ISSN 1751-8229 Volume Seven, Number One

THE THREE EVENTS OF PHILOSOPHY

Slavoj iek
I don't much like hearin that !e have gone beyond "e el# the !a$ one hear% !e have gone beyond &e%carte%' (e o )e$ond ever$thin and al!a$% end u* in the %ame *lace'+1 ,hi% apercu )$ -acan can %erve a% our uidin *rinci*le. )e!are o/ all too ea%$ attem*t% at overcomin 0 meta*h$%ic%1 ,here are three 2and onl$ three3 ke$ *hilo%o*her% in the hi%tor$ o/ 2(e%tern3 meta*h$%ic%. 4lato# &e%carte%# "e el' ,he *roo/ o/ their *rivile ed %tatu% i% their e5tra-ordinar$ *o%ition in the %erie% o/ *hilo%o*her%. each o/ the three not onl$ de%i nate% a clear )reak !ith the *a%t# )ut al%o ca%t% hi% lon %hado! on the thinker% !ho /ollo! him 6 the$ can all )e conceived a% a %erie% o/ ne ation%7o**o%ition% o/7to hi% *o%ition' It !a% alread$ 8oucault !ho noted that the entire hi%tor$ o/ (e%tern *hilo%o*h$ can )e de/ined a% the hi%tor$ o/ rejection% o/ 4latoni%m. in a homolo ou% !a$# the entire modern *hilo%o*h$ can )e conceived a% the hi%tor$ o/ rejection% o/ 9arte%iani%m# /rom %u)tle correction% 2:ale)ranche# S*ino;a3 to outri ht di%mi%%al%' (ith "e el# thin % are# i/ an$thin # even more o)viou%. !hat united all that come% a/ter "e el i% the o**o%ition to the %*ecter o/ "e el<% *anlo ici%m'0 ,he notion o/ =vent %eem% e%*eciall$ incom*ati)le !ith 4lato /or !hom our con%tantl$-chan in realit$ i% rounded in the eternal order o/ Idea%' >re# ho!ever# thin % a% %im*le a% that? 4lato i% the /ir%t in the %erie% o/ *hilo%o*her% !ho had )ad luck in the 2@th centur$# )ein )lamed /or all our mi%/ortune% 6 >lain Aadiou enumerated %i5 main 2*artiall$ intert!ined3 /orm% o/ the 2@th-centur$ anti-4latoni%m.

BacCue% -acan# Seminar, Book II. Ne! Dork. Norton 1991# *' 71'

1 6 the vitalist anti-4latoni%m 2Niet;%che# Aer %on# &eleu;e3. the a%%ertion o/ the real o/ li/e)ecomin a ain%t the intellectuali%t %terilit$ o/ 4latonic /orm% 6 a% Niet;%che alread$ *ut it# 4lato0 i% the name /or a di%ea%eE 2 6 the empiricist-analytic anti-4latoni%m. 4lato )elieved in the inde*endent e5i%tence o/ Idea%F )ut# a% >ri%totle alread$ kne!# Idea% do not e5i%t inde*endentl$ o/ %en%uou% thin % !ho%e /orm% the$ are' ,he main counter-4latonic the%i% o/ anal$tic em*irici%t% i% that all truth% are either anal$tic or em*irical' G 6 the Marxist anti-4latoni%m 2/or !hich -enin i% not !ithout )lame3. the di%mi%%al o/ 4lato a% the /ir%t Ideali%t# o**o%ed to *re-Socratic materiali%t% a% !ell a% to the more *ro re%%ive0 and em*iricall$ oriented >ri%totle' In thi% vie! 2!hich convenientl$ /or et% that# in contra%t to >ri%totle<% notion o/ the %lave a% a talkin tool# there i% no *lace /or %lave% in 4lato<% Republic3# 4lato !a% the main ideolo i%t o/ the cla%% o/ %lave o!ner%E H 6 the existentialist anti-4latoni%m . 4lato denie% the uniCuene%% o/ %in ular e5i%tence and %u)ordinate% the %in ular to the univer%al' ,hi% anti-4latoni%m ha% a 9hri%tian ver%ion 2Iierke aard. Socrate% ver%u% 9hri%t3 and an athei%t one 2Sartre. Je5i%tence *recede% e%%enceK3' 5 6 the Heideggerian anti-4latoni%m . 4lato a% the /oundin /i ure o/ J(e%tern meta*h$%ic%# K the ke$ moment in the hi%torical *roce%% o/ the J /or ettin o/ Aein #K the %tartin *oint o/ the *roce%% !hich culminate% in toda$<% technolo ical nihili%m 2J /rom 4lato to N>,LE K3' M 6 the democratic anti-4latoni%m o/ *olitical *hilo%o*h$# /rom 4o**er to >rendt. 4lato a% the ori inator o/ Jclo%ed %ociet$# K a% the /ir%t thinker !ho ela)orated in detail the *roject o/ totalitariani%m' 28or >rendt# at a more re/ined level# the ori inal %in o/ 4lato i% to %u)ordinate *olitic% to ,ruth# not %eein that *olitic% i% a domain o/ p!ronesis# o/ jud ment% and deci%ion made in uniCue un*redicta)le %ituation%'3 4lato0 i% thu% the ne ative *oint o/ re/erence !hich unite% other!i%e irreconcilia)le enemie%. :ar5i%t% and anti-9ommuni%t li)eral%# e5i%tentiali%t% and anal$tic em*irici%t%# "eide erian% and vitali%t%E >nd doe% e5actl$ the %ame not hold /or &e%carte%? "ere are the main ver%ion% o/ anti-9arte%iani%m.

1 6 the Heideggerian notion o/ the 9arte%ian %u)jectivit$ a% the radical %te* in meta*h$%ical nihili%m !hich /ind% it% /ul/illment in modern technolo $' 2 6 the ecological rejection o/ 9arte%ian duali%m a% o*enin u* the !a$ to ruthle%% e5*loitation o/ nature 6 here i% >l Nore<% ver%ion. the Budeo-9hri%tian tradition, in e%ta)li%hin mankind'% +dominion+ over the earth# al%o char ed mankind !ith environmental %te!ard%hi*F &e%carte% remem)ered +dominion#+ )ut )ree;ed *a%t the idea o/ %te!ard%hi*# there)$ $ieldin to the + reat tem*tation o/ the (e%t+ and *lacin the ideali;ed !orld o/ rational thou ht on a hi her *lane than nature'2 G 6 the cognitivist rejection o/ &e%carte%<% *rivile in o/ rational mind over emotion% 2%ee >ntonio &ama%io<% "escartes#s $rror3# a% !ell a% hi% notion o/ the Sel/ a% a %in le autonomou% a ent !hich control% *%$chic li/e in a tran%*arent !a$ 2%ee &aniel &ennett<% critiCue o/ the 9arte%ian theatre03' H 6 the %eminist claim that the 9arte%ian cogito# !hile a**earin ender-neutral# e//ectivel$

*rivile e% male %u)ject 2onl$ the ma%culine mind deal% !ith clear and di%tinct thou ht# !hile the /eminine mind i% under the %!ell o/ con/u%ed %en%ual im*re%%ion% and a//ect%3' 5 6 the *ro*onent% o/ the &linguistic turn' de*lore the monolo ical0 character o/ the 9arte%ian %u)ject to !hom inter%u)jectivit$ come% a/ter!ard%# a% a %econdar$ /eatureF in thi% !a$# &e%carte% cannot %ee ho! human %u)jectivit$ i% al!a$% em)edded in an inter%u)jective lin ui%tic conte5t' M 6 vitalists *oint out that# in the 9arte%ian duali%m o/ res cogitans and res extensa# there i% no *lace /or the li/e in it% /ull %en%e# a li/e !hich cannot )e reduced to the interaction o/ mechanic nut% and )olt%F thi% i% !h$ &e%carte% claim% that# %ince animal% do not have %oul%# the$ don<t reall$ %u//er 6 their crie% have the %tatu% o/ mechanic %Cueak% o/ a mal/unctionin machine' ,hi% )rin % u% to "e el# the ultimate b(te noire o/ the la%t t!o centurie% o/ *hilo%o*h$. 1 - *ro*onent% o/ the &p!ilospop!y o% li%e )*ebensp!ilosop!ie+' claim that the li/e o/ the "e elian dialectical *roce%% i% not the actual or anic li/e# )ut an arti/icial %hado!$ realm o/ ar)itrar$ intellectual $mna%tic%. !hen "e el %a$% that a notion *a%%e% into it% o**o%ite# he %hould have %aid that a livin thinkin )ein *a%%e% /rom one to another thou ht'

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2 - existentialists /rom Iierke aard on!ard% de*lore "e el<% %u)ordination o/ the individual# %in ular e5i%tence to the univer%alit$ o/ a notion. in thi% !a$# concrete and uniCue individual% are reduced to mere di%*en%a)le *ara*hernalia o/ the movement o/ the a)%tract Notion' G - materialists *redicta)l$ reject "e el<% idea that e5ternal material nature i% ju%t a moment in the %el/-de*lo$ment o/ the S*irit. in an une5*lained !a$# the Idea *o%it% nature a% it% /ree %el/-e5ternali;ation' H - !istoricists reject "e el<% meta*h$%ical teleolo $. in%tead o/ o*enin u* to the *luralit$ and contin enc$ o/ the hi%torical *roce%%# "e el reduce% actual hi%tor$ to the e5ternal /ace o/ the notional *ro re%% 6 /or him# a %in le and all-encom*a%%in Qea%on rule% in hi%tor$' 5 - analytic p!ilosop!ers and empiricists make /un o/ "e el a% the h$*er)ole o/ the %*eculative madne%%# *la$in conce*tual ame% !hich can in no !a$ )e e5*erimentall$ te%ted. "e el move% in a %el/-relatin loo*' M - Marxists advocate the 2in3/amou% rever%al o/ the "e elian dialectical *roce%% /rom it% head to it% /eet. idea% and notion% are ju%t the ideolo ical %u*er%tructure o/ the material *roce%% o/ *roduction !hich overdetermine% entire %ocial li/e' 7 - /or traditional liberals# "e el<% divini;ation0 o/ the State a% the material e5i%tence o/ Nod0 make% him 2to ether !ith 4lato3 one o/ the main /orerunner% o/ the clo%ed %ociet$0 6 there i% a %trai ht line /rom "e elian totalit$ to *olitical totalitariani%m' 8 - /or %ome religious moralists# the "e elian dialectical coincidence o/ the o**o%ite%0 a% !ell a% hi% hi%torici%m lead to a nihili%tic vi%ion o/ %ociet$ and hi%tor$ in !hich there are no tran%cendent and %ta)le moral value% and in !hich a murderer i% *erceived a% eCual to hi% victim' 9 6 /or 2mo%t o/3 the deconstructionists# the "e elian %u)lation 2,u%!ebung30 i% the ver$ model o/ ho! meta*h$%ic%# !hich ackno!led in di//erence# di%*er%al# otherne%%# a ain %u)%ume% it into the Lne o/ the %el/-mediatin Idea 6 it i% a ain%t ,u%!ebung that decon%tructioni%t% a%%ert an irreduci)le e5ce%% or remainder !hich cannot ever )e reinte rated into the Lne' 1@ 6 /or the "eleu-ian thou ht o/ *roductive di//erence# "e el cannot think di//erence out%ide the /rame o/ ne ativit$ 6 ho!ever# ne ativit$ i% the ver$ o*eratoir o/ %u)%umin di//erence under the LneF the &eleu;ian /ormula i% thu% that "e el %hould not even )e critici;ed )ut outri htl$ /or otten'

