the commu$ities em"ar' o$ a$other 'i$# of a#ve$ture& #is!la*

a$other 'i$# of u$it*& a $oma#ic u$it*& a$# e$gage i$ a $oma#ic war(machi$e& a$# the* te$# to

come u$co#e# rather tha$ "ei$g co#e# over) =$tire grou!s ta'e off o$ a $oma#ic a#ve$ture

archeologist have taught us to co$si#er $oma#ism $ot as a$ origi$ar* state& "ut as a$ a#ve$ture

that eru!ts i$ se#e$tar* grou!s it is the call of the outsi#e& it is moveme$t) The $oma# a$# his

war(machi$e sta$# o!!osite the #es!ot a$# his a#mi$istrative machi$e& a$# the extri$sic

$oma#ic u$it* o!!osite the i$tri$sic #es!otic u$it*) .$# *et the* are so i$terrelate# or

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i$ter#e!e$#e$t that the #es!ot will set himself the !ro"lem of i$tegrati$g& i$ter$alii$g the

$oma#ic war(machi$e& while the $oma# attem!ts to i$ve$t a$ a#mi$istratio$ for his co$?uere#

em!ire) Their ceaseless o!!ositio$ is such that the* are i$extrica"le from o$e a$other)

+m!erial u$it* gave "irth to !hiloso!hical #iscourse& through ma$* a$ avatar& the same

avatars which lea# us from im!erial formatio$s to the Gree' cit*(state) =ve$ i$ the Gree' cit*(

state& !hiloso!hical #iscourse mai$tai$s a$ esse$tial relatio$ to the #es!ot or the sha#ow of a

#es!ot& to im!erialism& to the a#mi$istratio$ of thi$gs a$# !erso$s ,*ou will fi$# am!le evi#e$ce

i$ the "oo's "* trauss a$# Fo/eve o$ t*ra$$*-)5 <hiloso!hical #iscourse has alwa*s mai$tai$e#

a$ esse$tial relatio$ to the law& the i$stitutio$& a$# the co$tract& all of which are the overeig$s

!ro"lem& traversi$g the ages of se#e$tar* histor* from #es!otic formatio$s to #emocracies) The

sig$ifier is i$ fact the latest !hiloso!hical avatar of the #es!ot) .$# if ietsche #oes $ot

"elo$g i$ !hiloso!h*& !erha!s it is "ecause he is the first to co$ceive of a$other 'i$# of

#iscourse& a cou$ter(!hiloso!h*& i$ other wor#s& a #iscourse that is first a$# foremost $oma#ic&

whose uttera$ces woul# "e !ro#uce# $ot "* a ratio$al a#mi$istrative machi$e!hiloso!hers

woul# "e the "ureaucrats of !ure reaso$"ut "* a mo"ile war(machi$e) <erha!s this is what

ietsche mea$s whe$ he sa*s that a $ew !olitics "egi$s with him ,Flossow'i calls it the

co$s!irac* agai$st his ow$ class-) :e '$ow all too well that $oma#s are u$ha!!* i$ our regimes

we use a$* mea$s $ecessar* to !i$ them #ow$& so the* lea# a trou"le# life) .$# ietsche live#

li'e a $oma#& re#uce# to this sha#ow& wa$#eri$g from o$e fur$ishe# room to a$other) >ut also&

the $oma# is $ot $ecessaril* someo$e who moves arou$# some /our$e*s ta'e !lace i$ the same

!lace& the*te /our$e*s i$ i$te$sit*& a$# eve$ historicall* s!ea'i$g& $oma#s #o$t move arou$#

li'e migra$ts) $ the co$trar*& $oma#s are motio$less& a$# the $oma#ic a#ve$ture "egi$s whe$

the* see' to sta* i$ the same !lace "* esca!i$g the co#es) .s we '$ow& the revolutio$ar*

!ro"lem to#a* is to fi$# some u$it* i$ our various struggles without falli$g "ac' o$ the #es!otic

a$# "ureaucratic orga$iatio$ of the !art* or tate & a!!aratus we wa$t a war(machi$e that

woul# $ot recreate a tate a!!aratus& a $oma#ic u$it* i$ relatio$ with the utsi#e& that woul# $ot

recreate the #es!otic i$ter$al u$it*) This is !erha!s ietsche at his most !rofou$#& a measure of

his "rea' with !hiloso!h*& as it a!!ears i$ the a!horism to have ma#e a war( machi$e ofthought& to have ma#e thought a $oma#ic !ower) .$# eve$ if the /our$e* goes $owhere& eve$ if

it ta'es !lace i$ the same !lace& im!erce!ti"le& u$loo'e# for& u$#ergrou$#& we must as' who are

to#a*s $oma#s& who are to#a*s ietschea$s@

Dis'ussion

289



An*re Fle'heu%: :hat + woul# li'e to '$ow is how IDeleueJ thi$'s he ca$ !ass over

#eco$structio$& + mea$& how he thi$'s a mo$a#ic rea#i$g of each a!horism from a$ em!irical

sta$ce a$# as though from the outsi#e coul# suf( ficewhich from a ;ei#eggeria$ !oi$t of

view seems extremel* sus!ect) + wo$#er whether the !ro"lem of the alrea#* there& co$stitute#

"* la$guage& the reig$i$g or#er& what *ou call the #es!ot& allows us to u$#ersta$# ietsches

writi$g as a 'i$# of erratic rea#i$g& which woul# itself #erive from a$ erratic writi$g& with

ietsche a!!l*i$g to himself what he calls auto(criti?ue& the curre$t e#itio$s of his wor'

reveali$g him to "e a$ exce!tio$al st*list& a$# co$se?ue$tl*& each a!horism is $ot a close#

s*stem& "ut is im!licate# i$ a total structure of rela*s) <erha!s *our thi$'i$g o$ the status of a$

u$#eco$structe# outsi#e is co$$ecte# to the status of the e$ergetic i$ *otar#)

A* seco$# ?uestio$ is relate# to the first i$ a$ era that has see$ the state orga$iatio$& or

the ca!italist orga$iatio$& whatever *ou call it& issue a chal le$ge which is what ;ei#egger calls

ratio$aliatio$ "* tech$olog*& #o *ou ho$estl* "elieve $oma#ism& as *ou #escri"e it& to "e a

serious res!o$se@

Gilles Deleue: +f I u$#ersta$# *ou correctl*& *oure sa*i$g that there is reaso$ to sus!ect m*

lo*alties to the ;ei#eggeria$ !oi$t of view) +m gla# there is) .s for the metho# of textual

#eco$structio$& + '$ow what it is& a$# + a#mire it& "ut it has $othi$g to #o with m* ow$ metho#)

+ #o$t reall* #o textual comme$tar*) %or me& a text is $othi$g "ut a cog i$ a larger extra(textual

!ractice) +ts $ot a"out usi$g #eco$structio$& or a$* other textual !ractice& to #o textual

comme$tar* its a"out seei$g what o$e ca$ #o with a$ extra(textual !ractice that exte$#s the

text) Nou as' me whether + "elieve i$ $oma#s as a$ a$swer) Nes& + #o) Ge$ghis Fah$ is $othi$g

to s$eee at) :ill he come "ac' from the #ea#@ + #o$t '$ow& "ut if he #oes it will "e i$ some

other form) Cust as the #es!ot i$ter$alies the $oma#ic war(machi$e& ca!italist societ* $ever

sto!s i$ter$alii$g a revolutio$ar* war(machi$e) +ts $ot o$ the !eri!her* that the $ew $oma#s

are "ei$g "or$ ,"ecause there is $o more !eri!her*- + wa$t to fi$# out what sort of $oma#s&

eve$ motio$less a$# statio$ar* if $ee# "e& our societ* is ca!a"le of !ro#uci$g)

290



An*re Fle'heu%: Nes& "ut *ou omitte# i$ *our !rese$tatio$ what *ou referre# to as i$teriorit*)))

Gilles Deleue: Noure !u$$i$g o$ the wor# i$teriorit*))) An*re

Fle'heu%: The i$$er /our$e*@

Gilles Deleue: I sai# motio$less /our$e*) +ts $ot a$ i$$er /our$e*& its a /our$e* o$ a "o#*&

a$# collective "o#ies if $ecessar*)

$ie6e Taa): Gilles Deleue& if + have u$#erstoo# *ou correctl*& *ou o!!ose laughter& humor& a$#

iro$* to u$ha!!* co$scious$ess) :oul# *ou agree that the laughter of Faf'a& >ec'ett& a$#

ietsche #oes $ot exclu#e the wee!i$g of these writers& !rovi#e# that their tears #o $ot s!ri$g

from some i$$er or i$ter$alie# source& "ut are sim!l* the !ro#uctio$ of flows o$ the surface of a

"o#*)))@

Gilles Deleue: + thi$' *oure right)

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$ie6e Taa): $e more ?uestio$) :he$ *ou o!!ose iro$* a$# humor to u$ha!!* co$scious$ess&

*ou $o lo$ger ma'e a #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ humor a$# iro$*& as *ou #i# i$ Te 4ogic of Sense,

where o$e was surface a$# the other #e!th) .re *ou $ot afrai# that iro$* is #a$gerousl* close to

u$ha!!* co$scious$ess@

Gilles Deleue: +ve u$#ergo$e a cha$ge) The surface(#e!th o!!ositio$ $o lo$ger co$cer$s me)

:hat i$terests me $ow is the relatio$shi!s "etwee$ a full "o#*& a "o#* without orga$s& a$# flows

that migrate)

$ie6e Taa): >ut the$ rese$tme$t woul# $ot "e exclu#e#& woul# it@

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Gilles Deleue: Nes& it woul#O1

On Capita"ism and esire;

A')uel: +$ *our #escri!tio$ of ca!italism& *ou sa* There is$t the slightest o!eratio$& the

slightest i$#ustrial or fi$a$cial mecha$ism that fails to ma$ifest the #eme$tia of the ca!italist

s*stem a$# the !athological character of its ratio$alit* ,$ot a false ratio$alit* at all& "ut a trueratio$alit* of this !atholog*& this ma#$ess& "ecause the machi$e wor's& there ca$ "e $o #ou"t-)

There is $o #a$ger of it goi$g i$sa$e& "ecause through a$# through it is alrea#* i$sa$e& from the

get( go& a$# thats where its ratio$alit* comes from) Does this mea$ that after this a"$ormal

societ*& or outsi#e it& there ca$ "e a $ormal societ*@

Gilles Deleue: :e #o$t use the wor#s $ormal a$# a"$ormal) =ver* societ* is at o$ce

ratio$al a$# irratio$al) The* are $ecessaril* ratio$al i$ their mecha$isms& their gears a$# wheels&

their s*stems of co$$ectio$& a$# eve$ "* virtue of the !lace the* assig$ to the irratio$al) .ll this

!resu!!oses& however& co#es or axioms which #o $ot result "* cha$ce& "ut which #o $ot have a$

i$tri$sic ratio$alit* either) +ts /ust li'e theolog* ever*thi$g a"out it is ?uite ratio$al if *ou acce!t

si$& the immaculate co$ce!tio$& a$# the i$car$atio$) Beaso$ is alwa*s a regio$ carve# out of the

irratio$al$ot sheltere# from the irratio$al at all& "ut traverse# "* it a$# o$l* #efi$e# "* a

!articular 'i$# of relatio$shi! amo$g irratio$al factors) E$#er$eath all reaso$ lies #elirium& a$#

#rift) =ver*thi$g a"out ca!italism is ratio$al& exce!t ca!ital or ca!italism) . stoc'(mar'et is a

!erfectl* ratio$al mecha$ism& *ou ca$ u$#ersta$# it& lear$ how it wor's ca!italists '$ow how to

use it a$# *et what a #elirium& its $uts) This is what we mea$ whe$ we sa* that the ratio$al is

alwa*s the ratio$alit* of a$ irratio$al) omethi$g that has $ot "ee$ #iscusse# i$ Aarxs &apita' isthe exte$t to which he is fasci$ate# "* ca!italist mecha$isms& !recisel* "ecause& at o$e a$# the

same time& it is #eme$te# and it wor's) o the$ what is ratio$al i$ a societ*@ $ce i$terests have

"ee$ #efi$e# withi$ the co$fi$es of a societ*& the ratio$al is the wa* i$ which !eo!le !ursue

those i$terests a$# attem!t to realie them) >ut u$#er$eath that& *ou fi$# #esires& i$vestme$ts of

#esire that are $ot to "e co$fuse# with i$vestme$ts of i$terest& a$# o$ which i$terests #e!e$# for

their #etermi$atio$ a$# ver* #istri"utio$ a$ e$ormous flow& all 'i$#s of li"i#i$al(u$co$scious

flows that co$stitute the #elirium of this societ*) +$ realit*& histor* is the histor* of #esire)

To#a*s ca!italist or tech$ocrat #oes $ot #esire i$ the same wa* a slave tra#er or a "ureaucrat

293



from the ol# hi$ese em!ire woul# have) :he$ !eo!le i$ a societ* #esire re!ressio$& for others

and for temse'ves whe$ there are !eo!le who li'e to harass others& a$# who have the

o!!ortu$it* to #o so& the right to #o so& this exhi"its the !ro"lem of a #ee! co$$ectio$ "etwee$

li"i#i$al #esire a$# the social fiel#) There exists a #isi$tereste# love for the o!!ressive

machi$e ietsche has some "eautiful thi$gs to sa* a"out this !erma$e$t trium!h of slaves&

a"out the wa* the em"ittere#& the #e!resse#& or the wea' ma$age to im!ose their wa* of life o$

us)

A')uel: :hat& !recisel*& is !ro!er to ca!italism i$ what *ouve /ust #escri"e#@

Gilles Deleue: <erha!s its that& i$ ca!italism& #esire a$# i$terest& or #esire a$# reaso$& are

#istri"ute# i$ a totall* $ew wa*& a !articularl* a"$ormal wa*) a!ital& or mo$e*& has reache#

such a stage of #elirium that there woul# "e o$l* o$e e?uivale$t i$ !s*chiatr* what the* call the

termi$al state) +ts too com!licate# to #escri"e here& "ut let me /ust sa* this i$ other societies&

*ou have ex!loitatio$& *ou have sca$#als a$# secrets& "ut its all !art of the co#e) There are

eve$ ex!licitl* secret co#es) +$ ca!italism& its com!letel* #iffere$t $othi$g is secret& at least i$

!ri$ci!le a$# accor#i$g to the co#e ,thats wh* ca!italism is #emocratic a$# !u"licies itself&

eve$ i$ the /uri#ical se$se of the term-) .$# *et $othi$g is admissib'e% egalit* itself is

i$a#missi"le) +$ co$trast to other societies& the regime of ca!italism is "oth !u"lic a$#

i$a#missi"le) This ver* s!ecial #elirium is !ro!er to the regime of mo$e*) Cust loo' at what the*

call sca$#als to#a* the $ews!a!ers tal' a"out them i$cessa$tl*& ever*o$e !rete$#s either to

#efe$# themselves or to go o$ the attac' "ut the search for a$*thi$g illegal comes u! em!t*(

ha$#e#& give$ the $ature of the regime of ca!ital) =ver*thi$g is legal the !rime mi$isters tax

retur$s& real(estate #eals& lo""*ists& a$# ge$erall* the eco$omic a$# fi$a$cial mecha$isms of

ca!ital ever*thi$g exce!t the little screw(u!s still more to the !oi$t& ever*thi$g is !u"lic "ut

noting is admissib'e% +f the left were reaso$a"le& it woul# "e satisfie# with vulgarii$g

eco$omic a$# fi$a$cial mecha$isms) Theres $o $ee# to ma'e the !rivate !u"lic& /ust a#mit what

is alrea#* !u"lic) The$ a #eme$tia without !rece#e$t woul# "e fou$# i$ all the hos!itals) +$stea#&

the* 'ee! tal'i$g a"out i#eolog*) +#eolog* has $o im!orta$ce here what matters is $ot

i#eolog*& a$# $ot eve$ the eco$omic i#eological #isti$ctio$ or o!!ositio$ what matters is the

organi(ation of power% >ecause the orga$iatio$ of !ower& i)e) the wa* i$ which #esire is alrea#*

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i$ the eco$omic& the wa* li"i#o i$vests the eco$omic& hau$ts the eco$omic a$# fosters the

!olitical forms of re!ressio$)

A')uel: +#eolog* is smo'e a$# mirrors@

Gilles Deleue: Thats $ot what + mea$) a*i$g that i#eolog* is smo'e a$# mirrors is still the

tra#itio$al thesis) $ o$e si#e *ou !ut the serious stuff& the eco$om*& the i$frastructure& a$# the$

o$ the other si#e *ou !ut the su!erstructure& to which i#eolog* "elo$gs) .$# thus *ou restrict the

!he$ome$a of #esire to i#eolog*) +ts a !erfect wa* to ig$ore how #esire wor's o$ the

i$frastructure& i$vests it& "elo$gs to it& a$# how #esire there"* orga$ies !ower it orga$ies the

s*stem of re!ressio$) :ere $ot sa*i$g that i#eolog* is smo'e a$# mirrors ,or a$* other co$ce!t

that serves to #esig$ate a$ illusio$-) :ere sa*i$g there is $o i#eolog*& the co$ce!t itself is a$

illusio$) Thats wh* it suits the ommu$ist <art* a$# ortho#ox Aarxism so well) Aarxism has

give$ such em!hasis to the theme of i#eologies !recisel* to cover u! what was goi$g o$ i$ the

EB a $ew orga$iatio$ of re!ressive !ower) There is $o i#eolog*& there are o$l* orga$iatio$s

of !ower& o$ce *ou acce!t that the orga$iatio$ of !ower is the u$it* of #esire a$# the eco$omic

i$frastructure) ets ta'e two exam!les) =#ucatio$ the eftists of Aa* 68 waste# a lot of time

i$sisti$g that !rofessors !u"licl* criticie themselves as age$ts of "ourgeois i#eolog*) +ts stu!i#&

a$# it fuels the masochistic im!ulses of aca#emics) The* a"a$#o$e# the struggle agai$st the

com!etitive exami$atio$ a$# o!te# i$stea# for !olemic& or the great !u"lic a$ti(i#eological

co$fessio$) Duri$g which time& the most har#(li$e !rofs were a"le to reorga$ie their !ower

without too much #ifficult*) The !ro"lem of e#ucatio$ is $ot i#eological i$ $ature& its a !ro"lem

of the orga$iatio$ of !ower the s!ecificit* of e#ucatio$al !ower ma'es it a!!ear i#eological&

"ut thats a re#(herri$g) <ower i$ grammar school& $ow that mea$s somethi$g& ever* chil# is

su"/ecte# to it) The seco$# exam!le hristia$it*) The hurch is all too ha!!* to "e treate# as a$

i#eolog*) The* wa$t to #iscuss itit e$courages ecume$ism) >ut hristia$it* has $ever "ee$ a$

i#eolog*) +t is a ver* origi$al& s!ecific orga$iatio$ of !ower which has ta'e$ #iverse forms from

the Boma$ =m!ire through the Ai##le .ges& a$# which was a"le to i$ve$t the i#ea of a$

i$ter$atio$al !ower) +ts far more im!orta$t tha$ i#eolog*)

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Feli% Gua))ari: The same goes for tra#itio$al !olitical structures) +ts alwa*s the same ol# tric'

a "ig i#eological #e"ate i$ the ge$eral assem"l*& a$# the ?uestio$s of orga$iatio$ are reserve#

for s!ecial committees) These loo' seco$#ar*& havi$g "ee$ #etermi$e# "* !olitical o!tio$s)

:hereas& i$ fact& the real !ro"lems are !recisel* the !ro"lems of orga$iatio$& $ever ma#e

ex!licit or ratio$alie#& "ut recast after the fact i$ i#eological terms) The real #ivisio$s emerge i$

orga$iatio$ a !articular wa* of treati$g #esire a$# !ower& i$vestme$ts& grou!(e#i!uses&

grou!(su!er(egos& !he$ome$a of !erversio$))) $l* the$ are the !olitical o!!ositio$s "uilt u! a$

i$#ivi#ual chooses o$e !ositio$ over a$other& "ecause i$ the scheme of the orga$iatio$ of

!ower& he has alrea#* chose$ a$# hates his o!!o$e$t)

A')uel: Nour overall a$al*sis of the oviet E$io$ or ca!italism is co$vi$ci$g& "ut what a"out the

!articulars@ +f ever* i#eological o!!ositio$ "* #efi$itio$ mas's co$flicts of #esire& how woul#

*ou a$al*e& for exam!le& the #iverge$ce of three Trots'*ite s!li$ter(grou!s@ :hat co$flicts of

#esire& if a$*& #o *ou see there@ +$ s!ite of their !olitical ?uarrels& each grou! seems to fulfil the

same fu$ctio$ for its mem"ers it offers them the securit* of a hierarch*& a social milieu o$ a

re#uce# scale& a$# a #efi$itive ex!la$atio$ of the worl#))) + #o$t see the #iffere$ce)

Feli% Gua))ari: <rovi#e# we recog$ie that a$* resem"la$ce to a$ existi$g grou! is !urel*

fortuitous& we ca$ imagi$e that o$e of the grou!s i$itiall* #efi$es itself "* its fi#elit* to the rigi#

!ositio$s of the commu$ist left #uri$g the creatio$ of the Thir# +$ter$atio$al) ow *ou a#o!t a

whole axiomatics& #ow$ to the !ho$ological levelthe !ro$u$ciatio$ of certai$ wor#s& the

gesture that accom!a$ies it& $ot to me$tio$ the structures of orga$iatio$& the co$ce!tio$ of the

relatio$shi!s to "e mai$tai$e# with allies o$ the left& with ce$trists a$# a#versaries))) This

u$iverse ca$ corres!o$# to a !articular figure of e#i!aliatio$& ver* much li'e the i$ta$gi"le

a$# reassuri$g u$iverse of the o"sessive who loses his "eari$gs as soo$ as *ou #is!lace a

familiar o"/ect) This i#e$tificatio$ with recurre$t images a$# figures is mea$t to achieve a

certai$ 'i$# of efficac* that characterie# tali$ismexce!t for its i#eolog*& !recisel*) +$ other

res!ects& the* 'ee! the overall framewor' of the metho#& "ut the*re rece!tive to cha$ge

omra#es& we must recog$ie that if the e$em* remai$s the same& the co$#itio$s have

cha$ge#) o the s!li$ter grou! is more o!e$) +ts a com!romise the i$itial image has "ee$

crosse# out while "ei$g mai$tai$e#& a$# other $otio$s have "ee$ a##e#) Aeeti$gs a$# trai$i$g

296



sessio$s multi!l*& "ut so #o exter$al i$terve$tio$s) .s Raie sa*s& the #esiri$g will has a wa* of

harassi$g stu#e$ts a$# milita$ts)

.s for the "asic !ro"lems& all these grou!s sa* more or less the same thi$g) :here the*

ra#icall* #iffer is sty'e8 a !articular #efi$itio$ of the lea#er or !ro!aga$#a& a !articular

co$ce!tio$ of #isci!li$e& or the fi#elit*& mo#est*& a$# asceticism of a milita$t) ;ow #o *ou

!ro!ose to accou$t for these #iffere$ces if *ou #o$t go rummagi$g arou$# i$ the social

machi$es eco$om* of #esire@ %rom the a$archists to the Aaoists& the #iversit* is i$cre#i"l*

wi#e& a$al*ticall* as well as !oliticall*) .$# #o$t forget& "e*o$# the shri$'i$g fri$ge of s!li$ter

grou!s& that mass of !eo!le who #o$t '$ow what to choose the leftist moveme$t& the attractio$

of u$io$s& straightforwar# revolt& i$#iffere$ce))) :e must tr* to ex!lai$ the role these s!li$ter

grou!s !la* i$ crushi$g #esire& li'e machi$es gri$#i$g a$# tam!i$g it #ow$) +ts a #ilemma to "e

"ro'e$ "* the social s*stem& or to fall i$to *our !reor#ai$e# !lace i$ these little churches) +$ this

res!ect& Aa* 68 was a$ asto$ishi$g revelatio$) Desiri$g !ower accelerate# to a !oi$t where it

ex!lo#e# all the s!li$ter grou!s) The* regrou!e# later o$ whe$ the* !artici!ate# i$ the "usi$ess

of restori$g or#er with other re!ressive forces the GT Iommu$ist :or'ers E$io$J& the <

Iommu$ist <art*J& the B Ithe riot !oliceJ& or =#gar %aure) +m $ot sa*i$g that to "e

!rovocative) +t goes without sa*i$g that the milita$ts were courageous to fight agai$st the !olice)

>ut if we leave the s!here of struggle& the s!here of i$terests& to co$si#er i$stea# the fu$ctio$ of

#esire& *ou must a#mit that the recruiters of certai$ s!li$ter grou!s a!!roache# the *outh i$ a

s!irit of re!ressio$ the* wa$te# to co$tai$ the #esire which ha# "ee$ li"erate# to re(cha$$el it)

.ctuel ure& "ut what is a li"erate# #esire@ + see how it coul# wor' o$ a$ i$#ivi#ual or grou!

level artistic creatio$& smashi$g wi$#ows& "ur$i$g thi$gs& or eve$ sim!l* havi$g a$ org*& or

letti$g ever*thi$g go to hell through sheer lai$ess) >ut the$ what@ :hat woul# "e a collectivel*

li"erate# #esire o$ the scale of a social grou!@ a$ *ou give a$* !recise exam!les@ .$# what

#oes that mea$ for the totalit* of societ*& if *ou #o$t re/ect that term as %oucault #oes)

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%elix Guattari :e chose as our refere$ce a state of #esire at its most critical a$# acute the #esire

of the schio!hre$ic) .$# the schio!hre$ic who is a"le to !ro#uce somethi$g& "e*o$# or

"e$eath the schio!hre$ic who has "ee$ loc'e# u!& "eate$ #ow$ with #rugs a$# social

re!ressio$) +$ our o!i$io$& some schio!hre$ics #irectl* ex!ress a free #eci!heri$g of #esire) >ut

how #oes o$e co$ceive of a collective form of #esiri$g eco$om*@ :ell& $ot locall*) + have a har#

time imagi$i$g a small grou! which has "ee$ li"erate# sta*i$g together as it is traverse# "* the

flows of a re!ressive societ*& as though o$e li"erate# i$#ivi#ual after a$other coul# /ust "e a##e#

o$) >ut if #esire co$stitutes the ver* texture of societ* i$ its totalit*& i$clu#i$g its mecha$isms of

re!ro#uctio$& a moveme$t of li"eratio$ ca$ cr*stallie i$ that societ*) +$ Aa* 68& from the first

s!ar's to the local clashes& the u!heaval was "rutall* tra$smitte# to the whole societ*i$clu#i$g

grou!s that ha# $othi$g at all to #o with the revolutio$ar* moveme$t #octors& law*ers&

mercha$ts) Heste# i$terest !revaile# i$ the e$#& "ut o$l* after a mo$th of "ur$i$gs) :ere hea#e#for ex!losio$s of this t*!e& *et more !rofou$#)

.ctuel Aight there have alrea#* occurre# i$ histor* a vigorous& lasti$g li"eratio$ of #esire&

"e*o$# "rief !erio#s of cele"ratio$& war& a$# car$age& or revolutio$s for a #a*@ r #o *ou

"elieve i$ a$ e$# to histor* after mille$$ia of alie$atio$& social evolutio$ will o$e #a* tur$

arou$# i$ a fi$al revolutio$ to li"erate #esire forever@

%elix Guattari either) ot i$ a #efi$itive e$# to histor*& a$# $ot i$ !rovisio$al excess) =ver*

civiliatio$ a$# ever* e!och have ha# their e$#s to histor*) +ts $ot $ecessaril* i$sightful or

li"erati$g) The mome$ts of excess& the cele"ratio$s are har#l* more reassuri$g) There are

milita$t revolutio$aries who feel a se$se of res!o$si"ilit* a$# sa* excess& cele"ratio$& *esat

the first stage of revolutio$) >ut there is alwa*s a seco$# stage orga$iatio$& o!eratio$& all the

serious stuff)))

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or is #esire li"erare# i$ sim!le mome$ts of cele"ratio$) Cust loo' at the #iscussio$ "etwee$

