ISSN 1751-8229

Volume Four, Number Four

Special Issue iek's Theology

The Unbearable Truth o the Image! iek"s #e$#ea%ing o Iconoclasm an% &eter 'ro(n"s )oly *an

Daniel Webb, Carleton University, Canada.

A ne

ave o! le!t- in" #oliti$al t%eory is e&er"in" today, $%ara$teri'ed by a "ro(# o!

t%eorists devoted to re-i&a"inin" #oliti$al t%o("%t and #ra$ti$e in a ay t%at over$o&es t%e d(al #roble&s asso$iated it% t%e absol(tis& o! )ar*ist-+eninis&, and t%e ne"ative-relativis& o! &($% o! #ost-&odern t%o("%t. 1 ,oliti$ally, it is asserted, t%at a!ter t%e !ail(re o! t%e so$ialist #ro-e$t, and t%e inability o! #ost-&odernis& to o!!er any "en(ine $%allen"e to $a#italis& and liberal de&o$ra$y, e are e*#erien$in" a .s$ar$ity o! !antasies/ in ter&s o! alternatives to "lobali'ation and neo-liberal "overnan$e 01i2e3 19974. 5%e best 3no n 0#er%a#s, se&inal4 atte&#t to t%eori'e o(r ay o(t o! t%is des#airin" sit(ation as e*#ressed in 6ardt and Ne"ri/s 2771 te*t Empire, in %i$% t%e a(t%ors endeavo(r to synt%esi'e t%e insi"%ts o! )ar*, 8o($a(lt, and 9ra&s$i !or an e&an$i#atory #ro-e$t. Indeed, !or a #eriod Empire as $onsidered by so&e to be t%e 1

.bible/ o! t%e anti-"lobali'ation &ove&ent. I o(ld ar"(e t%at t%is va(nted #osition o! leaders%i# in le!t- in" t%eoreti$al $ir$les is no s%i!tin" 0i! not already $o&#lete4 to t%e !i"(re o! Slovenian so$ial and #oliti$al t%eorist Slavo- 1i2e3. 1i2e3, %o ever, is no sin"le-&inded t%eorist o! radi$al #oliti$al &ove&ents or so$ial e&an$i#ation in t%e tradition o! Empire, b(t instead one %o borro s "enero(sly !ro& vario(s t%eoreti$al so(r$es in an atte&#t to ill(&inate t%e nat(re o! s(b-e$tivity, et%i$s, aest%eti$s, and #oliti$s today. )ost readers o! 1i2e3 are !a&iliar it% %is a##ro#riation o! #o#-$(lt(re, a&(sin" #ersonal ane$dotes, and et%ni$ and dirty -o3es to ill(strate lessons !ro& 6e"el or +a$an, b(t a less !a&iliar as#e$t o! %is t%o("%t, es#e$ially #ro&inent in %is later ritin"s, is %is re- or3in" o! t%e #osition o! 0se$(lari'ed4 C%ristianity and :(dais& in $onte&#orary #oliti$al t%eory. 5%at is, 1i2e3 ; an avo ed at%eist ; s(""ests t%at e $an learn i&#ortant lessons !ro& so&e o! t%e !(nda&ental #%iloso#%i$al insi"%ts o! t%ese t o traditions. )ore s#e$i!i$ally, it is 1i2e3/s re or3in" o! t%e $ate"ories o! #arti$(larity and (niversality ; at t%e level o! s(b-e$tivity ; it%in a s#e$i!i$ally Christian #%iloso#%i$al $onte*t, t%at $ontrib(tes &ost to %is t%eori'in" o! #ro"ressive #oliti$s. In t%is $onte*t, a lar"e #art o! 1i2e3/s or3 is a #ointed $riti<(e o! %at %e (nderstands to be o(r $(rrent #redi$a&ent= an intelle$t(al &o&ent do&inated by %at %e $alls se$(lari'ed :e is% t%o("%t in Continental #oliti$al #%iloso#%y. 2 6e ar"(es t%at a $ertain bias ; re#resented broadly by t%e ter& .#ost-&odernis&/ ; e*ists a"ainst C%ristian t%e&es and ideas, %ile si&(ltaneo(sly :e is% t%o("%t is !etis%i'ed. 1i2e3 identi!ies t%e #redo&inant i&#(lse it%in t%e a$$e#table >#ost-se$(lar? o#tions in $onte&#orary #%iloso#%y as an in-(n$tion to >sti$3 to t%e (ni<(eness o! t%e :e is% le"a$y, to its !idelity to t%e en$o(nter it% radi$al @t%erness, in $ontrast to C%ristianity? 01i2e3 277A= B4. 6ere, %is iss(e it% :e is% t%o("%t is t%at its !etis%i'ation o! res#e$t !or ot%erness leads to a #arti$(lar ty#e o! #%iloso#%i$al and #oliti$al relativis& t%at in no ay $%allen"es $onte&#orary !or&s o! $a#italist so$ial relations. 5%at is to say, :e is% #%iloso#%y la$3s any !o(ndation !or (niversally nor&ative #oliti$al #rin$i#les. 8(rt%er&ore, 1i2e3 ta3es iss(e it% t%e ne"ative )essiani$ $%ara$ter o! :e is% t%o("%t ; ty#i!ied by t%e or3 o! 5%eodor Adorno ; %i$% %e e*#resses as so&et%in" li3e= .deny %at is (ntr(e and re!(se t%e !alsity o! e*isten$e, b(t be ass(red t%at t%e tr(t% ill $o&e ... later./ 8or 1i2e3 t%ere is no #ositive-nor&ative #osition %ereC no s(""estion o! %o to i&a"ine and b(ild a #oliti$al #ro-e$t, b(t only t%e in-(n$tion to ne"ate t%e e*istin" state 2