=ach o/ the three *hilo%o*her% %tand% not onl$ /or an =vent 6 the %hatterin encounter o/ an IdeaF the emer ence o/ a *urel$ evental cogito# a crack in the reat chain o/ )ein F the >)%olute it%el/ a% an evental %el/-de*lo$ment# a% the re%ult o/ it% o!n activit$' It al%o %tand% /or a moment o/ ne ativit$# cut 6 the normal /lo! o/ thin % i% interru*ted# another dimen%ion )reak% in' >nd it al%o %tand% /or the moment o/ madne%%. the madne%% o/ )ein ca*tivated )$ an Idea 2like /allin in love# like Socrate% under the %*ell o/ hi% dainon3# the madne%% at the heart o/ co ito 2the ni ht o/ the !orld03# and# o/ cour%e# the ultimate madne%%0 o/ the "e elian S$%tem# thi% Aacchanalian dance o/ conce*t%' So one can %a$ that *hilo%o*hie% !hich /ollo! 4lato# &e%carte%# or "e el# are all attem*t% to contain7control thi% e5ce%% o/ madne%%# to renormali;e it# to in%cri)e it into the normal /lo! o/ thin %' I/ !e %tick to the te5t)ook ver%ion o/ 4lato<% ideali%m a% a%%ertin the immuta)le eternal order o/ Idea%# he e//ectivel$ cannot )ut a**ear to den$ event a% %omethin that )elon % to our un%ta)le material realit$ and doe%n<t concern Idea% - )ut there i% another readin *o%%i)le. to conceive Idea0 a% the event o/ the a**earin o/ the %u*ra%en%i)le' Qecall !ell-kno!n de%cri*tion% o/ Socrate% cau ht in a h$%terical %ei;ure !hen %truck )$ an Idea# %tandin /ro;en /or hour%# o)liviou% to realit$ around him 6 i% thi% not an evental encounter *ar e5cellence? In .!aedrus# 4lato him%el/ com*are% love to madne%%# to )ein *o%%e%%ed 6 and i% thi% not ho! it i% !hen !e /ind our%elve% *a%%ionatel$ in love? I% love not a kind o/ *ermanent %tate o/ e5ce*tion? >ll *ro*er )alance% o/ our dail$ li/e are di%tur)ed# ever$thin !e do i% colored )$ the underl$in thou ht o/ that'0 ,he %ituation i% )e$ond Nood and =vil0. !e /eel a !eird indi//erence to!ard% our moral o)li ation% !ith re ard to our *arent%# children# /riend% 6 even i/ !e continue to meet them# !e do it in a mechanical !a$# in a condition o/ a% i/0F ever$thin *ale% !ith re ard to our *a%%ionate attachment' In thi% %en%e# /allin in love i% like the %trikin that hit Saul74aul on the road to &ama%cu%. a kind o/ reli iou% %u%*en%ion o/ the =thical# to u%e Iierke aard<% term%' >n >)%olute intervene% !hich derail% the )alanced run o/ our dail$ a//air%. it i% not %o much that the %tandard hierarch$ o/ value% i% inver%ed 6 much more radicall$# another dimen%ion enter% the %cene# a di//erent level o/ )ein ' >lain Aadiou ha% de*lo$ed the *arallel )et!een toda$<% %earch /or a %e5ual 2or marital3 *artner throu h the a**ro*riate datin a encie% and the ancient *rocedure o/ arran ed marria e%. in )oth ca%e%# the ri%k o/ /allin in love0 i% %u%*ended# there i% no contin ent /all0 *ro*er# the ri%k o/ the real called the love encounter0 i% minimi;ed )$ *rior arran ement% !hich take into account all the material and *%$cholo ical intere%t% o/ the concerned *artie%' Qo)ert =*%tein *u%he% thi% idea to it% lo ical conclu%ion# *rovidin it% mi%%in counter*art. once $ou choo%e $our a**ro*riate *artner# ho! can $ou arran e thin % %o that $ou !ill )oth e//ectivel$ love each other? Aa%ed on the %tud$ o/

arran ed marria e%# =*%tein develo*ed *rocedure% o/ a//ection-)uildin 0Rone can )uild love deli)eratel$ and choo%e !hom to do it !ith0E Such a *rocedure relie% on %el/commodi/ication. throu h internet datin or marria e a encie%# each *ro%*ective *artner *re%ent% them%elve% a% a commodit$# li%tin hi% or her Cualitie% and *rovidin *hoto%' I/ !e marr$ toda$# it i% more and more in order to re-normali;e the violence o/ /allin in love 6 in Aa%Cue# the term /or /allin in love i% maitemindu !hich# literall$ tran%lated# mean% Kto )e injured )$ love'J >nd# o/ cour%e# the %ame hold% /or an authentic *olitical en a ement' In hi% /on%lict o% 0aculties !ritten in the mid 179@%# Immanuel Iant addre%%e% a %im*le )ut di//icult Cue%tion. i% there a true *ro re%% in hi%tor$? 2"e meant ethical *ro re%% in /reedom# not ju%t material develo*ment'3 Iant conceded that actual hi%tor$ i% con/u%ed and allo!% /or no clear *roo/. think ho! the 2@th centur$ )rou ht un*recedented democrac$ and !el/are# )ut al%o holocau%t and ula E Aut he nonethele%% concluded that# althou h *ro re%% cannot )e *roven# !e can di%cern %i n% !hich indicate that *ro re%% i% *o%%i)le' Iant inter*reted the 8rench Qevolution a% %uch a %i n !hich *ointed to!ard% the *o%%i)ilit$ o/ /reedom. the hitherto unthinka)le ha**ened# a !hole *eo*le /earle%%l$ a%%erted their /reedom and eCualit$' 8or Iant# even more im*ortant than the 6 o/ten )lood$ 6 realit$ o/ !hat !ent on on the %treet% o/ 4ari% !a% the enthu%ia%m that the event% in 8rance ave ri%e to in the e$e% o/ %$m*athetic o)%erver% all around =uro*e 2)ut al%o in "aiti13. ,he recent Qevolution o/ a *eo*le !hich i% rich in %*irit# ma$ !ell either /ail or %ucceed# accumulate mi%er$ and atrocit$# it neverthele%% arou%e% in the heart o/ all %*ectator% 2!ho are not them%elve% cau ht u* in it3 a takin o/ %ide% accordin to de%ire% !hich )order% on enthu%ia%m and !hich# %ince it% ver$ e5*re%%ion !a% not !ithout dan er# can onl$ have )een cau%ed )$ a moral di%*o%ition !ithin the human race'0G ,"IS duali%m i% the materiali%t truth0 o/ the duali%m o/ Idea% and material thin %# and it i% a ain%t thi% )ack round that one %hould envi%a e the true dimen%ion o/ 4lato<% *hilo%o*hical revolution# %o radical that it !a% mi%inter*reted )$ 4lato him%el/. the a%%ertion o/ the a* )et!een the %*atio-tem*oral order o/ realit$ in it% eternal movement o/ eneration and corru*tion# and the eternal0 order o/ Idea%# i'e'# the notion that em*irical realit$ can *artici*ate0 in an eternal Idea# that an eternal Idea can %hine throu h it# a**ear in it' (here 4lato ot it !ron i% in hi% ontolo i;ation o/ Idea% 2%trictl$ homolo ou% to &e%carte%<% ontolo i;ation o/ cogito3. a% i/ Idea% /orm another# even more %u)%tantial and %ta)le order o/ true0 realit$' (hat 4lato !a% not read$ 2or# rather# a)le3 to acce*t !a% the thorou hl$ virtual#

Immanuel Iant# ,he 9on/lict o/ 8acultie%#0 in .olitical 1ritings# 9am)rid e. 9am)rid e Sniver%it$

4re%% 1991# *' 182'

immaterial0 2or# rather# in%u)%tantial03 %tatu% o/ Idea%. like %en%e-event% in &eleu;e<% ontolo $# Idea% have no cau%alit$ o/ their o!n# the$ are virtual entitie% enerated )$ material %*atio-tem*oral *roce%%e%' -et u% take an attractor in mathematic%. all *o%itive line% or *oint% in it% %*here o/ attraction onl$ a**roach it in an endle%% /a%hion# never reachin it% /orm - the e5i%tence o/ thi% /orm i% *urel$ virtualF it i% nothin more than the %ha*e to!ard% !hich line% and *oint% tend' "o!ever# *reci%el$ a% %uch# the virtual i% the Qeal o/ thi% /ield. the immova)le /ocal *oint around !hich all element% circulate 6 one %hould ive here to the term K/ormJ it% /ull 4latonic !ei ht# %ince !e are dealin !ith an KeternalJ Idea in !hich realit$ im*er/ectl$ K*artici*ate%'J Lne %hould thu% /ull$ acce*t that %*atio-tem*oral material realit$ i% all there i%#0 that there i% no other more true0 realit$. the ontolo ical %tatu% o/ Idea% i% that o/ 4SQ= >44=>QINN' ,he ontolo ical *ro)lem o/ Idea% i% the %ame a% the /undamental *ro)lem o/ "e el<%. ho! i% meta-*h$%ic% *o%%i)le# ho! can tem*oral realit$ 4>Q,I9I4>,= in the eternal Lrder# ho! can thi% order >44=>Q# tran%*ire# in it' It i% not 0ho! can !e reach true realit$ )e$ond a**earance%#0 )ut ho! can >44=>Q>N9= emer e in realit$'0 ,he conclu%ion 4lato avoid% i% im*lied in hi% e5erci%e. t!e suprasensible Idea doe% not d!ell A=DLN& a**earance%# in a %e*arate ontolo ical %*here o/ /ull$ con%tituted Aein F it is appearance as appearance' So !h$ a return to 4lato? (h$ do !e need a repetition o/ 4lato<% /oundin e%ture? In hi% *ogi2ues des mondes# Aadiou *rovide% a %uccinct de/inition o/ democratic materiali%m0 and it% o**o%ite# materiali%t dialectic%0. the a5iom !hich conden%e% the /ir%t one i% 3!ere is not!ing but bodies and languages 4#0 to !hich materiali%t dialectic% add% E 5it! t!e exception o% trut!s'0H Lne %hould )ear in mind the 4latonic# *ro*erl$ meta-*h$%ical# thru%t o/ thi% di%tinction. prima %acie# it cannot )ut a**ear a% a *roto-ideali%t e%ture to a%%ert that material realit$ i% not all that there i%# that there i% al%o another level o/ incor*oreal truth%' Aadiou *er/orm% here the *arado5ical *hilo%o*hical e%ture o/ de/endin # >S > :>,=QI>-IS,# the autonom$ o/ the immaterial order o/ ,ruth' >% a materiali%t# and in order to )e thorou hl$ materiali%t# Aadiou /ocu%e% on the I&=>-IS, to*o% par excellence. ho! can a human animal /or%ake it% animalit$ and *ut it% li/e in the %ervice o/ a tran%cendent ,ruth? "o! can the tran%u)%tantiation /rom the *lea%ure-oriented li/e o/ an individual to the li/e o/ a sub6ect dedicated to a 9au%e occur? In other !ord%# ho! i% a /ree act *o%%i)le? "o! can one )reak 2out o/3 the net!ork o/ the cau%al connection% o/ *o%itive realit$ and conceive an act that )e in% )$ and in it%el/? > ain# Aadiou repeats 5it!in t!e materialist %rame t!e elementary gesture o% idealist anti-reductionism. human Qea%on cannot )e reduced to the