Hictor a$# %oucault& i$ the issue of 4es Temps Modernes #evote# to the Aaoists)2 Hictor

co$se$ts to excess& "ut o$l* at the first stage) .s for the rest& the serious stuff& Hictor calls for a

$ew tate a!!aratus& $ew $orms& !o!ular /ustice "* tri"u$al& i$vo'i$g a$ authorit* exterior to

the masses& a thir# !art* ca!a"le of resolvi$g the co$tra#ictio$s of the masses) :e come u!

agai$st the same ol# schema agai$ a$# agai$ the* #etach a !seu#o ava$t(gar#e a"le to "ri$g

a"out s*$theses& to form a !art* as a$ em"r*o$ic tate a!!aratus the* lev* recruits from a well(

e#ucate#& well("ehave# wor'i$g class a$# the rest& 'umpen pro'etariat, is a resi#ue $ot to "e

truste# ,alwa*s the ol# co$#em$atio$ of #esire-) These ver* #isti$ctio$s o$l* tra! #esire to serve

a "ureaucratic caste(s*stem) %oucault res!o$#s "* #e$ou$ci$g the thir# !art*& sa*i$g that if such

a thi$g as !o!ular /ustice #oes exist& it certai$l* wo$t come from a tri"u$al) ;e clearl*

#emo$strates how the ava$t(gar#e !roletariat $o$(!roletaria$ !le"s #isti$ctio$ is origi$all*a #isti$ctio$ which the "ourgeoisie i$tro#uces i$to the masses& to crush the !he$ome$a of #esire

a$# margi$alie it) The whole ?uestio$ tur$s o$ a tate a!!aratus) :h* woul# *ou loo' to a

!art* or tate a!!aratus to li"erate #esires@ +ts "iarre) :a$ti$g im!rove# /ustice is li'e wa$ti$g

goo# /u#ges& goo# co!s& goo# "osses& a clea$er %ra$ce& etc) .$# the$ we are tol# how #o *ou

!ro!ose to u$if* isolate# struggles without a tate a!!aratus@ The revolutio$ clearl* $ee#s a

war(machi$e& "ut thats $ot a tate a!!aratus) +t also $ee#s a$ a$al*tic force& a$ a$al*er of the

#esires of the masses& a"solutel*"ut $ot a$ exter$al mecha$ism of s*$thesis) :hat is li"erate#

#esire@ . #esire that esca!es the im!asse of i$#ivi#ual !rivate fa$tas* its $ot a"out a#a!ti$g

#esire& socialii$g a$# #isci!li$i$g it& "ut hoo'i$g it u! i$ such a wa* that its !rocess is

u$i$terru!te# i$ the social "o#*& so its ex!ressio$ ca$ "e collective) The most im!orta$t thi$g is

$ot authoritaria$ u$ificatio$& "ut a 'i$# of i$fi$ite swarmi$g #esires i$ the $eigh"orhoo#& the

schools& factories& !riso$s& $urser* schools& etc) +ts $ot a"out a ma'e(over& or totaliatio$& "ut

hoo'i$g u! o$ the same !la$e at its ti!!i$g !oi$t) .s lo$g as we stic' to the alter$ative "etwee$

the im!ote$t s!o$ta$eit* of a$arch* a$# the hierarchical a$# "ureaucratic e$co#i$g of a !art*(

orga$iatio$& there ca$ "e $o li"eratio$ of #esire)

A')uel: Do *ou thi$' that ca!italism i$ its "egi$$i$gs was a"le to su"sume social #esires@

299



Gilles Deleue: f course) a!italism has alwa*s "ee$& a$# still is a remar'a"le #esiri$g(

machi$e) %lows of mo$e*& flows of the mea$s of !ro#uctio$& flows of ma$(!ower& flows of $ew

mar'ets its all #esire i$ flux) Nou /ust have to exami$e the ma$* co$ti$ge$cies that gave "irth

to ca!italism to realie how i$se!ara"le from the !he$ome$a of #esire are its i$frastructure a$#

eco$om*& a$# the exte$t to which it is a criss(crossi$g of #esires) .$# #o$t forget fascism)

+t too su"sumes social #esires& i$clu#i$g the #esires of re!ressio$ a$# #eath) ;itler a$# the

fascist machi$e gave !eo!le har#(o$s) >ut if *our ?uestio$ wa$ts to as' was ca!italism i$ its

"egi$$i$gs revolutio$ar*& #i# the i$#ustrial revolutio$ ever coi$ci#e with a social revolutio$@

The a$swer is $o) .t least + #o$t thi$' so) %rom its "irth ca!italism has "ee$ co$$ecte# with a

savage re!ressio$) +t ver* ?uic'l* ac?uire# its orga$iatio$ a$# tate a!!aratus) Di# ca!italism

e$tail the #issolutio$ of !revious co#es a$# !owers@ ."solutel*) >ut it ha# alrea#* set u! the

gears of its !ower& i$clu#i$g its tate !ower& i$ the fissures of !revious regimes) +ts alwa*s li'e

that there is ver* little !rogress) =ve$ "efore a social formatio$ gets goi$g& its i$strume$ts of

ex!loitatio$ a$# re!ressio$ are alrea#* there& aimlessl* s!i$$i$g their wheels& "ut rea#* to swi$g

i$to high gear) The first ca!italist are waiti$g there li'e "ir#s of !re*& waiti$g to swoo! o$ the

wor'er who has falle$ through the crac's of the !revious s*stem) This is what is mea$t "*

!rimitive accumulatio$)

A')uel: In m* view& the risi$g "ourgeoisie was imagi$i$g a$# !re!ari$g its revolutio$

throughout the =$lighte$me$t) The "ourgeoisie i$ its ow$ e*es was a revolutio$ar* class to the

"itter e$#& si$ce it came to !ower "* "ri$gi$g #ow$ the .$cie$t Begime) :hatever the

moveme$ts that existe# amo$g the !easa$tr* a$# the wor'i$g class& the "ourgeois revolutio$ is a

revolutio$ carrie# out "* the "ourgeoisiethe two terms are s*$o$*mous) o& it is a$achro$istic

to /u#ge the "ourgeoisie "* the socialist Eto!ias of the $i$etee$th( a$# twe$tieth(ce$turies it

lea#s to the i$tro#uctio$ of a categor* that $ever existe#)

300



Gilles Deleue: ;ere agai$& what *oure sa*i$g fits the schema of a !articular 'i$# of Aarxism

it su!!oses that the "ourgeoisie is revolutio$ar* at some !oi$t i$ histor*& a$# eve$ that it was or

is $ecessar* to go through a ca!italist stage& through a "ourgeois revolutio$ar* stage) Thats a

tali$ist !oi$t of view& "ut its har# to ta'e seriousl*) :he$ a social formatio$ exhausts itself a$#

"egi$s to lea' o$ ever* si#e& all sorts of thi$gs come u$co#e#& all sorts of u$!olice# flows "egi$

circulati$g for exam!le& the migratio$s of !easa$ts i$ feu#al =uro!e are !he$ome$a of

#eterritorialiatio$) The "ourgeoisie im!oses a $ew co#e& "oth eco$omic a$# !olitical& so *ou

might thi$' it was revolutio$ar*) ot i$ the least) Da$iel Gueri$ has sai# some !rofou$# thi$gs

a"out the Bevolutio$ of 1789)3 The "ourgeoisie $ever mistoo' its real e$em*) +ts real e$em* was

$ot the !revious s*stem& "ut that which ha# esca!e# the co$trol of the !revious s*stem& a$# the

"ourgeoisie was resolve# to co$trol it i$ its tur$) The "ourgeoisie owe# its !ower to the

#issolutio$ of the ol# s*stem "ut it coul# exercise this $ew !ower o$l* "* co$si#eri$g the otherrevolutio$aries as e$emies) The "ourgeoisie was $ever revolutio$ar*) +t ha# the revolutio$

carrie# out for it) +t ma$i!ulate#& cha$$ele#& re!resse# a$ e$ormous surge of !o!ular #esire) The

!eo!le marche# to their #eath at Halm*)

A')uel: The* certai$l* marche# to their #eath at Her#u$)

Feli% Gua))ari: =xactl*) This is !recisel* what i$terests us) :here #o these eru!tio$s& these

u!risi$gs& these e$thusiasms come from@ The* ca$t "e ex!lai$e# "* a social ratio$alit*& a$# the

mome$t the*re "or$& the*re reroute#& ca!ture# "* !ower) . revolutio$ar* situatio$ ca$$ot "e

ex!lai$e# sim!l* "* the a$al*sis of i$terests !rese$t at the time) +$ 1903& the Bussia$ ocial(

Democratic !art* is #iscussi$g its allia$ces& the orga$iatio$ of the !roletariat& a$# the role of the

ava$t(gar#e) .ll of the su##e$& while the ocial(Democrats are !re!ari$g for revolutio$& the*re

roc'e# "* the eve$ts of 1905 a$# have to /um! a"oar# a movi$g trai$) . cr*stalliatio$ of #esire

o$ a wi#e social scale ha# occure#& whose "asis la* i$ still i$com!rehe$si"le situatio$s) The

same is true of 1917) +$ this case& the !oliticia$s agai$ /um!e# a"oar#& a$# the* gai$e# co$trol of

it) Net $o revolutio$ar* te$#e$c* was willi$g or a"le to assume the $ee# for a oviet orga$iatio$

that woul# have allowe# the masses to ta'e real charge of their i$terests a$# #esires) Aachi$es

calle# !olitical orga$iatio$s were !ut i$ circulatio$& a$# the* fu$ctio$e# accor#i$g to the mo#el

Dimitrov ha# #evelo!e# at the eve$th +$ter$atio$al o$gressalter$ati$g "etwee$ !o!ular

fro$ts a$# sectaria$ retractio$sa$# the* alwa*s lea# to the same re!ressive results) :e saw it

301



agai$ i$ 1936& 1945& a$# 1968) >* their axiomat( ics& these mass machi$es refuse to li"erate

revolutio$ar* e$erg*) Be# flag i$ ha$#& this !olitics i$ its u$#erha$#e# wa* remi$#s o$e of the

!olitics of the <resi#e$t or the clerg*) .$# i$ our view& this corres!o$#s to a certai$ !ositio$ vis(

a(vis #esire& a !rofou$# wa* of e$visio$i$g the ego& the i$#ivi#ual& a$# the famil*) This raises a

sim!le #ilemma either we fi$# some $ew t*!e of structure to facilitate the fusio$ of collective

#esire a$# revolutio$ar* orga$iatio$ or we co$ti$ue o$ the !rese$t course& hea#i$g from o$e

re!ressio$ to the $ext& towar# a fascism that will ma'e ;itler a$# Aussoli$i loo' li'e a /o'e)

A')uel: o the$ what is the $ature of this !rofou$#& fu$#ame$tal #esire that we see co$stitutes

huma$it* a$# huma$ "ei$gs as social a$imals& "ut which is co$sta$tl* "etra*e#@ :h* is it

alwa*s rea#* to "e i$veste# i$ those machi$es of the #omi$a$t machi$e& li'e o!!ose# !olitical

!arties which are $o$etheless the same@ oul# this mea$ that #esire is co$#em$e# to a !ure

ex!losio$ without co$se?ue$ce& or to !er!etual "etra*al@ $e last ?uestio$ ca$ there ever "e

such a thi$g as a collective a$# lasti$g ex!ressio$ of li"erate# #esire at some !oi$t i$ histor*@ +f

so& how@

Gilles Deleue +f we '$ew the a$swer to that& we woul#$t "e #iscussi$g it& we woul# /ust go out

a$# #o it) till& li'e %elix sai#& revolutio$ar* orga$iatio$ must "e the orga$iatio$ of a war(

machi$e a$# $ot of a tate a!!aratus& the orga$iatio$ of a$ a$al*er a$# $ot of a$ exter$al

s*$thesis) +$ ever* social s*stem& *ou will alwa*s fi$# li$es of esca!e& as well as stic'i$g !oi$ts

to cut off these esca!es& or else ,which is $ot the same thi$g- em"r*o$ic a!!aratuses to

recu!erate them& to reroute a$# sto! them& i$ a $ew s*stem waiti$g to stri'e) + woul# li'e to see

the crusa#es a$al*e# from this !ers!ective) >ut i$ ever* res!ect& ca!italism has a ver* !articular

character its li$es of esca!e are $ot /ust #ifficulties that arise& the* are the ver* co$#itio$s of its

o!eratio$) a!italism is fou$#e# o$ a ge$eralie# #eco#i$g of ever* flow flows of wealth& flows

of la"or& flows of la$guage& flows of art& etc) +t #i# $ot create a$* co#e& it create# a 'i$# of

accou$ti$g& a$ axiomatics of #eco#e# flows& as the "asis of its eco$om*) +t ligatures the !oi$ts of

esca!e a$# moves ahea#) +t is alwa*s ex!a$#i$g its ow$ "or#ers& a$# alwa*s fi$#s itself i$ a

situatio$ where it must close off $ew esca!e routes at its "or#ers& !ushi$g them "ac' o$ce more)

+t has resolve# $o$e of its fu$#ame$tal !ro"lems) +t ca$t eve$ foresee the mo$etar* i$crease i$ a

cou$tr* over a *ear) +t is e$#lessl* crossi$g its ow$ limits which 'ee! rea!!eari$g farther out) +t

302



!uts itself i$ alarmi$g situatio$s with res!ect to its ow$ !ro#uctio$& its social life& its

#emogra!hics& its !eri!her* i$ the Thir# :orl#& its i$terior regio$s& etc) The s*stem is lea'i$g all

over the !lace) The* s!ri$g from the co$sta$tl* #is!lace# limits of the s*stem) .$# certai$l*& the

revolutio$ar* esca!e ,the active esca!e& which Cac'so$ i$vo'es whe$ he sa*s +ve $ever

sto!!e# fleei$g& "ut as + flee& +m loo'i$g for a wea!o$- is $ot the same thi$g as other 'i$#s of

esca!e& the schio(esca!e& the #rug(esca!e) This is !recisel* the !ro"lem faci$g margi$al grou!s

to ma'e all the li$es of esca!e co$$ect u! o$ a revolutio$ar* !la$e) +$ ca!italism& the$& these

li$es of esca!e ta'e o$ a $ew character& a$# a $ew 'i$# of revolutio$ar* !ote$tial) o& *ou see&

there is ho!e)

A')uel: Nou me$tio$e# the crusa#es /ust $ow) Do *ou see the crusa#es as o$e of the first

ma$ifestatio$s of collective schio!hre$ia i$ the :est@

Feli% Gua))ari: The crusa#es were i$#ee# a$ extraor#i$ar* schio!hre$ic moveme$t) u##e$l*&

thousa$#s a$# thousa$#s of !eo!le& #uri$g a !erio# that was alrea#* #ivi#e# a$# trou"le#& were

totall* fe# u! with their life s!o$ta$eous !reachi$g rose u! ever*where& a$# whole villages of

me$ set out) +t is o$l* afterwar#s that a frighte$e# !a!ac* trie# to give this moveme$t #irectio$

"* lea#i$g it off to the ;ol* a$#) This strateg* ha# two a#va$tages it gets ri# of the wa$#eri$g

ga$gs& a$# it shores u! the hristia$ out!osts threate$e# "* the Tur's i$ the ear(=ast) +t #i#$t

alwa*s wor' the He$etia$ rusa#e wou$# u! i$ o$sta$ti$o!le& a$# the hil#re$s rusa#e

veere# off to the outh of %ra$ce a$# ?uic'l* lost a$* s*m!ath* !eo!le ha# for it) =$tire villages

were ca!ture# a$# "ur$e# "* these crusa#i$g chil#re$& whom the regular armies fi$all* ha# to

rou$# u!& either 'illi$g them or selli$g them i$to slaver*)))

303



A')uel: Do *ou see a$* !arallel here with co$tem!orar* moveme$ts& such as the roa#& or hi!!*

colo$ies& fleei$g the factor* a$# the office@ +s there a !o!e to co( o!t them@ The Cesus(

revolutio$@

Feli% Gua))ari: . recu!eratio$ "* hristia$it* is $ot out of the ?uestio$) +ts alrea#* a realit*& to

a certai$ exte$t& i$ the E$ite# tates though much less so here i$ %ra$ce or =uro!e) >ut *ou ca$

see a late$t recu!eratio$ "e$eath the $aturist moveme$t& the i#ea that we coul# with#raw from

!ro#uctio$ a$# reco$stitute a small societ* out of the wa*& as though we were$t all "ra$#e# a$#

corralle# "* the ca!italist s*stem)

A')uel: :hat role ca$ still "e attri"ute# to the hurch i$ a cou$tr* li'e ours@ The hurch was at

the ce$ter of !ower i$ :ester$ societ* well i$to the eightee$th(ce$tur* it "ou$# a$# structure#the social machi$e "efore the $atio$(tate emerge#) The tech$ocrac* has #e!rive# it to#a* of its

ol# fu$ctio$& so the hurch& too& a!!ears a#rift& a ru##erless shi! #ivi#e# agai$st itself) $e ca$

as' whether the hurch& !ressure# "* curre$ts of !rogressive atholicism& is $ot "ecomi$g less

co$fessio$al tha$ certai$ !olitical orga$iatio$s)

Feli% Gua))ari: :hat a"out ecume$ism@ +s that $ot the hurchs wa* of la$#i$g o$ its feet@ The

hurch has $ever "ee$ stro$ger) + #o$t see a$* reaso$ to o!!ose the hurch to tech$ocrac* the

hurch has its ow$ tech$ocrac*) ;istoricall* s!ea'i$g& hristia$it* a$# !ositivism have alwa*s

gotte$ alo$g ?uite well together) There is a hristia$ motor "ehi$# the #evelo!me$t of the

!ositive scie$ces) .$# *ou ca$t reall* claim that the !s*chiatrist re!lace# the !riest& $or that the

co! re!lace# him) =ver*o$e is $ee#e# i$ re!ressio$O :hat has "ecome out#ate# i$ the hurch is

its i#eolog*& $ot its orga$iatio$ of !ower)

304



A')uel: ets a##ress this other as!ect of *our "oo' the criti?ue of !s*chiatr*) a$ o$e sa* that

%ra$ce is alrea#* u$#er surveilla$ce "* !s*chiatr* at the local level@ .$# /ust how far #oes this

i$flue$ce exte$#@

Feli% Gua))ari: <s*chiatric hos!itals are esse$tiall* structure# li'e a state "ureaucrac*& a$#

!s*chiatrists are "ureaucrats) %or a lo$g time the tate ha# "ee$ satisfie# with a !olitics of

coercio$ a$# #i# $othi$g for almost a ce$tur*) +t was o$l* after the i"eratio$ that a$* sig$s of

a$xiet* a!!eare# the first !s*chiatric revolutio$& the o!e$i$g of the hos!itals& free treatme$t&

i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!*& etc) This le# to the great Eto!ia$ !olitics of localie# care limiti$g

the $um"er of i$ter$me$ts& a$# se$#i$g teams of !s*chiatrists out i$to the !o!ulatio$ li'e

missio$aries i$to the "ush) >ut $ot e$ough !eo!le "elieve# i$ the reform& a$# without the will to

carr* it out& it got "ogge# #ow$) ow *ou have a few mo#el services for official visits& a$# a few

hos!itals here a$# there i$ the more u$#er#evelo!e# regio$s) till& were hea#e# for a ma/or

crisis& o$ the scale of the u$iversit* crisis& a #isaster at ever* level e?ui!me$t& !erso$$el

trai$i$g& thera!*& etc)

305



The i$stitutio$al surveilla$ce of chil#re$ has "ee$& o$ the whole& u$#erta'e$ with greater success) +$ this case& thei$itiative esca!e# tate structure a$# fi$a$ci$g& falli$g i$stea# u$#er #iverse associatio$s& such as chil#hoo# !rotectio$

age$cies or !are$tal associatio$s))) >ecause the* were su"si#ie# "* social securit*& the esta"lishme$ts !roliferate#)The chil# is imme#iatel* ta'e$ i$ charge "* a $etwor' of !s*chiatrists& tagge# at a$ earl* age& a$# followe# for life)

$e ca$ ex!ect solutio$s of this t*!e for a#ult !s*chiatr*) %ace# with the curre$t im!asse& the tate will tr* to#e$atio$alie i$stitutio$s a$# re!lace them with i$stitutio$s gover$e# "* the law of 1901 a$# most certai$l*

ma$i!ulate# "* !olitical !owers a$# reactio$ar* famil* grou!s) :ere i$#ee# hea#e# towar# the !s*chiatricsurveilla$ce of %ra$ce& if the !rese$t crisis #oes$t li"erate its revolutio$ar* !ote$tials) The most co$servative i#eolog*

is s!rea#i$g ever*where& a$ i$si!i# tra$s!ositio$ of the most e#i!al co$ce!ts) +$ the chil#re$s war#s&the* call the #irector u$cle& a$# the $urse mother) + have eve$ hear# thi$gs li'e game grou!s follow a mater$al

!ri$ci!le& a$# wor'sho!s a !ater$al !ri$ci!le) The !s*chiatr* of surveilla$ce loo's !rogressive "ecause it o!e$s u! thehos!ital) >ut if that im!lies a surveilla$ce of the $eigh"orhoo#& we will ?uic'l* come to regret the close# as*lums of

*ester#a*) +ts li'e !s*choa$al*sis it fu$ctio$s "e*o$# the co$fi$es of walls& "ut its much worse as a re!ressive force&its much more #a$gerous)Gilles Deleue: ;ere is a case) . woma$ comes i$ for a co$sultatio$& ex!lai$i$g that shesta'i$g tra$?uiliers) he as's for a glass of water) The$ she sa*s Nou see& +m a culture# woma$& +ve #o$e gra#uatewor'& + love to rea#& a$# all of a su##e$ + ca$t sto! cr*i$g) + ca$t sta$# the su"wa*))) .$# the$ + start cr*i$g as soo$ as

+ rea# a$*thi$g))) + watch TH& + see those images from Hiet$am + ca$t sta$# it) The #octor #oes$t sa* too much) Thewoma$ co$ti$ues +ve "ee$ wor'i$g a little for the Besista$ce + act as a mail("ox) The #octor as's her to ex!lai$)f course& +m sorr*& *ou #o$t u$#ersta$#& #o *ou@ + go i$to a cafe a$# as' is there a$*thi$g for Be$e@ The$ the*give me a letter to se$#) :he$ the #octor hears Be$e& he wa'es u! :h* #i# *ou sa* Be$e@ This is the first time

he has as'e# a ?uestio$) E! to this !oi$t& she has "ee$ tal'i$g a"out the su"wa*& ;iroshima& Hiet$am& a$# the effect ithas o$ her& o$ her "o#*& how it ma'es her feel li'e cr*i$g) >ut the #octor o$l* sa*s :ell& well& Be$e) :hat #oes

Be$e mea$ to *ou@ The $ame Be$e im!lies someo$e who is re"or$ 0re-neK% . re$aissa$ce) Besista$ce@forgeta"out it& he !asses that over i$ sile$ce) >ut re$aissa$ce& that fits the u$iversal schema& the archet*!e Nou wa$t to "e

re"or$& he sa*s) The #octor has fou$# his "eari$gs at last hes o$ trac') .$# he forces her to tal' a"out her mother a$#her father) This is a$ esse$tial as!ect of

.<+T.+A .D D=+B=



our "oo'& a$# its totall* co$crete) <s*chiatrists a$# !s*choa$al*sts have $ever !ai# atte$tio$ to #elirium) .ll *ouhave to #o is liste$ to someo$e i$ a state of #elirium the Bussia$s worr* him& a$# the hi$ese +ve got $o saliva left& +

was so#omie# i$ the su"wa*& there are micro"es a$# s!ermatooa ever*where its %ra$cos fault& the Cews fault& theAaoists fault) Their #elirium covers the whole social fiel#) :h* coul#$t this "e a"out the sexualit* of a su"/ect& the

relatio$ it has to the i#ea of hi$ese& :hites& >lac's@ r to whole civiliatio$s& the crusa#es& the su"wa*@ <s*chiatristsa$# !s*choa$al*sts have $ever hear# a wor# of it& a$# the*re o$ the #efe$sive "ecause the*re !ositio$ is i$#efe$si"le)

The* crush the co$te$ts of the u$co$scious with !re(fa"ricate# stateme$ts li'e Nou 'ee! sa*i$g hi$ese& "ut whata"out *our father@ ;es $ot hi$ese) o *our lover is hi$ese@ +ts li'e the re!ressive wor' "* the /u#ge i$ the

.$gela Davis case& who assure# us ;er "ehavior is ex!lica"le o$l* "* the fact that she was i$ love)>ut what if& o$ the co$trar*& .$gela Daviss li"i#o was a revolutio$ar*& social li"i#o@ :hat if she was i$ love "ecauseshe was a revolutio$ar*@

This is what we wa$t to tell !s*chiatrists a$# !s*choa$al*sts *ou have $o i#ea what #elirium is *ouve got it all

wro$g) The se$se of our "oo' is this weve reache# a stage where ma$* !eo!le feel that the !s*choa$al*tic machi$e

$o lo$ger wor's& a$# a whole ge$eratio$ is "egi$$i$g to have ha# it with all!ur!ose schemas e#i!us a$# castratio$&

the imagi$ar* a$# the s*m"olic the* s*stematicall* efface the social& !olitical& a$# cultural co$te$t from ever*

!s*chic #istur"a$ce)

A')uel: Nour associatio$ of ca!italism with schio!hre$ia is the ver* fou$#atio$ of *our "oo') .re there cases of

schio!hre$ia i$ other societies@

Feli% Gua))ari: chio!hre$ia is i$#issocia"le from the ca!italist s*stem& which is origi$all* co$ceive# as a$ esca!e& alea' a$ exclusive ill$ess) +$ other societies& esca!e a$# margi$alit* exhi"it other as!ects) The asocial i$#ivi#ual of so(

calle# !rimitive societies is $ot loc'e# u! !riso$s a$# as*lums are rece$t $otio$s) The*re chase# awa* or exile# o$ themargi$ of the village a$# #ie there& u$less the* ca$ "e i$tegrate# i$to a $eigh"ori$g village) =ach s*stem& moreover&has its ow$ !articular ill$ess the h*steria of so(calle# !rimitive societies& the !ara$oi##e!ressives of great =m!ires)))The ca!italist eco$om* fu$ctio$s through #eco#i$g a$# #eterritorialiatio$ it has its extreme ill$esses& that is& its

schio!hre$ics who come u$co#e# a$# "ecome #eterritorialie# to the extreme& "ut it also has its extremeco$se?ue$ces& its revolutio$aries

.<+T.+A .D D=+B=

mm A f



)1

&i#e +ropositions on +syhoana"ysis;

+ woul# li'e to !rese$t five !ro!ositio$s o$ !s*choa$al*sis) The first is this !s*choa$al*sis

to#a* !rese$ts a !olitical #a$ger all of its ow$ that is #iffere$t from the im!licit #a$gers of

the ol# !s*chiatric hos!ital) The latter co$stitutes a !lace of localie# ca!tivit*

!s*choa$al*sis& o$ the other ha$#& wor's i$ the o!e$ air) The !s*choa$al*st has i$ a se$se thesame !ositio$ that Aarx accor#e# to the mercha$t i$ feu#al societ* wor'i$g i$ the o!e$

!ores of societ*& $ot o$l* i$ !rivate offices& "ut also i$ schools& i$stitutio$s& #e!artme$talism&

etc) This fu$ctio$ !uts us i$ a u$i?ue !ositio$ with res!ect to the !s*choa$al*tic !ro/ect) :e

recog$ie that !s*choa$al*sis tells us a great #eal a"out the u$co$scious "ut& i$ a certai$

wa*& it #oes so o$l* to re#uce the u$co$scious& to #estro* it& to re!ulse it& to imagi$e it as a

sort of !arasite o$ co$scious$ess) %or !s*choa$al*sis& it is fair to sa* there are alwa*s too

ma$* #esires) The %reu#ia$ co$ce!tio$ of the chil# as !ol*mor!hous !ervert shows that there

are alwa*s too ma$* #esires) +$ our view& however& there are $ever e$ough #esires) :e #o