o! a!!airs in t%e abstra$t %ile aitin" !or $%an"e to .-(st %a##en./ In 1i2e3/s o#inion, t%e :e is% #%iloso#%i$al #osition is so&et%in" a3in to t%is= ander aro(nd in t%e desert ; stateless and &iserable, b(t %ave !ait% t%at rede&#tion ill $o&e, and %ere %e $ontin(o(sly invo3es Den-a&in/s $ate"ory o! .divine violen$e/ as t%e #oliti$al e*#ression o! ne"ative )essianis&. In $ontrast, %e #er$eives C%ristian t%o("%t as $ontainin" t%e radi$al #otential !or a #ositive #oliti$al #ro-e$t, #arti$(larly in t%e !i"(re o! St. ,a(l. Dorro in" %eavily !ro& Alain Dadio(, 1i2e3 reads ,a(line #oliti$s as= I %ave itnessed t%e Event o! 5r(t% ; %i$% is C%rist ; and !ro& %ere e b(ild a Co&&(nity, a Fevol(tion, a C%(r$%. In abstra$t #%iloso#%i$al ter&s, t%is #osition is e*#ressed as itnessin" a #arti$(lar Event %i$% is t%en raised to t%e stat(s o! a (niversal tr(t% and, in t(rn, in$or#orated into a #oliti$al &ove&ent, or"ani'ation, or instit(tion. W%at 1i2e3 is atte&#tin" to de&onstrate it% t%ese $lai&s is not%in" less t%an t%e overt(rnin" o! a basi$ ass(&#tion o! le!t- in" Continental t%o("%t t%at, %e ar"(es, be"an it% Adorno and $(l&inates in t%e et%i$s and &et%odolo"y o! +evinas and Derrida. W%et%er it is non-identity or di!!Gran$e, t%e do&inant a##roa$% to $riti$al #%iloso#%y o! t%e #ast t%irty years %as been one based on abstra$t ne"ation and t%e re!(sal to rei!y t%e $on$e#t(al or t%e si"nC in ot%er ords, tr(t% 0as an abstra$t $ate"ory4 &(st be a##roa$%ed ne"atively. 8or 1i2e3, %ile t%is #%iloso#%i$al &o&ent as ne$essary to over$o&e t%e do"&atis& o! ort%odo* )ar*is& it is, in itsel!, de!ined by a &ode o! t%o("%t t%at (n ittin"ly $ontrib(tes to t%e #er#et(ation o! $a#italist so$ial relations t%at no adays is !(elled by t%e "lori!i$ation o! di!!eren$e and ot%erness. In t%is arti$le, I e*#lore 1i2e3Hs re-e$tion o! se$(lari'ed :e is% Continental #oliti$al t%o("%t in an atte&#t to ill(strate %o %is $riti<(e lends itsel! to a #ositive $onstr($tion o! $onte&#orary s(b-e$tivity in t%e $ate"ory o! t%e .0in4%(&an./ I a##roa$% t%is iss(e via 1i2e3Hs diale$ti$al readin" o! :e is% i$ono$las& and, &ore s#e$i!i$ally, its !o(ndin" &o&ent= t%e Dibli$al Se$ond Co&&and&ent or .I&a"e ,ro%ibition./ 6e $lai&s t%at t%e traditional (nderstandin" o! i$ono$las& is t%at be$a(se 9od is $%ara$teri'ed by a s(bli&e !or&lessness, :(dais& #ro%ibited t%e i&a"e o! 9od be$a(se any i&a"e o(ld ne$essarily be a !alse de#i$tion. 1i2e3 $%allen"es t%is readin" and s(""ests t%at, on t%e $ontrary, it banned t%e i&a"e o! 9od be$a(se it $ontains an (nbearable tr(t% t%at o(ld dissolve t%e :(dai$ Sy&boli$ @rder ; t%e tr(t% t%at 9od is not%in" &ore t%an t%e i&#er!e$t e*tension o! &an. 5%ere!ore, !ro& 1i2e3Hs #ers#e$tive, C%ristianityHs trans"ression a"ainst t%e ,ro%ibition s%o(ld be (nderstood as re$o"ni'in" t%e !(lly 3

s(blated tr(t% o! t%e :e is% #osition= t%at a $ertain .divinity/ e*ists in &an and t%at it $an be s%o n or re#resented in t%e !i"(re o! C%rist. It is !ro& t%is t%eoreti$al startin" #oint t%at 1i2e3 $onstr($ts %is &odel o! t%e revol(tionary s(b-e$t !or $onte&#orary ti&es. 8inally, in an atte&#t to t%in3 1i2e3Hs t%esis in a %istori$al $onte*t, I t(rn to ,eter Dro nHs or3 on t%e .%oly &an/ o! 9t% Cent(ry Dy'anti(&. It is &y $ontention t%at t%e %oly &an !its al&ost #er!e$tly 1i2e3Hs &odel o! s(b-e$tivity, and de&onstrates in a &ore e&#iri$al &anner so&e o! t%e #%iloso#%i$al ra&i!i$ations o! %is #osition, #ri&arily t%e ay in %i$% it $%allen"es t%e do&inant (nderstandin" o! %o $onte&#orary Continental t%o("%t val(ates t%e #arti$(lar and t%e (niversal in relation to tr(t%. Instead o! (nderstandin" t%e #arti$(lar as t%e e*$l(sive site o! tr(t% and #ositin" t%e (niversal as t%e site o! !alsity, t%e %oly &an de&onstrates t%at tr(t% e&er"es only %en t%e #arti$(lar and (niversal e*ist $onte&#oraneo(sly in t%e sa&e ob-e$t.