>lain Aadiou# *ogi2ues des mondes# 4ari%. =dition% du Seuil 2@@M# *' 9'

re%ult o/ evolutionar$ ada*tationF art i% not ju%t a hei htened *rocedure o/ *rovidin %en%ual *lea%ure%# )ut a medium o/ ,ruthF and %o on' ,hi%# then# i% our )a%ic p!ilosop!ico-political c!oice )decision+ toda$. either re*eat in a materiali%t vein 4lato<% a%%ertion o/ the meta-*h$%ical dimen%ion o/ eternal Idea%#0 or continue to d!ell in the *o%tmodern univer%e o/ democratic-materiali%t0 hi%torici%t relativi%m# cau ht in the viciou% c$cle o/ the eternal %tru le !ith *remodern0 /undamentali%m%' "o! i% thi% e%ture *o%%i)le# thinka)le even? -et u% )e in !ith the %ur*ri%in /act that Aadiou doe% not identi/$ a% the *rinci*al contradiction#0 the *redominant anta oni%m# o/ toda$<% ideolo ical %ituation the %tru ,hi% %ame %tru le )et!een ideali%m and materiali%m# )ut the %tru le )et!een t!o /orm% o/ materiali%m 2democratic and dialectical3' le a%%ume% a ne! dimen%ion !ith &e%carte%. cogito a% hi% %tartin *oint ma$ a**ear a% the ver$ model o/ a%%ertin the *rimac$ o/ thinkin %u)jectivit$F ho!ever# the /ir%t thin that %hould dra! our attention i% the echo that &e%carte%<% thou ht /ound /rom the ver$ )e innin amon !omen 6 cogito ha% no %e5#0 !a% the reaction o/ an earl$ /eminine reader' ,he one !ho /ir%t de*lo$ed thi% /emini%t *otential o/ 9arte%iani%m !a% 8rancoi% 4oullain de la Aarre# a /ollo!er o/ &e%carte% !ho# a/ter )ecomin a *rie%t# converted to 4rote%tanti%m' (hen the =dict o/ 8ontaine)leau revoked the =dict o/ Nante%# he !a% e5iled in Neneva# !here he a**lied 9arte%ian *rinci*le% to the Cue%tion o/ !omen and denounced inju%tice a ain%t !omen and the ineCualit$ o/ the /emale condition# cham*ionin the %ocial eCualit$ )et!een !omen and men' In 1M7G# he *u)li%hed anon$mou%l$ +=Cualit$ o/ the t!o %e5e%# %*eech *h$%ical and moral !here it i% %een the im*ortance to demoli%h it%el/ *rejud e#+ %ho!in that the ineCualit$ and the treatment that !omen under o doe% not have a natural )a%e# )ut *roceed% /rom cultural *rejudice' "e recommend% that !omen receive a true education and al%o %a$% all the career% %hould )e o*en to them# includin %cienti/ic one%'5 (hat one %hould al!a$% )ear in mind !hen talkin a)out cogito# a)out the reduction o/ a human *oint to the a)$%%al *oint o/ thinkin !ithout an$ e5ternal o)ject# i% that !e are not dealin here !ith %ill$ and e5treme lo ical ame% 2ima ine that $ou alone e5i%t0E3# )ut !ith the de%cri*tion o/ a ver$ *reci%e e5i%tential e5*erience o/ the radical %el/-!ithdra!al# o/ %u%*endin the e5i%tence o/ all realit$ around me to a vani%hin illu%ion# !hich i% !ell-kno!n in *%$choanal$%i% 2a% *%$chotic !ithdra!al3 a% !ell a% in reli iou% m$%tici%m 2under the

Lne %hould nonethele%% add that a cou*le o/ $ear% later# he re/uted %$%tematicall$ hi% o!n ar ument

and advocated the e5cellence o/ men'

name o/ %o-called Ni ht o/ the (orld03' >/ter &e%carte%# thi% idea !a% de*lo$ed in the )a%ic in%i ht o/ Schellin # accordin to !hich# *rior to it% a%%ertion a% the medium o/ the rational (ord# the %u)ject i% the +in/inite lack o/ )ein 7unendliche :an el an Sein7#+ the violent e%ture o/ contraction that ne ate% ever$ )ein out%ide it%el/' ,hi% idea al%o /orm% the core o/ "e el'% notion o/ madne%%. !hen "e el determine% madne%% to )e a !ithdra!al /rom the actual !orld# the clo%in o/ the %oul into it%el/# it% +contraction#+ the cuttin -o// o/ it% link% !ith e5ternal realit$# he all too Cuickl$ conceive% o/ thi% !ithdra!al a% a +re re%%ion+ to the level o/ the +animal %oul+ %till em)edded in it% natural environ% and determined )$ the rh$thm o/ nature 2ni ht and da$# etc'3' &oe% thi% !ithdra!al# on the contrar$# not de%i nate the %everin o/ the link% !ith the Sm!elt# the end o/ the %u)ject'% immer%ion into it% immediate natural environ%# and i% it# a% %uch# not the /oundin e%ture o/ +humani;ation+? (a% thi% !ithdra!alinto-%el/ not accom*li%hed )$ &e%carte% in hi% univer%al dou)t and reduction to cogito# !hich al%o involve% a *a%%a e throu h the moment o/ radical madne%%? >re !e thu% not )ack at the !ell-kno!n and o/ten-Cuoted *a%%a e /rom 7enaer Realp!ilosop!ie# !here "e el characteri;e% the e5*erience o/ *ure Sel/# o/ the contraction-into-%el/ o/ the %u)ject# a% the +ni ht o/ the !orld+# the ecli*%e o/ 2con%tituted3 realit$? 6 +,he human )ein i% thi% ni ht# thi% em*t$ nothin # that contain% ever$thin in it% %im*licit$ - an unendin !ealth o/ man$ re*re%entation%# ima e%# o/ !hich none )elon % to him - or !hich are not *re%ent' ,hi% ni ht# the inner o/ nature# that e5i%t% here - *ure %el/ - in *hanta%ma orical re*re%entation%# i% ni ht all around it# in !hich here %hoot% a )lood$ head there another !hite ha%tl$ a**arition# %uddenl$ here )e/ore it# and ju%t %o di%a**ear%' Lne catche% %i ht o/ thi% ni ht !hen one look% human )ein % in the e$e - into a ni ht that )ecome% a!/ul'+M >nd the %$m)olic order# the univer%e o/ the (ord# lo o%# can onl$ emer e /rom the e5*erience o/ thi% a)$%%' >% "e el *ut% it# thi% in!ardne%% o/ the *ure %el/ +mu%t enter al%o into e5i%tence# )ecome an o)ject# o**o%e it%el/ to thi% innerne%% to )e e5ternalF return to )ein ' ,hi% i% lan ua e a% name- ivin *o!er' ''' ,hrou h the name the o)ject a% individual entit$ i% )orn out o/ the I'+7 - (hat !e mu%t )e care/ul not to mi%% here# i% ho! "e el'% )reak !ith the =nli htenment tradition can )e di%cerned in the rever%al o/ the ver$ meta*hor /or the

N'('8' "e el# +Benaer Qeal*hilo%o*hie#+ in 0rue!e politisc!e Systeme# 8rank/urt. Sll%tein 197H# *'

2@HF tran%lation Cuoted /rom &onald 4hilli* Terene# Hegel8s Recollection# >l)an$. Sun$ 4re%% 1985# **' 7-8' 6 In $ncyclopaedia al%o# "e el mention% the +ni ht-like a)$%% !ithin !hich a !orld o/ in/initel$ numerou% ima e% and *re%entation% i% *re%erved !ithout )ein in con%ciou%ne%%+ 2 $ncyclopaedia, 4ar' H5G3' "e el<% hi%torical %ource i% here Baco) Aohme'
7

"e el# +Benaer Qeal*hilo%o*hie#+ i)id'

%u)ject. the %u)ject i% no lon er the -i ht o/ Qea%on o**o%ed to the non-tran%*arent# im*enetra)le Stu// 2o/ Nature# ,radition'''3F hi% ver$ kernel# the e%ture !hich o*en% u* the %*ace /or the -i ht o/ -o o%# i% a)%olute ne ativit$# the +ni ht o/ the !orld#+ the *oint o/ utter madne%% in !hich /anta%matic a**arition% o/ +*artial o)ject%+ err around' 9on%eCuentl$# there i% no %u)jectivit$ !ithout thi% e%ture o/ !ithdra!alF !hich i% !h$ "e el i% /ull$ ju%ti/ied in invertin the %tandard Cue%tion o/ ho! the /all-re re%%ion into madne%% i% *o%%i)le. the true Cue%tion i% rather ho! the %u)ject i% a)le to clim) out o/ madne%% and to reach +normalc$'+ ,hat i% to %a$# the !ithdra!al-into-%el/# the cuttin -o// o/ the link% to the environ%# i% /ollo!ed )$ the con%truction o/ a %$m)olic univer%e !hich the %u)ject *roject% onto realit$ a% a kind o/ %u)%titute-/ormation# de%tined to recom*en%e u% /or the lo%% o/ the immediate# *re-%$m)olic real' "o!ever# a% 8reud him%el/ a%%erted in hi% anal$%i% o/ &aniel 4aul Schre)er'% *aranoia# the manu/acturin o/ a %u)%titute-/ormation that recom*en%e% the %u)ject /or the lo%% o/ realit$# i% the mo%t %uccint de/inition o/ the *aranoiac con%truction a% an attem*t to cure the %u)ject o/ the di%inte ration o/ hi% univer%e' In %hort# the ontolo ical nece%%it$ o/ +madne%%+ re%ide% in the /act that it i% not *o%%i)le to *a%% directl$ /rom the *urel$ +animal %oul#+ immer%ed in it% natural environ% to +normal+ %u)jectivit$# d!ellin in it% %$m)olic virtual environ% - the +vani%hin mediator+ )et!een the t!o i% the +mad+ e%ture o/ radical !ithdra!al /rom realit$# !hich o*en% u* the %*ace /or it% %$m)olic 2re3 con%titution' ,hi% )rin % u% )ack to Schellin . /ollo!in Iant# Schellin de*lo$ed the notion o/ the *rimordial deci%ion-di//erentiation 2$nt-Sc!eidung3# the uncon%ciou% atem*oral deed )$ mean% o/ !hich the %u)ject choo%e% hi% eternal character !hich# a/ter!ard%# !ithin hi% con%ciou%-tem*oral li/e# he e5*erience% a% the ine5ora)le nece%%it$# a% +the !a$ he al!a$% !a%+. +,he deed# once accom*li%hed# %ink% immediatel$ into the un/athoma)le de*th# there)$ acCuirin it% la%tin character' It i% the %ame !ith the !ill !hich# once *o%ited at the )e innin and led into the out%ide# immediatel$ ha% to %ink into the uncon%ciou%' ,hi% i% the onl$ !a$ the )e innin # the )e innin that doe% not cea%e to )e one# the trul$ eternal )e innin # i% *o%%i)le' 8or here al%o it hold% that the )e innin %hould not kno! it%el/' Lnce done# the deed i% eternall$ done' ,he deci%ion that i% in an$ !a$ the true )e innin %hould not a**ear )e/ore con%ciou%ne%%# it %hould not )e recalled to mind# %ince thi%# *reci%el$# !ould amount to it% recall' "e !ho# a*ro*o% o/ a deci%ion# re%erve% /or him%el/ the ri ht to dra it a ain to li ht# !ill never accom*li%h the )e innin '+8 (ith thi% a)$%%al act o/ /reedom# the %u)ject )reak% u* the rotar$ movement o/ drive%# thi% a)$%% o/ the Snnama)le 6 in %hort# thi% deed i% the ver$ /oundin e%ture o/

8'('B' von Schellin # ,ges o% t!e 1orld# >nn >r)or. ,he Sniver%it$ o/ :ichi an 4re%% 1997# *' 181-

182'