$ot& "* o$e metho# or a$other& wish to re#uce the u$co$scious we !refer to !ro#uce it there

is $o u$co$scious that is alrea#* there the u$co$scious must "e !ro#uce# !oliticall*& sociall*&

a$# historicall*) The ?uestio$ is i$ what !lace& i$ what circumsta$ces& i$ the sha#ow of what

eve$ts& ca$ the u$co$scious "e !ro#uce#) <ro#uci$g the u$co$scious mea$s ver* !recisel*

the !ro#uctio$ of #esire i$ a historical social milieu or the a!!eara$ce of stateme$ts a$#

ex!ressio$s of a $ew 'i$#)

A* seco$# !ro!ositio$ is that !s*choa$al*sis is a com!lete machi$e& #esig$e# i$ a#va$ce

to !reve$t !eo!le from tal'i$g& therefore from !ro#uci$g stateme$ts that suit them a$# thegrou!s with which the* have certai$ affi$ities) .s soo$ as o$e "egi$s a$al*sis& o$e has the

im!ressio$ of tal'i$g) >ut o$e tal's i$ vai$ the e$tire !s*choa$al*tical machi$e exists to

su!!ress the co$#itio$s of a real ex!ressio$) :hatever o$e sa*s is ta'e$ i$to a sort of

tour$i?uet& a$ i$ter!retive machi$e the !atie$t will $ever "e a"le to get to what he reall* has

to sa*)

308



Desire or #elirium ,which are i$ a #ee! se$se the same thi$g-& #esire(#elirium is "* its $ature

a li"i#i$al i$vestme$t of a$ e$tire historical milieu& of a$ e$tire social e$viro$me$t) :hat

ma'es o$e #elirious are classes& !eo!les& races& masses& mo"s) <s*choa$al*sis& !ossesse# of a

!re(existi$g co#e& su!eri$te$#s a sort of #estructio$) This co#e co$sists of e#i!us&

castratio$& the famil* roma$ce the most secret co$te$t of #elirium& i)e) this #iverge$ce from

the social a$# historical milieu& will "e #estro*e# so that $o #elirious stateme$t&

corres!o$#i$g to a$ overflow i$ the u$co$scious& will "e a"le to get through the a$al*tical

machi$e) :e sa* that the schio!hre$ic has to #eal $ot with his famil*& $or with his !are$ts&

"ut with !eo!les& !o!ulatio$s& a$# tri"es) :e sa* that the u$co$scious is $ot a matter of

ge$eratio$s or famil* ge$ealog*& "ut rather of worl# !o!ulatio$& a$# that the !s*choa$al*tical

machi$e #estro*s all this) + will cite /ust two exam!les the cele"rate# exam!le of <resi#e$t

chre"er whose #elirium is e$tirel* a"out races& histor*& a$# wars) %reu# #oes$t realie this

a$# re#uces the !atie$ts #elirium exclusivel* to his relatio$shi! with his father) .$other

exam!le is the :olfma$ whe$ the :olfma$ #reams of six or seve$ wolves& which is "*

#efi$itio$ a !ac'& i)e) a certai$ 'i$# of grou!& %reu# imme#iatel* re#uces this multi!licit* "*

"ri$gi$g ever*thi$g "ac' to a si$gle wolf who is $ecessaril* the father) The e$tire collective

li"i#i$al ex!ressio$ ma$ifeste# i$ the #elirium of the :olfma$ will "e u$a"le to ma'e& let

alo$e co$ceive of the stateme$ts that are for him the most mea$i$gful)

A* thir# !ro!ositio$ is that !s*choa$al*sis wor's i$ this wa* "ecause of its automatic

i$ter!retatio$ machi$e) This i$ter!retatio$ machi$e ca$ "e #escri"e# i$ the followi$g wa*

whatever *ou sa*& *ou mea$ somethi$g #iffere$t) :e ca$t sa* e$ough a"out the #amage these

machi$es cause) :he$ someo$e ex!lai$s to me that what + sa* mea$s somethi$g other tha$

what + sa*& a s!lit i$ the ego as su"/ect is !ro#uce#) This s!lit is well '$ow$ what + sa* refers

to me as the su"/ect of a$ uttera$ce or stateme$t& what + mea$ refers to me as a$ ex!ressi$g

su"/ect) This s!lit is co$/ure# "* !s*choa$al*sis as the "asis for castratio$ a$# !reve$ts all

!ro#uctio$ of stateme$ts) %or exam!le& i$ certai$ schools for !ro"lem chil#re$& #eali$g with

character or eve$ !s*cho!atholog*& the chil#& i$ his wor' or !la* activities& is !lace# i$ a

relatio$shi! with his e#ucator& a$# i$ this co$text the chil# is u$#erstoo# as the su"/ect of a$

uttera$ce or stateme$t i$ his !s*chothera!*& he is !ut i$to a relatio$shi! with the a$al*st or

the thera!ist& a$# there he is u$#erstoo# as a$ ex!ressi$g su"/ect) :hatever he #oes i$ the

grou! i$ terms of his wor' a$# his !la* will "e com!are# to a su!erior authorit*& that of the

!s*chothera!ist who alo$e will have the /o" of i$ter!reti$g& such that the chil# himself is

s!lit he ca$$ot wi$ acce!ta$ce for a$* stateme$t a"out what reall* matters to him i$ his

relatio$shi! or i$ his grou!) ;e will feel li'e hes tal'i$g& "ut he will $ot "e a"le to sa* a

si$gle wor# a"out whats most esse$tial to him) +$#ee#& what !ro#uces stateme$ts i$ each o$e

of us is $ot ego as su"/ect& its somethi$g e$tirel* #iffere$t multi!licities& masses a$# mo"s&

!eo!les a$# tri"es& collective arra$geme$ts the* cross through us& the* are withi$ us& a$#

309



the* seem u$familiar "ecause the* are !art of our u$co$scious) The challe$ge for a real

!s*choa$al*sis& a$ a$ti(!s*choa$al*tical a$al*sis& is to #iscover these collective arra$geme$ts

of ex!ressio$& these collective $etwor's& these !eo!les who are i$ us a$# who ma'e us s!ea'&

a$# who are the source of our stateme$ts) This is the se$se i$ which we set a whole fiel# of

ex!erime$tatio$& of !erso$al or grou! ex!erime$tatio$& agai$st the i$ter!retive activities of

!s*choa$al*sis)

A* fourth !ro!ositio$& to "e ?uic'& is that !s*choa$al*sis im!lies a fairl* !eculiar !ower

structure) The rece$t "oo' "* astel& 4e )sycana'ysme, #emo$strates this !oi$t ver* well)

The !ower structure occurs i$ the co$tract& a formi#a"le li"eral "ourgeois i$stitutio$) +t lea#s

to tra$sfere$ce a$# culmi$ates i$ the a$al*sts sile$ce) .$# the a$al*sts sile$ce is the

greatest a$# the worst of i$ter!retatio$s) <s*choa$al*sis uses a small $um"er of collective

stateme$ts& which are those of ca!italism itself regar#i$g castratio$& loss& a$# famil*& a$# it

tries to get this small $um"er of collective stateme$ts s!ecific to ca!italism to e$ter i$to the

i$#ivi#ual stateme$ts of the !atie$ts themselves) :e claim that o$e shoul# #o /ust the

o!!osite& that is& start with the real i$#ivi#ual stateme$ts& give !eo!le co$#itio$s& i$clu#i$g

the material co$#itio$s& for the !ro#uctio$ of their i$#ivi#ual stateme$ts& i$ or#er to #iscover

the real collective arra$geme$ts that !ro#uce them)

A* last !ro!ositio$ is that& for our !art& we !refer $ot to !artici!ate i$ a$* effort

co$siste$t with a %reu#o(Aarxist !ers!ective) .$# this for two reaso$s) The first is that& i$ the

e$#& a %reu#o(Aarxist effort !rocee#s i$ ge$eral from a retur$ to origi$s& or more s!ecificall*

to the sacre# texts the sacre# texts of %reu#& the sacre# texts of Aarx) ur !oi$t of #e!arture

must "e com!letel* #iffere$t we refer $ot to sacre# texts that must "e& to a greater or lesser

exte$t& i$ter!rete#& "ut to the situatio$ as is& the situatio$ of the "ureaucratic a!!aratus i$

!s*choa$al*sis& which is a$ effort to su"vert these a!!aratuses) Aarxism a$# <s*choa$al*sis&

i$ two #iffere$t wa*s& s!ea' i$ the $ame of a 'i$# of memor*& of a culture of memor*& a$#

also s!ea' i$ two #iffere$t wa*s i$ the $ame of the re?uireme$ts of a #evelo!me$t) :e

"elieve o$ the co$trar* that o$e must s!ea' i$ the $ame of a !ositive force of forgetti$g& i$

the $ame of what is for each i$#ivi#ual his ow$ u$#er#evelo!me$t& what Davi# oo!er a!tl*

calls our i$$er thir# worl#) eco$#l*& what se!arates us from a$* %reu#o(Aarxist effort is that

such !ro/ects see' !rimaril* to reco$cile two eco$omies !olitical eco$om* a$# li"i#i$al or

310



#esiri$g eco$om*) +$ Beich& too& we fi$# the o"serva$ce of this #ualit* of this effort at

reco$ciliatio$)

ur !oi$t of view is o$ the co$trar* that there is "ut o$e eco$om* a$# that the !ro"lem

of a real a$ti(!s*choa$al*tical a$al*sis is to show how u$co$scious #esire i$vests the forms

of this eco$om*) +t is eco$om* itself that is !olitical eco$om* a$# #esiri$g eco$om*)Dis'ussion

A participant as:s a @uestion about memory in .reudo-Mar!ism and te positive force

offorgetting%

+$ s!ite of m* i$c'atio$ $ot to go "ac' to the texts& + thi$' of two remar'a"le texts "*

ietsche that ma'e a #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ forgetti$g as a force of i$ertia a$# forgetti$g as a$

active force) %orgetti$g as a$ active force is the !ower to fi$ish with somethi$g to o$es

satisfactio$) +$ this case& it is o!!ose# to a me#itatio$ o$ the !ast that "i$#s us& o$ that which

"i$#s us to the !ast& eve$ to #evelo! it& eve$ to ta'e it further) +f o$e therefore #isti$guishes

two forms of forgetti$g& of which o$e is a sort of reactive i$ertia a$# the other a force of

!ositive forgetti$g& it is o"vious that the revolutio$ar* forgetti$g& the forgetti$g that + was

thi$'i$g of is the seco$# forgetti$g o$l* it co$sititutes a real activit* or o$e that ca$ "e !art

of real !olitical activities) +$ much the same wa*& a revolutio$ar* "rea's free "* forgetti$g

a$# remai$s u$move# "* the re!roach his critics co$sta$tl* ma'e +t has existe#& therefore it

will alwa*s exist)

Bevolutio$ar* forgetti$g ca$ "e tie# to a$other commo$ theme& that of a$ active esca!e

that is itself o!!ose# to a !assive esca!e of a$ e$tirel* #iffere$t 'i$#) :he$& for exam!le&

Cac'so$& i$ his !riso$& sa*s& *es& + ca$ ver* well esca!e& "ut #uri$g m* esca!e& +m loo'i$g

311



for a wea!o$& this is active revolutio$ar* esca!e as o!!ose# to other esca!es that are

ca!italist or !erso$al& etc)

A participant as:s for a c'arification of te notion of forgetting wit respect to te

re'ationsip between .reudianism andMar!ism%

+$ Aarxism& a certai$ culture of memor* a!!eare# right at the "egi$$i$g eve$

revolutio$ar* activit* was su!!ose# to !rocee# to this ca!italiatio$ of the memor* of social

formatio$s) +t is& if o$e !refers& Aarxs ;egelia$ as!ect& i$clu#e# i$ #as Fapita'% +$

!s*choa$al*sis& the culture of memor* is eve$ more a!!are$t) Aoreover& Aarxism& li'e

!s*choa$al*sis& is shot through with a certai$ i#eolog* of #evelo!me$t !s*chic

#evelo!me$t from a !s*choa$al*tic !oi$t of view of !s*choa$al*sis& social #evelo!me$t or

eve$ the #evelo!me$t of !ro#uctio$ from a Aarxist !oi$t of view) >efore& for exam!le& i$

certai$ forms of rhe wor'ers struggle i$ the 19th ce$tur* that Aarxism crushe# right from

the start ,+m $ot thi$'i$g o$l* of the Eto!ia$s-& the call to struggle was& o$ the co$trar*&

ma#e o$ the "asis of the $ee# to forget& of a$ active force of forgetti$g $o culture of

remem"eri$g& $o culture of the !ast& "ut a call to forgetti$g as the co$#itio$ of

ex!erime$tatio$) To#a*& i$ certai$ .merica$ grou!s& $o o$e co$si#ers a retur$ to %reu# or

Aarx here agai$ is a sort of culture of forgetti$g as the co$#itio$ of a$* $ewex!erime$tatio$) The use of forgetti$g as a$ active force& i$ or#er to go "ac' to ero& i$ or#er

to get awa* from the aca#emic heav*(ha$#e#$ess that has left so #ar' a stam! o$ %reu#o(

Aarxism& is somethi$g ver* im!orta$t i$ !ractical terms) :hereas "ourgeois culture has

alwa*s s!o'e$ from withi$ its #evelo!me$t a$# i$ the $ame of the #evelo!me$t that it as's

us to !ursue a$# !er!etuate& to#a*s cou$ter(culture reclaims the i#ea that& if we have

somethi$g to sa*& its $ot accor#i$g to our #evelo!me$t& whatever that ma* "e& "ut accor#i$g

to our u$#er#evelo!me$t) Bevolutio$ has $othi$g to #o with a$ attem!t to i$scri"e o$eself i$

a moveme$t of #evelo!me$t a$# i$ the ca!italiatio$ of memor*& "ut i$ the !reservatio$ of

the force of forgetti$g a$# the force of u$#er#evelo!me$t as !ro!erl* revolutio$ar* forces)

A participant B*% ?ervis$ points out a difference of content between te %ive <ro!ositio$s and

.$ti(=#i!us& for e!amp'e, te disappearance of te notion of 2sci(o-ana'ysis2in favor of

tat of an 2anti-psycoana'ytica' ana'ysis2 and e notes a distinct evo'ution8 tere is no

'onger an effort to criti@ue &Edipus, but rater psycoana'ysis% /at is te reason for tis

evo'ution=

312



:hat Cervis sa*s is !erfectl* true) either Guattari $or m*self are ver* attache# to the

!ursuit or eve$ the cohere$ce of what we write) :e woul# ho!e for the co$trar*& we woul#

ho!e that the follow(u! to Anti-&Edipus "rea's with what !rece#e# it& with the first volume&

a$# the$& if there are thi$gs that #o$t wor' i$ the first volume& it #oes$t matter) + mea$ that

we are $ot amo$g those authors who thi$' of what the* write as a whole that must "e

cohere$t if we cha$ge& fi$e& so theres $o !oi$t i$ tal'i$g to us a"out the !ast) >ut Cervis sa*s

two thi$gs that are im!orta$t at !rese$t we #o $ot attac' =#i!us so much as the i$stitutio$&

the !s*choa$al*tical machi$e i$ its e$tiret*) +t goes without sa*i$g that the !s*choa$al*tical

machi$e com!rises #ime$sio$s "e*o$# =#i!us& a$# co$se?ue$tl* we have reaso$s to

"elieve that this is $o lo$ger the esse$tial !ro"lem) Cervis a##s that the reaso$ is the #irectio$

of our !rese$t wor' is more !olitical& a$# that this mor$i$g we have also re$ou$ce# the use

of the term schio(a$al*sis) + woul# li'e to ma'e several remar's o$ this !oi$t& i$ the most

mo#est fashio$ !ossi"le) :he$ a term is i$tro#uce# a$# has the least "it success& as has "ee$the case for #esiri$g(machi$e or schio(a$al*sis& either o$e circulates it& which is alrea#*

rather !er$icious& a sort of co(o!tatio$& or o$e re$ou$ces it a$# see's other terms to u!set the

or#er) There are wor#s that %elix a$# + $ow feel it urge$t $ot to use schio(a$al*sis&

#esiri$g(machi$eits awful& if we use them& were caught i$ the tra!) :e #o$t '$ow ver*

well what the* mea$& we $o lo$ger "elieve i$ the wor#s whe$ we use a wor#& we wa$t to

sa*& if this wor# #oes$t agree with *ou& fi$# a$other& theres alwa*s a wa*) :or#s are totall*

i$tercha$gea"le) .s for the co$te$t of what we #o& its true that the first volume of Anti-

&Edipus was #evote# to esta"lishi$g certai$ 'i$#s of #ualities) There was& for exam!le& a

#ualit* "etwee$ !ara$oia a$# schio!hre$ia& a$# we felt we ha# #iscovere# a #ualit* of

s*stems a !ara$oiac s*stem a$# a schio!hre$ic s*stem) r the #ualit* we trie# to esta"lish

"etwee$ the molar a$# the molecular) :e ha# to go that route) +m $ot sa*i$g that weve go$e

"e*o$# all that& "ut it $o lo$ger i$terests us) .t !rese$t& what we woul# li'e to tr* to show is

how o$e is grou$#e# i$ the other& that the o$e is tie# to the other) +$ other wor#s& how the

little out"rea's of schio!hre$ia ultimatel* orga$ie themselves at the heart of vast !ara$oiac

or#ers) There are sometimes sur!risi$g exam!les i$ !olitics) +ll ta'e the ver* rece$t exam!le

of whats ha!!e$i$g i$ .merica there is the Hiet$am :ar& which is imme$se& a$# re!rese$ts

the setti$g i$ motio$ of a giga$tic !ara$oiac machi$e& the famous militar* i$#ustrial

com!lex& a$ e$tire s*stem of sig$s& !olitical !rograms& a$# eco$omic !rograms) =ver*o$e

sa*s& "ravo& exce!t a small $um"er& ever* cou$tr* sa*s& ver* well& a$# $o o$e is

outrage#) o o$e is outrage#& exce!t for a small $um"er of i$#ivi#uals #e$ou$ce# as leftists)

The$& all of su##e$ theres a mi$or i$ci#e$t& $o "ig #eal& a matter of s!*i$g& theft& of !olice

a$# !s*chiatr*& "etwee$ o$e .merica$ !olitical !art* a$# a$other) u##e$l*& there is a$

out"rea'& a$ esca!e& a lea') .$# all the goo# !eo!le who acce!t the war i$ Hiet$am& whoacce!t this large !ara$oiac machi$e& are "egi$$i$g to sa* The !resi#e$t of the E$ite# tates

is $o lo$ger followi$g the rules of the game) . little schio!hre$ic out"rea' has grafte#

itself o$to the large !s*choa$al*tical s*stem& the $ews!a!ers are losi$g their mi$#s or seem

to "e losi$g them) :h* $ot the stoc' ?uotes from the mar'et@ :hat reall* matters to us are

the esca!e routes i$ the s*stems& the co$#itio$s u$#er which these !aths form or i$cite

revolutio$ar* actio$s& or remai$ a$ec#otal) Bevolutio$ar* !ro"a"ilities #o $ot co$sist i$ the

co$tra#ictio$s of the ca!italist s*stem& "ut rather i$ efforts at esca!ealwa*s u$ex!ecte#&

313



. s*stem li'e ca!italism esca!es i$ ever* #irectio$ it esca!es& a$# the$ ca!italism fills i$ the

ga!s& it ties '$ots& it esta"lishes li$'s to !reve$t the esca!es from "ei$g too $umerous) .sca$#al here& a$ esca!e of ca!ital there& etc) .$# there are also esca!es of a$other sort thereare commu$ities& those o$ the margi$& the #eli$?ue$ts& the a##icts& the esca!es of #rug a##icts&

esca!es of all 'i$#s& there are schio!hre$ic esca!es& there are !eo!le who esca!e i$ a ver*#iffere$t wa*) ur !ro"lem ,we are $ot com!letel* stu!i#& we are $ot sa*i$g that this woul# "e

sufficie$t for a revolutio$- is as follows give$ a s*stem that esca!es i$ ever* #irectio$ a$#that& at the same time& co$ti$uall* !reve$ts& re!resses& or "loc's esca!e(routes "* ever*

availa"le mea$s& what ca$ we #o so that these esca!es ma* $o lo$ger "e i$#ivi#ual attem!ts orsmall commu$ities& "ut ma* i$stea# trul* co$stitute a revolutio$ar* machi$e@ .$# for what

reaso$& u$til $ow& have revolutio$s go$e so "a#l*@ There is $o revolutio$ without a ce$tral&ce$tralii$g war(machi$e) Nou ca$t "rawl& a$# *ou #o$t fight with *our fists there must "e a

war(machi$e that orga$ies a$# u$ites) >ut u$til $ow& there has( $t existe# i$ therevolutio$ar* fiel# a machi$e that #i#$t re!ro#uce somethi$g else a state a!!aratus& the ver*i$stitutio$ of re!ressio$) ;e$ce the !ro"lem of revolutio$ how ca$ a war(machi$e accou$t for

all the esca!es that ha!!e$ i$ the !rese$t s*stem without crushi$g them& #isma$tli$g them&a$# without re!ro#uci$g a state a!!aratus@ o whe$ Cervis sa*s that our #iscussio$ is getti$gmore a$# more !olitical& + thi$' hes right& "ecause as much as we i$siste#& i$ the first !art of

our wor'& o$ large #ualities& to#a* were loo'i$g for the $ew mo#e of u$ificatio$ i$ which& forexam!le& the schio!hre$ic #iscourse& the i$toxicate# #iscourse& the !erverte# #iscourse& the

homosexual #iscourse& all the margi$al #iscourses ca$ su"sist& so that all these esca!es a$##iscourses ca$ graft themselves o$to a war(machi$e that wo$t re!ro#uce a tate or <art*

.!!aratus) %or that ver* reaso$ we $o lo$ger wa$t to tal' a"out schioa$al*sis& "ecause thatwoul# amou$t to !rotecti$g a !articular t*!e of esca!e& schio!hre$ic esca!e) :hat i$terests

us is a sort of li$' that lea#s us "ac' to the #irect !olitical !ro"lem& a$# the #irect !olitical !ro"lem for us is more or less this u$til $ow& revolutio$ar* !arties have co$stitute#

themselves as s*$theses of i$terests rather tha$ fu$ctio$i$g as a$al*ers of mass a$#i$#ivi#ual #esires) r else& what amou$ts to the same revolutio$ar* !arties have co$stitute#

themselves as em"r*o$ic tate a!!aratuses& i$stea# of formi$g war(machi$es irre#uci"le to

such a!!aratuses)&aes and Sr'aes

S)e4an Cer6ins61: Ae& a !ai$ter@ +m $o !ai$ter) .$# were $ot goi$g to #o a !reface either)

:ell #o some surfaces& $ot a !rese$tatio$) li!(sli#e) Nou #o the #rawi$gs) +ll #o the "its of

writi$g) o tra#i$g !laces& $o excha$gi$g a$*thi$g& its $o excha$ge& $ot at all)))

315



Gilles Deleue: h awright) +ve got the #rawi$gs))) here)2 The worse the* are& the "etter the*

wor') oo'& the*re surface(mo$sters) i'e "row$ish(violet& a$# ever* surface color) ;ow

#oes violet wor'@

S)e4an Cer6ins61: ;ow #oes therror* wor'@ ;ow #oes a surface(mo$ster wor'@

Gilles Deleue: Therror* is violet) Therror* is !ai$ti$g(#esire(writi$g usi$g ma$* other

thi$gs& too& o$ the "or#ers& i$ the cor$ers& at the ce$ters& a$# elsewhere) +ts that oscillati$g

moveme$t the %low %lux Fla$& a)')a) the great thought(rac'et a$# its orga$(mem"ers the

co$ce!t s?uatters) This is its !rogram

%irst& the su!!ort(free co$structio$ of therrothera!* i$ co$/u$ctio$ with the active

#estructio$ of the ill$esses of our #a* !s*cho!om!& h*!ocho$#iaches& schio!haguses&

go$or!hre$ia& $eurotosis& $eurot*!hus& mortems& sexosis& !ha$( tasmologists& scatato$ics& etc)

.$# the worst of all glorif*i$g #e!ressio$) eco$#& the !ro#uctio$ of cam!aig$s a$# sloga$s

li'e Aore of the u$co$scious& !ro#uce more& still more& a$# more after that) othi$g to

i$ter!ret) +ts all goo#& "ut reall*)

Aa'e ever* %re$ch citie$ carr* a visa a$# a wor' !ermit& accom!a$ie# "* regular

!olice sha'e#ow$s)

316



f two moveme$ts& the more #eterritorialie# !revails over the less #eterritorialie#)

f fift* moveme$ts& the most #etetritorialie# wi$s)

:hat we call the most #etertitorialie# moveme$t is the #elirious vector) +ts violet) The

u$co$scious is violet& or it will "e)

S)e4an Cer6ins61: :hat !recautio$s shoul# "e ta'e$ whe$ !ro#uci$g a co$ce!t@

Gilles Deleue Nou !ut *our "li$'er o$& a$# chec' i$ *our rearview mirror to ma'e sure

a$other co$ce!t is$t comi$g u! "ehi$# *ou o$ce *ouve ta'e$ these !recautio$s& *ou

!ro#uce the co$ce!t) :hat are the !recautio$s to "e ta'e$ whe$ movi$g from o$e theoretical

fiel# to a$other@

317



S)e4an Cer6ins61: othi$g is sim!ler) Nou arm *ourself with a co$ce!t carr*i$g case i$

leatherette) Nou ta'e a ca$vas that *ou *ourself will "ol#l* !rime& i$ other wor#s& a ca$vas

without !rimer) Nou sa$#wich it "etwee$ the two !ieces of a woo#e$ frame& which has "ee$

sawe# i$ such a wa* that it attaches to "oth si#es of the ca$vas) o the frame is a raise#

"or#er o$ either si#e& formi$g two "asi$s) %irst *ou !ai$t o$ o$e si#e& accor#i$g to the

#irectio$s ,vectors- *ouve chose$& for exam!le& "egi$$i$g from the cor$ers& li'e the car#i$al

!oi$ts e)g)& *ou !ai$t orth(=ast& orth(outh& outh(=ast& orth(:est& etc) <ai$t with re# or

"lue& or with re# a$# "lue& either mixe# off the ca$vas& or mixe# o$ the ca$vas& es!eciall* if

*ou wa$t to !ro#uce #iffere$t sha#es of "row$ or violet) ext *ou go arou$# the "ac' to see

what ha!!e$e# o$ the other si#e& si$ce the color has #iffuse# through the u$!rime# ,$o$(

occlu#e#- ca$vas) Nou ma* or ma* $ot choose to 'ee! a$ e*e o$ the #iffusio$ with a mirror

!lace# "ehi$# the ca$vas) ow *ou !ai$t the other si#e& usi$g a #iffere$t "rush& with stro'es

i$ other #irectio$s a$# cor$ers) Nou ca$ also rotate the ca$vas& or cha$ge its situatio$sus!e$# it& !ut it o$ the wall& o$ the floor& etc)

+$cessa$t #iffusio$ from o$e si#e to the other) =ach si#e mo#ifies the other re#& "lue&

"lue(re# re#("lue& etc)& givi$g rise to #iffere$t sha#es of violet ,a$# $egative "row$-) =ach

si#e !e$etrates the other violet is <==TB.N cou$tr*& where *ou "ecome the color(#iffuser&

the si#e(switcher& the time(!asser the !ai$ter or the !ai$ti$g& the $oma#)

This is how *ou get #eterritorialie# moveme$ts of color& a$# ma$* other thi$gs "esi#e&

a$# thus *ou !ro#uce i$te$sities) Nou have travele# arou$# somethi$g that has $o thic'$ess)

+ forgot to me$tio$ get a ca$vas that is much larger tha$ the frame& so *ou have a "or#er&

a margi$ that is at least two feet wi#e) This margi$ has several roles to !la*

318



%irst& a o$e of over!ro#uctio$ seco$#& a$ i$sta$ce of a$ti(!ro#uctio$ thir#& the "o#*(

ca$vas #ista$ce fourth& reci!rocal smu#ges a$# "lots who is !ai$ti$g a$# who is "ei$g