Iconoclasm! The +e(ish &osition W%ile 1i2e3/s #ro-e$t o! re$overin" t%e revol(tionary #otential o! C%ristian t%o("%t is, #er%a#s, &ost $o&&only asso$iated it% %is or3 on St. ,a(l as t%e !i"(re %o #oliti$i'es and instit(tionali'es C%ristianity in t%e !or& o! t%e C%(r$%, a to#i$ t%at %as not been ritten on e*tensively is %is #e$(liar analysis o! t%e :e is% Se$ond Co&&and&ent a"ainst i&a"es and t%e C%ristian trans$enden$e o! 0or trans"ression a"ainst4 t%e sa&e. Des#ite t%is o&ission in t%e literat(re on 1i2e3, t%ere e*ists a relatively lar"e body o! s$%olarly or3 dealin" it% t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent !ro& a distin$tly Jewish #ers#e$tive. 8or e*a&#le, a &ini-ind(stry e*ists t%at e*#lores Adorno/s a##ro#riation o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent %i$% %e (ses to de&onstrate its ne"ative #%iloso#%i$al tr(t%-$ontent.3 8or Adorno, t%e i&a"e is (ntr(e be$a(se it atte&#ts to re#resent t%at %i$% is (nre#resentable in !i"(ral !or&C it rei!ies 9od as !inite and it%o(t e*$ess or, in %is o n verna$(lar, it &a3es 9od >identi$al? to itsel!. 5%(s, t%e e*#li$it #ro%ibition o! $reatin" t%e i&a"e o! 9od and, in t%e Iabbalist tradition, even naming 9od is a #ro!o(nd tr(t% t%at in!or&s bot% Adorno/s #%iloso#%i$al &et%odolo"y .ne"ative diale$ti$s/ 0in %i$% a $on$e#t never !(lly $a#t(res t%e tr(t% o! its ob-e$t4, and %is aest%eti$s in %i$% tr(t% a##ears only to t%e e*tent it disr(#ts t%e identity o! t%e s(b-e$t. 5%(s, !or Adorno, t%e i&a"e is al ays t%e site o! !alsity and its e*#ress 4

#ro%ibition is t%e only ay to e*#erien$e tr(t% 0Adorno 277J= 2774. 5%is is e*tended !(rt%er in %is treat&ent o! #arti$(larity and (niversality. @n Adorno/s readin", t%e #arti$(lar is al ays, by de!inition, t%e site o! tr(t% be$a(se it is (nderstood as (ni<(e and val(able in itsel! 0and t%ere!ore (ne*$%an"eable4, %ile t%e (niversal is al ays t%e rei!ied e*#ression o! identity. Wit%in %is and 6or3%ei&er/s $onstr($tion o! t%e diale$ti$ o! enli"%ten&ent, t%e C%ristian trans"ression a"ainst t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent is a $on$rete regression !ro& t%e s(blated tr(t% o! t%e ,ro%ibition. 5%is readin" o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent %as %ad #ro!o(nd i&#li$ations !or Western #%iloso#%y, and s#e$i!i$ally !or $onte&#orary t%eories o! s(b-e$tivity. Wit%in Adorno/s !ra&e or3 t%e s(b-e$t be$o&es de!ined only by %at it is not ; t%e ar#ed and rei!ied s(b-e$t o! late $a#italis& %i$% is .identi$al/ to itsel! qua s(b-e$t or &ind. 5%is analysis sets t%e "ro(nd or3 !or t%e de$onstr($tive t(rn in #%iloso#%y %i$% $o&es to $%allen"e all !i*ed &eanin" asso$iated it% s(b-e$tivity 0Cornell 19924. In t%is re"ard, :ean-8ranKois +yotard/s or3 on t%e $ate"ory o! t%e >in%(&an? is e*e&#lary. +yotard $elebrates t%at %i$% is >in%(&an? in t%e %(&an as a nor&ative startin" #oint to t%in3 $onte&#orary s(b-e$tivity as an (n$ontainable #aro*ys&al !or$eC t%at %i$% $onstantly atte&#ts to brea3 t%ro("% t%e so$iali'ed barrier $alled t%e >%(&an? 0+yotard 19914. W%at is interestin" %ere is t%at one $an tra$e +yotard/s !or&(lation o! t%e in%(&an ba$3 to anot%er readin" o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent, na&ely Iant/s. In The Critique of Judgment Iant !a&o(sly observes t%at t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent is t%e >s(bli&est #assa"e? in t%e Dible be$a(se it re$o"ni'es in 9od an ob-e$t t%at $annot be !(lly $a#t(red by t%e i&a"ination 0Iant 197A= 1274. It is t%ro("% t%e >(n#resentability? o! t%e i&a"e o! 9od t%at +yotard, (lti&ately, (nderstands %is nor&ative $ate"ory >in%(&an?= t%e (nso$iali'ed e*$ess o! %(&an s(b-e$tivityC t%e s(b-e$t o! t%e novatio s(bli&e. It is it% t%ese #%iloso#%i$al develo#&ents in &ind ; Adorno/s readin" o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent and +yotard/s $onstr($tion o! t%e in%(&an ; t%at one s%o(ld sit(ate 1i2e3/s atte&#ted re$overy o! a se$(lari'ed Christian readin" o! t%e Dibli$al I&a"e ,ro%ibition as so&et%in" t%at $an $ontrib(te to t%e t%eori'ation o! an over$o&in" o! t%e $risis o! abstra$t ne"ation and (nde$idability t%at %as a$$o&#anied t%e as$endan$e o! se$(lari'ed :e is% #%iloso#%y it%in le!t- in" Continental t%o("%t and #oliti$s.