10

namin ' ,herein re%ide% Schellin <% unheard-o/ *hilo%o*hical revolution. he doe% not %im*l$ o**o%e the dark domain o/ the rotar$ movement o/ *re-ontolo ical drive%# thi% unnama)le Qeal !hich cannot ever )e totall$ %$m)oli;ed# to the domain o/ -o o%# o/ articulated (ord !hich cannot ever totall$ /orce0 it 2like Aadiou# Schellin in%i%t% on ho! there i% al!a$% a remainder o/ the unnama)le Qeal 6 the indivi%i)le remainder0 6 !hich elude% %$m)oli;ation3F at it% mo%t radical# the unnama)le Sncon%ciou% i% not e5ternal to -o o%# it i% not it% o)%cure )ack round# )ut# rather# t!e very act o% 9aming, t!e very %ounding gesture o% *ogos' ,he reate%t contin enc$# the ultimate act o/ a)$%%al madne%%# i% the ver$ act o/ im*o%in a rational Nece%%it$ onto the *re-rational chao% o/ the Qeal' ,he true *oint o/ madne%%0 i% thu% not the *ure e5ce%% o/ the Ni ht o/ the (orld# )ut the madne%% o/ the *a%%a e to the S$m)olic it%el/# o/ im*o%in a %$m)olic order onto the chao% o/ the Qeal' 2Qecall 8reud !ho# in hi% anal$%i% o/ the *aranoiac jud e Schre)er# *oint% out ho! the *aranoiac %$%tem0 i% not madne%%# )ut a de%*erate attem*t to escape madne%% 6 the di%inte ration o/ the %$m)olic univer%e - throu h an er%at; univer%e o/ meanin '93 I/ madne%% i% con%titutive# then every %$%tem o/ meanin i% minimall$ *aranoiac# mad'0 Qecall Arecht'% %lo an K(hat i% the ro))in o/ a )ank com*ared to the /oundin o/ a ne! )ank?J - therein re%ide% the le%%on o/ &avid -$nch'% Straig!t Story. !hat i% the ridiculou%l$-*athetic *erver%it$ o/ /i ure% like Ao))$ 4eru in 1ild at Heart or 8rank in Blue :elvet com*ared to decidin to traver%e the SS central *lane in a tractor to vi%it a d$in relative? :ea%ured !ith thi% act# 8rank'% and Ao))$'% out)reak% o/ ra e are the im*otent theatric% o/ old and %edate con%ervative%''' In the %ame !a$# !e %hould %a$. !hat i% the mere madne%% cau%ed )$ the lo%% o/ rea%on com*ared to the madne%% o/ rea%on it%el/? ,hi% %te* i% the *ro*erl$ "e elian0 one 6 !hich i% !h$ "e el# the *hilo%o*her !ho made the mo%t radical attem*t to think the a)$%% o/ madne%% at the core o/ %u)jectivit$# i% al%o the *hilo%o*her !ho )rou ht to it% mad0 clima5 the *hilo%o*hical S$%tem a% the totalit$ o/ meanin ' ,hi% i% !h$# /or ver$ ood rea%on%# "e el0 %tand% in the e$e% o/ the common %en%e /or the moment at !hich *hilo%o*h$ et% mad# e5*lode% into a cra;$ *reten%e at a)%olute kno!led e'0 "o!ever# "e el<% *oint i% here a much more re/ined one. not that ever$thin i% madne%%# )ut that normalit$#0 the rei n o/ rea%on# i% a %el/-%u)lation o/ madne%%# in the %ame !a$ that the rule o/ la! i% the %el/-%u)lation o/ crime' Qecall N'I' 9he%terton<% reli iou% thriller 3!e Man 1!o 1as 3!ursday# in !hich a m$%teriou% chie/ o/ a %u*er-%ecret Scotland

See Si mund 8reud# 4%$choanal$tic Note% S*on an >uto)io ra*hical >ccount o/ a 9a%e o/

4aranoia#0 in 3!ree /ase Histories# Ne! Dork. ,ouch%tone 199M'

11

Dard de*artment !ho i% convinced that a *urel$ intellectual con%*irac$ !ould %oon threaten the ver$ e5i%tence o/ civili;ation0. "e i% certain that the %cienti/ic and arti%tic !orld% are %ilentl$ )ound in a cru%ade a ain%t the 8amil$ and the State' "e ha%# there/ore# /ormed a %*ecial cor*% o/ *olicemen# *olicemen !ho are al%o *hilo%o*her%' It i% their )u%ine%% to !atch the )e innin % o/ thi% con%*irac$# not merel$ in a criminal )ut in a controver%ial %en%e' 7E7 ,he !ork o/ the *hilo%o*hical *oliceman 7E7 i% at once )older and more %u)tle than that o/ the ordinar$ detective' ,he ordinar$ detective oe% to *ot-hou%e% to arre%t thieve%F !e o to arti%tic tea-*artie% to detect *e%%imi%t%' ,he ordinar$ detective di%cover% /rom a led er or a diar$ that a crime ha% )een committed' (e di%cover /rom a )ook o/ %onnet% that a crime !ill )e committed' (e have to trace the ori in o/ tho%e dread/ul thou ht% that drive men on at la%t to intellectual /anatici%m and intellectual crime'01@

(ould not thinker% a% di//erent a% 4o**er# >dorno and -evina%# al%o %u)%cri)e to a %li htl$ chan ed ver%ion o/ thi% idea# !here actual *olitical crime i% called totalitariani%m0 and the *hilo%o*hical crime i% conden%ed in the notion o/ totalit$0? > %trai ht road lead% /rom the *hilo%o*hical notion o/ totalit$ to *olitical totalitariani%m# and the ta%k o/ *hilo%o*hical *olice0 i% to di%cover /rom a )ook o/ 4lato<% dialo ue% or a treati%e on %ocial contract )$ Qou%%eau that a *olitical crime !ill )e committed' ,he ordinar$ *olitical *oliceman oe% to %ecret or ani;ation% to arre%t revolutionarie%F the *hilo%o*hical *oliceman oe% to *hilo%o*hical %$m*o%ia to detect *ro*onent% o/ totalit$' ,he ordinar$ anti-terrori%t *oliceman trie% to detect tho%e *re*arin to )lo! u* )uildin % and )rid e%F the *hilo%o*hical *oliceman trie% to detect tho%e a)out to decon%truct the reli iou% and moral /oundation o/ our %ocietie%E ,hi% *rovocative anal$%i% demon%trate% the limitation o/ 9he%terton# hi% not )ein "e elian enou h. !hat he doe%n<t et i% that universal)i-ed+ crime is no longer a crime ; it sublates )negates<overcomes+ itsel% as crime and turns %rom transgression into a ne5 order' "e i% ri ht to claim that# com*ared to the entirel$ la!le%%0 *hilo%o*her# )ur lar%# )i ami%t%# murderer% even# are e%%entiall$ moral. a thie/ i% a conditionall$ ood man#0 he doe%n<t den$ *ro*ert$ a% %uch# he ju%t !ant% more o/ it /or him%el/ and i% then Cuite read$ to re%*ect it' "o!ever# the conclu%ion to )e dra!n /rom thi% i% that crime a% %uch i% Ke%%entiall$ moral#0 that it !ant% ju%t a *articular ille al reorderin o/ the lo)al moral order !hich %hould remain' >nd# in a trul$ "e elian %*irit# one %hould )rin thi% *ro*o%ition 2o/ the e%%ential moralit$0 o/ the crime3 to it% immanent rever%al. not onl$ i% crime e%%entiall$ moral0 2in "e ele%e. an inherent moment o/ the de*lo$ment o/ the inner anta oni%m% and contradiction%0 o/ the ver$ notion o/ moral order# not %omethin that di%tur)% moral order /rom out%ide# a% an accidental intru%ion3F )ut morality itsel% is essentially criminal 6 a ain# not onl$ in the %en%e that the

10

N'I'9he%terton# 3!e Man 1!o 1as 3!ursday# "armond%!orth. 4en uin Aook% 198M# *' HH-H5'

12

univer%al moral order nece%%ar$ ne ate% it%el/0 in *articular crime%# )ut# more radicall$# in the %en%e that t!e 5ay morality )in t!e case o% t!e%t, property+ asserts itsel% is already in itsel% a crime 6 *ro*ert$ IS the/t#0 a% the$ u%ed to %a$ in the 19th centur$' ,hat i% to %a$# one %hould *a%% /rom the/t a% a *articular criminal violation o/ the univer%al /orm o/ *ro*ert$ to thi% /orm it%el/ a% a criminal violation. !hat 9he%terton /ail% to *erceive i% that the univer%ali;ed crime0 that he *roject% into la!le%% modern *hilo%o*h$0 and it% *olitical eCuivalent# the anarchi%t0 movement that aim% at de%tro$in the totalit$ o/ civili;ed li/e# already exists in t!e guise o% t!e existing rule o% la5# %o that the anta oni%m )et!een -a! and crime reveal% it%el/ to )e inherent to crime# the anta oni%m )et!een univer%al and *articular crime' It i% in thi% %en%e that 9he%terton a%%erted the trul$ %u)ver%ive# revolutionar$ even# character o/ orthodo5$ 6 in hi% /amou% &e/en%e o/ &etective Stor$#0 he remarked ho! the detective %tor$ +kee*% in %ome %en%e )e/ore the mind the /act that civili;ation it%el/ i% the mo%t %en%ational o/ de*arture% and the mo%t romantic o/ re)ellion%' 7E7 7,he *olice romance7 i% )a%ed on the /act that moralit$ i% the mo%t dark and darin o/ con%*iracie%'011 ,herein re%ide% the elementar$ matri5 o/ the "e elian dialectical *roce%% here. the e5ternal o**o%ition 2)et!een -a! and it% criminal tran% re%%ion3 i% tran%/ormed into the o**o%ition# internal to the tran% re%%ion it%el/# )et!een *articular tran% re%%ion% and the a)%olute tran% re%%ion !hich a**ear% a% it% o**o%ite# a% the univer%al -a!' ,hi% *oint !a% clearl$ made )$ none other than Qichard (a ner !ho# in hi% dra/t o/ the *la$ 7esus o% 9a-aret!# !ritten %ome!here )et!een late 18H8 and earl$ 19H9# attri)ute% to Be%u% a %erie% o/ alternate %u**lementation% o/ the 9ommandment%. ,he commandment %aith. ,hou %halt not commit adulter$1 Aut I %a$ unto $ou. De %hall not marr$ !ithout love' > marria e !ithout love i% )roken a% %oon a% entered into# and !ho %o hath !ooed !ithout love# alread$ hath )roken the !eddin ' I/ $e /ollo! m$ commandment# ho! can $e ever )reak it# %ince it )id% $ou to do !hat $our o!n heart and %oul de%ire? 6 Aut !here $e marr$ !ithout love# $e )ind $our%elve% at variance !ith Nod<% love# and in $our !eddin $e %in a ain%t NodF and thi% %in aven eth it%el/ )$ $our %trivin ne5t a ain%t the la! o/ man# in that $e )reak the marria e-vo!'012 ,he true adulter$ i% not to co*ulate out%ide marria e# )ut to co*ulate in marria e !ithout love. the %im*le adulter$ ju%t violate% the -a! /rom out%ide# !hile marria e !ithout love de%tro$% it /rom !ithin# turnin the letter o/ the -a! a ain%t it% %*irit' So# to *ara*hra%e Arecht

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Nil)ert Ieith 9he%terton# +> &e/en%e o/ &etective Storie%#+ in "' "a$cra/t# ed'# 3!e ,rt o% t!e

Mystery Story, Ne! Dork. ,he Sniver%al -i)rar$ 19HM# *' M'
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Qichard (a ner# 7esus o% 9a-aret! and =t!er 1ritings # -incoln and -ondon. Sniver%it$ o/ Ne)ra%ka

4re%% 1995# *' G@G'