!ai$te#@ ,The margi$ will "ecome smu#ge# a$# "lotte# i$ #iverse wa*s& accor#i$g to the

'i$# of wor' "ei$g #o$e& the colors em!lo*e#& the !ositio$s of the ca$vas& a$# the vectors

*ouve chose$) Nour "o#* will "ecome smu#ge# a$# "lotte#& too) +$ a wa*& it is also a

margi$)- fifth& tram( !li$gs a$# wal's its a threshol# for the !ai$ter& the ca$vas& a$# the

visitor ali'e)

+t sometimes ha!!e$s that a$ i$fi$itesimal !art of the ca$vas will remai$ u$!ai$te#&

forgotte$ a$# sometimes *ou forget to forget) Theres a hole) Thi$' of the Hetu#a of the

+talia$ Be$aissa$ce& thats $ot it) Thi$' of the ava/o wome$ who $ever com!letel* fi$ish a

ta!estr* the* leave a hole& the* sa*& "ecause the* si$' all their heart i$to the wor'& a$# the*

#o$t wa$t their heart to "e e$ta$gle# i$ !erfectio$) Thats still $ot it) r we sa* that the hole

circulati$g o$ the ca$vas is a realit* that o!e$s o$ a$other realit*& "ut thats /ust meta!h*sics

a$# !ossi"le(worl#s)

Gilles Deleue: :hat it is is a$ i$terior "or#er that echoes the exterior "or#ers) Together the*

ma'e u! the #iffere$ce of i$te$sit* "etwee$ which ever*thi$g ha!!e$s a$# commu$icates

$eglecti$g the margi$ a$# forgetti$g the hole a$# thus the* echo o$e a$other) %orgetti$g to

!ai$t& $eglecti$g to !ai$t& the ca$vas "etwee$ i$si#e(outsi#e& a ca$vas(#rum& hear# as a sig$

of !ai$ti$g& a$ a(sig$if*( i$g sig$) The hole("or#er is !h*sical realit*) +t is Bealit*) h& what

"eautiful thi$gs !h*sicists are sa*i$g these #a*s& co$cer$i$g "or#er(!he$ome$a a$# hole(

$oume$a) :e woul# have to "e scholars to u$#ersta$# it) o$g live <auli& lo$g live %ermi)

>ut we ca$t u$#ersta$# it) o what& thats eve$ "etter& well #o the same) The hole(!articles

a$# the "or#er(!articles are i$ motio$)4

319



S)e4an Cer6ins61: :ere $ot fi$ishe#) .fter *ou !ai$t the ca$vases& *ou create a sim!le

curre$c* from o"/ects& ver"s& gestures& materials& etc) The$ *ou ar"itraril* esta"lish

ar"itraril* e?uivale$t relatio$shi!s "etwee$ the ca$vases a$# the stuff *ou will use as mo$e*)

(

320



%or exam!le& +ll ma'e a few o"/ects or ute$sils woo# i$ cotto$& li'e a "a"* #oll a## metal

ligatures to ma'e cloth ha$#s a## "lue metallic !lastic& "evele# a$# s!lit stuff hair i$ thes!lits& ceme$t it with cla* some of them are !rett* "ig& a$# others reall* small) + !ut them alli$ a suitcase& a metal lu$ch"ox& a$# ta'e them to some 'i#s !la*i$g i$ a !u"lic gar#e$) The*

alwa*s get a 'ic' out of them) The series a$# #iffere$t sies ma'e them laugh) o the$ +arra$ge all the little famil*(mo$e*(o"/ects i$ relatio$ to the violet ca$vases) The* are fetishes

or 'e*(hol#ers for the ca$vas(hol#ers& the ca$vas(te$ts& the ca$vas(ico$s) ow it ma'es a largecircuit) Nou have the restricte# circuit frame(ca$vas("or#er(hole a$# *ou have the larger

circuit its e?uivale$ce with a$other s*stem of sig$s& i)e) the little o"/ect(ute$sils) +#eall*& *ouwoul# !a* for the ca$vases with the little o"/ects& a$# ma'e the little o"/ects wit the

ca$vases) Nou woul# have to steal o$e or the other or "oth at o$ce) The ?uestio$ ca$ "e as'e#:ere m* ute$sils a$# m* ca$vases $othi$g "ut mo$e* all alo$g@ Thats whats terri"le the

virtualit* of mo$e*)+re'ae to ,o?enghem;s

L'Apres-Maides faunes

A

The <reface) o o$e esca!es it) ot the author& $ot the !u"lisher& $ot the !reface writer& who

is the real victim) There is $o $ee# for a !reface) This ga* "oo' coul# also have "ee$ calle#

;ow the existe$ce of homosexualit* came to "e #ou"te# or& $o o$e ca$ sa* + am

homosexual) ig$e#& ;oc?ue$ghem) ;ow #i# he arrive at this@ :as it a !erso$al evolutio$&

tracea"le i$ the successio$ a$# the ma$* to$es of the texts collecte# here@ :as it a collective

evolutio$ i$ co$$ectio$ with a grou!(u$#erta'i$g& a "ecomi$g of %;.B@ +t goes without

sa*i$g that it is $ot #ue to a cha$ge such as "ecomi$g heterosexual& that ;oc?ue$ghem has

come to #ou"t the vali#it* of certai$ $otio$s a$# #eclaratio$s) +t is o$l* "* remai$i$g

homosexual forever, remai$i$g a$# "ei$g homosexual more a$# more& "ei$g a "etter a$#

"etter homosexual& that o$e ca$ sa* well& $o o$e is reall* homosexual) :hich is a thousa$#

times "etter tha$ the hac'$e*e#& i$si!i# i#ea that ever*o$e is homosexual or will "e were all

u$co$scious late$t ?ueers) ;oc( ?ue$ghem #oes $ot use the term evo'ution, $or eve$

revo'ution, "ut vo'utions% +magi$e a$ extremel* mo"ile s!iral ;oc?ue$ghem is there o$

several levels simulta$eousl*& o$ several tur$s at o$ce sometimes with a motorc*cle& some(

times high out of his mi$#& sometimes so#omie# or so#omii$g& a$# sometimes i$ #rag) $

o$e level& he ca$ sa* *es& +m a homosexual o$ a$other level $o& thats $ot it a$# o$ a$other

level& it is somethi$g else altogether) This curre$t "oo' #oes $ot re!eat his former wor'&

+omose!ua' #esire it has a com!letel* #iffere$t orga$iatio$ a$# mo"iliatio$) +ts a total

tra$sformatio$)

321



%irst volutio$ i$ o!!ositio$ to !s*choa$al*sis& agai$st !s*choa$al*tic re#uctio$s a$#

i$ter!retatio$s) +$ !ri$ci!le& ;oc?ue$ghem is $ot o!!ose# to homosexualit* as a relatio$shi!

with father& mother& a$# e#i!us he eve$ writes a letter to mother) >ut it #oes$t wor')

<s*choa$al*sis has $ever "ee$ a"le to tolerate #esire) +t has to re#uce #esire& ma'e it sa*

somethi$g else) ome of the more ri#iculous !ages %reu# ever wrote are those o$ fellatio

such a "iarre a$# shoc'i$g #esire ca$ have $o worth of its ow$ it must "e tracea"le to a

cow u##er& a$# from there to the mothers "reast) %reu# thi$'s we woul# get more !leasure

suc'i$g o$ a cow u##er) +$ter!ret& regress& !ush towar# regressio$) +t /ust ma'es

;oc?ue$ghem laugh) :ho '$ows& ma*"e there is such a thi$g as e#i!al homosexualit*& a

momm*(homosexualit*& guilt& !ara$oia& whatever) >ut !recisel*& the whole i$ter!retatio$

si$'s li'e a lea# "alloo$& weighe# #ow$ "* what it hi#es& a$# "* what the famil* cou$selor

a$# !s*choa$al*st woul# 'ee! out of sight it falls off the s!iral& it fails the test of light$ess

a$# mo"ilit*) ;oc?ue$ghem i$stea# !osits the s!ecificit* a$# the irre#uci"ilit* of ahomosexual #esire& a flow without origi$ or goal& a matter of ex!erime$tatio$ a$# $ot

i$ter!retatio$) +t is $ot the !ast "ut the !rese$t that #etermi$es whether o$e is homosexual&

o$ce we a#mit that chil#hoo# was alrea#* a !rese$ce that #i# $ot refer to a !ast) >ecause

#esire $ever re!rese$ts a$*thi$g& a$# it #oes$t refer "ac' to somethi$g waiti$g i$ the wi$gs

of the familial or !erso$al theatre) Desire ma'es co$$ectio$s& it assem"les& it machi$es) =)g)

;oc?ue$ghems "eautiful text o$ the motorc*cle the motorc*cle is a$other sex) <erha!s the

homosexual #oes $ot sta* with the same sex& "ut #iscovers i$$umera"le sexes) >ut first

;oc?e$ghem attem!ts to #efi$e this irre#uci"le& s!ecific homosexual #esire$ot through a

regressive i$feriorit*& "ut through a$ utsi#e& a relatio$shi! with the utsi#e& whose

characteristics are !rese$t the !articular moveme$t of cruisi$g& the mo#e of e$cou$ter& the

a$ular structure& the mo"ilit* a$# excha$gea"ilit* of roles& a$# a !articular "etra*al

,!lotti$g agai$st o$es ow$ class& as Flossows'i sa*s@ The* tol# us we were me$& the* treat

us li'e wome$ *es& towar# our e$emies& we are treacherous& u$#erha$#e#& a$# show "a#

faith *es& we ca$ ?uit o$ *ou i$ a$* social situatio$& at a$* mome$t& we are u$relia"le a$#

!rou# of itO-

322



<B=%.= T

;E=G;=Aeco$# volutio$ ;omosexualit* #oes $ot !ro#uce #esire without at the same time formulati$guttera$ces) >ecause !ro#uci$g #esire a$# formulati$g $ew uttera$ces are the same thi$g) f

course& ;oc?ue$ghem #oes $ot sou$# li'e Gi#e& or <roust& eve$ less li'e <e*refitte "ut st*leis !oliticsso are ge$eratio$al #iffere$ces& a$# the #iffere$t wa*s of sa*i$g + ,cf) the worl#

of #iffere$ce "etwee$ >urroughs the father a$# >urroughs the so$& whe$ the* sa* + a$# tal'a"out #rugs-) . $ew st*le& a $ew !olitics) This is the im!orta$ce of To$* Duvert to#a* a $ew

to$e) ;omosexualit* to#a* !ro#uces its uttera$ces from withi$ a $ew st*le& a$# theseuttera$ces #o $ot a$# must $ot revolve arou$# homosexualit* itself) :ere it sim!l* a ?uestio$

of sa*i$g ever* ma$ is a ?ueer& it woul# "e totall* #evoi# of i$terest) uch a lame !ro!ositio$ amuses o$l* fools) >ut the margi$al !ositio$ of homosexualit* ma'es it !ossi"le&

a$# $ecessar*& for it to have somethi$g to sa* a"out wat is not homosexualit* the e$tiregamut of huma$ sexual !ro"lems first a!!eare# whe$ the homosexual moveme$ts "ega$) %or

;oc?ue$ghem& the uttera$ces of homosexualit* are of two sorts) %irst& a"out sexualit* i$ge$eral far from "ei$g !halloce$tric& the homosexual #e$ou$ces the same !he$ome$o$ i$ the

su"missio$ of wome$ a$# i$ the te!ressio$ of homosexualit*) This !he$ome$o$ is co$stitutiveof !halloce$trism& which o!erates i$#irectl* as the heterosexual mo#el of our societ*)<halloce$trism forces the sexualit* of "o*s o$ girls& to whom it assig$s the role of !la*i$gse#uctress a$# se#uce#) %rom that !oi$t o$& whether there exists a m*sterious com!licit*

amo$g girls who !refer girls& or "o*s who !refer "o*s& or "o*s who !refer motorc*cles togirls& or girls who& etc)& the im!orta$t thi$g is not to i$tro#uce a$* !seu#o(sig$ifier or

s*m"olic relatio$ i$to these !lots a$# com!licities ,a moveme$t li'e %;.B a!!ears to havei$timate ties with ecological moveme$ts))) even if tis is ine!pressib'e in te 'ogic ofpo'itics2$%

The seco$# sort of uttera$ce is com!lime$tar* to the first it #eals with the social fiel# i$ge$eral a$# the !rese$ce of sexualit* i$ the social fiel# as a whole homosexualit* e$acts a

micro(!olitics of #esire "* esca!i$g the heterosexual mo#el& "* esca!i$g "oth the localiatio$of this mo#el i$ a t*!e of relatio$shi! a$# its #iffusio$ i$ ever* sector of societ*)

;omosexualit* is thus a"le to reveal or #etect the whole arra* of !ower relatio$s to whichsociet* su"mits sexualit* ,i$clu#i$g the case of the more or less late$t homosexualit* that is

#iffuse# throughout virile militar* or fascist grou!s-) <recisel*& homosexualit* is li"eratio$al$ot "* #isru!ti$g all !ower relatio$s& "ut whe$ as a margi$al !he$ome$o$& it has $o socia'

uti'ity8 societ* fails from the outset to i$scri"e its !ower relatio$s i$ homosexualit*& such thatthe roles ma$( woma$& active(!assive& master(slave& are u$sta"le a$# reversi"le at ever*

mome$t i$ homosexualit*)Thir# volutio$ we thought ;oc?ue$ghem was setti$g u! o$ themargi$& #iggi$g himself i$) >ut what is this margi$@ .$# the s!ecificit* of homosexual #esire&the cou$ter(uttera$ces of homosexualit*@ :hat are the*@ .$other ;oc( ?ue$ghem& o$ a

#iffere$t level of the s!iral& #e$ou$ces homosexualit* as a wor#) ;omosexualit* as nomina'ism% .$# i$ fact there is $o !ower i$ wor#s& o$l* wor#s i$ the service of !owerla$guage is $ot i$formatio$ or commu$icatio$& "ut !rescri!tio$& or#er& a$# comma$#) Nou

will "e o$ the margi$) +ts the ce$ter that ma'es the margi$) The a"stract #ivisio$ of #esireallows for the regime$tatio$ of those who esca!e it& "ri$gi$g withi$ the law that which

esca!es the aw) The categor* i$ ?uestio$& a$# the wor# itself& are relativel* rece$t i$ve$tio$s)+t is the growi$g im!erialism of a societ* wa$ti$g to assig$ a social status to ever*thi$g

u$classifia"le that create# this !articulariatio$ of i$e?ualit*))) Divi#i$g the "etter to co$?uer&the !seu#o(scie$tific thought of !s*chiatr* has tra$sforme# "ar"arous i$tolera$ce i$to

i$tolera$ce that is civilie#) >ut here is where somethi$g stra$ge ha!!e$s the lesshomosexualit* is a state of affairs& a$# the more homosexualit* is a mere wor#& the more it

must "e ta'e$ literall* a$# its !ositio$ "e ta'e$ as s!ecific& its uttera$ces as irre#uci"le& acti$gas if))) ut of #efia$ce) .lmost from a se$se of #ut*) . $ecessar* #ialectic mome$t) <assage

a$# !rogress) :e will act li'e ?uee$s "ecause *ou wa$t it) :e will excee# *our tra!s) :e willta'e *ou at *our wor# +t is "* ma'i$g shame all the more shameful that we !rogress) :e

claim femi$i$it* for ourselves& that femi$i$it* which wome$ re/ect& even as we dec'are tesero'es to be meaning'ess%%% :e ca$$ot esca!e the co$crete form of this struggle& which is

homosexualit*) till a$other mas'& still a$other "etra*al) . ;egelia$ ;oc?ue$ghem is

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<B=%.= T

;E=G;=Areveale# the $ecessar* mome$t that must "e !asse# through a Aarxist ;oc?ue$ghem& toothe ?ueer as a !roletariat of =ros ,it is !recisel* "ecause he lives "* acce!ti$g the most

!articular situatio$ that what he thi$'s has u$iversal value-) The rea#er is shoc'e#) +s this a;ommage to #ialectics& to the =cole ormale u!erieure@ +s this ;omo( ;egelia$(Aarxism@

>ut ;oc?e$ghem is alrea#* elsewhere& o$ a$other !lace i$ the s!iral& sa*i$g what was i$ hishea# or his heart& a$# what ca$$ot "e se!arate# from a 'i$# of evolutio$) :ho amo$g us has

alrea#* 'ille# Aarx or ;egel withi$ himself& a$# the i$famous #ialectic@

%ourth volutio$& a$# the last #a$ce for the time "ei$g& the last "etra*al we must follow

the successio$ of ;oc?ue$ghems texts& his !ositio$ with res!ect to %;.B a$#& withi$ %;.B

as a s!ecific grou!& the relatio$ to A%the i#ea that the #is!ersal of grou!s is $ever tragic)

%ar from closi$g itself i$ o$ the same& homosexualit* is goi$g to o!e$ itself u! to all sorts

of !ossi"le $ew relatio$s& micrological or micro!s*chic& esse$tiall* reversi"le& tra$sversal

relatio$s& with as ma$* sexes as there are assem"lages& $ot eve$ exclu#i$g $ew relatio$s

"etwee$ me$ a$# wome$ the mo"ilit* of !articular XA relatio$s& the !ote$c* of cross(

#ressi$g& %ouriers thirt*(six thousa$# forms of love& or the Y(sexes ,$either o$e $or two

sexes-) +t is $o lo$ger a"out "ei$g a ma$ or woma$& "ut i$ve$ti$g sexes& such that a

homosexual ma$ ca$ fi$# i$ a woma$ those !leasures which a ma$ woul# give him a$# vice

versa ,to this exclusive homosexualit* of the ame& <roust alrea#* o!!ose# a more multi!lea$# localie# homosexualit* which i$clu#es all 'i$#s of tra$ssexual commu$icatio$s& such

as flowers a$# "ic*cles-) +$ a "eautiful !assage o$ cross(#ressi$g& ;oc?ue$ghem tal's a"out

a tra$smutatio$ from o$e or#er to a$other as though it were a$ i$te$sive co$ti$uum of

su"sta$ces There is $o i$terme#iar* "etwee$ ma$ a$# woma$& or the u$iversal me#iator is

o$e !art of a worl# tra$sferre# i$to a$other as o$e moves from o$e u$iverse to a$other&

!arallel to the first& or !er!e$#icular& or #iago$al or rather its a millio$ #is!lace# gestures&

tra$sferre# characteristics& eve$ts))) %ar from closi$g itself i$ o$ the i#e$tit* of a sex& this

homosexualit* o!e$s itself u! to a loss of i#e$tit*& to the s*stem actualii$g $o$(exclusive

co$$ectio$s of !ol*vocal #esire) :e see how the to$e has cha$ge# at this !recise !oi$t o$

the s!iral the homosexual is $o lo$ger #ema$#i$g to "e recog$ie#& $o lo$ger ta'es himself

to "e a su"/ect #e!rive# of his rights ,let us live i$ !eace& after all& ever*o$es a little ga*)))

homosexualit*(#ema$#& homosexualit*(recog$itio$& homosexualit* of the same& e#i!al

form& .rca#ie st*le-)3 The $ew homosexual is a"out "ei$g i$ such a wa* that he ca$ fi$all*

sa* $o"o#* is homosexual& it #oes$t exist) Nou treat us li'e homosexuals& F& "ut were

alrea#* elsewhere) There is $o more homosexual su"/ect& "ut homosexual !ro#uctio$s of

#esire& a$# homosexual assem"lages that !ro#uce uttera$ces& !roliferati$g ever*where& e)g)

XA a$# cross(#ressi$g& i$ sexual relatio$s as well as i$ !olitical struggles) There is $o more

a$gr*& #ivi#e# Gi#e(su"/ect& $or eve$ a <roust(su"/ect feeli$g guilt*& eve$ less a !athetic

<e*refitte(elf) :e u$#ersta$# "etter how ;oc( ?ue$ghem ca$ "e ever*where o$ the s!iral

324



<B=%.= T

;E=G;=Aa$# sa* all at o$ce homosexual #esire is s!ecific& there are homosexual uttera$ces& "ut

homosexualit* is $othi$g& its /ust a wor#& a$# *et lets ta'e it literall*& lets !ass $ecessaril*

through it& to ma'e it *iel# all the other$ess it co$tai$sa$# this other$ess is $ot the

u$co$scious of !s*choa$al*sis& "ut the !rogressio$ of a future sexual "ecomi$g)

! +"anter;s !rt1

The films lo$g o!e$i$g shot to the music of ou!eri$) :e see the camera move& sto! i$ this

!articular #ecor& that !articular s!ot& "efore this exam!le of architecture)

:e see the #irector laugh& s!ea'& !oi$t to somethi$g the film crew wor's o$ a !articular

arra$geme$t of eleme$ts) :e fear this is /ust o$e more exam!le of that wa* of i$tro#uci$g&

i$to the film& the film i$ the ma'i$g) uc'il*& it is$t) The o!e$i$g is $ot lo$g at all) The

cameras mo"ilit* i$ this film a!!ears to "e somethi$g $ew) +t is a wa* of !la$ti$g) ot

"ur*i$g the camera o$ its feet& "ut ra!i#l* !la$ti$g it& /ust "elow the surface of the soil or

terrai$& a$# the$ carr*i$g it elsewhere to !la$t it over agai$) .$ art of rice the camera is

sta""e# i$ the soil& the$ sta""e# agai$& farther awa*& i$ a lea!) o ta'i$g root& /ust sta"s) +$

the film itself& the camera& the crew a$# the #irector will !o! u! su##e$l* right $ext to the

cou!le ma'i$g love this is $ot a literar* effect& $or a reflectio$ of the film(ma'i$g !rocess

i$ the film rather& the camera is see$ "ecause it was !la$te# here& sta""e# there& to "e

imme#iatel* !ic'e# u! a$# !la$te# elsewhere)

The film& ever*thi$g which the film shows& follows this !roce#ure without the least

artifice) The film a$# its o!e$i$g are the same mo"ile stor* i$ two mo#es) . so$ 'ills himself&

a$# the father& as though u$hi$ge#& will !ass through a series of metamor!hoses a sa#istic

325



<B=%.= T

;E=G;=Asmall(time croo'& a #istur"i$g wise ma$& a $oma#ic wal'er& a *ou$g ma$ i$ love) The actor

who !la*s the father& <atrice Dall*& #is!la*s a #ee! so"riet*& a$ almost hum"le ma$$er& which

i$te$sifies the viole$ce of the metamor!hoses) The !retext is a sort of i$?uir* i$to the so$s

#eath) The realit* is the "ro'e$ chai$ of metamor!hoses& which o!erates $ot "*

tra$sformatio$& "ut "* lea!s a$# "ou$#s) $e "eautiful sce$e is with Boger <la$cho$& the

wise ma$& /um!i$g arou$# a *ou$g woma$& tr*i$g to !ersua#e her of somethi$g i$ the ai$t(

ul!ices s?uare) :ith asto$ishi$g moveme$ts& <la$cho$ re!eate#l* !la$ts himself "efore her)

.$other is with <ierre Culie$& the $ervous sa#ist& who !ulls the !la*er i$ ever* #irectio$&

height& #e!th& le$gth& carvi$g u! s!ace as with a '$ife)

+ts li'e a stor* !la$te# i$ <aris& $ot at all heav* a$# static& "ut with light sta"s that

corres!o$# to each camera !ositio$) The stor* comes from elsewhere it comes from outh

.merica& from the a$tiago(>orges(>io* easres e$sem"le& "ri$gi$g with it that !ower of

metamor!hosis which o$e fi$#s i$ the $ovels of .sturias& a$# it ema$ates from other

la$#sca!es the ava$$ah& the !am!as& a fruit com!a$*& a fiel# of cor$ or rice) The !recise

!oi$t at which the stor* is i$serte# or stuc' i$ <aris is a small "oo'store& The Two .meric(

as& the fathers "usi$ess) >ut there is $o a!!licatio$ i$ the stor*& $o s*m"olism& $o literar*

game& as though a$ +$#ia$ stor* were "ei$g tol# i$ <aris) +$stea#& the stor* is !recisel* share#

"* the two worl#s& a cit* fragme$t a$# a !am!as fragme$t& each of which is ?uite mo"ile the

o$e is stuc' i$ the other a$# carries it awa*) :hat a!!ears co$ti$uous i$ the o$e woul# "e #is(

co$ti$uous i$ the other& a$# vice versa) + am thi$'i$g of the a#mira"le wa* i$ which a$tiago

filme# the i$terior of the Aeu#o$ "servator* a metallic a$# #eserte# cit* has "ee$ !la$te#

i$ a forest) The tam(tams lea! from ou!eri$s music& the !arrots screech i$ the #eo$ hotel&

a$# the <arisia$ "oo'seller is trul* a$ +$#ia$)

326



i$ema has alwa*s "ee$ closer to architecture tha$ to theatre) . !articular relatio$ ofarchitecture a$# of the camera hol#s ever*thi$g together here) The metamor!hoses have

$othi$g to #o with fa$tas* the camera lea!s from o$e !oi$t to a$other& arou$# a$ architecturalwhole& /ust as <la$cho$ lea!s arou$# the huge sto$e fou$tai$) The "oo'stores characters lea!

from o$e to the other arou$# Haler*& the heroi$e who '$ows how to stri'e architectural !oses)ta$#i$g or "e$#i$g& lea$i$g or u!right& she watches the metamor!hoses from Aeu#o$ she isat o$ce the victim a$# the i$stigator of the game she is the ce$ter for the "oo'sellers lea!s).ctrice oelle hatelet what tale$t a$# "eaut*& what stra$ge gravit* i$ the #etaile# love

sce$e) :hat a"out the wa* i$ which she& too& though #iffere$tl* tha$ the "oo'seller& mai$tai$sher relatio$shi! with the other worl#@ :hat she sa*s i$ architecture& i$ her loo'& a$# i$ her

!ositio$& he sa*s i$ moveme$ts& i$ music& a$# i$ the camera) +t is stra$ge that the critics #i#$tcare for this film& eve$ if it were o$l* a$ ex!erime$t i$ ci$ema e$#owe# with a $ew mo"ilit*)

a$tiagos !revious film& ;nvasion, was alrea#* movi$g i$ this #irectio$) ,The tie"rea'er wh*is the "oo'seller $ame# !i$oa@ Aa*"e "ecause the two .mericas& the two worl#s& the cit*

a$# the !am!as& are li'e two attri"utes of a$ a"solutel* share# su"sta$ce) .$# this has $othi$g

to #o with !hiloso!h*& it is the su"sta$ce of the film itself)-otes

ntrodtion

1) +$ 1989& Deleue reviewe# a$# orga$ie# his wor' as a whole& i$clu#i$g his "oo's& accor#i$g to a series of ge$eralthemes +) %rom ;ume to >ergso$ ++) lassical tu#ies +++) ietschea$ tu#ies +H) ritical a$# li$ical H)

=sthetics H+) i$ema tu#ies H++) o$tem!orar* tu#ies H+++) The ogic of e$se +K) .$ti(e#i!us K)

Differe$ce a$# Be!etitio$ K+) . Thousa$# <lateaus

esert s"ands

1) Cea$ Girau#oux& Su(anne et 'e )acifi@ue ,<aris Grasset& 1922- ree#ite# i$ Oeuvres romanes@ues comp'etes, vol 1,<aris Gallimar# <leia#e& 1990-)

:ean ,yppo"ite;s Logic and Existence

1) cf) Revue pi'osopi@ue de 'a .rance et de ;etranger, vol) K+H& $o) 7(9& /uillet(se!tem"re 1954& !!) 457(460)

;*!!olites 4ogi@ue et E!istence was !u"lishe# "* <E% i$ 1953) Cea$ ;*!( !olite ,1907(1968-& !hiloso!her a$# ;egel

s!ecialist& was Deleues teacher for the 'hag$e !rogram at ouis(le(Gra$# high school) .fter "ecomi$g a !rofessor at

the or"o$$e& ;*!!olite later su!ervise#& with George a$guilhem& the #ip'ome dEtudes Superieures which Deleue

receive# for his wor' o$ ;ume) Deleues #issertatio$ woul# "e !u"lishe# "* <E% as Empirisme et subjectivite i$ 1953&

i$ the collectio$ =!imethe hea#e# "* ;*!!olite) $ several occasio$s& whe$ i$terviewe#& Deleue refers to his

327



a#miratio$ as a stu#e$t for ;*!!olite& to whom Empirisme et subjectivite is #e#eicate#) >e*o$# !a*i$g homage& this is

the first Deleuia$ text that ex!licitl* formulates the h*!othesis of a$ o$tolog* of !ure #iffere$ce which will co$sti(

tute& as we '$ow& o$e of the 'e* theses i$ #ifference et repetition% I=#itors $oteJ

2) Cea$ ;*!!olite& *enesis and Structure of +ege's )enomono'ogy of Spirit ,=va$sto$ orthwester$ E$iversit* <ress&

1974-)

3) Cea$ ;*!!olite& 4ogic and E!istence ,.l"a$* EN <ress& 1997-)

ergson) 159-1941

1) Aaurice Aerleau(<o$t*& e#) 4es )i'osopes ce'ebres% =#itio$s #.rt ucie$ Aae$o#& 1956) <!) 292(299) The

followi$g *ear Deleue e#ite#& for the <resses E$iversitaires #e %ra$ce& a collectio$ of selecte# texts "* >ergso$& u$#er

the title Memoire et vie some of the refere$ce $otes s!ecif* this e#itio$) The !agi$atio$ refers to the curre$t e#itio$ of

>ergso$s i$#ivi#ual wor's !u"lishe# "* the <E% i$ the ua#rige collectio$)

% 4a )ensee et 'e mouvant ++)

D% Matiere et memoire +& !) 74)

9% 4 Evo'ution creatrice +++)

% )M%

P% )M5%

>% MM, +++)

8) Z++)

% )M;%

56% )M'''%

11) Z+H)

12) ZT+)

328



13) MM +++)

14) :H+& !) 196(197)

15) )M +K& !) 259(260)

16)

17) MM +++)

18) Z5 H)

19) AA +++)

20) AA +H& !) 269)

21) AA ++& !) 115 a$# +++& !) 188)

22) MM +++)

23) <AH+& !) 206(207)

24) <AH+& !) 208)

25) Z +H)

26) :ill)

27) 7:H+)

329



2$ ergson;s Coneption o' i''erene

1) %rom 4es Etudes bergsoniennes, vol) +H& 1956& !) 77(112) .ll the refere$ces are Deleues a""reviate# citatio$s for

>ergso$s wor's i$ %re$ch) +$ their or#er of a!!eara$ce& rhe* are A A M Matiere etMemoire B5P$ )% M% Q 4a )ensee

et 'e Mouvant B595$ E% S% Q 4Energie spriritue''e B55$ M% R Q 4es #eu! sources de 'a mora'e et de 'a re'igion

B5D$ E% &% Q 4Evo'ution creatrice B56>$ #% ;% M Essai sur 'es donnees immediates de 'a conscience B5$ #% S% Q

#uree et simu'taneite B5$% The !age $um"ers corres!o$# to the e#itio$s Deleue use# a$# are $ote# i$ the text) The

!agi$atio$ refers to the curre$t e#itio$s of >ergso$s wor' from <E% i$ the ua#rige collectio$)

2) AA& !) 19& !) 62(63)

3) )M, !) 52(53)

4) )M, !) 197)

5) )M, !) 207)

6) )M, 23)

7) ES, p% 4)

8) ES, first cha!ter)

9) MR, !) 263)

10) AB& !) 292)

55% E&, p% 217)

12) <A& !) 61)

13) E&, !) 107)

14) E&, !) 107)

330



T=

29) E&, p% 184&264(265) MR, !) 225)

1) E&, p% 107)

2) E&, p% 316 s?)