iek an% the Image &rohibition In t%e $onte*t o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent, 1i2e3/s #ri&ary interest is to re$onstr($t t%e traditional (nderstandin" t%at t%e &ove !ro& #a"anis& 09ree3LFo&an4 to :(dais& is #rin$i#ally a #ro$ess o! >de-ant%ro#o&or#%i'ation.? 1i2e3 $lai&s t%at it is $o&&only ass(&ed a&on"st &ost Continental #%iloso#%ers today t%at %ile t%e #a"an "ods o! anti<(ity s%ared %(&an <(alities, bot% &ental and #%ysi$al, and en"a"ed in %(&an be%avio(r ; in$l(din" se*(al and "enerally deba($%ero(s e*$ess ; t%e :e is% 9od is it%o(t %(&an !or& or attrib(tes. Wit% t%is in &ind, 1i2e3 #oses t%e <(estion= >M %at i! t%e tr(e tar"et o! :e is% i$ono$lasti$ #ro%ibition is not #revio(s #a"an reli"ions, b(t rat%er its own .ant%ro#o&or#%i'ation/L.#ersonali'ation/ o! 9odN W%at i! t%e :e is% reli"ion itself "enerates t%e e*$ess it %as to #ro%ibitN? 01i2e3 2771a= 1A74. 6e notes t%at, !ar !ro& bein" !(lly de-ant%ro#o&or#%i'ed t%e :e is% 9od, in !a$t, #ersoni!ies %(&an <(alities &ore intensely t%an t%e vario(s entities in t%e #a"an #ant%eon. As %e states= >It is only it% :(dais& t%at 9od is 8U++O .ant%ro#o&or#%i'ed,/ t%at t%e en$o(nter it% 6i& is t%e en$o(nter it% anot%er ,EFS@N in t%e !(llest sense o! t%e ter& ; t%e :e is% 9od e*#erien$es !(ll rat%, reven"e!(lness, -ealo(sy, et$., as every %(&an bein"? 01i2e3 2771a= 1A7-14. 5%(s, !or 1i2e3, t%e reason !or #ro%ibitin" t%e $reation o! 6is i&a"e is not t%at it o(ld ne$essarily be a false de#i$tion, t%at it o(ld never be ade<(ate to 6is tr(e (nre#resentable nat(re, b(t t%at it o(ld all too faithfully de&onstrate 6is %(&anity. 6e $lai&s= >M t%e :e is% #ro%ibition only &a3es sense a"ainst t%e ba$3"ro(nd o! t%is !ear t%at t%e i&a"e o(ld reveal so&et%in" s%atterin", t%at, in an (nbearable ay, it o(ld be 5FUE and ADEPUA5E? 01i2e3 2771a= 1A24. 5%is #osition t%at :(dais& banned t%e i&a"e be$a(se it o(ld reveal an (nbearable truth only &a3es sense it%in t%e $onte*t o! 1i2e3Hs &odel o! +a$anian ontolo"y o! s(b-e$tivityC and %e leaves it lar"ely (# to t%e reader to or3 o(t t%e details. 5%ere!ore, a brie! (n#a$3in" o! %is #osition is re<(ired. @n 1i2e3/s readin" o! t%e 0>late?4 +a$an4, %en t%e s(b-e$t enters into t%e Sy&boli$ @rder 0 %en it be$o&es .s(b-e$t/4, it e*#erien$es t%is &o&ent as a tra(&ati$ renderin" a ay !ro& %oleness. 5%ere!ore, t%e s(b-e$t e*#erien$es s(b-e$tivity as a !(nda&ental la$3. 5%is la$3 &ani!ests itsel! as a .lost ob-e$t/ 0objet petit a4 %i$% t%e s(b-e$t $onstantly strives to re"ain by #(rs(in" s(rro"ate ob-e$ts in an i&#ossible atte&#t to !ill t%e la$3 0t%e atte&#t is .i&#ossible/ be$a(se t%is la$3 is t%e ontological condition of subjectivity4. 5%is la$3, 6