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$et a ain. !hat i% a %im*le adulter$ com*ared to 2the adulter$ that i% a lovele%%3 marria e1 It i% not )$ chance that (a ner<% underl$in /ormula marria e i% adulter$0 recall% 4roudhon<% *ro*ert$ i% the/t0 6 in the %torm$ 18H8 event%# (a ner !a% not onl$ a 8euer)achian cele)ratin %e5ual love# )ut al%o a 4roudhonian revolutionar$ demandin the a)olition o/ *rivate *ro*ert$F %o no !onder that# later on on the %ame *a e# (a ner attri)ute% to Be%u% a 4roudhonian %u**lement to ,hou %halt not %teal10. ,hi% al%o i% a ood la!. ,hou %halt not %teal# nor covet another man<% ood%' (ho oeth a ain%t it# %inneth. )ut I *re%erve $ou /rom that %in# ina%much a% I teach $ou. -ove th$ nei h)our a% th$%el/F !hich al%o meaneth. -a$ not u* /or th$%el/ trea%ure%# !here)$ thou %teale%t /rom th$ nei h)our and make%t him to %tarve. /or !hen thou ha%t th$ ood% %a/e uarded )$ the la! o/ man# thou *rovoke%t th$ nei h)our to %in a ain%t the la!'01G

,hi% i% ho! the 9hri%tian %u**lement0 to the Aook %hould )e conceived. a% a *ro*erl$ "e elian ne ation o/ ne ation#0 !hich re%ide% in the deci%ive %hi/t /rom the distortion o% a notion to a distortion constitutive o% t!is notion# i'e'# to thi% notion a% a di%tortion-in-it%el/' Qecall a ain 4roudhon<% old dialectical motto *ro*ert$ i% the/t0. the ne ation o/ ne ation0 i% here the %hi/t /rom the/t a% a di%tortion 2ne ation#0 violation3 o/ *ro*ert$ to the dimen%ion o/ the/t in%cri)ed into the ver$ notion o/ *ro*ert$ 2no)od$ ha% the ri ht to /ull$ o!n mean% o/ *roduction# their nature i% inherentl$ collective# %o ever$ claim thi% i% mine0 i% ille itimate3' >% !e have ju%t %een# the %ame oe% /or crime and -a!# /or the *a%%a e /rom crime a% the di%tortion 2ne ation03 o/ the la! to crime a% %u%tainin la! it%el/# i'e'# to the idea o/ the -a! it%el/ a% univer%ali;ed crime' Lne %hould note that# in thi% notion o/ the ne ation o/ ne ation#0 the encom*a%%in unit$ o/ the t!o o**o%ed term% i% the lo!e%t#0 tran% re%%ive#0 one. it i% not crime !hich i% a moment o/ la!<% %el/-mediation 2or the/t !hich i% a moment o/ *ro*ert$<% %el/-mediation3F the o**o%ition o/ crime and la! i% inherent to crime# la! i% a %u)%*ecie% o/ crime# crime<% %el/-relatin ne ation 2in the %ame !a$ that *ro*ert$ i% the/t<% %el/-relatin ne ation3' >nd doe% ultimatel$ the %ame not o /or nature it%el/? "ere# ne ation o/ ne ation0 i% the %hi/t /rom the idea that !e are violatin %ome natural )alanced order to the idea that im*o%in on the Qeal %uch a notion o/ )alanced order i% in it%el/ the reate%t violationE !hich i% !h$ the *remi%e# the /ir%t a5iom even# o/ ever$ radical ecolo $ i% there i% no Nature'0 9he%teton !rote. K,ake a!a$ the %u*ernatural and !hat $ou are le/t !ith i% the unnatural'0 (e %hould endor%e thi% %tatement# )ut in the o**o%ite %en%e# not in the %en%e intended )$ 9he%terton. !e %hould acce*t that nature is Kunnatural#J a /reak$ %ho! o/ contin ent di%tur)ance% !ith no inner rh$me'

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L*'cit'# *' G@G-G@H'

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It i% onl$ a ain%t thi% )ack round that !e can ra%* !hat "e el intended !ith hi% notion o/ a)%olute kno!in 0 6 the /ormula here i%. take a!a$ the illu%ion and $ou lo%e the truth it%el/ 6 a truth need% time to make a journe$ throu h illu%ion% to /orm it%el/' Lne %hould *ut "e el )ack into the %erie% o/ 4lato-&e%carte%-"e el !hich corre%*ond% to the triad o/ L)jective-Su)jective->)%olute. 4lato<% Idea% are o)jective# ,ruth em)odied# the 9arte%ian %u)ject %tand% /or the unconditional certaint$ o/ m$ %u)jective %el/-a!arene%%E and "e el# !hat doe% he add? I/ %u)jective0 i% !hat i% relative to our %u)jective limitation# and i/ o)jective0 i% the !a$ thin % reall$ are# !hat doe% a)%olute0 add to it? "e el<% an%!er. the a)%olute0 doe% add %ome dee*er# more %u)%tantial# dimen%ion 6 all it doe% i% to include 2%u)jective3 illu%ion into 2o)jective3 truth it%el/' ,he a)%olute0 %tand*oint make% u% %ee ho! realit$ include% /iction 2or /anta%$3# ho! the ri ht choice onl$ emer e% a/ter the !ron one. Ua)%olute kno!in i% the *oint at !hich con%ciou%ne%% re/le5ivel$ a%%ume% the /act that the %hare o/ illu%ion or /anta%$ i% con%titutive o/ the *ro re%% o/ truth' ,he truth i% not located out%ide /anta%$# %ince /anta%$ i% the ke$ element o/ it% de*lo$ment' ,hi% in%i ht com*el% u% to conceive o/ a)%olute kno!in a% the *oint o/ traver%in the /anta%$' 7'''7 a)%olute kno!in i% to )e %een a% the *oint at !hich /anta%$ acCuire% it% *lace in *hilo%o*h$' 7'''7 I/ /anta%$ /ir%t a**eared a% a negativum# i'e'# a% the *oint o/ /ailure o/ a %*eci/ic *hilo%o*hical !a er# it i% no! conceived a% a *o%itive moment o/ the de*lo$ment o/ truth'1H "e el thu% enjoin% u% to turn around the entire hi%tor$ o/ *hilo%o*h$ !hich con%titute% a %erie% o/ e//ort% to clearl$ di//erentiate doxa ver%u% true kno!led e. /or "e el# doxa i% a con%titutive *art o/ kno!led e# and thi% i% !hat make% truth tem*oral and evental' ,hi% evental character o/ truth involve% a lo ical *arado5 de*lo$ed )$ Bean-4ierre &u*u$ in hi% admira)le te5t on "itchcock<% :ertigo. >n o)ject *o%%e%%e% a *ro*ert$ 5 until the time tF a/ter t# it i% not onl$ that the o)ject no lon er ha% the *ro*ert$ 5F it i% that it i% not true that it *o%%e%%ed 5 at an$ time' ,he truthvalue o/ the *ro*o%ition Vthe o)ject L ha% the *ro*ert$ 5 at the moment t< there/ore de*end% on the moment !hen thi% *ro*o%ition i% enunciated'015 Lne %hould note here the *reci%e /ormulation. it i% not that the truth-value o/ the *ro*o%ition the o)ject L ha% the *ro*ert$ 50 de*end% on the time to !hich thi% *ro*o%ition re/er% - even 5!en t!is time is speci%ied, t!e trut!-value depends on t!e time 5!en t!e proposition itsel% is enounced' Lr# to Cuote the title o/ &u*u$<% te5t# 0!hen I<ll die# nothin o/ our love !ill ever

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Bela Irecic# .!ilosop!y, 0antasy, 0ilm# doctoral the%i% 2in Slovene3# Sniver%it$ o/ -ju)ljana 2@@8' Bean-4ierre &u*u$# Ouand je mourrai# rien de notre amour n<aura jamai% e5i%te#0 un*u)li%hed

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manu%cri*t o/ the intervention at the colloCuium :ertigo et la p!ilosop!ie# =cole Normale Su*erieure# 4ari%# Lcto)er 1H 2@@5'

15

have e5i%ted'0 ,hink a)out marria e and divorce. the mo%t intelli ent ar ument /or the ri ht to divorce 2*ro*o%ed# amon other%# )$ none other than the $oun :ar53 doe% not re/er to common vul aritie% in the %t$le o/ like all thin %# love attachment% are al%o not eternal# the$ chan e in the cour%e o/ time#0 etc'F it rather concede% that indi%%olva)ilit$ i% in the ver$ notion o/ marria e' ,he conclu%ion i% that divorce al!a$% ha% a retroactive %co*e. it doe% not onl$ mean that marria e i% no! annulled# )ut %omethin much more radical 6 a marria e %hould )e annulled )ecau%e it never 5as a true marriage' >nd the %ame hold% /or Soviet 9ommuni%m. it i% clearl$ in%u//icient to %a$ that# in the $ear% o/ Are;hnev %ta nation#0 it e5hau%ted it% *otential%# no lon er /ittin ne! time%0F !hat it% mi%era)le end demon%trate% i% that it !a% a hi%torical deadlock %rom its very beginning' ,hi% *arado5 *rovide% a clue /or the t!i%t% and turn% o/ the "e elian dialectical *roce%%' -et u% take "e el<% critiCue o/ the Baco)in revolutionar$ ,error a% an e5erci%e in a)%tract ne ativit$ o/ the a)%olute /reedom !hich cannot %ta)ili;e it%el/ in a concrete %ocial order o/ /reedom# and thu% ha% to end in the /ur$ o/ %el/-de%truction' "o!ever# one %hould )ear in mind that# in%o/ar a% !e are dealin here !ith a hi%torical choice 2)et!een the 8rench0 !a$ o/ remainin !ithin 9atholici%m and thu% )ein o)li ed to en a e in the %el/de%tructive revolutionar$ ,error# and the Nerman0 !a$ o/ Qe/ormation3# thi% choice involve% e5actl$ the %ame elementar$ dialectical *arado5 a% the one# al%o /rom 3!e .!enomenology o% Spirit# )et!een the t!o readin % o/ the S*irit i% a )one0 !hich "e el illu%trate% )$ the *hallic meta*hor 2*hallu% a% the or an o/ in%emination or *hallu% a% the or an o/ urination3. "e el'% *oint i% not that# in contra%t to the vul ar em*irici%t mind !hich %ee% onl$ urination# the *ro*er %*eculative attitude ha% to choo%e in%emination' ,he *arado5 i% that the direct choice o/ in%emination i% the in/alli)le !a$ to mi%% it. it i% not *o%%i)le to choo%e directl$ the +true meanin +# i'e' one !as to )e in )$ makin the +!ron + choice 2o/ urination3 - the true %*eculative meanin emer e% onl$ throu h the re*eated readin # a% the a/ter-e//ect 2or )$*roduct3 o/ the /ir%t# +!ron #+ readin ' >nd the %ame oe% /or %ocial li/e in !hich the direct choice o/ the +concrete univer%alit$+ o/ a *articular ethical li/e-!orld can onl$ end in a re re%%ion to *re-modern or anic %ociet$ that denie% the in/inite ri ht o/ %u)jectivit$ a% the /undamental /eature o/ modernit$' Since the %u)ject-citi;en o/ a modern %tate can no lon er acce*t hi% immer%ion in %ome *articular %ocial role that con/er% on him a determinate *lace !ithin the or anic %ocial (hole# the onl$ !a$ to the rational totalit$ o/ the modern State lead% throu h revolutionar$ ,error. one %hould ruthle%%l$ tear u* the con%traint% o/ the *re-modern or anic +concrete univer%alit$#+ and /ull$ a%%ert the in/inite ri ht o/ %u)jectivit$ in it% a)%tract ne ativit$' In other !ord%# the *oint o/ "e el'% anal$%i% o/ the revolutionar$ ,error i% not the rather o)viou% in%i ht into ho! the revolutionar$ *roject involved the unilateral direct