3) E&, !) 232&235)

4) MM, !) 182)

5) )M, !) 61)

6) )M, !) 208)

7) <A !) 179)

8) <A& !) 199)

9) MM, !) 59)

10) ZV& first cha!ter)

11) #;, !) 90)

12) MM, !) 219)

13) )M, p% 163& 167)

14) E&, !) 267& 270)

15) )M, !) 81)

16) ZV5& !) 67)

17) <& cha!) 1)

18) Z& !) 127)

19) E&, !) 86)

20) E&, !) 88)

21) A<& !) 313)

22) E&, !) 53 s?)

23) )M, !) 58)

24) <& !) 54)

25) A<& !) 316)

26) MR, !) 314)

27) A<& !!) 313(315)

28) ES, p% 13)

30) ES, !) 11

31) )+ #o $ot "elieve& however& that >ergso$ was i$flue$ce# "* <lato o$ this !oi$t) loser to him was Ga"riel Tar#e& who characterie# his

ow$ !hiloso!h* as a !hiloso!h* of #iffere$ce a$# #ist i$guishe# it from !hiloso!hies of o!!ositio$) >ut >ergso$s co$ce!tio$ of

esse$ce a$# the !rocess of #iffere$ce is ver* #iffere$t from Tar#es)

1) MR, !) 111)

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T=

2) E&, !) 88 s?)

3) )M, !) 198)

4) )M, !) 207)

5) MR, !) 317)

6) )M, !!) 259(260)

7) MM, !) 247)

8) MM, !) 249)

9) MM, !) 74)

10) <A& !) 210)

11) ES, !) 137)

12) ES, !) 137)

13) MM, !!) 172(173)

14) )M, !!) 183(184)

15) ES, !) 140)

16) ES, !) 140)

17) E&, p% 201)

18) #;, 3r# cha!ter)

19) )M, !) 214)

20) )M, !) 59)

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21) MM, !) 83 s?)

22) MM, !) 115)

23) MM, !) 188)

9% ;bid%

25) MM, !) 272)

26) <A& !!) 169(170)

27) AA& !) 226)

28) )M, !) 208)

32) 75) )M, !) 210)

33) ;d% MM, !) 188)

77) AA !) 190)

78) MM, !) 173)

79) MM, !) 168)

80) AA !) 180)

81) ES, p% 132)

82) MM, !) 180)

83) AA& !) 135)

84) MM, !) 83)

85) AA& !) 139)

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86) #;, !) 180)

87) AA& !) 250)

88) Z& !) 220)

89) E&, !) 231)

90) E&, !) 319(326)

91) AA& !) 65)

92) E&, !) 255)

93) #;, !) 137)

34$ :ean-:a?es Bossea8 +rersor o' >a'a) Ce"ine) and +onse

1) f) Arts, $o) 872& 6(12 /ui$ 1962& !) 3 ,$ the occasio$ of Bousseaus 250th "irth#a*-) .tte$#i$g the or"o$$e i$ 19591960& Deleue #evote# a

*ear of coursewor' to Bousseaus !olitical !hiloso!h*& of which there exits a t*!e# summar*& e#ite# "* 'e &entre de #ocumentation de 'a Sorbonne%

Ie#itors $oteJ

2) Essai sur 'origine des ngues, +K& i$ Oeuvres comp'etes, vol) H ,<aris Gallimar# <leia#e& 1995-& !) 396)

3) 4es &onfessions, ++& i$ Oeuvres comp'etes, vol) + ,<aris Gallimar# <leia#e& 1959-& !) 56)

4) 4es &onfessions, H++& i"i#)& !) 277)

5) T) #e ui$ce*& 4es #emiers jours dEmmanue'Fant ,Toulouse m"res& 1985-)

6) 4a Nouve''e +e'oise, troisieme !artie& lettre KK& i$ Oeuvres comp'etes, vol) ++ ,<aris Gallimar# <leia#e& 1961- 1558)

7) 4a Nouve''e +e'oise, ?uatrieme !artie& lettre K++& i"i#)& !) 496)

35) 4a Nouve''e +e'oise, ?uatrieme !artie& lettre K+H& i"i#)& !) 509

334



D = = B T + . D . D T ; = B T = K T

36) )9) 4a Nouve''e +e'oise, ci$?uieme !artie& lettre +++& i"i#)& !) 571)

37$ The dea o' <enesis in >ant;s 6sthetis

1) Revue desteti@ue, vol) KH+& $o) 2& avril(/ui$ ,<aris <E%& 1963-& !) 113(136) That same *ear& Deleue will !u"lish

Fants &ritica' )i'osopy also with <E%)

2) f) &riti@ue du judgment, +$tro#uctio$& [ 2& 3& 4& 5) =#) $ote .ll refere$ces to Fa$t i$ the article come from &riti@uedu jugement, tra$s) Gi"eli$ ,<aris Hri$& 1960-)

3) [ 35)

4) $ this theor* of !ro!ortio$s& cf) [ 21)

5) [ 14 a$# 51) +$ these two !assages& Fa$t ma'es the followi$g argume$t colors a$# sou$#s woul# "e ge$ui$e esthetic

eleme$ts o$l* if the imagi$atio$ were a"le to reflect the vi"ratio$s that com!ose them "ut this is u$li'el*& si$ce the s!ee#

of vi"ratio$s !ro#uces #ivisio$s of time that esca!e us) ;owever& [ 51 #oes a#mit such a !ossi"ilit* for certai$ !eo!le)

6)

12) [ 49 a$# 57)

7$ ,o* :arry;s +ataphysis Opened the %ay 'or +henomeno"ogy

1) .lfre# Carr*& 4a &ande''e verte, a <assio$ co$si#ere# comme course #e cote i$ Oeuvres comp'etes, + ,<aris

Gallimar# <leia#e& 1987-& !) 420(422)

% Te *ay Science, +++& [ 125 +uman, A'' Too +uman, ++& 2$# !art& [ 84)

D% *estes et opinions du docteur .austro'', patapysicien, livre ++& viii& i$ Oeuvres comp'etes + ,<aris Gallimar# <leia#e&

1972-& !) 668)

4) Fostas .xelos& a Gree' !hiloso!her& hea#e# the series .rgume$ts !u"lishe# "* =#itio$s #e Ai$uit& where Deleue

eve$tuall* !u"lishe# two "oo's )resentation de SacerMasoc ,1967- a$# Spino(a et 'eprob'eme de Te!pression ,1968-)

Des!ite frie$#l* ties& Deleue sto!!e# seei$g .xelos after the !u"licatio$ i$ 4e Monde ,.!ril 28& 1972& !) 9- of a "rief

article o$ Anti-Oedipus i$ which .xelos most $ota"l* wrote A* lo*al frie$#& ho$ora"le %re$ch !rofessor& goo#

hus"a$#& excelle$t father of two charmi$g chil#re$& ,))) - woul# *ou li'e *our stu#e$ts a$# *our chil#re$ i$ their effec tive

life to follow the exam!le of *our ow$ life& or .rtau#s life& which so ma$* scri""lers claim for themselves@ I=#itors

$oteJ

335



D = = B T + . D . D T ; = B T = K T

$ F,e %as my TeaherF

1) Arts, 28 $ovem"re 1964& !!) 8(9) $e mo$th earlier artre ha# refuse# the o"el !rie)

2) Guest-ce @ue 'a 'itterature= ,<aris Gallimar# %olio =ssais- 162(163)

D% Guest-ce @ue 'a 'itterature=, i"i#)& 293)

9$ The +hi"osophy o' Crime o#e"s

1) Arts et 4oisirs, $o) 18& 26 /a$vier(1 fevrier& 1966)

2) +$ 1945& the $ovelist Aarcel Duhamel create# a erie oire at Gallimar# it is a series #e#icate# to the crime

$ovel& which he hea#e# till 1977)

3) Aaurice e"la$c& Arsene 4upin contre Ser'oc: +o'mes, 1908& ree#ite# "* ivre #e <oche)

4) +$ 1952& a #emocratic se$ator issue# a re!ort o$ orga$ie# crime i$ .merica)

5) M% 'e )resident ,<aris %lammario$& 1987-)

10$ On <i".ert Simondon11) 1) Revue pi'osopi@ue de 'a .rance et de Tetranger, vol) H+& $o) 1(3& /a$v(mars 1966& !!) 115(118) This

wor' "* G) imo$#o$ ,1924(1989- was !u"lishe# i$ 1964 at <E%& coll) =!imethee) +ts a !artial !u"licatio$ of his

#octorat #=tat 4individuation a 'a 'umiere des notions de forme et dinformation, which he #efe$#e# i$ 1958) The

seco$# !art was $ot !u"lishe# u$til 1989& at .u"ier& u$#er the title 4individuation psyci@ue et co''ective%

336



D = = B T + . D . D T ; = B T = K T

12$ ,mans8 ! .ios 6xistene

13) 1) 4e Nouve' Observateur, ler /ui$ 1966& !!) 32(34) $ Aichel %oucaults "oo'& Te Order of Tings8 An

arceo'ogy of te +uman sciences, tra$s) .la$ heri#a$(mith) ew Nor' Ba$#om ;ouse& 1970)

14) '%M&, !) 321)

15) 3) M&, !) 353)

1D$ The ethod o' ramati=ation

1) 3u''etin de 'a Societe francaise de )i'osopic, 61e a$$ee& $o) 3& /uillet(se!tem"re 1967& !!) 89(118) ,Beu$io$ of the

%re$ch ociet* of <hiloso!h* o$ Ca$uar* 28& 1967 !rese$t are %er#i$a$# .l?uie& Cea$ >eaufret& Georges >ouliga$#&

ta$lislas >reto$& Aaurice #e Ga$#illac& Cac?ues Aerleau(<o$t*& oel Aoulou#& .lexis <hilo$e$'o& uc* <re$a$t&

<ierre(Aaxime chuhl& Aichel ouriau& Cea$ Ellmo& Cea$ :ahl)- This tal' ta'es u! some of the themes from #ifference

and Repetition ,<aris <E%& 1969-& Deleues #issertatio$ for his #octorat dEtat, which he was fi$ishi$g at the time&

u$#er the #irectio$ of Aaurice #e Ga$#illac& a$# which he woul# #efe$# earl* i$ 1969) ee es!eciall* cha!ters 4 a$# 5)

2) +$ #ifference and Repetition, Deleue refers to the wor' of B) Bu*er& E'ements de psyco-bio'ogie ,<aris <E%& 1946-

cha!) iv)

D% f) 4e Temps retrouve i$ A 'a Recerce du temps perdu ,<lcia#e& 1989- 451)

4) Cea$ :ahl ,1888(1974-& !hiloso!her& !oet& '$ow$ for his stu#ies o$ .merica$ !hiloso!h*& Descartes& <lato& a$#

existe$tial !hiloso!hies ,Fier'egaar#& artre-)

5) <)(A) chuhl ,1902(1984-& s!ecialist i$ a$cie$t !hiloso!h*& wor'e# exte$sivel* o$ the thought of <lato)

6) oel Aoulou# ,1914(1984-& !hiloso!her& #evelo!e# a structural a!!roach to e!istemolog*)

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=

17) %er#i$a$# .l?uie ,1906(1985-& !hiloso!her& s!ecialist of Descartes a$# Fa$t&

a$# o$e of Deleues !rofessors at the or"o$$e)Aaurice #e Ga$#illac ,")1906-& !hiloso!her& s!ecialist i$ me#ieval thought& a$# tra$slator of Germa$

!hiloso!hers from the eightee$th( a$# $i$etee$th(ce$turies) Deleue !a*s himhommage i$ DB%& es !lages #immi$a$ce)

7) Aichel ouriau& !hiloso!her& has #evote# stu#ies to the !hiloso!h* of Fa$t a$# the ?uestio$ of time)

8) ) <re$a$t ,1891(1978-& !hiloso!her& ei"$i s!ecialist)

9) C) Ellmo ,1906(1980-& !hiloso!her& e!istemologist)

10) G) >ouliga$# ,1899(1979-& !hiloso!her a$# mathematicia$)

11) C) Aerleau(<o$t*& "or$ i$ 1916& !hiloso!her a$# e!istemologist& has also wor'e# o$ cosmolog*)

12) Cea$ >eaufret ,1907(1982-& !hiloso!her& authore# $umerous stu#ies o$ ;ei#egger ,whose wor' >eaufret is latgel*

res!o$si"le for i$tro#uci$g i$to %ra$ce- a$# o$ Gree' thought)

13) ) >reto$& "or$ i$ 1912& theologia$& !hiloso!her& !riest)

14) .) <hilo$e$'o& "or$ i$ 1932& !hiloso!her& Fa$t a$# %ichte s!ecialist)

1$ Con"sions on the %i"" to +o*er and the 6terna" Betrn

1) &aiers de Royaumont no% ;8 Niet(sce ,=#itio$s #e Ai$uit& 1967-& !!) 275(287)

2) Deleue orga$ie# a collo?ium o$ ietsche which too' !lace i$ the .""e* of Bo*aume$t& Cul* 4(8& 1964) This is the

o$l* such eve$t that he woul# ever orga$ie) .s is customar*& Deleue ha# to tha$' the !artici!a$ts a$# sum u! their

!ositio$s)

3) f) Iaratoustra, +++& De la visio$ #e le$igme a$# e co$valesce$t)

9% ;bid%

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=

5) *ai Savoir, H& 346)

6) 3eyond *ood and Evi', 213 Thi$'i$g a$# ta'i$g somethi$g seriousl*& ta'i$g o$ its "ur#e$& its o$e a$# the same for

them& the* have $o other ex!erie$ce))

7) Iaratoustra, ++& Des hommes su"limes)

% f) harles Augler& #eu! temes de 'a cosmo'ogie grec@ue8 devenir cyc'i@ue et p'ura'ite des mondes ,Fli$c'siec'&

1953-)

9) Iaratoustra, +++& e co$valesce$t)

19$ iet=she;s rst o' aghter

1) Ta'e$ from a$ i$terview "* Gu* Dumur& 4e Nouve' Observateur, .!ril 5& 1967& !!) 40(41)

2) + have reco$stitute# the ?uestio$ missi$g from the origi$al text) +t is a"out the e#itio$ of ietsches Oeuvres pi'osopi@ues comp'etes ,<aris Gallimar#& 1967-& for which Deleue a$# %oucault ha# writte$ together a ge$eral

i$tro#uctio$ i$ *ai Savoir8 .ragments postumes B55-5$, vol H& !!)) i(iv) Ie#itors $oteJ

20$ ystiism and asohism

21) 1) +$terv iew "* Aa#elei$e ha!sal& 4a Guin(aine 'itteraire, 115 avril 1967& !) 13) The occasio$ is the

!u"licatio$ of )resentation de SacerMasoc, accom!a$ie# "* o$e of Aasochs wor's& 4a enus a 'afourrure ,=#itio$s

#e Ai$uit& 1967-)

2) igmu$# %reu#& Oeuvres comp'etes, vol) KH ,<E%& 1996-)

3) 4a Mere de #ieu a$# )eceuses dames were $ewl* e#ire# "* ham! Hallo$ i$ 1991)

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22$ On iet=she and the mage o' Thoght

1) =#itors ri#e) +$terview with Gil"ert Deleue IsicJ) o$#ucte# "* Cea$(oel Huar$et& 4es 4ettres francaises, $o)

1223& 28 fev(5 mars 1968& !!) 5& 7& 9)

2) ee foot$ote 2 for text $o) 16)

3) u#wig %euer"ach& 4Essence du cristianisme ,<aris %) Aas!ero& 1968-)

4) .rrhur Bim"au#& letter to <aul Deme$*& Aa* 5& 1871& Oeuvres comp'etes ,<leia#e& 1972- 252)

23$ <i""es e"e=e Ta"s +hi"osophy

24) 1) +$terview co$#ucte# "* Cea$ette olom"el& 4a Guin(aine 'itteraire, $o) 68& 1(15 mars 1969& !!l8(19)

25$ <ero"t;s <enera" ethod 'or Spino=a

1) Revue de metapysi@ue et de mora'e, vol) KKK+H& $o) 4& octo"re(#ecem"re 1969& !!) 426(437) The article refers to

A) Gueroults Spino(a, ;, L#ieu, Eti@ue ,<aris .u"ier(Ao$taig$e& 1968-)

% 4Evo'ution et 'a structure de 'a #octrine de 'a Science ce( .icte ,es >elles ettres- vol) +& !) 174)

3) f) #escartes se'on ;ordre des raisons ,.u"ier-& vol) 1& ava$t(!ro!os)

4) %or exam!les of such $exuses or i$tersectio$s i$ Descarres& cf) #escartes vol) 1& !) 237& 319)

5) ) Bo"i$so$& Fommentar (u Spinosas Eti: ,ei!ig %) Aei$er& 1928-) Gueroulr cites a$# #iscusses this comme$tar*

several times)

6) %or .icte, Gueroulr alrea#* shows how co$srructa"ilit* is exte$#e# to tra$sce$#e$tal co$ce!ts& #es!ite their

#iffere$ces of $arure with geometric co$ce!ts)

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7) The i$?uir* i$to this is o$e of the more !rofou$# as!ects of Gueroulrs metho# for exam!le& !!) 178(185 ,the

orga$iatio$ of !ro!ositio$ 11 wh* is the existe$ce of Go# #emo$strate# "* his su"sta$tialit* a$# $ot "* the $ecessar*

exisre$ce of the co$stitutive attri"utes@-& !!) 300(302 ,wh* #o the eter$it* a$# the immura"ilir* of Go# a$# his artri"utes

a!!ear i$ 19 a$# 20& i$ relatio$ to causalit* a$# $ot #ivi$e esse$ce@-& !!) 361(363 ,wh* is$t the status of will i$ 32&

#irectl* co$clu#e# from rhe status of u$#ersta$#i$g i$ 31& "ut resulrs "* a whole orher !ath@-) There are ma$* other

exam!les throughout the "oo')

8) Ma'ebrance, 3 vol)& ,<aris .u"ier(Ao$taig$e& 1955(1959-)

9) f) .icte, vol) ++& !) 3)

10) .!!e$#ice $o) 2 ,!!) 426(428-) f) also a!!e$#ice $o) 6 ,!!) 471(488-) . com!ariso$ with the Sort Treatise ma'es

a rigorous a!!eara$ce i$ ha!ter +++)

11) $ these two misrea#i$gs& see the #efi$itive accou$t i$ a!!e$#ix $o) 3 ,es!eciall* the criticism of i$ter!retaio$s "*

>ru$schvicg a$# =#uar# vo$ ;artma$$-)

12) Gueroult& Spino(a !) 163& 167)

13) +"i#)& !!) 149(150& 156(158& a$# es!eciall* a!!e$#ix $o) 17 ,!!) 581(582-)

14) +"i#)& !) 153& 162)

15) +"i#)& !) 158) Gueroult !rovi#es further !roof that a theor* of multi!licities is full* ela"orate# "* !i$oa whe$

Gueroult a$al*es a$other t*!e of multi!licit*& o$e that is !urel* mo#al& "ut $o less irre#uci"le to $um"er see a!!e$#ix

$o) 9& ex!licatio$ #e la ettre sur ll$fmi)

16) +"i#)& !) 234& 447) Gueroult !oi$ts out that the Etics #oes $ot a!!l* the terms simp'e! or ens simp'icissimum to Go#)

17) +"i#)& !) 202&210)

18) +"i#)& !) 33)

19) $ the am"iguit* of the $otio$ of figure& see a!!e$#ix $o) 1 ,!) 422-)

20) +"i#)& !) 161)

21) +"i#)& !) 141 !i$oa sa*s *ou will ?uic'l* see where + am hea#e# !rovi#e# *ou simu'taneous'y Bsimu'$ 'ee! i$

mi$# the #efi$itio$ of Go#) imilarl*& it is im!ossi"le to '$ow the real $ature of the tria$gle if the a$gles of which it is

com!ose# have $ot "ee$ co$si#ere# a$# their !ro!erties $ot #emo$strate# although we woul# $ot have "ee$ a"le to sa*

a$*thi$g a"out the $ature of the tria$gle either& $or the !ro!erties which its $ature im!oses o$ the a$gles that com !ose it&

if the true i#ea of its esse$ce ha# $ot "ee$ simulta$eousl* give$ to us& moreover& i$#e!e$#e$tl* of them) .$# !) 164

The attri"utes have a character such that the* ca$ "e relate# to o$e same su"sta$ce& as soo$ as there exists a su"sta$ce so !erfect that it #ema$#s that the* "e relate# to it as the u$i?ue su"sta$ce) >ut i$sofar as the existe$ce of such a su"sta$ce

has $ot "ee$ #emo$strate# "* mea$s of the i#ea of Go#& we are $ot o"lige# to relate them to it a$# the co$structio$ ca$$ot

"e com!lete#) .lso& !!) 226(227 The u$icit* !ro!er to the i$fi$itel* i$fi$ite $ature of Go# is the !ri$ci!le of u$it* i$

him of all the su"sta$ces that com!ose him) ;owever& the u$sus!ecti$g rea#er i$cli$es towar# the o!!osite rea#i$g& that

!i$oa must !rove the u$icit* of Go# "* his u$it*))) :ith u$faili$g co$siste$c*& !i$oa ta'es the o!!osite !ath he

!roves the u$it* of su"sta$ces $ot "* virtue of their $ature& "ut "* virtue of the $ecessar* u$icit* of #ivi$e su"sta$ce)))

:he$ce we fi$# co$firme# o$ce agai$ that the ge$erati$g !ri$ci!le of the u$it* ol su"sta$ces i$ #ivi$e su"sta$ce is $ot as

has "ee$ thought it is $ot the co$ce!t of su"sta$ce as #e#uce# i$ the first eight )ropositions that woul# lea# to !luralism&

"ut the $otio$ of Go#)

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22) +"i#)& !) 204& !!) 191(193)

23) +"i#)& !) 206)

24) +"i#)& !) 238& 447)

25) +"i#)& !) 239)

26) +"i#)& !!) 379(380)

27) +"i#)& !) 237 2;nfinite'y different as to teir essence, the* are thus identica' as to teir cause, a$ i#e$tical ting

mea$i$g i#e$tical cause& a$# !) 260)

28) f) !) 290 ,a$# !) 285& where Gueroult clarifies The i$comme$sura"ilit* of Go# with his u$#ersta$#i$g mea$s o$l*

that Go# as cause is a"solutel* other tha$ his u$#ersta$#i$g as effect& a$# !recisel*& it follows that the i#ea as i#ea must

"e a"solutel* other tha$ its o"/ect) Thus&

P% incommensurabi'ity in tis case does not at a'' mean te radica' incompatibi'ity of te conditions of

:now'edge wit te ting to be :nown, but on'y te separation and te opposition of te subject and te object, of wat

:nows from wat is :nown, of the thi$g from its i#ea& a se!aratio$ a$# a$ o!!ositio$ which& far from im!e#i$g

'$owle#ge& o$ the co$trar* ma'e it !ossi"le)))-)

29) +"i#)& !) 281 Thus& !ara#oxicall*& the attri"utio$ to Go# of a$ u$#ersta$#i$g a$# a will which are i$comme$sura"le

with our ow$& i$ fact co$ceals a$ i$veterate a$thro!omor!hism& all the more harmful that it !rese$ts itself as its su!reme$egatio$)

30) +"i#)& !) 12 ,a$# !!) 9(11& the co$fro$tatio$ with Descartes& Aale"ra$che a$# ei"$i& who still !reserve a

!ers!ective of emi$e$ce& a$alog*& or eve$ s*m"olism i$ their co$ce!tio$ of the u$#ersta$#i$g a$# !ower of Go#-)

31) +"i#)& see !) 267)

32) +"i#)& see the two !assages !!) 347(348& 381(386)

27$ The &issre o' !naxasoras and the oa" &ires o' ,era"its

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1) &riti@ue, $o) 275& avril 1970& !!) 344(351) This article is a"out three wor's "* Fostas .xe( los ers 'a

)enseep'anetaire ,=#itio$s #e Ai$uit& 1964- Arguments dune recerce ,=#itio$s #e Ai$uit& 1969- 4e?eudu monde

,=#itio$s #e Ai$uit& 1969-& a"ri#ge# res!ectivel* H<<& .B& CA) $ the !erso$al relatio$s "etwee$ Deleue a$# .xelos&

see $ote 4 i$ ;ow Carr*s <ata!h*sics o!e$e# the :a* for <he$ome$olog*))

2) H<<& !) 46)

3) .B& !) 172)

4) H<<& !!) 100(102)

5) CA)266)

6) CA& 254)

7) CA& !) 273)

8) H<<& !) 295) ;er"ert Aarcuse& stra$gel* e$ough& su!!orts his criti?ue of fu$ctio$al or u$i( #ime$sio$al la$guage "*

i$vo'i$g a tra#itio$al co$ce!tio$ of the /u#gme$t of existe$ce a$# attri"utio$ B+omme unidimensione', =# #e Ai$uit& !)