#arado*i$ally, e*ists as an .e*$ess/ !or t%e s(b-e$t, be$a(se it is e*#erien$ed as a .never eno("%/ 0t%(s, la$3 Q e*$ess4. 5%e #leas(re one see3s in t%e #(rs(it o! t%is ob-e$t 0or to !ill t%e la$34 is $alled jouissance 0t%e li&it #oint o! en-oy&ent %ere #leas(re and #ain be$o&e indistin"(is%able4. 5%e $at$% is t%at %ile all s(b-e$ts see3 t%is lost ob-e$t or t%e satis!a$tion o! jouissance, it is an i&#ossible endeavo(r be$a(se it o(ld be e<(ivalent to e*#erien$in" t%e Feal o! #re-s(b-e$tivity. 5%e s(b-e$t qua s(b-e$t dissolves i! it e*#erien$es t%e Feal be$a(se t%e ontolo"i$al $ondition o! s(b-e$tivity is its disavo al. 8ro& t%is #ers#e$tive, 9od is (nderstood as bot% an ob-e$t !or $%annellin" one/s e*$essive desire !or %oleness, and as an ob-e$t t%at is de!ined by an e*$ess. :(dais& banned t%e i&a"e, on 1i2e3/s readin", not be$a(se it o(ld !ail to "ras# t%e ine!!ability o! 9od, b(t be$a(se it o(ld de&onstrate t%at God is defined by the same excess as man 0i&#er!e$t, in$o&#lete, and i&#otent4. Fe$o"ni'in" t%is tr(t% o(ld destroy t%e :(dai$ Sy&boli$ @rder in %i$% 9od bot% ens(res &eanin" and a$ts as a re$e#ta$le !or &an/s e*$essive desire. 5%ere!ore, t%e i&a"e o! 9od s%o(ld be (nderstood #ri&arily not as a tr(t% abo(t 9od, b(t as a truth about the subject. 5%e s(b-e$t re$o"ni'es in t%e i&a"e o! 9od .t%e Feal/ 0#re-sy&boli$4 o! s(b-e$tivity. 5%e Feal de&onstrates t%at t%e $ore o! s(b-e$tivity is a $ontentless void and, t%ere!ore, it &(st be disavo ed in t%e s(b-e$t to ens(re its stability as s(b-e$t. I! t%is #osition is in any ay tenable, t%en %at does it &ean t%at C%ristianity allo s and, in so&e $ases, even ors%i#s t%e i&a"e o! t%e divineN 8or 1i2e3, t%e reasons !or t%is are $lear= C%rist !(l!ills t%e "en(ine &ove toward ant%ro#o&or#%is& t%at :(dais& be"an, si&#ly by re$o"ni'in" it in itsel!. 6o ever, !or 1i2e3 it is not si&#ly 0as it as !or :o%n o! Da&as$(s54 t%at in C%rist 9od be$o&es &an, b(t t%at >C%rist is !(lly a &an only inso!ar as %e ta3es (#on %i&sel! t%e e*$essLre&ainder, t%e .too &($%/ on a$$o(nt o! %i$% a &an, #re$isely, is never !(lly a &an? and t%ere!ore, >it be$o&es $lear t%at 9od is N@56IN9 DU5 t%e e*$ess o! &an, t%e .too &($%/ o! li!e %i$% $annot be $ontained in any li!e-!or&, %i$% violates t%e s%a#e 0 morphe4 o! ant%ro#o&or#%is&? 01i2e3 2771a= 1A1-24. 5%(s, in 1i2e3/s or3 t%e Reno#%ani$ &a*i& o! "ods and %orses is a$3no led"ed b(t it% a t ist= 9od is $reated in &an/s i&a"e-#er$e#tion o! %i&sel!, b(t only to t%e e*tent t%at it #ro-e$ts t%at %i$% is (nre#resentable and (n$ontainable in t%e !or& o! &an. 5o t%e e*tent t%at t%e .%(&an/ is (nderstood as $o&#lete, en-oyin" all t%e i&&anent #ro#erties o! t%e &odern s(b-e$t 0)ar*ist, liberal, or ot%er ise4 in t%e 7

Sy&boli$ @rder, it $an only a##ro*i&ate %oleness or %(&anness by re$o"ni'in" its la$3 ; its in%(&an $o&#le&ent ; t%e ya nin" "a# bet een t%e Sy&boli$ and t%e Feal. 1i2e3 arti$(lates t%is #oint &ost $learly in %is $ontrib(tion to t%e boo3 The Neighbor, %erein %e de!ines t%e %(&an bein" as >t%e di!!eren$e bet een t%e %(&an and t%e in%(&an e*$ess t%at is in%erent to bein" ; %(&an? 01i2e3, et al. 2777= 1754. 1i2e3/s +a$anian readin" o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition ill(strates %is "eneral (nderstandin" o! t%e si"ni!i$an$e o! :(dais& and C%ristianity as diale$ti$al &o&ents in t%e %istory o! #%iloso#%y. De$a(se 1i2e3 ar"(es t%at it is t%e image o! &an, and not its absen$e, t%at #oints to its tr(t% $ontent, t%e in%(&an e*$ess o! bein" %(&an &ani!ests itsel! in its concrete representation. In t%is re"ard, :e is% i$ono$las& $an be (nderstood as a %esitan$y to re$o"ni'e the divinity in man. 8or 1i2e3, t%e &ove !ro& :(dais& to C%ristianity is a3in to a &ove !ro& %at &i"%t be $alled an .i&&anent diale$ti$,/ in %i$% no #ro"ress or trans$enden$e o$$(rs, to a "en(inely &aterialist diale$ti$, in %i$% a divine ob-e$t is !(lly s(blated into t%e #%eno&enal orld, be$a(se C%ristianity #osits t%e dire$t identity o! &an and 9od. 6 In ot%er ords, as %e #(ts it, >:(dais& and C%ristianity are related as In-itsel! and 8or-itsel! ; :(dais& is C%ristianity .in itsel!,/ still in t%e !or& o! #a"anis&, arti$(lated in t%e #a"an %ori'on. %ori'on 0o! i&a"es, se*(ali'ed rit(als, et$.4, t%e Ne ithin t%is $an only assert itsel! in t%e "(ise