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a%%ertion o/ a)%tract Sniver%al Qea%on# and !a% a% %uch doomed to *eri%h in %el/de%tructive /ur$# %ince it !a% una)le to or ani;e the tran%*o%ition o/ it% revolutionar$ ener $ into a concrete %ta)le and di//erentiated %ocial orderF "e el'% *oint i% rather the eni ma o/ !h$# in %*ite o/ the /act that revolutionar$ ,error !a% a hi%torical deadlock# !e have to *a%% throu h it in order to arrive at the modern rational State' ,hi% i% !h$ "e elian dialectic% i% not a vul ar evolutioni%m claimin that a *henomenon !a% ju%ti/ied in it% o!n time# )ut de%erve% to di%a**ear !hen it% time *a%%e%. the eternit$0 o/ dialectic% mean% that the de-le itimi;ation i% al!a$% retroactive# !hat di%a**ear% in it%el/0 al!a$% de%erved to di%a**ear' Qecall al%o the *arado5 o/ the *roce%% o/ a*olo i;in . i/ I hurt %omeone !ith a rude remark# the *ro*er thin /or me to do i% to o//er him a %incere a*olo $# and the *ro*er thin /or him to do i% to %a$ %omethin like ,hank%# I a**reciate it# )ut I !a%n<t o//ended# I kne! $ou didn<t mean it# %o $ou reall$ o!e me no a*olo $10 ,he *oint i%# o/ cour%e# that# althou h the /inal re%ult i% that no a*olo $ i% needed# one ha% to o throu h the entire *roce%% o/ o//erin it. $ou o!e me no a*olo $0 can onl$ )e %aid a/ter I &L o//er an a*olo $# %o that# althou h# /ormall$# nothin ha**en%#0 the o//er o/ a*olo $ i% *roclaimed unnece%%ar$# there i% a ain at the end o/ the *roce%% 2*erha*%# even# the /riend%hi* i% %aved3' ,hi% *arado5 i% %u%tained )$ the di%tinction )et!een the con%tative0 and the *er/ormative0 dimen%ion%# )et!een %u)ject o/ the enunciated0 and %u)ject o/ the enunciation0. at the level o/ the enunciated content# the !hole o*eration i% meanin le%% 2!h$ do it 6 o//er an a*olo $# o throu h terror 6 !hen it i% %u*er/luou%?3F ho!ever# !hat thi% common %en%e in%i ht /or et% i% that it i% onl$ the !ron 0 %u*er/luou% e%ture !hich create% the %u)jective condition% !hich made it *o%%i)le /or the %u)ject to reall$ %ee 5!y thi% e%ture i% %u*er/luou%' It onl$ )ecome% *o%%i)le to %a$ that m$ a*olo $ i% not nece%%ar$ a/ter I o//er itF it onl$ )ecome% *o%%i)le to %ee ho! ,error i% %u*er/luou% and de%tructive a/ter one oe% throu h it' ,he dialectical *roce%% i% thu% more re/ined than it ma$ a**earF the %tandard notion i% that# in it# one can onl$ arrive at the /inal truth throu h the *ath o/ error%# %o that the%e error% are not %im*l$ di%carded# )ut %u)lated0 in the /inal truth# *re%erved in it a% it% moment%' (hat thi% %tandard notion mi%%e% i% ho! the error% are %u)lated0 2ne ated*re%erved-elevated3 precisely as super%luous' "o! i% thi% circle o/ chan in the *a%t *o%%i)le !ithout recour%e to travel )ack in time? ,he %olution !a% alread$ *ro*o%ed )$ "enri Aer %on. o/ cour%e one cannot chan e the *a%t realit$7actualit$# )ut !hat one can chan e i% the virtual dimen%ion o/ the *a%t 6 !hen %omethin radicall$ Ne! emer e%# thi% Ne! retroactivel$ create% it% o!n *o%%i)ilit$# it% o!n cau%e%7condition%' > *otentialit$ can )e in%erted into 2or !ithdra!n /rom3 *a%t realit$' 8allin in love chan e% the *a%t. it i% a% i/ I al5ays-already loved $ou# our love !a% de%tined#

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an%!er o/ the real'0 :$ *re%ent love cau%e% the *a%t !hich ave )irth to it 6 and in :ertigo# it i% the o**o%ite that occur%. the *a%t i% chan ed %o that it lo%e% ob6et a' (hat Scottie /ir%t e5*erience% in Terti o i% the loss o/ :adeleine# hi% /atal loveF !hen he recreate% :adeleine in Bud$ and then di%cover% that the :adeleine he kne! alread$ !a% Bud$ *retendin to )e :adeleine# !hat he di%cover% i% not %im*l$ that Bud$ i% a /ake 2he kne! that %he i% not the true :adeleine# %ince he recreated a co*$ o/ :adeleine out o/ her3# )ut that# because s!e is 9=3 a %ake ; s!e IS Madeleine -, Madeleine !ersel% 5as already a %ake 6 o)jet a di%inte rate%# the ver$ lo%% i% lo%t# !e et a ne ation o/ ne ation'0 Scottie<% di%cover$ c!anges t!e past# de*rive% the lo%t o)ject o/ ob6et a' ,he %ame tem*oral *arado5 characteri;e% all event% *ro*er# inclu%ive o/ the *olitical one% 6 Qo%a -u5em)our !a% !ella!are o/ it !hen# in her *olemic a ain%t =douard Aern%tein# %he *rovide% t!o ar ument% a ain%t the revi%ioni%t /ear that *roletariat !ill take *o!er *rematurel$# )e/ore the circum%tance% are ri*e. KIn the /ir%t *lace# it i% im*o%%i)le to ima ine that a tran%/ormation a% /ormida)le a% the *a%%a e /rom ca*itali%t %ociet$ to %ociali%t %ociet$ can )e reali;ed in one ha**$ act' 7'''7 ,he %ociali%t tran%/ormation %u**o%e% a lon and %tu))orn %tru le# in the cour%e o/ !hich# it i% Cuite *ro)a)le the *roletariat !ill )e re*ul%ed more than once %o that /or the /ir%t time# /rom the vie!*oint o/ the /inal outcome o/ the %tru le# it !ill have nece%%aril$ come to *o!er Wtoo earl$'V In the %econd *lace# it !ill )e im*o%%i)le to avoid the W*rematureV conCue%t o/ State *o!er )$ the *roletariat *reci%el$ )ecau%e the%e W*rematureV attack% o/ the *roletariat con%titute a /actor and indeed a ver$ im*ortant /actor# creatin the *olitical condition% o/ the /inal victor$' In the cour%e o/ the *olitical cri%i% accom*an$in it% %ei;ure o/ *o!er# in the cour%e o/ the lon and %tu))orn %tru le%# the *roletariat !ill acCuire the de ree o/ *olitical maturit$ *ermittin it to o)tain in time a de/initive victor$ o/ the revolution' ,hu% the%e W*rematureV attack% o/ the *roletariat a ain%t the State *o!er are in them%elve% im*ortant hi%toric /actor% hel*in to *rovoke and determine the point o/ the de/inite victor$' 9on%idered /rom thi% vie!*oint# the idea o/ a W*rematureV conCue%t o/ *olitical *o!er )$ the la)ourin cla%% a**ear% to )e a *olemic a)%urdit$ derived /rom a mechanical conce*tion o/ the develo*ment o/ %ociet$# and *o%itin /or the victor$ o/ the cla%% %tru independent o% the cla%% %tru le' le a *oint /i5ed outside and

Since the *roletariat i% not in the *o%ition to %ei;e *o!er in an$ other !a$ than W*rematurel$#V %ince the *roletariat i% a)%olutel$ o)li ed to %ei;e *o!er once or %everal time% Wtoo earl$V )e/ore it can maintain it%el/ in *o!er /or ood# the o)jection to the W*rematureV

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conCue%t o/ *o!er i% at )ottom nothin more than a general opposition to t!e aspiration o% t!e proletariat to possess itsel% o% State po5er'J1M ,here i% no meta-lan ua e. no out%ide-*o%ition /rom !hich the a ent can calculate ho! man$ U*remature attem*t% are needed to et at the ri ht moment - !h$? Aecau%e thi% i% a ca%e o/ truth !hich ari%e% out o/ mi%reco nition 2la verite surgit de la meprise# a% -acan *ut it3 !here the U*remature attem*t% tran%/orm the ver$ %*ace7mea%ure o/ tem*oralit$. the %u)ject jum*% ahead0 and take% a ri%k in makin a move )e/ore it% condition% are /ull$ met'17 ,he %u)ject<% en a ement in the %$m)olic order coil% the linear /lo! o/ time in )oth direction%. it involve% *reci*itation a% !ell a% retroactivit$ 2thin % retroactivel$ )ecome !hat the$ are# the identit$ o/ a thin onl$ emer e% !hen the thin i% in dela$ !ith re ard to it%el/3 6 in %hort# ever$ act i% )$ de/inition too earl$ and# %imultaneou%l$# too late' Lne ha% to kno! to !ait# not to lo%e one<% nerve%. i/ one act% too /a%t# the act turn% into a passage a l#acte# a violent /or!ard-e%ca*e to avoid the deadlock' I/ one mi%%e% the moment and act% too late# the act lo%e% it% Cualit$ o/ the act# o/ a radical intervention a% a con%eCuence o/ !hich nothin remain% the !a$ it !a%#0 and )ecome% ju%t a local chan e !ithin the order o/ )ein # *art o/ the normal /lo! o/ thin %' ,he *ro)lem i%# o/ cour%e# that an act al!a$% occur% %imultaneou%l$ too /a%t 2the condition% are never /ull$ ri*e# one ha% to %uccum) to the ur enc$ to intervene# there i% never enou h time to !ait# enou h time /or %trate ic calculation%# the act ha% to antici*ate it% certaint$ and ri%k the !a er that it !ill retroactivel$ e%ta)li%h it% o!n condition%3 and too late 2the ver$ ur enc$ o/ the act %i nal% that !e come too late# that !e al!a$% %hould have alread$ actedF ever$ act i% a reaction to circum%tance% !hich aro%e )ecau%e !e !ere too late to act3' In %hort# t!ere is no rig!t moment to act 6 i/ !e !ait /or the ri ht moment# the act i% reduced to an occurrence in the order o/ )ein ' It i% )ecau%e o/ thi% tem*oral com*lication that# in "e el# ever$thin )ecome% evental. a thin i% the re%ult o/ the *roce%% 2event3 o/ it% o!n )ecomin # and thi%

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Qo%a -u5em)ur # Re%orm or Revolution# 9ha*ter TIII# Cuoted /rom

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,hi% i% !hat# *erha*%# make% *ro)lematic the *ractice o/ %hort %e%%ion introduced )$ -acan' ,he

idea i% clear. -acan noticed that# in the %tandard 5@ minute% %e%%ion# the *atient i% ju%t oin on !ith hi%7her )la-)la# and that it i% onl$ in the la%t minute%# !hen the %hado! o/ the end# o/ )ein cut o// )$ the anal$%t# i% clo%e that %7he et% into a *anic and *roduce% %ome valua)le materialF %o the idea came to him. !h$ not %im*l$ %ki* the lon *eriod o/ lo%t time and limit the %e%%ion to the 2la%t3 !hen# under time *re%%ure# %omethin reall$ ha**en%? ,he *ro)lem here i%. can !e reall$ et onl$ the *roductive /inal *art !ithout the *recedin H5 minute% o/ lo%t time durin !hich nonethele%% /unction% a% the time o/ e%tation o/ the content e5*lodin in la%t 5 minute%?