119 s?)-) The use .xelos ma'es of Aar( cuses $otio$s u$i#ime$sio$al a$# multi#ime$sio$al will "ecome clear

mome$taril*)

9) CA& !) 412)

10) H<<& !) 312)

11) .B& !) 160 s?)

12) f) .$#re Gluc'sma$$& 4e #iscours de 'a guerre ,;er$e-& !!) 235(240)

13) $ the ?uestio$ +s there a u$iversal co$flagratio$ accor#i$g to ;eraclitus@& see .xeloss comme$tar* i$ +erac'ite

et 'a pi'osopic ,=#) #e Ai$uit& 1962- !!) 104(105 E$iversal co$flagratio$& u$#ersto# as total a$$ihilatio$& !rovisio$al

or #efi$itive& is $ot a ;eraclitea$ visio$) >ecause the worl# is $ot create# "* fire& it ca$$ot "e rea"sor"e# "* it))) %ireca$$ot overcome a$# a$$ihilate the other eleme$ts "ecause /ustice resi#es i$ #iscor# a$# harmo$* i$ strife) :oul#

;eraclitus& after i$sulti$g ;omer for wa$ti$g #iscor# to cease& which woul# "e the #estructio$ of the E$iverse& himself

commit the su!reme co$tra#ictio$ of #estro*i$g the E$iverse either mome$taril* or forever@ +f the worl# is the fire i$ all

thi$gs& how woul# it "e !ossi"le for the worl# to "e co$sume# "* fire@

14) .B& !!) 20(22)

15) f) .xeloss !reface to G*org* u'acs& +istoire et conscience de c'asse%

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5P% >esi#e these two texts o$ ;eraclitus a$# .$axagoras i$ .B& see H<<& 4a )ensee fragmentaire de 'a tota'ite ce(

)asca', a$# Rimbaud et 'a poesie du monde p'anetaire%

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28) f) Cac?ues =hrma$$& homme e$ /eu& &riti@ue, $o 266) =hrma$$s five

theses at the e$# of his article corres!o$# to .xeloss co$ce!tio$ 1- Thegame has $o su"/ect 2- the game is commu$icatio$ 3- the game is a s!ace(time s!iral 4- the game is fi$ite a$# u$limite#& si$ce it traces its ow$ limits5- the game im!lies a$# ex!lai$s what is "e*o$# the game)18) =uge$ %i$'& 4e ?eu comme symbo'e du monde, =#) #e Ai$uit)

29$ ,me

1) +$ %ra$cois hatelet& e#)& +istoire de 'a pbi'osopbie, t% ;8 4es4umieres ,<aris ;achette& 1972-& !!) 65(78)

2) D) ;ume& Traite de 'a nature umaine, tra#) ero* ,<aris .u"ier& 1973-& !) 552 A Treatise of +uman Nature, ++& <art

3& ec)9) =ither Deleue or ;umes %re$ch tra$slator mista'e$l* has !ercussio$ i$strume$t for the origi$al stri$g

i$strume$t I=lie Duri$gs $oteJ)

3) ;ume& Treatise of +uman Nature, ++& <art 1& ec) 10)

4) ;ume& Treatise of +uman Nature, +++& <art 2& ec) 3 ,foot$ote-)

30$ ,o* do %e Beosni=e Strtra"ismG

1) +$ %ra$cois hatelet& e#)& +istoire de 'a pi'osopic vol) H+++ 4e UUe Siec'e ,<aris ;achette& 1972-& !!) 299(335)

2) Cac?ues aca$& Ecrits ,<aris euil& 1966-& !!) 386(389 Ii$ Be!o$se au comme$taire #e Cea$ ;*!!olite sur la

Her$ei$u$g #e %reu#J)

3) aca$ $o #ou"t has go$e the furthest i$ the origi$al ana'ysis of the #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ imagi$ar* a$# s*m"olic) >ut

this #isti$ctio$ itself& i$ its #iverse forms& is fou$# i$ all the structuralists)

4) ee lau#e evi(trauss& Be!o$ses a ?uel?ues ?uestio$s& Esprit-DDA 1 ,1963- !!) 636(637)

5) Tra$s $ the co$ce!t of a !ure& u$exte$#e# spatium, see Deleue& #ifference et repetition ,<aris <E%& 1968-& !!)

296(297& #ifference and Repetition ,ew Nor' olum"ia E$iversit* <ress& 1994-& !!) 229(231)

6) ouis .lthusser& i$ 4ire 'e &apita', 2 vol)& ,<aris Aas!ero& 1965-& 2 !) 157 0Reading &apita', tra$s) >e$ >rewster

,ew Nor' Hersom 1979-& !) 180J)

7) Aichel %oucault& 4es Mots et 'es &oses ,<aris Gallimar#& 1966-& !!) 329(333 0Te Order of Tings ,o tra$slator

attri"ute#- ,ew Nor' Hi$tage& 1970-& !!) 318(322J&

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8) Cac?ues aca$& Ecrits !) 30 Iemi$ar o$ The <urloi$e# etter& tra$s) Ceffre* Aehlma$& Va'e .renc Studies 48

,1972-& !) 60J)

9) lau#e evi(trauss& Be!o$ses a ?uel?ues ?uestio$s) Esprit 33)11 ,1963-& !) 637)

10) Tra$s .lthusser& )our Mar! ,<aris Aas!ero& 1965-& !!) 87(128 .or Mar!, tra$s) >e$ >rewster ,ew Nor'

<a$theo$& 1969-& !!) 89(127)

11) Tra$s ee Deleue& 4ogi@ue du sens ,<aris Ai$uit& 1969-& !!) 88(89& 4ogic of Sense ,ew Nor' olum"ia

E$iversit* <ress& 1990-& !) 71)

12) Tra$s .lthusser& )our Mar! ,<aris Aas!ero& 1965-& !!) 131(152 .or Mar!, tra$s) >e$ >rew( ster ,ew Nor'

<a$theo$& 1969-& !!) 131(151& The <iccolo Teatro >ertolai a$# >recht)

13) Tra$s Te coup de des meta!hor is associate# i$ %re$ch literature with Aallarmes !oem& E$ cou! #e #es /amais

$a"olira le hasar#)))& Oeuvres comp'etes, =#s) ;e$ri Ao$#or a$# G) Cea$( .u"r* ,<aris Gallimar#& <leia#e& 1945-& !!)

45 5(477& a$# Deleue cites ietsches Iaratustra i$ #ifference et repetition, !!) 361(364 0#ifference and Repetition,

!!) 282(284J) ee also #ifference et repetition, !!) 255(260& 364 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 197(202J Niet(sce et

'a pi'osopic ,<aris <E% 1962-& !!) 29(31 0Niet(sce and )i'osopy, tra$s) ;ugh Tomli$so$ ,ew Nor' olum"ia

E$iversit* <ress& 1983-& !!) 25(27J 4ogi@ue du sens, !!) 74(82 04ogic of Sense, !!)

31) 58(65J .oucau't ,<aris Ai$uit& 1986-& !!) 124(125 0.oucau't, tra$s) ea$ ;a$# ,Ai$$ea!olis E$iversit* of

Ai$$esota <ress& 1988-& !) 17J)

14) Tra$s Deleue #raws this exam!le from the wor' of Ba*mo$# Boussel) ee #ifference et repetition, !) 159

0#ifference and Repetition1, !) 121)

15) Tra$s $ the three t*!es of #etermi$atio$& see #ifference et repetition !!) 221 (224 0#ifference and Repetition, !!)

170(173J)

16) Tra$s ee #ifference et repetition, !) 237 0#ifference and Repetition, !) 183J for a #efi$itio$ of structure as

multi!licit* a$# the criteria followi$g which a$ +#ea emerges)

17) lau#e evi(trauss& Antropo'ogic structura'e ,<aris <lo$& 1958-& vol) 1& !!) 235(242 I1963& Structura'

Antropo'ogy +& Tra$s) laire Caco"so$ a$# >roo'e Gru$#fest choe!f ,ew Nor' >asic >oo's-& !!) 213(218J)

18) Tra$s +t is clear from this a$# later argume$ts ,cf) the fourth criterio$ "elow- that Deleue esta"lishes o$e

corres!o$#e$ce re!rese$te# "* the #iffere$tial relatio$s(s!ecies(varia"les tria#& a$# a$other re!rese$te# "* the

si$gularities(orga$ic !arts(fu$ctio$ tria#) ;e$ce& our tra$slatio$ of les u$s ))) les autres as former a$# latter&

rather tha$ as some s!ecies ))) others this tra$slatio$& i)e) as a ra$#om variatio$ between s!ecies woul# miss the

#ou"le as!ect& o$l* o$e si#e of which "ears o$ s!ecies as such& the other si#e ex!ressi$g itself as the #istri"utio$ of

!arts witin a s!ecies) $ the #isti$ctio$ s!ecies!arts& see #ifference et repetition, !!) 318(327 0#ifference and

Repetition, !!) 247(254J ,i$ fact& most of cha!ter 5 #eals with this orga$iatio$ that ha!!e$s at the mome$t of

actualiatio$-)

19) lau#eevi(trauss& Antropo'ogic structura'e 1& !!) 343(344 0Structura'Antropo'ogy 1& !!) 310(312J)

20) erge eclaire& om!ter avec la !s*cha$al*se& &aierspour 'ana'yse 8 ,1967-& !!) 97(105)

21) ouis .lthusser& 4ire 'e &apita' ,<aris Aas!ero& 1965-& !!) 152(157 0Reading &apita', tra$s) >e$ >rewster ,ew

Nor' Herso& 1979-& !!) 177(180J) f) also =tie$$e >ali"ar i$ .lthusser 4ire 'e &apita', !!) 205(211 0Reading &apita',

!!) 211(216J) Tra$s ee Deleues reformulatio$& #ifference et repetition, !!) 240(241 0#ifference and Repetition, !!)

186(187J)

22) Boma$ Ca'o"so$& Essais de 'inguisti@uegenerate, 1 ,<aris Ai$uit& 1963-& ch) H+ I!!) 103(149J

32) 0.undamenta's of 4anguage ,The ;ague Aouto$& 1956-& !!) 3(51J)

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23) Tra$s This ex!ressio$ is #raw$ from <rousts 4e Temps retrouve, i$ A 'a Recerce du temps perdu ,<aris

Gallimar#& <leia#e& 1954-& 3& !) 873 see Marce' )roust et 'es signes ,<aris <E%& 1964&

33) 1970& 1971& 1976-& !!) 71(73& )roust and Signs, tra$s) Bichar# ;owar# ,ew Nor' G) >railler& 1972-& !!)

56(59) $ the co$ce!t of virtualit*& see #ifference et repetition, !!) 269(276 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 208(214J)

24) ouis .lthusser& 4ire 'e &apita' 1& !) 82& 2& !) 44 0Reading &apita' 64& !!) 97(98J)

25) Tra$s $ the #isti$ctio$ "etwee$ #iffere$tiatio$ 0differencier1 a$# #iffere$tial 0differentier1, see #ifference et

repetition, !!) 270271 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 209211J)

26) The "oo' "* Cules Huillemi$& )i'osopic de Ta'gebre ,<aris <E%& 1960& 1962-& !ro!oses a #etermi$atio$ of

structures i$ mathematics) ;e i$sists o$ the im!orta$ce i$ this regar# of a theor* of !ro"lems ,followi$g the

mathematicia$ ."el-& a$# of !ri$ci!les of #etermi$atio$ ,reci!rocal& com!lete a$# !rogressive #etermi$atio$ accor#i$gto Galois-) ;e shows how structures& i$ this se$se& !rovi#e the o$l* mea$s of realii$g the am"itio$s of a true ge$etic

metho#)

27) Cea$ <ouillo$& oeuvre #e lau#e evi(trauss& 4es Temps Modernes 126 ,1956-& !) 155)

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34) =#mo$# rtigues& 4e #iscours et 'e symbo'e ,<aris .u"ier& 1962-& !) 197)

rtigues also mar's the seco$# #iffere$ce "etwee$ the imagi$ar* a$# thes*m"olic the #ual or s!ecular character of the imagi$atio$& i$ o!!ositio$to the Thir#& to the thir# term which "elo$gs to the s*m"olic s*stem)ouis.lthusser& 4ire 'e &apita+, !!) 169(177 0Reading &apita', !!) 187(193J)Tra$s ee C)( .) Ailler& a suture ,eleme$ts #e la logi?ue #u sig$ifia$t-& &abierspour ;ana'yse 12 ,1966-& !!) 49(51 Iuture ,eleme$ts of the logicof the sig$ifier-& Tra$s) Cac?ueli$e Bose& Screen 18)4 ,1977(78-& !!) 32(34J)

% lau#e evi(trauss& Antropo'ogic structura', !) 224 0Structura' Antropo'ogy, !) 203J)

29) erge eclaire& a mort #a$s la vie #e lo"se#e& 4a )sycana'yse 2 ,1956-) Tra$s Deleue refers to eclaires

a$al*ses i$ #iscussi$g ?uestio$s a$# !ro"lems as livi$g acts of the u$co$scious& #ifference et repetition, !!) 140(141

0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 106(107& 316(317 f$) 17J)

30) Tra$s +$ a tra$slators $ote i$ /at ;s )i'osopy=, ;ugh Tomli$so$ a$# Graham >urchell remar' +$ her

tra$slatio$ of artres 3eing and Notingness ,ew Nor' <hiloso!hical i"rar*& 1956-& ;ael >ar$es tra$slates objectite,

which she glosses as the ?ualit* or state of "ei$g a$ o"/ect ,!)632-& as o"/ect$ess or& o$ occasio$& as o"/ect(state) :e

have !referre# o"/ectalit* i$ li$e with Aassumis tra$slatio$ of visageite as facialit* i$ A Tousand )'ateaus ,Deleue

a$# Guattari& /at ;s )i'osopy= Iew Nor' olum"ia E$iversit* <ress& 1994J& !!) 3(4-) $ the ?uestio$!ro"lem as

o"/ective i$sta$ces& see #ifference et repetition, !!) 219(221 X 359 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 169(170&280(281J)

31) lau#e evi(trauss& 4e Totemisme aujourdui ,<aris <E%& 1962-& !) 112 0Totemism, tra$s) Bo#$e* ee#ham

,>osto$ >eaco$ <ress& 1963-& !!) 77(78J) Tra$s $ totemism a$# its structuralist i$ter!retatio$& see Mi''ep'ateau!

,<aris Ai$uit& 1980-& !!) 288(89 0A Tousand )'ateaus, tra$s) >ria$ Aassumi ,Ai$$ea!olis E$iversit* of Ai$$esota

<ress& 1987-& !) 236J)

32) Tra$s $ serialiatio$ a$# its relatio$ to aca$s a$al*sis& see 4ogi@ue du sens, !!) 51(55 04ogic of Sense, !!) 37(

40J)

33) Cac?ues aca$& Ecrits 15 Iemi$ar o$ The <urloi$e# etter& !) 44J)

34) Cac?ues aca$& 4e Myte individua' du nevrose ,<aris DE& 1953- IThe eurotics +$#ivi#ual A*th& tra$s)

Aartha oel =va$s& Te )sycoana'ytic Guarter'y 48 ,1979-& !) 405(425J& re!ri$te# i$ revise# form i$ Ornicar, !!) 17

18& 1979)

35) <hili!!e ollers& #rame ,<aris euil& 1965-) Tra$s Deleue sa*s that ollerss $ovel ta'es as its motto a formula

"* ei"$i u!!ose& for exam!le& that someo$e #raws a $um"er of !oi$ts o$ the !a!er at ra$#om) ))) + sa* that it is

!ossi"le to fi$# a geometric li$e the $otio$ of which is co$sta$t a$# u$iform accor#i$g to a certai$ rule such that his li$e

!asses through all the !oi$ts)))& a$# a##s The e$tire "egi$$i$g of this "oo' is co$structe# o$ the two formulae

<ro"lem))) a$# Aisse#)))) eries are trace# out i$ relatio$ to the si$gular !oi$ts of the "o#* of the $arrator& a$ i#eal

"o#* which is thought rather tha$ !erceive#& #ifference et repetition, !!) 257 0#ifference and Repetition, !) 326 f$)

16J)

36) Cea$(<ierre %a*e& Ana'ogues ,<aris euil& 1964-)

37) igmu$# %reu#& Oeuvres comp'etes, vol) +K ,<aris <E%& 1998-)

38) lau#e evi(trauss& 4e Totemisme aujourdui 115 0Totemism, !!) 79(81J)

39) Tra$s The allusio$ refers .rthur Bim"au#s e$igmatic !rose !oem ; a$# to the fi$al li$e& trouve ;orte$se

Ifi$# ;orte$seJ) ee Bim"au#& Oeuvres comp'etes ,<aris Gallimar#& 1972- 151)

96% Tra$s $ the refrai$& see #ifference et repetition 161 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 122(123J)

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41) .$#re Gree$& o"/et ,a- #e C) aca$& &aierspour 'ana'yse 3 ,1966-& !) 32)

42) Cac?ues aca$& Ecrits, !) 25 Iemi$ar o$ The <urloi$e# etter& !) 55 tra$slatio$ mo#ifie#J) Tra$s ee also

#ifference et repetition, !) 157 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 199(200J)

43) Tra$s $ the simulta$eousl* relative a$# a"solute status of moveme$ts ,as characterii$g the co$ce!t-& see Guest-

ce @ue 'a pi'osopic= ,<aris Ai$uit& 1991- 26(27 0/at ;s )i'osopy=, tra$s)

35) ;ugh Tomli$so$ a$# Graham >urchell ,ew Nor' olum"ia E$iversit* <ress& 1994-& !!) 21(22J)

44) Tra$s ee 4ogi@ue du sens, !!) 55(56 04ogic of Sense, !!) 40(41J)

9% Aichel %oucault& 4es Mots et 'es coses, !!) 19(31 0Te Order of Tings, !!) 3(16J)

46) Tra$s Deleue cites ollers a$# %a*e i$ his #iscussio$ of the "li$# s!ot i$ #ifference et repetition, !) 257

0#ifference and Repetition, !) 326J&

47) C(.) Ailler a suture ,eleme$ts #e la logi?ue #u sig$ifia$t-& !!) 44(49 Iuture ,eleme$ts of the logic of the

sig$ifier-& !!) 26(32J)

48) lau#e evi(trauss& +$tro#uctio$ a %oeuvre #e Aarcel Aauss& !!) 49(59& i$ Aarcel Aauss& Socio'ogie et

antropo'ogic, <aris <E%& 1950) Tra$s ee also 4ogi@ue du sens, !!) 63(64 04ogic of Sense, !!) 48(50J)


50) Tra$s $ the o"/ect M ! a$# wor# M !, see #ifference et repetition, !!) 1 56163 0#ifference and Repetition, !!)

118(125J)

51) Aichel %oucault& Raymond Rousse' ,<aris Gallimar#& 1963- 0#eat and te 4abyrint8 Te /or'd of Raymond

Rousse', tra$s) harles Buas ,Gar#e$ it*& N Dou"le#a*& 1986-J)


53) Tra$s $ the !hallus as o"/ect M !,2 see the thirt*(seco$# series i$ 4ogic of Sense%

54) f) Aachere* i$ 4ire 'e &apita', !!) 242(252& the a$al*sis that Aachere* carries out o$ the $otio$ of value& showi$g

that this $otio$ is alwa*s staggere# i$ relatio$ to the excha$ge i$ which it a!!ears)

55) %oucault 4es Mots et 'es coses, 392 0Te Order ofTings, !) 380J Tra$s $ the status of #iffere$t or#ers i$

relatio$ to o$e a$other& see #ifference et repetition, !!) 236(242 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 182(186J)

P% Tra$s See #ifference et repetition, !!) 251(266 0#ifference and Repetition, !!) 195(206J a$# 4ogi@ue du sens, !!)

67(73 04ogic of sense, !!) 52(57J)

>% Aichel %oucault& 4es Mots et 'es coses, !) 353 0Te Order of Tings, !) 342J)

58) Tra$s ee #ifference et repetition, !!) 316(319& !!) 354(357 ,co$clusio$- 0#ifference andRepetition, !!) 246(248&

!!) 276(279J)

59) lau#e evi(trauss& 4e &ru et 'e &uit ,<aris <lo$& 1964-& !) 19 0Te Raw and te &oo:ed, tra$s) Coh$ a$# Doree$

:eightma$ ,ew Nor' ;ar!er a$# Bow& 1964-& !) 11J)

60) f) the schema !ro!ose# "* erge eclaire& followi$g aca$& i$ . la recherche #es !ri$ci!es #u$e !s*chothera!ie

#es !s*choses& 4Evo'ution psyciatri@ue 2 ,1958-)

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61) $ the Aarxist $otio$s of co$tra#ictio$ a$# te$#e$c*& cf) the a$al*ses of =tie$$e >ali"ar& i$ .lthusser& 4ire 'e

&apita', !!) 296(303 0Reading &apita', !!) 283(293J)

62) f) Aichel %oucault& 4es Mots et 'es coses, !) 230 0Te Order ofTings, !) 217J structural mutatio$ Ithis !rofou$#

"reach i$ the ex!a$se of co$ti$uitiesJ& though it must "e a$al*e#& a$# mi$utel* so& ca$$ot "e ex!lai$e# or eve$ summe#

u! i$ a si$gle wor#) +t is a ra#ical eve$t that is #istri"ute# across the e$tire visi"le surface of '$owle#ge& a$# whose sig$s&

shoc's& a$# effects& it is !ossi"le follow ste! "* ste!)

3D$ Three <rop-Be"ated +ro."ems

1) <reface to %elix Guattari& )sycana'yse et transversa'ite ,<aris %ra$cois Aas!ero& 1972-& !!) i(xi) Deleue a$#

Guattari will met i$ the summer of 1969& i$ imousi$& a$# ver* ?uic'l* #eci#e# to wor' together) +$ 1972& Anti-Oedipus

sig$ale# the "egi$$i$g of their collective efforts& which woul# co$ti$ue for twe$t* *ears & Faf:a 8 .or a Minor

4iterature ,1975-& Tousand )'ateaus ,1980-& /at ;s )i'osopy ). ,1991-) f) DB%& the letter to E$o comme$t $ous

avo$s travaille a #eux)

2) Guattari was i$itiall* a milita$t co$$ecte# with Trots'*ism ,which will get him throw$ out of the %re$ch Gommu$ist

<art*-& a$# the$ later agitate# i$ several #iffere$t grou!s ,vi)& 'a oie communiste, Opposition de *auce, 'e

mouvement du mars$ at the same time& he /oi$e# the team of ex!erts at the $ow famous a >or#e cli$ic& whe$ Dr)

Cea$ ur* first o!e$e# it i$ 1953) +t is i$ this cli$ic that the fou$#atio$s of i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!* woul# "e #efi$e#

i$ "oth !ractical a$# theoretical terms& followi$g the !io$eeri$g wor' of Dr) Tos?uelles ,i$ which the !s* chothera!eutic

cure is thought of as i$se!ara"le from the a$al*sis of i$stitutio$s-) Guattari& as a mem"er of the =B%+ ,the e$ter for

Besearch a$# +$stitutio$al %ormatio$-& was a stu#e$t of aca$ from the ver* "egi$$i$gs of the emi$ar a$# a mem"er of

the %re$ch %reu#ia$ school i$ <aris) The texts from )sycana'yse et transversa'iteretrace the ste!s of his e$tire

#evelo!me$t from a theoretical a$# !ractical sta$#!oi$t)

3) Aarcel Caeger& E$#ergrou$# #e la folie& i$ %olie !our folie& )artisans, fevrier 1972)

4) &aiers de erite, serie cie$ces humai$es et utte #es classes& $o) 1)

5) Deleue has here a##e# a $ote o$ a !erso$al co!* for exam!le& !olitical eco$om* is #eci#e# at least #eci#e# at a

=uro!ea$(wi#e level& whereas social !olitics remai$ the co$cer$ of the tate)

6) Aichel %oucault& Madness and &ivi'i(ation% Ba$#om ;ouse& 1965& a!!e$#ice +)

37$ F%hat Or +risoners %ant &rom /s$$$F

1) 4e Nouve' Observateur, 31 Ca$vier 1972& !) 24) =arl* i$ 1971& Deleue /oi$e# the G+< ,The Grou! for +$formatio$ o$

<riso$s-& which was esta"lishe# i$ 1970 with the gui#a$ce of Da$iel Defert a$# Aichel %oucault) %ollowi$g the

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#issolutio$ of the G+< i$ Decem"er 1972& the .DDD was forme# ,.ssociatio$ for the Defe$se of the Bights of

<riso$ers-) Deleue !artici!ate# i$ the .ssociatio$ with Da$iel Deferr& Cea$(Aarie Dome$ach& Domi$i?ue =luar#& a$#

Hercors) +$ Cu$e 1971& Deleue wrote a "rief !ress release o$ the Cau"ert .ffair& which a!!eare# i$ the su!!leme$t to 4a

&ause du )eup'e-?accuse% ,The /our$alist .lai$ Cau"ert& "eate$ u! i$ a !olice va$ as he accom!a$ie# someo$e i$/ure#

#uri$g a #emo$stratio$& ha# "ee$ i$#icte# for assaulti$g a !olice officer)- %or further #ocume$tatio$& see <) .rtieres& e#)&

4e *roupe dinformation sur 'esprisons8 arcives dune 'utte 5>5L5> ,<aris +A= =#itio$s& 2002-)

2) +$ Decem"er 1971 a$# Ca$uar* 1972& more tha$ thirt* riots "ro'e out i$ the !riso$s atToul& a$c*& a$# ille) $

Ca$uar* 18& 1972& Deleue !artici!ate# with Cea$(<aul artre& lau#e Aauriac& Aichele Hia$& .lai$ Cau"ert& a$# ma$*

others i$ a sit(i$ orga$ie# "* Aichel %oucault& i$ the great hall of the Ai$istr* of Custice)

3) Dr) =#ith Bose& a !s*chiatrist for the e* !e$ite$tiar* at Toul& ha# co$#ucte# a re!ort o$ the #ete$tio$ co$#itio$s of

the !riso$ers tortures& suici#es& !u$ishme$t& the use of tra$?uiliers& etc) %oucault rea# lo$g !assages from it #uri$g a

!ress co$fere$ce i$ Toul o$ Decem"er 16& 1971& a$# with his frie$#s !urchase# a !age of 4e Monde to ma'e !u"lic

"efore its a!!eara$ce the official i$?uir* of A) chmelc') %rom Dr) Boses re!ort& Deleue com!ose# a "rief $otice& . !ro!os #es !s*chiatres #a$s les !riso$s i$ the .< "ulleti$ o$ Ca$uar* 9& 1972& i$ which he calle# o$ !s*chiatrists a$#

!s*choa$al*sts& #amagi$g wit$esses i$ the !riso$s& to #e$ou$ce the !e$ite$tiar* regime i$ %ra$ce) Dr) Bose will "e

#ismisse# from the !e$ite$tiar* a#mi$istratio$)

4) The <leve$ reforms& followi$g the chmelc' re!ort o$ the !riso$ riots at Toul& aime# at the im!roveme$t of #ete$tio$

co$#itio$s& cafeterias& exercise& etc)

3$ nte""eta"s and +o*er

1) .$ i$terview with Aichel %oucault o$ Aarch 4& 1972& i$ 4Arc, $o) 49 Gilles Deleue& 1972& !!) 3(30)

2) f) :hat ur <riso$ers :a$t %rom Es& $ote 1)

3) ee :hat ur <riso$ers :a$t %rom Es& $ote 3)

4) f) ur la /ustice !o!ulaire) De"at avec les maos ,5 fevrier 1972-& 4es Temps modernes, $o) 310 bis, /ui$ 1972& !!)