o! a radi$al prohibition= no i&a"es, no sa$red or"ies? 01i2e3 2771a= 1294. :(dais&, in s%ort, re#resents a disavo al o! its o n tr(t%-$ontent by #ro%ibitin" its #ositive #resentation 0be$a(se its revelation o(ld destroy t%e :(dai$ Sy&boli$ @rder4. 5%ere!ore, 1i2e3 reads t%e ,ro%ibition as a &o&ent o! diale$ti$al s(blation, b(t not as a full s(blation. 8or 1i2e3, t%e $o&#letion o! t%e diale$ti$al (n!oldin" o$$(rs one e#o$% later $%ara$teri'ed by t%e C%ristian overcoming o! t%e Co&&and&ent 0i.e., allo in" t%e i&a"e o! 9od4. 1i2e3 o!!ers a radi$al inter#retation o! t%e relations%i# o! t%e i&a"e to t%ese t o reli"io(s traditions be$a(se, on %is readin", t%e nor&ative dis$o(rse s(rro(ndin" t%e relations%i# bet een t%e #arti$(lar and t%e (niversal ; in bot% t%e :e is% and t%e C%ristian traditions ; is re-arran"ed. 5%e ne relations%i# %e des$ribes bet een t%e #arti$(lar and t%e (niversal does not si&#ly reverse t%e&C it is not t%at t%e (niversal be$o&es t%e site o! tr(t%, %ile t%e #arti$(lar is !alse be$a(se it is not !(lly s(blated. @n t%e $ontrary, %at %e is des$ribin" is an ob-e$t in %i$% t%e #arti$(lar and (niversal are indistin"(is%able. I! one ere to des$ribe it in Adornian ter&s, t%e #arti$(lar, %i$% is tr(e, is !ir&ly sit(ated in t%e i&a"e o! &an, %i$% is also 8

t%e site o! t%e (niversal. @n &y readin" o! 1i2e3, be$a(se t%e i&a"e a##ears to $a#t(re bot% t%e %(&an 0as a $onstr($t in t%e Sy&boli$4 and t%e in%(&an e*$ess 0t%e la$3 $alled t%e Feal4, seein" t%e i&a"e is tanta&o(nt to a &o&entary e*#erien$e o! t%e Feal be$a(se it is $o&#lete ; t%e #arti$(lar and (niversal a##ear to be &o&entarily re$on$iled. 5%e $ontent o! t%is i&a"e #oints to t%e ne$essary dissolvin" o! t%e Sy&boli$ @rder !ro& %i$% an A$t $an e&er"e. ,%iloso#%ers li3e Adorno o(ld re-e$t t%is readin" be$a(se it #osits a non-e*istent rede&#tion 0or re$on$iliation o! s(b-e$t and ob-e$t4. 5%e 3ey #oint to re&e&ber, !ro& a 1i2e3ian #ers#e$tive, is t%at t%e i&a"e does not si"ni!y a re$on$iliation t%at re&ains it% t%e s(b-e$t or redee&s t%e orld, b(t a re$on$iliation t%at t%e s(b-e$t instantly 0or s%ortly a!ter4 be"ins to brea3 a#art or divide in order to $reate a ne Sy&boli$ @rder. 5%ere!ore, t%ere is no re$on$iliation %ere in Idealist ter&s. 5%ere is only a dissol(tion o! s(b-e$tivity as s($% t%at allo s t%e #ossibility o! a ne , b(t by no &eans redee&ed, ay o! bein" a s(b-e$t 0one re&ains alienated !ro& t%e Feal4 b(t in a ne Sy&boli$ @rder. 5%is is sli"%tly a3in to Adorno/s $ate"ory o! aest%eti$ e*#erien$e, b(t t%e &a-or di!!eren$e is t%at, %ile a s(b-e$t obtains a %i"%er level o! $ons$io(sness a!ter an aest%eti$ e*#erien$e, it still !inds itsel! in t%e sa&e alienatin" and totali'in" orld. 8or 1i2e3, %ile t%e !(ll satis!a$tion o! desire is an ontolo"i$al i&#ossibility, it is #ossible to learn to live ... better, in a ne Sy&boli$ @rder o! t%e s(b-e$tHs $reation. 5o t%is e*tent, t%e Feal o! &an ; t%e "a#in" and terri!yin" void at t%e $ore o! s(b-e$tivity ; be$o&es .in%(&an,/ and t%e #ro#er diale$ti$al ob-e$t o! #%iloso#%i$al investi"ation. 5%e Feal &(st be disavo ed !or s(b-e$tivity to e*ist as s($%, b(t it is also t%at %i$% &(st be !a$ed !or "en(ine #ro"ress to be rendered #ossible 0s(b-e$tivity &(st be dissolved !or a ne !or& o! s(b-e$tivity to e&er"e4. 8or 1i2e3, t%e "reatest !la it% &ost &odern and $onte&#orary Continental t%eorists o! s(b-e$tivity is t%at t%ey do not a$3no led"e t%e in%(&an $o&#onent o! %(&anity. It is %is $ontention t%at it%o(t $o&in" to "ri#s it% t%is ontolo"i$al !a$t o! bein" %(&an, #%iloso#%ers ill never !(lly (nderstand %istori$al &o&ents o! %(&an br(tality and terror, nor ill t%ey be able to ade<(ately !or&(late a "en(inely #ro"ressive #oliti$al #ro-e$t. And so, !or t%e sa3e o! ar"(&ent, I ill !or t%e ti&e bein" re!er to 1i2e3/s $onstr($tion o! t%e %(&an, or &ore-t%an-%(&an d(e to its divine e*$ess, as t%e .0in4%(&an./ Wit% t%is $o(nter-narrative o! i$ono$las& in &ind, it #roves #rod($tive to read it a"ainst t%e traditional :e is% readin" o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition ; s#e$i!i$ally in 9