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*roce%%ualit$ de-%u)%tantiali;e% it' S*irit it%el/ i% thu% radicall$ de-%u)%tantiali;ed. it i% not a *o%itive counter-/orce to nature# a di//erent %u)%tance !hich raduall$ )reak% and %hine% throu h the inert natural %tu//# it i% not!ing but thi% *roce%% o/ /reein -it%el/-/rom' "e el directl$ di%o!n% the notion o/ S*irit a% %ome kind o/ *o%itive > ent !hich underlie% the *roce%%. KS*irit i% u%uall$ %*oken o/ a% %u)ject# a% doin %omethin # and a*art /rom !hat it doe%# a% thi% motion# thi% *roce%%# a% %till %omethin *articular# it% activit$ )ein more or le%% contin ent 7E7 it i% o/ the ver$ nature o/ %*irit to )e thi% a)%olute liveline%%# thi% *roce%%# to *roceed /orth /rom naturalit$# immediac$# to %u)late# to Cuit it% naturalit$# and to come to it%el/# and to %ree itsel%# it )ein it%el/ onl$ a% it come% to it%el/ a% %uch a *roduct o/ it%el/F its actuality being merely t!at it !as made itsel% into 5!at it is'J18 ,he materiali%t rever%al o/ "e el in -ud!i 8euer)ach and $oun :ar5 reject% thi% %el/re/erential circularit$# di%mi%%in it a% a ca%e o/ ideali%t m$%ti/ication# and return% to the >ri%totelian ontolo $ o/ %u)%tantial entitie% endo!ed !ith e%%ential Cualitie%. /or :ar5# man i% a >attungs5esen 2)ein -o/- enu%3 !hich a%%ert% it% li/e )$ !a$ o/ reali;in it% e%%ential /orce%'0 Qo)ert 4i**in e5em*li/ie% in !hat %en%e the "e elian S*irit i% it% o!n re%ult0 )$ the /inale o/ 4rou%t<% Rec!erc!e. ho! doe% :arcel /inall$ )ecome !hat he i%0? A$ !a$ o/ )reakin !ith the 4latonic illu%ion that hi% Sel/ can )e %ecured )$ an$thin # an$ value or realit$ that tran%cend% the !holl$ tem*oral human !orld0. It !a% 7E7 )$ /ailin to )ecome V!hat a !riter i%#< to reali;e hi% inner V!riter<% e%%ence< 6 a% i/ that role mu%t )e %ome tran%cendentall$ im*ortant or even a de/inite# %u)%tantial role 6 that :arcel reali;e% that %uch a )ecomin i% im*ortant )$ not )ein %ecured )$ the tran%cendent# by )ein !holl$ tem*oral and /inite# al!a$% and ever$!here in %u%*en%e# and $et nonethele%% ca*a)le o/ %ome illumination' 7E7 I/ :arcel ha% )ecome !ho he i%# and thi% %omeho! continuou% !ith and a *roduct o/ the e5*erience o/ hi% o!n *a%t# it i% unlikel$ that !e !ill )e a)le to under%tand that )$ a**eal to a %u)%tantial or underl$in %el/# no! di%covered# or even )$ a**eal to %ucce%%or %u)%tantial %elve%# each one linked to the /uture and *a%t )$ %ome %ort o/ %el/-re ard'019 It i% thu% onl$ )$ !a$ o/ /ull$ acce*tin thi% a)$%%al circularit$ in !hich the %earch it%el/ create% !hat it i% lookin /or# that the S*irit /ind% it%el/'0 ,hi% i% !h$ the ver) /ailin 0 u%ed )$ 4i**in i% to )e iven all it% !ei ht. the /ailure to achieve the 2immediate3 oal i% a)%olutel$ crucial to# con%titutive o/# thi% *roce%% 6 or# a ain# a% -acan *ut it. la verite surgit de la meprise' I/# then# Kit i% only a% a re%ult o/ it%el/ that it i% %*irit#+2@ thi% mean% that the %tandard

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N'('"' "e el# .!ilosop!ie des sub6ektiven >eistes# &ordrecht. Qiedel 1978# *' M-7' Qo)ert 4i**in# 3!e .ersistence o% Sub6ectivity# 9am)rid e. 9am)rid e Sniver%it$ 4re%% 2@@5# *'

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talk a)out the "e elian S*irit !hich alienate% it%el/ to it%el/ and then reco ni;e% it%el/ in it% otherne%% and thu% rea**ro*riate% it% content# i% dee*l$ mi%leadin . the Sel/ to !hich %*irit return% i% *roduced in the ver$ movement o/ thi% return# or# that to !hich the *roce%% o/ return i% returnin to i% *roduced )$ the ver$ *roce%% o/ returnin ' N'I' 9he%terton !ho !a% not a/raid to dra! the theolo ical con%eCuence% /rom thi% *arado5# locatin *reci%el$ at thi% *oint the )reak )et!een the >ncient !orld and 9hri%tianit$. ,he Nreek%# the reat uide% and *ioneer% o/ *a an antiCuit$# %tarted out !ith the idea o/ %omethin %*lendidl$ o)viou% and directF the idea that i/ man !alked %trai ht ahead on the hi h road o/ rea%on and nature# he !ould come to no harm 7E7 >nd the ca%e o/ the Nreek% them%elve% i% alone enou h to illu%trate the %tran e )ut certain /atalit$ that attend% u*on thi% /allac$' No %ooner did the Nreek% them%elve% )e in to /ollo! their o!n no%e% and their o!n notion o/ )ein natural# than the Cueere%t thin in hi%tor$ %eem% to have ha**ened to them' 7 E7 ,he !i%e%t man in the !orld %et out to )e naturalF and the mo%t unnatural thin in the !orld !a% the ver$ /ir%t thin the$ did' ,he immediate e//ect o/ %alutin the %un and the %unn$ %anit$ o/ nature !a% a *erver%ion %*readin like a *e%tilence' ,he reate%t and even the *ure%t *hilo%o*her% could not a**arentl$ avoid thi% la! %ort o/ lunac$' (h$? 7E7 (hen :an oe% %trai ht he oe% crooked' (hen he /ollo!% hi% no%e he mana e% %omeho! to *ut hi% no%e out o/ joint# or even to cut o// hi% no%e to %*ite hi% /aceF and that in accordance !ith %omethin much dee*er in human nature than nature - !or%hi**er% could ever under%tand' It !a% the di%cover$ o/ that dee*er thin # humanl$ %*eakin # that con%tituted the conver%ion to 9hri%tianit$' ,here i% a )ia% in a man like the )ia% on a )o!lF and 9hri%tianit$ !a% the di%cover$ o/ ho! to correct the )ia% and there/ore hit the mark' ,here are man$ !ho !ill %mile at the %a$in F )ut it i% *ro/oundl$ true to %a$ that the lad ood ne!% )rou ht )$ the No%*el !a% the ne!% o/ ori inal %in'021 ,he Nreek% thu% lo%t their moral com*a%% *reci%el$ )ecau%e the$ )elieved in %*ontaneou% and )a%ic u*ri htne%% o/ a human )ein # and thu% ne lected the )ia%0 to!ard% =vil in the ver$ core o/ a human )ein . true Nood doe% not ri%e !hen !e /ollo! our nature# )ut !hen !e /i ht it'22 ,hi% lo ic i% at !ork in (a ner<% .arsi%al# !ho%e /inal me%%a e i% a *ro/oundl$ "e elian one. ,he !ound can )e healed onl$ )$ the %*ear that %mote it 2"ie 1unde sc!liesst der Speer nur der Sie sc!lug3' "e el %a$% the %ame thin # althou h !ith the accent %hi/ted in the o**o%ite direction. the S*irit i% it%el/ the !ound it trie% to heal# i'e'# the !ound i% %el/-in/licted' ,hat i% to %a$# !hat i% S*irit0 at it% mo%t elementar$? ,he !ound0 o/ nature. %u)ject i% the immen%e 6 a)%olute - *o!er o/ ne ativit$# o/ introducin a a*7cut into the iven-immediate %u)%tantial unit$# the *o!er o/ di//erentiatin # o/ a)%tractin #0 o/ tearin

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"e el# o*'cit# i)id' N'I' 9he%terton# Saint 0rancis o% ,ssisi' Ne! Dork. =m*ire Aook% 2@12# *' 11R12' Schellin made the %ame *oint !hen he em*ha%i;ed ho!# in >ncient Qoman em*ire# the ri%e o/

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9hri%tianit$ !a% *receded )$ the ri%e o/ decadence and corru*tion'

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a*art and treatin a% %el/-%tandin !hat in realit$ i% *art o/ an or anic unit$' ,hi% i% !h$ the notion o/ the %el/-alienation0 o/ S*irit 2o/ S*irit lo%in it%el/ in it% otherne%%# in it% o)jectivi;ation# in it% re%ult3 i% more *arado5ical than it ma$ a**ear. it %hould )e read to ether !ith "e el<% a%%ertion o/ the thorou hl$ non-%u)%tantial character o/ S*irit. there i% no res cogitans# no thin !hich 2a% it% *ro*ert$3 al%o think%# %*irit i% nothin )ut the *roce%% o/ overcomin natural immediac$# o/ the cultivation o/ thi% immediac$# o/ !ithdra!in -intoit%el/ or takin o//0 /rom it# o/ 6 !h$ not 6 alienatin it%el/ /rom it' ,he *arado5 i% thu% that there i% no Sel/ that *recede% the S*irit<% %el/-alienation0. the ver$ *roce%% o/ alienation create%7 enerate% the Sel/0 /rom !hich S*irit i% alienated and to !hich it then return%' 2"e el here turn% around the %tandard notion that a /ailed ver%ion o/ X *re%u**o%e% thi% X a% their norm 2mea%ure3. X i% created# it% %*ace i% outlined# onl$ throu h re*etitive /ailure% to reach it'3 S*irit'% %el/-alienation i% the %ame a%# /ull$ coincide% !ith# it% alienation /rom it% Lther 2nature3# )ecau%e it con%titute% it%el/ throu h it% return-to-it%el/0 /rom it% immer%ion into natural Ltherne%%' In other !ord%# S*irit<% return-to-it%el/ create% the ver$ dimen%ion to !hich it return%' 2,hi% hold% /or all return to ori in%0. !hen# /rom 19th centur$ on!ard%# ne! NationState% !ere *o**in u* in 9entral and =a%tern =uro*e# their return to old ethnic root%0 enerated the%e root%'3 (hat thi% mean% i% that the ne ation o/ ne ation#0 the 0return-toone%el/0 /rom alienation# doe% not occur !here it %eem% to. in the ne ation o/ ne ation#0 S*irit<% ne ativit$ i% not relativi;ed# %u)%umed under an encom*a%%in *o%itivit$F it i%# on the contrar$# the %im*le ne ation0 !hich remain% attached to the *re%u**o%ed *o%itivit$ it ne ated# the *re%u**o%ed Ltherne%% /rom !hich it alienate% it%el/# and the ne ation o/ ne ation0 i% nothin )ut the ne ation o/ the %u)%tantial character o/ thi% Ltherne%% it%el/# the /ull acce*tance o/ the a)$%% o/ S*irit<% %el/-relatin !hich retroactivel$ *o%it% all it% *re%u**o%ition%' In other !ord%# once !e are in ne ativit$# !e never Cuit it and re ain the lo%t innocence o/ Lri in%F it i%# on the contrar$# onl$ in ne ation o/ ne ation0 that the Lri in% are trul$ lo%t# that their ver$ lo%% i% lo%t# that the$ are de*rived o/ the %u)%tantial %tatu% o/ that !hich !a% lo%t' ,he S*irit heal% it% !ound not )$ directl$ healin it# )ut )$ ettin rid o/ the ver$ /ull and %ane Aod$ into !hich the !ound !a% cut' ,hi% *arado5 %hould make u% a!are o/ ho! one can 2mi%3*er/orm a ood deed' ,here i% a nicel$-vul ar joke a)out 9hri%t. the ni ht )e/ore he !a% arre%ted and cruci/ied# hi% /ollo!er% %tarted to !orr$ - 9hri%t !a% %till a vir in# !ouldn<t it )e nice to have him e5*erience a little )it o/ *lea%ure )e/ore he !ill die? So the$ a%ked :ar$ :a dalene to o to the tent !here 9hri%t !a% re%tin and %educe himF :ar$ %aid %he !ill do it ladl$ and !ent in# )ut /ive minute% a/ter# %he run out %creamin # terri/ied and /uriou%' ,he /ollo!er% a%ked her !hat !ent !ron # and %he e5*lained. I %lo!l$ undre%%ed# %*read m$ le % and %ho!ed to 9hri%t m$ *u%%$F he looked at it# %aid V(hat a