355(366) Be!ris i$ #its et Ecrits, vol) ++& $o) 108 ,<aris Gallimar#& 1994-)

39$ Bemars (on :ean-&ranois yotard

40) 1) 4a Guin(aine 'itteraire, $o) 140& 1(15 mai 1972& !) 19) These remar's are o$ Cea$(%ra$cois *otar#s

#iscours, .igure ,<aris Fli$c'siec'& 1971-) #iscours, .igure is *otar#s #octoral thesis Deleue was o$e of the

mem"ers o$ the #efe$se committee)

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41$ e"e=e and <attari &ight a$$$

1) f) a Guin(aine 'itteraire, $o) 143& 16(30 /ui$ 1972& !!) 15(19) This is a rou$#(ta"le #iscussio$ with %ra$cois

hatelet& <ierre lastres& Boger Da#ou$& erge eclaire& Aaurice a#eau& Ba!hael <ivi#al& <ierre Bose& a$# ;e$ri

Torru"ia) The #irector of the Guin(aine, Aaurice a#eau& i$ colla"oratio$ with the !hiloso!her %ra$cois hatelet& wa$te#

to co$fro$t the authors of Anti- Oedipus with s!ecialists from several huma$ scie$ces !s*choa$al*sis ,Boger Da#ou$&

erge eclaire-& !s*chiatr* ,;e$riTorru"ia-& sociolog* ,Ba!hael <ivi#al-& !hiloso!h* ,%ra$cois hatelet-& a$# eth$olog*

,<ierre lastres-)

2) f) Se!ua'iteumaine ,<aris .u"ier& 1970-)

42$ ,e"ene Cixos) or %riting in Stro.e

1) 4e Monde, $o) 8576& 11 aout 1972& !) 10) ,$ the "oo' "* ;) ixous& Neutre ,<aris rasser& 1972-)

2) ;) ixous& #edans ,<aris Grasset& 1969-)

D% ;) ixous& 4E!i' de ?ames ?oyce ou Tart de remp'acement ,<aris Grasset& 1968-)

4) tro"e or stro"elight the #iscou$ti$uous lighti$g of a sce$e) The effect !ro#uce# #e!e$#s o$ the fre?ue$c* of the

flashes a$# moveme$ts i$ the sce$e)

43$ Capita"ism and Shi=ophrenia

1) The %re$ch text is a tra$slatio$ from the +talia$& i$ a$ i$terview with Hittorio Aarchetti& a!italismo e

schio!hre$ia& Tempi Moderni, $o) 12 ,1972-& !!) 47(64)

2) .rthur Bim"au#& ne Saison en enfer, Aauvais sa$g& i$ Oeuvres comp'etes ,<leia#e& 1972-& !) 95)

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,$ $;s etters

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44) Suicides dans 'esprisons e$ 1972 ,<aris Gallimar#& coll) +$tolera"le& 1973-&

!!) 38(40) This text is u$sig$e#& the usual !ractice for G+< it was writte$with Da$iel Defert& a sociologist& Aichel %oucaults !art$er a$# co(fou$#er of

G+<) ee the i$tro#uctor* $ote to :hat ur <riso$ers :a$t %rom Es)<ierre.r!ailla$ges& Director of rimi$al .ffairs a$# <ar#o$s at the Custice

De!artme$r si$ce Be$e <leve$ ha# ra'e$ office i$ Cu$e 1969& !u"lishe# are!ort i$ 1972 severel* criticii$g the wor'i$gs of the !e$ite$tiar* s*stem

,!riso$ #*sfu$ctio$& over!o!ulatio$& etc)-) till secret whe$ Gilles Deleuea$# Aichle Defert com!ose# this text& the re!ort woul# "e ma#e !u"lic "* the

mi$isrer i$ Cu$e 1973)

2) George Cac'so$& a milira$r .frica$(.merica$& was im!riso$e# i$ a$ ue$ti$ a$# ole#a#& where he was mur#ere#

o$ .ugust 21& 1971) Gilles Deleue a$# mem"ers of the G+< colla"orate# o$ a s!ecial e#itio$ 4Assassinat de *eorge

?ac:son ,<aris Gallimar#& coll) +$tolera"le& 1971-)

3) ee :hat ur <riso$ers :a$t %rom Es& $ote 4)

45$ ,ot and Coo"

1) +$ .romanger, 'e peintre et 'e mode'e ,<aris >au#ar# .lvare& 1973-& exhi"itio$ catalogue) >or$ i$ 1939& Gerar#

%roma$ger gets himself $otice# i$ Aa* 68 "* exhi"iti$g huge !lastic s!heres i$ the streets of <aris) >ut Deleue is

co$cer$e# here with the mo$ochrome com!ositio$ which %ro( ma$ger tur$e# to earl* i$ the 70s)

2) A) Acuha$& )our &omprendre 'es medias ,<aris Aame(euil& 1968-& !!) 39(50)

3) D);) awre$ce& Eros et 'es ciens, e#) hristia$ >ourgois ,<aris& 1969- !) 195)

4D$ omadi Thoght

1) ;n Niet(sce aujourdui= tome 58 4ntensites ,<aris EG=& 1018& 1973-& !!) 159(174) %or the #iscussio$ followi$g&

see !!) 185(187 a$#& !!) 189(190 ,o$l* those ?uestio$s a##resse# to Deleue have "ee$ retai$e#-) The co$fere$ce

iersche au/our#hui@ too' !lace i$ Cul* 1972 at the +$ter$atio$al ultural e$ter i$ eris*(la(alle)

2) . high school stu#e$t o$ the extreme left& i$/ure# "* the !olice #uri$g a #emo$stratio$ i$ 1971)

3) Aaurice >la$chot& 4Entretien infini ,<aris Gallimar#& 1969-& !) 227 ifO

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4) %ra$ Faf'a& 4a Murai''e de &ine et autres recits ,<aris Gallimar#& 1950-& !!) 96(96)

5) eo trauss& #e 'a Tyrannic followe# "* Fo/eve& Tyrannie et sagesse ,<aris Gallimar#& 1997-)

47$ On Capita"ism and esire

1) =#itors title) Gilles Deleue& %elix Guattari i$ &est #emain 'a vei''e, e#) Aichel(.$roi$e >ur$ier ,<aris =#itio$s

#u euil& 1973-& !!) 139(161) This i$terview was i$itiall* su!!ose# to a!!ear i$ the magai$e Actue', o$e of whose

#irectors of !u"licatio$ was A)(.) >ur$ier)

2) <ierre Hictor was the !seu#o$*m of >e$$* ev*& the

o$e(time lea#er of rhe <roletaria$ eft ,Gauche !roletarie$$e-& which was outlawe#) f) 4es Temps modernes, ouveau

%ascisme& ouvelle #emocratic $o) 310 "is& /ui$ 1972& !!) 355366)

D% D) Gueri$& 4a Revo'ution francaise et nous ,<aris %) Aas!ero& 1976-) f) also& 4utte des c'asses sous 'a )remiere

Repub'i@ue8 5>DL5>> Bans8 Gallimar#& 1968-)

4) $ George Cac'so$& see $ote 3 for ;)A)s etters)

4$ &i#e +ropositions on +syhoana"ysis

49) 1) rigi$all* !u"lishe# i$ +talia$) Belaio$e #i Gilles Deleue a$# #iscussio$s i$ .rma$#o Her#iglio$e&

e#)& )sicana'isi e )o'itica Atti de' &onvegno di studi tenuto a Mi'ano 'LMaggio 5>D% Aila$ %eltri$elli& 1973& !!) 7(

11& 17(21& 37(40& 44(45& 169(172) ."ri#ge# a$# e#ite#)

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50$ &aes and Sr'aes

1) :ith tefa$ er'i$s'* a$# C)(C) <assera& i$ .aces et Surfaces ,<aris =#itio$s Galerie Farl %li$'er& 1973-) The

occasio$ was the exhi"itio$ catalogue #evote# to a *ou$g <olish artist whose wor' mo$ochrome com!ositio$s

remai$s u$'$ow$ ,the artist 'ille# himself a little after the exhi"it-)

2) ix #rawi$gs "* Deleue& re!ro#uce# i$ &imeres, $o) 21& were !art of the exhi"it)

3) o$ce!ts are $ot i$ *our hea# the* are thi$gs& !eo!les& o$es& regio$s& threshol#s& gra#ie$ts& tem!eratures& s!ee#s&

etc)

4) The "or#er(hole a$# rhe margi$("or#er are the two u$its of !ai$ti$g& amo$g other thi$gs) The o$e ca$ "e u$#erstoo#

as the territorialiario$ of the other& such that the other is the$ the #eterritorialiatio$ of the o$e) >ut all of this is reverse#

whe$ *ou wal' arou$# to the other si#e)

51$ +re'ae to ,o?enshem;s L'Apres-Mai des faunes

1) <reface i$ Gu* ;oc?ue$ghem& 4Apres-Mai desfaunes ,<aris Grasset& 1974- !!) 7(17) Gu* ;oc?ue$ghem ,1946(

1988- was a writer a$# a mem"er of %;.B ,%ro$t homosexuel #actio$ revolurio$$aire ;omosexual %ro$t of

Bevolutio$ar* .crio$& create# i$ 1970-) ;e met Deleue at the E$iversit* of Hi$ce$$es& where Deleue was teachi$g)

2) Gu* ;oc?ue$ghem& 4e #esir omose!ue'B)aris8 =#itio$s E$iversitaires& coll) <s*chorhe?ue& 1972-)

3) The .rca#ie lu" ,1954(1982- was a grou! that forme# arou$# .$#re >au#r*& who "elieve# that homosexuals shoul#

u$ite with #iscretio$& courage& a$# #ig$it*) $ the r ight of the !olitical s!ectrum& >au#r*s grou! was o!!ose# to the

sca$#alous !u"lic #emo$stratio$s of %;.B)

52$ ! +"anter;s !rt

53) 1) +$ #e'eu(e, . aye, Roubaud, Tourainepar'ent de 24es Autres2Lun fi'm de +ugo Santiago, ecrit en

co''aboration avec Ado'fo 3ioy &asares and ?orge 4uis 3orges ,<aris hristia$ >ourgois& 1974-) This is !art of a

"rochure rhat was #istri"ute# at the #oor of the theatre uartier ati$ to #efe$# a$# su!!ort a$tiagos film& which ha#

cause# a sca$#al at the a$$es %ilm %estival i$ 1974)

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54$ ist o' Trans"ators

55$ ergson) 159-1941

56) Tra$slate# "* hristo!her >ush

57$ ,o* do %e Beogni=e Strtra"ismG

58) Tra$slate# "* Aelissa AcAaho$ a$# harles C) tivale

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59$ ,ot and Coo"

60) Tra$slate# "* Teal =ich

D1$ &i#e +ropositions on +syhoana"ysis

358



62) Tra$slate# "* .lexa$#er ;ic'oxndex

63)

64) ."el& iels ;e$ri'& 306 a"solute '$owle#ge& 16& 17

actual& 11& 12& 28& 30& 44& 53& 55& 74& 94& 96& 100& 101& 102& 110&126& 129&142& 168& 178& 180&256 actualit*& 28& 100& 178& 180

actualiatio$& 28& 42& 43& 50& 51& 101& 102& 107& 111&113& 114&

179&180&189&200& 218&306

65) actualie& 28& 30& 40& 42& 44& 51& 87& 94& 99& 100& 101&

102& 108& 109& 111& 114& 115& 179& 180& 181&248&287 .esch*lus&

83

66) affect& 23& 35& 36& 50& 88& 89& 98& 157& 166& 184& 191

67) affirmatio$& 30& 60& 120& 144& 150& 152& 157 .l"ert&

;e$ri& 129 .lgeria$ :ar& 78

68) alie$atio$& 91& 158& 160& 200& 227& 233& 241& 266

69) .l?uie& %er#i$a$#& 105& 300 .lthusser& ouis& 145&

170& 172& 173& 174& 175& 178& 179& 181& 190&191&305&306& 307&

308 a$alog*& 65& 154& 170& 189& 304 .$al*tic of the >eautiful&

56& 60& 61& 63& 64& 66& 70 of the u"lime& 56& 61& 62& 63& 64&7070) .$axagoras& 156& 159& 160& 183& 304 .$#ler& harles&

129

71) a!!aratus& 40& 168& 196& 197& 199&210&211&

72) 260& 267& 268& 269& 270& 276& 280 archeolog*&

91&92&93&259

73) .rieti& ilva$o& 237& 238 .ristotle& 37& 95& 105& 114

.r!ailla$ges& <ierre& 244& 310 arra$geme$t& 276& 283& 289 .rtau#&

.$to$i$& 73& 98& 107& 232& 240& 299 artificial& 55& 103& 167& 180

assem"lage& 197& 207& 243& 287& 288 .sturias& Aiguel .$gel& 84&

290 attri"utio$& 158& 160& 163& 304 .ttila the ;u$& 266

74) attri"utes& 148& 149& 150& 151& 152& 153&

154&290&302&303

75) .xelos& Fostas& 75& 76& 156& 157& 158& 159&

76) 160& 161&299&304 >ach ,C)()-& 60

>achelar#& Gasto$& 171& 180 >aco$& %ra$cis& 162

>ali"ar& =tie$$e& 306& 308 >arthes& Bola$#& 170

>ataille& Georges& 156 >attista& 84 >au#r*& .$#re&

312

77) >eaufret& Cea$& 112& 119& 122& 126& 301 >ec'ett&

amuel& 132& 141& 230& 261 "ecomi$g& 18& 76& 86& 88& 89& 91& 104&

109& 118& 121& 122& 124& 157& 159& 160& 164& 191& 207& 238& 253&

258& 284& 288 "ei$g& 15& 16& 17& 18& 23& 24& 25& 26& 28& 29&

30&32&35&37&39&40& 50&67&73&75&76& 77& 79& 86& 87& 88& 89& 91&

106& 114& 122& 124& 125&143& 146& 147& 149&150& 151& 157& 158&159& 160& 161& 189 >e$ >ar'a& Aeh#i& 84

78) >e$ichou& <ierre& 242& 243

79) >e$tham& Cerem*& 209

80) >ergso$& ;e$ri& 22(51& 101& 105& 111& 138&

81) 139& 144& 292& 296 >eria& avre$ti& 216 >er'ele*& George&

106 >ia$?uis& Ge$evieve& 129 "iolog*& 28& 39& 86& 88& 91& 92& 93& 104&

105&

82) 110& 111& 174 >io* asares& .#olfo& 290&

312 >irault& ;e$ri& 119& 120& 125 >iet& Georges& 127

83) >la$chot& Aaurice& 157& 160& 255& 311 "o#*& 38& 44& 67& 88&

102& 109& 111& 120& 132& 178& 194& 219& 222& 227& 231& 232& 238& 241&

249& 253& 257& 261& 267& 272& 282& 283& 307 >o!!& %ra$& 91&93 a

>or#e li$ic& 202& 309 >orges& Corge uis& 312 >osch& ;iero$*mous&

239 >ouliga$#& Georges& 110& 300& 301 >our"a'i& icolas& 176

"ourgeois& 12& 55& 78& 79& 80& 145& 196& 198& 201& 207& 208& 210& 253&

254& 256& 264& 267& 268& 276& 278 >recht& >ertolt& 305 >reto$&

ta$lislas& 300& 301 >ro#& Aax& 257 >ru$schvicg& Cac?ues& 302

>urc'har#t& Caco" hristo!h& 118 "ureaucrac*& 144& 145 >urroughs&

:illiam& 285 >utler& amuel& 141 calculus& 110& 168& 176 al#well&

=rs'i$e& 84 am!a$a& Di$o& 240 amus& .l"ert& 77&175 a$guilhem&

George& 292 ca!ital& 12& 13& 53& 191& 196& 197& 233& 256&

84) 262& 263& 279 ca!italism& 12& 138& 179& 196&210&211&225&

226& 227& 232& 233& 236& 262& 263& 265& 267& 268& 270& 273& 276& 279

ar#a$& <aul& 195 arroll& ewis& 186 astel& Bo"ert& 276

85) castratio$& 172& 194& 197& 218& 220& 223& 228& 229& 273& 275& 276

1)



86) astro& %i#el& 130

87) eli$e& ouis(%er#i$a$#& 52&

54& 297

88) ha!sal& Aa#elei$e& 131& 132&

133& 134& 301

89) hase& Cames ;a#le*& 81& 84&

85

90) hatelet& %ra$cois& 220& 229&

305& 310

91) hatelet& oelle& 290

92) hristia$it*& 79& 120& 264& 270&

271

93) ixous& ;ele$e& 230& 231& 310

94) lastres& <ierre& 226& 310

95) lausewit& Farl vo$& 158& 159

96) cogito& 74& 92& 98

97) collage& 141& 144

98) collective age$ts of e$u$ciatio$& 197& 199 olli& Giorgio& 117& 128& 135olom"el& Cea$ette& 143& 144& 145& 302 commo$ se$se& 60& 61& 64

com!osite& 26& 27& 31& 35& 36& 37& 38& 39& 42& 50

99) co$ce!t& 16& 18& 22& 25& 30& 31& 33& 36& 39& 41& 42& 43& 44& 48& 51& 56&

57& 59& 60& 62& 67& 86& 88& 92& 93& 94& 96& 98& 99& 101& 103& 104& 105&

107& 108& 110& 141& 171& 176& 185& 195& 221& 224& 235& 237& 238& 255&

256& 272& 281& 282& 298& 302& 303& 305& 306& 307& 312 co$/u$ctio$&

158& 160& 163& 249 co$scious$ess& 10& 11& 12& 15& 16& 20& 22& 33&

41&47&79&81& 109& 110& 114& 119& 130& 144& 194& 207& 208& 216& 244&

255& 258& 261&274

100) co$tract& 19& 55& 133& 134& 167& 201& 202& 242& 243& 253& 254& 255& 257&

259& 276 oo!er& Davi#& 276 ou!eri$& %ra$cois& 289& 290 uvier&

Georges& 91& 93 er'i$s'*& tefa$& 281& 282& 283& 311 Da#ou$& Boger&

224& 226& 310 Dall*& <atrice& 289 Darwi$& harles& 39 Davis& .$gela& 273

Defert& Da$iel& 310& 311 #egree& 26& 27& 29& 30& 31& 32& 34& 35& 37& 38& 39&

42& 43& 44& 46& 47& 48& 49& 50& 166& 168& 169& 184& 186&231&238 #elirium& 73&

165& 166& 219& 229& 235& 262&

101) 263& 273& 275 #e!th,s-& 9& 10& 53& 88& 91& 97& 98& 101& 102& 103&

104&108& 109& 112&119& 120& 121& 126& 151& 171& 180& 195

102) Descartes& Be$e& 146& 147& 154& 155& 252 #esert& 9& 10& 11& 12& 13& 14&

25& 68& 98& 130&

103) 190& 191&290 Desha*es& Bichar#& 252 #esire& 49& 91& 92&

119& 122& 124& 125& 174& 181& 194&195& 197& 198&199&200&201& 203& 212&

213& 214& 216& 217& 218& 219& 220& 222& 223& 224& 225& 228& 229& 231&232& 233& 239& 243& 263& 264& 265& 266& 267& 268& 269& 274& 275& 280&

281& 284& 285& 286& 287& 288 #esiri$g(machi$es& 218& 219& 221& 222&

228&

104) 232& 233& 239& 243& 267& 278 #ialectic& 16& 17& 25& 28& 38&

41& 42& 62& 79& 88& 95& 105& 107& 115& 116& 129& 144& 145& 158& 171&

179&215&286&287 #iffere$ce& 16& 17& 18& 24& 25& 26& 27& 28& 3051&72& 73&

80& 87& 88&90& 91&97&99(100& 101& 105& 108& 111& 114& 120& 122& 123&

125& 126& 133& 142& 143&144&145& 150& 153& 159& 169& 171& 180& 182&

186& 201& 202& 212& 222& 223& 224& 283& 292& 296 #iffere$ce of #egree&

27& 34& 35& 37& 38 #iffere$ce of i$te$sit*& 37& 38& 122& 283 #iffere$ce of

$ature& 26& 27& 28& 30& 31& 33& 35& 37& 38& 42& 46& 50& 97& 99& 125& 126

#iffere$ciatio$& 178& 180& 184 #iffere$tial& 87& 94& 99& 100& 101& 102&

103& 109& 111& 114& 115& 145& 146& 147& 150& 152& 176& 177& 178& 179&

180& 181& 182& 183& 184& 185& 186& 187& 188& 189& 191& 306

105) #iffere$tiatio$& 27& 28& 30& 31& 33& 39& 40& 41& 43& 44& 46& 48& 49& 94& 96&

97& 99& 100& 101& 102& 103& 107&110& 111& 113& 143& 179& 180& 181&306

#is/u$ctio$& 66& 69& 158& 160& 249 #is!aratio$& 87& 89 Dimitrov& Georgi&

269 #isti$ct(o"scure& 94& 103 Dome$ach& Cea$(Aarie& 309 Dostoievs'*&

%*o#or& 126 Do*le& o$a$& 82

106) #rama& 98& 99& 103& 107& 108& 141& 232& 257 #ramatiatio$& 74& 94& 103&

104& 105& 107&

107) 108& 113& 114 Duhamel& Aarcel& 81& 84& 85& 300

Dumeil& George& 180& 181 Duras& Aarguerite& 132

108) #uratio$& 22& 24& 26& 27& 28& 29& 30& 31& 36& 37& 38& 39& 41& 42& 44& 45& 46&

47& 48& 49& 50& 104& 111 Duvert& To$*& 285

109) egg& 11& 13& 14& 72& 88& 96&

105& 106& 214& 238

110) =hrma$$& Cac?ues& 160& 304

111) e'an, 10& 11& 22& 27& 28& 30&

31& 36& 38& 39&

112) 40&44&51 =luar#& Domi$i?ue& 309 em!iricism& 15&

17&25&31&36&60& 141& 142&

113) 162& 163 =$gels& %rie#rich& 53 =$lighte$me$t& 268

e$viro$me$t& 97& 197& 200& 275 e!istemolog*& 100& 110& 170& 220& 221&

236&



114) 239& 300& 301 =r$st& Aax& 141

115) erra$c*& 75&76& 156& 157& 158& 159& 161 esca!e ,li$es of-& 65& 136& 222& 224&

236& 239& 249& 257& 267& 268& 270& 272& 273& 277& 279& 280& 286& 298

eter$al retur$& 117& 121& 122& 123& 124& 125&

116) 126& 127& 157 etiolog*& 132&

140 =ucli#& 141

117) eve$ts& 67& 73& 77& 93& 94& 96& 97& 100& 115& 118& 125& 130& 140& 174&

191& 287& 308 ex!ressio$& 3& 18& 30& 34& 35& 38& 56& 57& 60&

61&65&67&71&76&94& 102& 110& 118& 125&141& 143& 149&

150&153&157&158& 164& 180& 181& 184& 186& 191& 195& 105& 107& 217&

228& 233& 234& 238& 239& 240& 244& 266& 267& 269& 274& 275& 276& 306

exte$sio$& 94& 96& 97& 99& 100& 102& 109& 111& 115& 148& 152& 163&

165& 167& 174& 175

118) exteriorit*& 17& 18& 21& 25& 33& 40& 45& 46& 88& 89&163& 166&

191&204&214&220&231& 255& 256& 257& 258& 267& 283 factual li$es& 33& 34& 38faculties& 32& 41& 56(71& 165& 171 false& 22& 24& 25& 35& 39& 67& 74& 76& 79&

83& 85&92& 100& 118& 119& 135& 138& 139& 145& 147& 165& 179& 209& 262

fascism& 212& 216& 221& 229& 235& 245& 250& 256&267&268&269&286&31 1

%aul'$er& :illiam& 81& 84 %aure& =#gar& 266

119) %a*e& Cea$(<ierre& 183& 186&

307& 308& 312

120) %ere$ci& a$#or& 98 %erli$ghett i& awre$ce& 143 %ermi&

283

121) %euer"ach& u#wig& 137& 302 %;.B ,%ro$t homosexuel

#actio$ revolutio$$aire-& 284& 286& 287& 312 %ichte& Coha$$ Gottlie"&61& 144& 147& 148& 301&302