ter&s o! t%e relations%i# bet een t%e #ositional val(e o! t%e #arti$(lar and t%e (niversal. 8or t%is, I o(ld li3e to e*#lore a %istori$al &o&ent in %i$% virt(ally t%e entire $onstellation o! $ontested t%eolo"i$al and #oliti$al #rin$i#les $onstit(tin" t%e debate over i&a"es arose= t%e i$ono$last $on!li$t o! 9 t% $ent(ry Dy'anti(&. W%at is &ost a##arent in st(dyin" t%is $on!li$t is t%at t%e se$(lari'ed :e is% inter#retation o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition is severely !la ed, i! not $o&#letely &ista3en. I! t%e #o er o! t%e i&a"e o! t%e divine d(rin" t%is #eriod is re#resented #ri&arily by i$ons and t%e %oly &an 0as a C%rist-li3e !i"(re4, it as &ani!ested <(ite $learly against t%e (niversalis& o! t%e C%(r$% and E&#ire. 5%ese !i"(res 0i$ons and %oly &en4 ere distin$tly lo$ali'ed, re#resentin" t%e #arti$(larity o! r(ral $o&&(nities resistin" atte&#ts to be in$or#orated into a (niversal #oliti$al str($t(re. In t%is $onte*t, i$ono$lasti$ C%ristians ere not destroyin" i&a"es in an atte&#t to stay tr(e to t%e @ld 5esta&ent Co&&and&ent, b(t to eradi$ate t%e #o er o! t%eir #arti$(larity 0&ani!ested in t%e !or& o! lo$al #o#(lations/ loyalty to #arti$(lar saints and %oly &en4. W%at is stri3in" abo(t t%e %oly &an is t%e ay in %i$% %is i&a"e and %is #la$e in so$iety are $onsistent it% 1i2e3/s re-readin" o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition and %is &odel o! s(b-e$tivity in "eneral. 5o t%is e*tent, t%e %oly &an re#resents t%e in%(&an e*$ess by %i$% all %(&ans are de!ined.

&eter 'ro(n! Iconoclasm an% the )oly *an )y intent in t%is se$tion is not to #rovide a detailed %istori$al a$$o(nt o! t%e series o! events t%at $onstit(te t%e i$ono$last $risis in 9t% $ent(ry, Dy'anti(& b(t to %i"%li"%t t%e ay in %i$% $ertain dis$o(rses o! (niversality and #arti$(larity, re#resented #oliti$ally by E&#ire and lo$al a(t%ority res#e$tively, ere arti$(lated t%ro("% t%e lan"(a"e o! t%eolo"y. In e!!e$t, &y ar"(&ent is t%at %at &i"%t be #er$eived as a debate over reli"io(s do"&a as, in !a$t, a str(""le over t%e #oliti$al i&a"inary o! t%e #o#(la$e. 5%(s, t%e !ollo in" a$$o(nt is intended only to identi!y dis$(rsive trends t%at $an %el# s%ed li"%t on #%iloso#%i$al a##ro#riations o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition, t%e #roble&ati$ o! re#resentation 0and its relations%i# to t%e #arti$(lar and (niversal4, and a $o&#arison o! t%e %oly &an and 1i2e3/s #arti$(lar a$$o(nt o! t%e 0in4%(&an 0 %i$% is si&#ly anot%er ay o! des$ribin" %is (nderstandin" o! s(b-e$tivity4.