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terri)le !ound1 It %hould )e healed1< and entl$ *ut hi% *alm on itE0 So )e!are o/ *eo*le too intent on healin other *eo*le<% !ound% 6 !hat i/ one enjo$% one<% !ound? >t it% %har*e%t# thi% coincidence o/ the o**o%ite% a**ear% a*ro*o% %el/-con%ciou%ne%%# i'e'# %u)ject a% thinkin . >)%tractl$# )ein evil mean% %in ulari;in m$%el/ in a !a$ that cut% me o// /rom the univer%al 2!hich i% the rational# the la!%# the determination% o/ %*irit3' Aut alon !ith thi% %e*aration there ari%e% )ein -/or-it%el/ and /or the /ir%t time the univer%all$ %*iritual# la!% 6 !hat ou ht to )e' So it i% not the ca%e that 7rational7 con%ideration ha% an e5ternal relation%hi* to evil. it i% it%el/ !hat i% evil'022@M3 ,he %er*ent %a$% that )$ eatin the /ruit o/ the tree o/ kno!led e# >dam and =ve !ill )ecome like NodF and a/ter the t!o do it# Nod comment%. Aehold# >dam ha% )ecome like one o/ u%'02>enesis G.223 "e el<% comment i%. So the %er*ent did not lie# /or Nod con/irm% !hat it %aid'0 ,hen he oe% on to reject the claim that !hat Nod %a$% i% meant !ith iron$. 9o nition i% the *rinci*le o/ %*iritualit$# and thi% 7E7 i% al%o the *rinci*le )$ !hich the injur$ o/ the %e*aration i% healed' It i% in thi% *rinci*le o/ co nition that the *rinci*le o/ Vdivinit$< i% al%o *o%ited022@73' Su)jective /reedom i% not ju%t the *o%%i)ilit$ to choo%e evil or ood# it i% the con%ideration or the co nition that makes *eo*le evil# %o that con%ideration and co nition 7them%elve%7 are !hat i% evil# and that 7there/ore7 %uch co nition i% !hat ou ht not to e5i%t 7)ecau%e it7 i% the source o/ evil022@53' ,hi% i% ho! one %hould under%tand "e el<% dictum /rom hi% .!enomenology that =vil i% the a;e it%el/ !hich *erceive% =vil ever$!here around it. the a;e !hich %ee% =vil e5clude% it%el/ /rom the %ocial (hole it critici;e%# and thi% e5clu%ion i% the /ormal characteri%tic% o/ =vil' >nd "e el<% *oint i% that the Nood emer e% a% a *o%%i)ilit$ and dut$ onl$ throu h thi% *rimordial7con%titutive choice o/ =vil. !e e5*erience the Nood !hen# a/ter choo%in =vil# !e )ecome a!are o/ the utter inadeCuac$ o/ our %ituation' 6 >t a more /ormal level o/ hi% lo ic o/ re/lection# "e el u%e% the uniCue term absoluter >egenstoss2counter-*u%h# counter-thru%t# or# !h$ not# %im*l$ counter*unch3. a !ithdra!al-/rom create% !hat it !ithdra!% /rom. +Qe/lection there/ore %inds be%ore it an immediate !hich it tran%cend% and /rom !hich it i% the return' Aut thi% return i% onl$ the *re%u**o%in o/ !hat re/lection /ind% )e/ore it' (hat i% thu% /ound onl$ comes to be throu h )ein le%t be!ind' 7E7 the re/lective movement i% to )e taken a% an absolute recoil ?absoluter >egenstoss@ u*on it%el/' 8or the *re%u**o%ition o/ the return-into-%el/ 6 that /rom !hich e%%ence comes# and is onl$ a% thi% return 6 i% onl$ in the return it%el/'02G

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Hegel#s Science o% *ogic# >tlantic "i hland%. "umanitie% 4re%% 19M9# *' H@2'

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(hat i% /ound onl$ comes to be throu h )ein le%t be!ind#0 and it% inver%ion 2it i% onl$ in the return it%el/0 that !hat !e return to emer e%# like nation% !ho con%titute them%elve% )$ !a$ o/ returnin to their root%#0 *roducin !hat =ric "o)%)a!n called invented tradition%03# are the t!o %ide% o/ !hat "e el call% a)%olute re/lection0. a re/lection !hich i% no lon er e5ternal to it% o)ject# *re%u**o%in it a% iven# )ut a re/lection !hich# a% it !ere# clo%e% the loo* and *o%it% it% *re%u**o%ition' Some Indian cultural theori%t% com*lain that the /act that the$ are com*elled to u%e =n li%h lan ua e i% a /orm o/ cultural coloniali%m# cen%orin their our true identit$. (e have to %*eak in an im*o%ed /orei n lan ua e to e5*re%% our innermo%t identit$# and doe% thi% not *ut u% in a *o%ition o/ radical alienation 6 even our re%i%tance to coloni;ation ha% to )e /ormulated in the lan ua e o/ the coloni;er?0 ,he an%!er to thi% i%. $e%# )ut thi% im*o%ition o/ =n li%h 6 a /orei n lan ua e - created the ver$ X !hich i% o**re%%ed0 )$ it# )ecau%e !hat i% o**re%%ed i% not the actual *re-colonial India )ut the authentic dream o/ a ne! univer%ali%t democratic IndiaE 2:alcolm X !a% /ollo!in the %ame in%i ht !hen he ado*ted X a% hi% /amil$ name. he !a% not /i htin on )ehal/ o/ the return to %ome *rimordial >/rican root%# )ut *reci%el$ on )ehal/ o/ an X# an unkno!n ne! identit$ o*ened u* )$ the ver$ *roce%% o/ %laver$ !hich made the >/rican root% /orever lo%t'3 ,hi% ca%e %ho!% ho!# o/ cour%e# the *oint i% not that there i% nothin *rior to ne ation 6 o/ cour%e there !a% %omethin )e/ore 2in the ca%e o/ India# a va%t and com*le5 tradition3# )ut it !a% a hetero eneou% me%% !hich ha% nothin to do !ith the later national revival' 2:a$)e 8oucault ha% a *oint here. the di%cover$ o/ !hat !ent on )e/ore i% the to*ic o/ enealo $ !hich# *reci%el$# ha% nothin to do !ith the hi%torici%t to*ic o/ ori in%'3 ,o *ut it in &erridean term%# the condition o/ *o%%i)ilit$ i% here radicall$ and %imultaneou%l$ the condition o/ im*o%%i)ilit$. the ver$ o)%tacle to the /ull a%%ertion o/ our identit$ o*en% u* the %*ace /or it' >nother e5em*lar$ ca%e. the "un arian rulin cla%% had lon V*o%%e%%ed< 2i'e'# *atroni;ed and cultivated3 a di%tinctive mu%ic# the %o-called magyar nota 2V"un arian tune<3 !hich in educated "un arian circle% !a% re arded a% a %t$li%tic em)lem o/ the national identit$#02H and *redicta)l$# in the 19th centur$# !ith the reat national revival# thi% %t$le e5*loded in o*era% and %$m*honie%' (hen# at the )e innin o/ the XXth centur$# moderni%t com*o%er% like Aartok and Iodal$i %tarted to collect authentic *o*ular mu%ic and di%covered that it !a% o/ an alto ether di//erent %t$le and character /rom the magyar nota,025 and# even !or%e# that it con%i%ted o/ the ine5trica)le mi5ture o/ all the *eo*le% !ho inha)ited V reater "un ar$< 6 Qomanian%# Slovak%# Aul ar%# 9roat%# and Ser)%

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Qichard ,aru%kin# Music in t!e $arly 35entiet! /entury # L5/ord. L5/ord Sniver%it$ 4re%% 2@1@# *'

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,aru%kin# o*'cit'# *' G75'

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6 and even ethnicall$ remoter *eo*le like the ,urk% 7E7 or the >ra)% o/ North >/rica'02M 8or thi%# Aartok !a%# *redicta)l$# reviled )$ nationali%t% and /elt im*elled to leave "un ar$' ,hi%# then# i% the dialectical *roce%%. an incon%i%tent me%% 2/ir%t *ha%e# the %tartin *oint3 !hich i% ne ated and# throu h ne ation# the Lri in i% *rojected7posited )ack!ard%# %o that a ten%ion i% created )et!een the *re%ent and the lo%t Lri in 2%econd %te*3' In the third %te*# the Lri in i% *erceived a% inacce%%i)le# relativi;ed 6 !e are in e5ternal re/lection# i'e'# our re/lection i% e5ternal to the *o%ited Lri in !hich i% e5*erienced a% a tran%cendent *re%u**o%ition' In the /ourth %te* o/ a)%olute re/lection# our e5ternal re/le5ive movement i% tran%*o%ed )ack into the Lri in it%el/# a% it% o!n %el/-!ithdra!al7decenterin 7anta oni%m' (e thu% reach the triad o/ *o%itin # e5ternal and a)%olute re/lection'27 ,he ultimate ca%e i% here# o/ cour%e# that o/ the %u)ject it%el/. the *riorit$ o/ the 8all mean% that !e %hould dro* all the %tandard "e elian0 talk a)out the %u)ject<% alienation# e5ternali;ation in it% o!n *roduct in !hich it no lon er reco ni;e% it%el/# and then it% rea**ro*riation o/ thi% alienated content a %it% o!n *roduct. there i% no %u)ject !hich i% the a ent o/ the *roce%% and %u//er% a lo%%F the %u)ject i% the outcome o/ a lo%%' ,hi% i% !hat -acan indicate% )$ hi% notion o/ a )arred#0 cro%%ed-out# %u)ject 2Y3. the %u)ject i% not ju%t th!arted# )locked# im*eded# %ti mati;ed )$ a con%titutive im*o%%i)ilit$F the %u)ject i% the re%ult o/ it% o!n /ailure# o/ the /ailure o/ it% %$m)olic re*re%entation 6 a %u)ject endeavor% to e5*re%% it%el/ in a %i ni/ier# it /ail%# and the %u)ject is thi% /ailure' ,hi% i% !hat -acan mean% )$ hi% deceivin l$ %im*le claim that# ultimatel$# a %u)ject i% !hat i% not an o)ject - ever$ h$%teric kno!% thi% !ell# %ince the h$%terical Cue%tion i%. !hat /or an o)ject am I /or the Lther? (hat doe% the Lther de%ire me? In other !ord%# the *rimordial lo%t o)ject o/ de%ire i% t!e sub6ect itsel%'

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L*'cit'# *' G78' 8or a more detailed de%cri*tion o/ "e el<% triad o/ re/lection# %ee 9ha*ter TI o/ Slavoj iek# 3!e

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Sublime =b6ect o% Ideology# -ondon. Ter%o Aook% 1989'

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