122) fictio$& 147& 149& 151& 157& 162& 165& 166&

123) 167& 169& 178&230 fi$ite& 30& 91&92& 110& 137& 154 %i$'&

=uge$e& 160& 161&305 fissure& 92& 156& 159& 160& 194& 223& 268

%lecheux& .$#re& 260& 261 flight& 120& 199& 245

124) flow& 123& 194&195& 199&215&219&220&223& 224& 226& 227&

228& 229& 232& 239& 247& 253& 254& 257& 261& 263& 266& 267& 268& 270&

275& 285 flui#& 65& 138

125) flux& 39& 87& 122& 123&267&281 fol#& 48& 50& 63& 70& 77& 90&

92& 93& 96& 100& 103&104&105& 113& 155& 163& 190& 193& 202& 224

126) %orster(ietsche& =lia"eth& 117& 128& 129 %oucault&

Aichel& 72& 73& 79& 90& 91& 92& 93& 118& 120& 126& 129& 125& 137& 170&

172& 174& 175& 182& 186& 187& 189& 190& 191&

200& 212& 234& 266& 267& 300& 301& 305& 306&308&309&310

127) %ourier& harles& 228& 287

128) fragme$t& 75& 76& 128& 150& 157& 158& 159&

129) 160& 163& 195& 206&222 %ra$co& =& 84& 273 %rege&

Gottlo"& 186 %re$ch Bevolutio$& 131 %reu#& igmu$#& 45& 76& 115&

126& 129& 131& 133&136&137&145&171&173&181& 195&

201& 202& 211& 217& 221& 229& 231& 234& 235& 252& 253& 254&

274& 275& 276& 277& 278& 284& 285& 302& 305& 307& 309

130) %roma$ger& Gerar#& 247& 250& 251& 311 Ga"oriau& =mile&

82 Gae#e& =#ouar#& 126 Galois& =variste& 306

131) game& 75& 76& 159& 160& 161& 172& 175& 186& 212& 233& 241& 250&

272& 279& 290& 304& 305

132) Ga$#illac& Aaurice #e& 107& 108& 112& 300& 301

133) Gast& <eter& 129 Gatti& .rma$#& 79& 175 Ge$et& Cea$& 79&

245

134) ge$ius& 56& 66& 67& 68& 69& 70& 71& 80& 81&

135) 82&84& 113& 139 geogra!h*& 9& 10& 11& 12& 98& 213 geometr*&

26& 35& 49& 104& 141& 147& 148&

149& 151& 154&302&307 Ge$ghis Fha$& 260

136) Gia!& Ho gu*e$& 130 Gi#e&

.$#re& 285& 288 G+< ,Grou! for +$formatio$

o$ <riso$s-&

137) 204&206&309&310&3 1 1 Girau#oux& Cea$& 12 Gluc'sma$$&

.$#re& 304 Go#,s-& 11& 12& 13& 14& 16&74&75&76& 102& 109& 110& 112& 118&

120& 123& 137& 138& 139&142& 147& 148&149& 150& 151&152& 153&154& 155&

164&166&175& 180&186& 190& 191& 200& 224& 238& 258& 302& 303 Go#ar#&

Cea$(uc& 141& 255 Gol#"ec'& %re#& 126& 127 Gom"rowic& :itol#& 79

Go*a& %ra$cisco& 251 Greco& =l& 251 Gree$& .$#re& 185& 307 Grimm&

Caco"& 91 Grlic& Da$'o& 126

138) Guattari& %elix& 7& 193& 194& 195& 197& 198& 199& 200& 201& 202&

216& 222& 224& 225& 226& 227& 228& 229& 232& 233& 235& 237& 239&

241& 264& 265& 266& 270& 271& 273& 278&309&310 Gueri$& Da$iel&

268& 311 Gueroult& Aartial& 120& 146& 147& 148& 149&

150& 151& 154& 155&302&303 Gues#e& Cules& 228

139) Gu$$& Cames& 85 ;artma$$& =#uar# vo$& 309 ;egel& Georg

:ilhelm %rie#rich& 15& 16& 17& 18&38&42&93&95& 106& 113& 114& 144& 145&

158& 159& 179& 228& 252& 258& 277& 287& 292



140) ;ei#egger& Aarti$& 75& 77& 79& 157& 159&

141) 161&260&301 ;eraclitus& 74& 122& 159& 160& 304 ;esse&

;erma$$& 126 heteroge$eit*& 26& 87& 97& 113& 150& 163& 214

heterosexualit*& 284& 286

142) ;imes& hester& 85

143) histor*& 18& 41& 47& 74& 84& 90& 92& 93& 118& 126&129& 130& 145&

148&156& 160& 172& 189& 195& 198& 200& 217& 218& 222& 225&

227& 228& 235& 236& 257& 259& 263& 266& 275

144) ;itler& .#olf& 84& 130& 268& 269 ;o""es& Thomas& 81& 151

;oc?ue$ghem& Gu*& 284& 285& 286& 287&

145) 288&3 12 ;omer& 304 homoge$eit*& 35& 101 homosexualit*&

213& 245& 246& 280& 284&

146) 285& 286& 287& 288& 312 huma$ $ature& 46& 91& 164& 165& 166&

167& 169

147) huma$ scie$ces& 91& 92& 142& 200& 233& 236& 237&310

148) ;ume& Davi#& 45&46& 95&138&139& 162& 163& 164& 165& 166&

167& 168& 169& 292& 305 ;usserl& =#mu$#& 77 ;*!!olite& Cea$& 15& 16& 17&

18& 292& 305 i#e$tit*& 11& 15& 16& 18& 25& 40& 41& 77& 90& 91& 101& 118& 123&

124& 149& 152& 153& 155& 158& 166& 185& 186& 187& 188& 190& 191&

196&201&214&222&281 i#eolog*& 172& 175& 181& 191& 192& 195& 197& 207&

210& 213& 217& 218& 220& 221& 225&

228& 239& 263& 264& 265& 271& 272& 277 image& 10& 28& 30& 45& 49&

86& 88& 92& 93&

149) 101& 109& 110& 111& 112& 119&138& 139& 140&141& 144& 168&171&

172& 176&177& 178&179& 181& 185& 187& 191& 194&214& 215& 229& 236& 237&

248& 251& 265& 272 image of thought& 92& 93& 135& 138& 139& 141

imagi$atio$& 9& 10& 11& 13& 15& 46& 54& 56& 57& 58& 59& 60& 61& 62& 63& 64& 65&

66& 67& 68& 69& 70& 71& 79& 105& 115& 148& 164& 165& 166& 167& 168& 171&

172& 173& 180& 181& 182& 183& 184& 185& 298& 306 imagi$ar*& 11& 12& 74& 84&

85& 148& 171& 172& 173& 174& 175& 176& 177& 180& 182& 184& 185& 191& 192&

197& 223& 224& 234& 235& 256& 273& 305& 306 im!erialism& 138& 220& 225&

258& 259& 286 im!ulse& 27& 239& 264 i$#ivi#uatio$& 86& 87& 88& 89& 97& 98&

102& 103& 137& 138&139& 140& 143&190& 191& 222& 300 i$fi$ite& 48& 62& 91&

110& 122& 137&149& 151&

150) 152& 153& 154& 168& 223& 267& 303 i$stitutio$& 19& 20& 21& 78&

167& 195& 196& 198& 200& 201& 202& 210& 211& 218& 225& 228& 236&

241& 253& 254& 255& 257& 259& 271& 272& 274& 276& 278& 280& 309

i$stitutio$al !s*chothera!*& 201& 202& 241& 271&309

151) i$te$sit*& 26& 34& 35& 37& 38& 38& 49& 50& 88& 97& 104& 122&

168& 238& 257& 258& 283 i$te$sive& 87& 88& 97& 98& 102& 103& 108& 111&

152) 122& 123&238&239&257&287 i$teriorit*& 23& 30& 88& 89& 163&

191& 214& 242& 255& 256& 257& 258& 261& 283& 285& 290 i$tuitio$& 22& 23&

25& 26& 27& 30& 33& 35& 36& 37& 41& 48& 59& 65& 67& 81& 99& 104&105& 194

153) isla$#& 9& 10& 11& 12& 13& 14&98

154) Cac'so$& George& 245& 270& 277& 31 1

155) Caeger& Aarcel& 195& 309

156) Ca'o"so$& Boma$& 170& 178& 186& 306

157) Carr*& .lfre#& 74& 75& 76& 84& 161& 299

158) Cas!ers& Farl& 240

159) Cau"ert& .lai$& 309

160) Cervis& Giova$$i& 278& 280

161) /o*& 10&33&76&130&134&138& 144& 149&158&

162) 230&247&251&258 Co*ce& Cames& 186&230&310 /u#gme$t& 56&

57& 58& 59& 60& 61& 63& 64& 65&

163) 66& 68& 69& 70& 71& 78& 158&163& 304 Culie$& <ierre& 290

Cu$g& arl& 171& 180

164) Faf'a& %ra$& 52& 77& 79& 132& 134& 229& 230& 254& 256& 257&

259& 261& 297& 309& 311 Fa$t& +mma$uel& 15& 16& 54& 56& 57& 58& 59& 60&

61& 62& 63& 64& 65& 66& 67& 68& 69& 71&93&99& 106& 114& 124& 138& 139&

140& 141& 147& 149& 162& 165&297& 298&300&301 Fefauver re!ort& 84

Fe$$e#*& C) %)& 247 Flei$& Aela$ie& 221&254 Flossows'i& <ierre& 79&

118& 122& 124& 129&

165) 132& 135& 256& 257& 258&

285 '$owle#ge& 16& 17& 21&

23& 24& 57& 59& 60& 81& 88&90& 91& 93& 98& 105& 109&122& 138&146& 147& 151&

152& 154& 155& 163& 164&

166& 182& 207& 208& 234&

303& 308 Foechli$& harles&

1 5



166) 7Fo/ev

e& .lexa$#re&228& 259

167) Fruschev& i'ita& 216

168) la"or& 91& 178& 188& 196& 202& 204& 214& 218&

227& 270

169) aca$& Cac?ues& 132& 137& 170& 172& 174& 175&

178& 180& 181& 182& 183& 184& 185& 186& 187& 189& 190&

202& 222& 224& 228& 234& 305& 307& 308& 309 ai$g& B) D)&

202& 240& 245 ala$#e& .$#re& 77 amarc'& hevalier #e&

93 la$guage& 17& 18& 23& 34& 72& 73& 91& 96& 104& 105&110&

118& 135& 136& 140& 143& 144& 150& 157& 160& 165& 173&

175& 176& 179& 181& 186& 189& 195& 222& 235& 237& 239&

254& 256& 260& 270& 286& 304& 306 larval su"/ect&

98& 102& 103& 107& 108& 113 autma$& .l"ert& 107

170) law& 13& 19& 20& 28& 40& 55& 57& 58& 64& 65& 82& 106&

109& 124& 137& 163& 165& 167& 168& 169& 172& 181&

182& 184&200&201& 202& 223& 228& 233& 241& 243&

253& 254&

255& 257& 259& 272& 286 awre$ce& D) ;)& 251&311

171) lea'& 194& 224& 254& 268& 270& 273& 279

172) e"la$c& Aaurice& 82& 300

173) eclaire& erge& 178& 182& 221& 223& 224& 225&

228& 229& 306& 307& 308& 310 legislatio$& 55& 57&

58& 59& 60& 61& 63& 64& 69&

174) 140

175) ei"$i& G ) :)& 18& 94& 96& 101& 102& 106&

108&109& 111& 114& 115&155& 181&301& 304& 307 eroi(

Gourha$& .$#re& 104 eroux& Gasto$& 82

176) evi(trauss& lau#e& 79& 137& 170& 173& 174& 175&

177& 178& 179& 180& 181& 182& 183& 186& 187& 188&

190& 237& 305& 306& 307& 308

177) ev*&

>e$$*& 311 ewi$&

Furt& 87 ewis& Cerr*&

139

178) li"eratio$& 130& 134& 138& 145& 217& 229&

179) 266& 267& 286 i"eratio$& 77& 78& 80& 129&

194& 211& 271 li$es& 12& 27& 28& 30& 33& 34& 38& 40& 77&

98& 99& 103& 106& 109& 111& 112& 138& 159& 174& 181&

185&188&199&208&215&255& 270& 307

180) literature& 12& 53& 72& 78& 81& 82& 84& 126&

181) 133& 137& 140& 187& 214& 224& 230& 253

182) logos& 103& 108& 140& 158& 159& 218

183) owith& Farl& 120& 124

184) ucretius& 138& 220

185) u'acs& G*org*& 159

186) lu$atic& 1 94&201&235

187) *otar#& Cea$(%ra$cois& 214& 215& 257& 258&

188) 260& 310 Aachere*& <ierre& 308 machi$es&

72& 73& 74& 76& 137& 139& 199& 200& 201& 202& 203& 218&

219& 220& 221& 222& 223& 224& 226& 227& 228& 232& 233&

237& 239& 241& 243& 247& 249& 254& 256& 258& 259& 260&

261& 262& 263& 265& 267& 268& 269& 271& 273& 274& 275&

278& 279& 280& 285 machi$ic& 223& 238

189) ma#$ess& 73& 92& 117& 118& 125& 126& 165&

195& 200& 201& 202& 218& 233& 234& 240& 243& 253& 254&

262 Aaimo$& alomo$& 61& 114& 115 Aale"ra$che& icholas& 109& 148& 155& 200&

190) 302& 304 Aallarme&

te!ha$e& 187& 305 Aalraux& .$#re&

81

191) Aaoists& 206& 207& 228& 265& 267& 273& 310

Aarcel& Ga"riel& 127

+D=K

363



D = = B T + . D . D T ; = B T = K T

192) Aarchetti& Hittorio& 232& 233& 235& 236& 237&

193) 239& 240& 310 Aarcuse& ;er"ert& 304 Aarx&

Farl& 75& 126& 130& 136& 145& 157& 159& 175& 179& 216&

227& 243& 252& 253& 274& 276& 277& 287& 305 Aarxism& 75&

77& 136& 157& 158& 173& 178& 212& 217& 227& 228& 253& 268&

276& 277&

194) 278& 287& 308 mas's& 72& 73& 114& 117& 118&

119& 125& 127&

195) 142& 145& 200& 209& 257& 287 masochism&

131& 132& 133& 134& 145& 242&

196) 243& 264

Aasse$et& Cules& 60

197) mathematics& 93& 102& 104& 105& 106& 107&

198) 110& 176& 177&301&306

Aauriac& lau#e& 309 Aauss& Aarcel&

308

199) Aa* 68& 194& 202& 210& 216& 217& 221& 236&

200) 264&265&266&311 Acuha$&Aarshall& 250& 311

201) mecha$ism& 28& 39& 53& 73& 82& 131& 136&

145& 156&157&180& 181& 197& 198& 219& 231&

232& 233& 239& 244& 262& 263& 266& 267

202) memor*& 22& 23& 25& 28& 29& 31& 37& 38&

41&

203) 44& 45& 47& 48& 276& 277& 278 Aerleau(

<o$t*& Cac?ues& 111& 112& 301 Aerleau(<o$t*&

Aaurice& 77& 293 meta!h*sics& 16& 25& 26& 34& 35&

50& 74& 75&

204) 82&91& 119& 159& 161& 181&287

Ae*erso$& =mile& 77 milieu& 19& 21& 206&

265& 274& 275 Ailler& ;e$r*& 140

205) Ailler& Cac?ues(.lai$& 181& 186& 307& 308

mo#er$it*& 90& 92& 139& 158 mo#es& 13& 28&

34& 44& 45& 66& 67& 85& 88& 98& 103& 108& 117&

129& 141& 150& 151& 153& 154& 157& 172& 178&

179& 181& 182& 183& 188& 197& 200& 209& 227&

280& 285& 289

206) Ao$ti$ari& Aai$o& 117& 128& 135

Aora$#& <aul& 230 Aorga$& ewis ;e$r*& 227

Aoulou#& oel& 104& 105& 300 moveme$t& 9& 10&

11& 13& 15& 16& 23& 24& 25& 26& 27& 28& 30& 31& 37&

38& 39& 40& 48& 49& 50& 78& 79& 81& 86& 89& 95& 97&

98& 107& 108&111&113& 114&115&120& 121& 122&

125&130&131& 156&158&160& 171& 178& 195& 196&

197& 210& 213& 224& 231& 239& 255& 256& 258&

259& 278& 281& 282& 285& 290& 307& 310 Aoart&

:).)& 60& 141 Augler& harles& 301

207) multi!licit*& 42& 96& 100& 104& 113&

116& 150&

208) 177& 179& 199& 207& 275& 303& 306

music& 77& 127& 139& 140& 141& 158& 183&

209) 250& 252&

290 Aussoli$i& 269

210) m*th& 9& 11& 12& 13& 14&98& 160& 161&

173& 177& 194& 216& 217& 218& 230& 237& 242

a#eau& Aaurice& 216& 219& 229& 310 asser&

130

211) aism& 128& 140& 216& 217

$egativit*& 11& 19& 20& 33& 38& 39& 42& 49& 50& 62&

66& 75& 88& 97& 121& 144& 145& 189& 222& 223& 282

erval& Gerar# #e& 103& 240 ietsche&

%rie#rich& 74& 75& 78& 95& 108& 112&113& 114&117&

119& 120&121&122&

212) 123& 124& 125& 126& 127& 128& 129&

130& 134& 135& 136& 137& 138&139& 140&141&

190& 211& 240&252& 253& 254& 255& 256&

257& 258& 259& 260& 262& 263& 277& 292&

301&305&306&311

213) $ihilism& 74& 120& 121& 158& 159& 160$oma#ic& 143& 145& 190& 227& 229& 252& 257&

214) 259&260&261&282&289 nouveau roman,

77& 141 ovalis& %ra$co .$geli& 114 $ua$ce& 25&

28& 36& 42& 43& 44& 48& 51& 167 o"scure !recursor&

97& 98 o$e& 89& 123& 124& 190 $e(.ll& 158

215) o$tolog*& 15& 17& 18& 89& 113& 114& 126&

136& 292

216) or#er& 24& 26& 31& 35& 49& 64& 68& 78&

79& 87& 90&92&96& 103& 105& 114& 137& 146&

147&148&159& 172&173&174&177&183& 186& 188&

189& 190& 195& 198& 199& 201& 207& 209& 214& 216&

234& 238& 239& 265& 278& 279& 286& 287& 308

orga$iatio$& A*, 56& 88& 92& 96& 99&103&111& 165&

183& 197& 200& 201& 202& 219& 263& 268& 284& 306rtigues& =#mo$#& 181& 306 sier& Cea$(<ierre&

137 ur*/ea$& 201&202& 309 outsi#e& 11& 15& 16&

23& 39& 42& 47& 88& 92& 157&160& 163&

184&186&191& 193&204& 220& 227& 229& 234& 252&

255& 256& 257&

258& 259& 260& 285

<ascal& >laise& 76& 255

<assera& C)(C)& 311

!ata!h*sics& 75& 76& 161

<auli& :olfga$g& 283

364



217) !erce!tio$& 13& 31& 32& 35& 36& 37& 44&

45& 48&49&88& 109& 173& 181&209 <e*refitte& Boger&

285& 288 !halloce$trism& 285& 286 !ha$tasm& 72&

132& 133& 196& 201& 281 <hilo$e$'o& .lexis& 114&

115& 116& 300& 301 <iero #ella %ra$cesca& 251

<ivi#al& Ba!hael& 220& 225& 228& 310 <la$cho$&

Boger& 289& 290 !la$etar*& 75& 156& 157& 158& 159&

160& 161 <lato& 16& 18& 25& 26& 33& 37& 38& 41& 42&

95& 96& 104& 106& 114& 115& 116& 119& 140& 149&

157& 159& 166&296&300 !la*& 21&42& 59& 75& 120&

145& 156& 159& 160& 161& 168& 171& 174& 175& 180&

191& 212& 240&241&256&258 <leve$& Be$e& 204& 205&

245& 309& 311 <oe& =#gar .lle$& 183& 184 !olitical&

20& 55& 78& 79& 84& 130& 131& 137&

138& 140&142& 145& 158& 159&160& 163& 167&

169&181& 191& 193& 194&195& 197& 199& 200&

204& 206& 207& 210& 212& 216& 220& 221& 225&

226& 228& 229& 230& 233& 235& 236& 237& 239&

244& 245& 246& 251& 253& 254& 255& 259& 263&

264& 265& 268& 269& 271& 272& 273& 274& 276&

277& 278& 279& 280& 285& 286& 297& 309& 312

218) !olitical eco$om*& 91& 92& 195& 199& 228&

219) 276& 309

<o$ge& %ra$cis& 55

220) !ositivit*& 19& 32& 42& 44& 49& 50& 64& 66& 91&

95& 136& 139& 149& 167& 189& 222& 223&

276& 277 <ouillo$&

Cea$& 180& 306 <ou$#& =ra&

156221) !ower& 15& 26& 27& 38& 39& 40& 47& 52& 53& 55&

62&76& 78&79& 83& 85& 97& 99& 103&118& 119&

122& 125& 130& 134& 138& 143& 144& 152& 153&

155&160&165& 168& 198&205& 210& 211& 213&

218& 221& 227& 228& 239& 246& 263& 264& 265&

268& 269& 271& 276&

277& 286& 290

222) !ractice& 145& 162& 163& 169& 189& 191& 192&

223) 193& 198& 220& 260 <re$a$t& uc*& 109&

110& 300& 301 !riso$& 73& 75& 204& 205& 206& 207&

208& 209& 210& 211& 213& 244& 245& 246& 267& 273&

309&310&311 !ro"lematics& 17& 20& 22& 24& 26& 29&

32& 35& 61& 66& 77& 88& 89& 104& 106& 132& 137& 142&

147& 150& 152& 167& 181& 182& 183& 187& 190& 237&256& 264& 279& 306& 307 <roclus& 113

224) !roletariat& 196& 197& 198& 213& 267& 269& 287

225) <roust& Aarcel& 95& 98& 101& 112& 134& 138&

139& 140& 208& 285& 287& 288& 306

!s*choa$al*sis& 79& 92& 134& 142& 172& 187&

226) 189&193& 194&195& 196& 199& 200& 201&

202& 212& 218& 219& 220& 221& 222& 223& 224&

225& 229& 232& 233& 234& 235& 239& 242& 243&

253&254& 272& 274& 275& 276&

277&278&284&288&310

227) ?ua$ta& 87& 104

228) ui$c*& Thomas #e& 54& 297

229) Bavaisso$& =& 25& 43

230) real& 12& 26& 33& 34& 37& 38& 41& 42& 44&

84& 85& 101& 115& 120& 151& 171& 172& 173& 181&

185& 191& 197&221&223&228 reaso$& 31& 35& 36&

57& 58& 59&60& 61& 62& 63& 64& 65& 66& 67& 68& 69&

70& 71& 79& 82& 99& 100& 109& 146& 147& 148& 151&

152& 153& 181&200&243&259&262 reaso$s of "ei$g&

146& 147& 151 reaso$s of '$owle#ge& 146& 147&

151& 152 recollectio$& 29& 31& 35& 36& 99, 45& 47&

48& 49&50

231) re>ectio$& 15& 16& 17& 18& 23& 33& 55&

59& 65& 82& 83& 86& 90& 92& 113& 156& 163& 168&

173& 226& 227& 189 Beich& :ilhelm& 193& 195&

212& 217& 276 rela*& 38& 147& 206& 207& 211& 260

re!etitio$& 13&45&46&47&54&72&73& 114&

232) 121& 123& 142& 144& 265

re!rese$tatio$& 44& 63& 78& 80& 90& 91& 92& 93& 96&

98& 99& 101& 102& 103& 105& 108& 114& 115& 181&

207& 208& 232& 233& 239& 256& 257& 285

revolutio$& 91& 131& 138& 140& 160& 191& 195&

196&197& 233& 236& 251& 266& 267& 268&

271&278&279&280&284 revolutio$ar*& 131& 138&

141& 159& 193& 194& 196&197& 198& 199&213& 233&

235&236& 239& 250& 251& 253& 254& 256& 258& 266&

268& 272& 273& 277& 278& 279& 280 Bicar#o&

Davi#& 91&93 Bicceur& <aul& 175

233) Bim"au#& .rthur& 74& 76& 125& 130&139&

234) 235& 302& 304& 307& 310 Bo""e(

Grillet& .lai$& 72& 83& 132 Bo"i$so$& ewis& 148&

302 Bolla$#& Bomai$& 224 Bose& =#ith& 205& 309

Bose& <ierre& 228&310 Bousseau& Cea$(Cac?ues&

52& 53& 54& 55& 297 Boussel& Ba*mo$#& 72& 73&

187& 240& 306& 308

235) Bovi$i& Bo"ert& 129 Bussell&

>ertra$#& 163& 176 Bussia$ Bevolutio$& 196

Bu*er& Ba*mo$#& 101& 300 a"ra$& Gerse$#e #e&

126

236) acher(Aasoch& )& 131& 132& 133& 134& 138&

237) 140&299&301 a#e& Aar?uis #e& 131& 132&

133 sa#o(masochism ,XA-& 131& 133& 287& 288 ai$t(

Custe& 202 same& 91& 101& 123& 124&287 a$tiago& ;ugo&

290& 312 artre& Cea$(<aul& 77& 78& 79& 80& 206& 299& 307

238) aussure& %er#i$a$#& 170 chelli$g& %):)C&

vo$& 36& 50& 114 schioa$al*sis& 200& 221& 225& 226&

241& 278& 279& 280

+D=K

365



94& 96& 98& 99& 104& 107& 111&

121&123&129&139&156& 159& 163& 180& 191&2 82&29

8&301&3 0 5 to!olog*& 88& 95& 106& 118& 121& 174

Torru"ia& ;e$ri& 225& 310 Tos?uelles& %ra$cois&

201& 309 Trots'*& eo$& 195& 197& 198& 265& 309

Tru/illo& Bafael& 84& 130 truth& 16& 22& 76& 77& 81&

82& 83& 98& 99& 106&

107&116&119&123&135&157&161&163&

171& 172& 190& 199& 200& 207& 213& 222&

241&248

255) Tur'us& 84

256) t*!olog*& 95& 118& 121 Ellmo&Cea$& 110&300&301

u$co$scious& 12& 20& 29& 53& 74& 79& 92& 108&

114&115&126& 136&171&178&179&181& 193& 194&

195&198&199&211&212&217&

257) 218& 219& 221& 223& 226& 228& 232& 233&

263& 273& 274& 275& 276& 281& 282& 284& 288&

307

258) u$#ersta$#i$g& 15& 16& 34& 43& 46& 56&

57& 58& 59& 60& 61& 62& 63& 64& 65& 66& 67&

68&69&70&71& 149&153&154& 164&166& 167& 168&

171&302&303&304 u$ities& 11& 23& 33& 36& 38& 42& 45&

49& 50& 52& 56& 61& 62& 63& 67& 69& 76& 79& 84& 118&

123&124&131&133&149&150&151&152&

153&157&159&160& 171&186&193& 201& 210& 214& 237&

241& 259& 260& 264& 279& 303&312 u$ivocit*& 154&

169 u$timel* ,the-& 126& 129& 130& 139 Halles&

Cules& 139 Ha$ Gogh& Hi$ce$t& 240 Hattimo&

Gia$$i& 119& 126 vector& 282& 283 Helas?ue& 186Hercors& 309 Hia$& Aichele& 309 Hictor& <ierre&

267

259) Hiet$am& 130& 140& 159& 213& 272& 279

virtual& 24& 28& 29& 30& 34& 39& 40& 42& 43& 44& 47&

48& 50& 100& 101& 102& 107& 110& 178& 179& 180

virtualit*& 28& 30& 39& 40& 42& 43& 44& 47& 50&

260) 100& 110& 178& 179& 186&283

Huillemi$& Cules& 306

261) :ahl& Cea$& 95& 103& 105& 108& 116& 118&

262) 120& 124& 256& 300 war(machi$es&

199& 200& 254& 259& 260&

263) 261&267&269&279&280

:eierstrass& Farl& 176 :eil&

imo$e& 78264) will to !ower& 117& 119& 120& 122& 123& 127&

128

+D=K

367



265) :illiams& harles& 85 :i$$icott& Do$al#& 254 writi$g& 136& 141& 160& 169& 186& 212& 214&

221& 226& 227& 230&231& 244& 253&254& 255& 257& 260& 281 o$es& 101&

141&282&317SMI//! 1 "/I3 4"/S SIS

2DD$ Chris >ras) Editor

2D7$ !ir"ess Spaes Sh"amith &irestone

2D$ !"iens H !norexia Chris >ras

2D9$ ,anni.a" eter) y &ather >athy !er

270$ ,o* eame One o' the n#isi."e a#id Battray

271$ ' o;re a <ir" !nne Bo*er

272$ o#e i Chris >ras

273$ ndi#isi."e &anny ,o*e

274$ eash :ane eynn

275$ The adame Bea"ism Comp"ex ynne Ti""man

27D$ The e* & o8 !d#entres n es.ian Beading 6i"een

277$ y"es H i= >ot=) eds

27$ ot e 6i"een y"es



279$ The Origin o' the Speies ar.ara arg

20$ The +ain :orna" o. &"anagan

21$ The +assionate istaes and ntriate Corrption o' One <ir" in !meria ihe""e Tea Beading rooe Shie"ds8 The <arden

o' &ai"re 6"don <arnet %a"ing Throgh C"ear %ater in a +oo" +ainted "a Cooie e""er

2%2. SMI//! 1 DBL 4"/S SIS

23$ Sy"#ere otringer) Editor

24$ !esthetis o' isappearane +a" Eiri"io !rheo"ogy o' Eio"ene +ierre C"astres

25$ rroghs i#e (The Co""eted nter#ie*s Sy"#ere otringer) ed$ esert s"ands and Other Texts (1953-1974 <i""es e"e=e

2D$ &ata" Strategies :ean adri" "ard

27$ &oa"t i#e8 Co""eted nter#ie*s o' ihe" &oa"t Sy"#ere otringer) ed$ ,atred o' Capita"ism8 a Semiotext(e Beader

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+o"ysexa"ity &ranois +era"di) ed$

291$ !tonomia8 +ost-+o"itis +o"itis Sy"#ere otringer H Christian ara==i) 6ds



22. SMI//! I 8I4" 4"/S SIS


294$ The !ident o' !rt Sy"#ere otringer H +a" Eiri"io Chaosophy &e"ix <attari

295$ Creps"ar a*n +a" Eiri"io H Sy"#ere otringer

29D$ ri't*ors :ean-&rangois yotard

297$ 6stasy o' Commniation :ean adri ""ard

29$ &ear"ess Speeh ihe" &oa"t

299$ &orget &oa" t :ean adri""ard

300$ <ermania ,einer ""er

301$ ! <rammar o' the "ti tde +ao"o Eirno

302$ nside H Ot o' y=antim ina Ji#ane#i

303$ n the Shado* o' the Si"ent a@orities :ean adri""ard

304$ ooing a on the 6nd o' the %or"d :ean adri""ard) +a" Eiri"io) et a"$

305$ omado"ogy8 The %ar ahine <i""es e"e=e H &e"ix <attari



30D$ On The ine <i""es e"e=e H &e"ix <attari

307$ +o"itis o' the Eery %orst +a" Eiri" io

30$ The +o"itis o' Trth ihe" &oa"t

309$ +op"ar e'ense and 6o"ogia" Strgg"es +a" Eiri"io

310$ +re %ar +a" Eiri" io H Sy"#ere otringer

311$ Be#o" t) She Said :"ia >riste#a

312$ Sadness at ea#ing 6r@e !yden

313$ Sim"ations :ean adri""ard

314$ D9 %ays to +"ay the "es :rg aederah

315$ So't S.#ersions &e" ix <attari

31D$ Speed and +o"i tis +a" Eiri" io

317$ %hy i ''erent8 e rigaray

'$%. SMI//! 1 9/I3 4"/S SIS

319$ ,edi 6" >ho"ti) Chris >ras H Sy"#ere otringer) Editors



320$ The 6mpire o' isorder !"ain :oxe

321) Beporting 'rom Bama""ah8 !n srae"i :orna"ist in an Opied and !mira ,ass Sti"" "a) Sti""Strong hor.a in %ahad) mia !.-:ama" H !ssata Sha



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g.deleuze - desert islands and other texts

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