10

5%e Dy'antine E&#ire e*isted !ro& A7B to 1J5A CE and, at t%e %ei"%t o! its #o er, s#anned !ro& so(t%ern S#ain to t%e Syrian Desert and nort%ern Italy to so(t%ern E"y#t. It en-oyed its ."olden a"e,/ (nder t%e rei"n o! E&#eror :(stinian I, bet een t%e years 527 and 5B5. D(rin" t%is ti&e t%e E&#ire e*#erien$ed a #eriod o! relatively (ndist(rbed #ea$e 0in ter&s o! its relations it% nei"%bo(rin" e&#ires4. 5%e .i$ono$last $risis/ itsel! be"an %en t%e stability o! t%is #eriod as s%a3en in t%e late 7t% $ent(ry d(e to a series o! s($$ess!(l in$(rsions into Dy'antine territory by t%e Arab E&#ire. 5%ese raids and !or ard advan$es #ro!o(ndly de&orali'ed t%e #o#(la$e be$a(se (# to t%at #oint Dy'antine s(b-e$ts %ad been $on!ident t%at 9od #rote$ted t%eir borders. 5%eir <(estion t%(s be$a&e= .6o divine #(nis%&entN/ Sear$%in" !or a s$a#e"oat to e*#lain t%e s($$ess o! t%e Arab $%allen"e, t%e C%(r$% !ir&ly #la$ed t%e bla&e on ides#read idolatry 0#ri&arily, t%e ors%i# o! i$ons4 or .national a#ostasy,/ %i$%, o! $o(rse, in$l(ded t%e trans"ression o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent 0Dro n, 1982a, #. 2J14. 5%e i$ono$lasts s(""ested t%at i&a"es o! C%rist and t%e Saints serve to distra$t C%ristians !ro& t%e ors%i# o! 9od in 6is indeter&inable s%a#e be$a(se t%ese i&a"es $onstit(te (n$onse$rated ob-e$ts o! veneration, and t%ey t%ereby violate t%e s$ri#t(ral #ro%ibition on "raven i&a"es. 5%e i$ono#%iles, by $ontrast, promoted t%e (se o! s($% i&a"es it% t%e ar"(&ent t%at t%ey are .(se!(l/ !or illiterate C%ristians as re&inders o! 9od/s "lory and t%at, in !a$t, i$ons are %oly reli$s be$a(se t%ey are $onse$rated .!ro& belo ,/ t%at is, t%ey ere dee&ed %oly not be$a(se o! o!!i$ial $onse$ration by t%e C%(r$%, b(t be$a(se t%ere as a dee# #sy$%olo"i$al need a&on" t%e &asses !or s($% %oly ob-e$ts. Fe"ardless o! t%e i$ono#%ile a##eal, in 72B E&#eror +eo III ena$ted t%e !irst o!!i$ial #oli$y o! i$ono$las& it%in t%e Eastern E&#ire, and t%e C%(r$% san$tioned t%is #osition in 75J at t%e Co(n$il o! 6ieria. All i&a"es o! C%rist, t%e Sir"in and, &ost &ar3edly, Saints, ere to be re&oved !ro& #la$es o! ors%i# and #(bli$ dis#lay. 5%is #oli$y lasted al&ost (ninterr(#ted (ntil t%e last i$ono$last E&#eror ; 5%eo#%olis ; died in 8J2. ,eter Dro n is idely re$o"ni'ed as t%e !ore&ost so$ial %istorian o! t%is a"e, and t%ere!ore &y analysis ill rely %eavily on %is or3. W%ile so&e &edievalists &ay !ind &y over-relian$e on Dro n #roble&ati$, as a #oliti$al t%eorist I a& &ore interested in (sin" %is &odel o! t%e %oly &an, and %is narrative o! i$ono$las&, as a %el#!(l alle"ory !or (nderstandin" 1i2e3/s +a$anianLC%ristian readin" o! t%e Se$ond Co&&and&ent and 11 %ave e trans"ressed a"ainst 9od to deserve t%is

%is t%eori'ation o! t%e s(b-e$t as t%e >in%(&an.? In t%is res#e$t, I !ollo

t%e lead o!

1i2e3 %i&sel! %ose or3, at ti&es, !lo(ris%es t%ro("% al&ost ane$dotal readin"s o! #%iloso#%i$al ideas divor$ed !ro& t%e s$r(tiny o! t%e se$ondary literat(re t%at $o&&ents on t%e&. Dro n $%ooses to !o$(s on a #arti$(lar #la$e and ti&e ; t%e Syrian $o(ntryside in t%e 9t% $ent(ry ; be$a(se t%e $%an"in" so$ial dyna&i$s o! t%e #o#(lation $%ara$teristi$ o! t%is %istori$al &o&ent $an best ill(strate %y i$ons and %oly &en ere bot% revered and reviled by di!!erent de&o"ra#%i$ "ro(#s. As %e s(""ests, st(dyin" t%e $ontroversy s(rro(ndin" t%e (se o! i$ons in 9 t% $ent(ry Dy'anti(& is an e*er$ise in e*#lorin" t%e so$io-#oliti$al and #sy$%olo"i$al di&ensions o! Syrian li!e d(rin" t%is #eriod 0Dro n 1982b= 179-2A4. It s%o(ld be stated !ro& t%e o(tset t%at, in t%is re"ard, t%e i$on #ro#er ; t%e #ortrait(res o! saints ; #layed a se$ondary role to t%at o! t%e .%oly &an/ %o $a&e to serve as an inte"ral so$ial instit(tion in t%e !or& o! arbiter, #%iloso#%er, $o(nsellor, and #oliti$al advisor. In !a$t, t%e i$on itsel! as only $onsidered a s(!!i$ient s(rro"ate i! no %oly &an as available !or $o(nsel 0Dro n 1982a= 2B94. 5%(s, it is to t%e %oly &an t%at one !irst &(st t(rn to (nderstand t%e si"ni!i$an$e o! t%e i$ono$last $risis t%at ro$3ed t%e Dy'antine E&#ire in t%e 9 t% $ent(ry. Dro n be"ins it% a very si&#le assertion= t%e rise o! t%e #o#(larity o! i$ons and t%e in!l(ential #osition o! t%e %oly &an o(ld not %ave o$$(rred i! t%e s(b-e$ts o! t%e Dy'antine E&#ire did not believe t%at %(&an bein"s $an dire$tly intervene in divine a!!airs and, t%ere!ore, in!l(en$e orldly #%eno&ena 0Dro n 1982a= 2B94. In ot%er ords, t%e C%ristian #o#(lation o! late anti<(ity believed stron"ly t%at t%e $o(rse o! terrestrial events is dire$tly $orrelated to t%e sin!(l or %oleso&e be%avio(r o! %(&an bein"s. I! a $o&&(nity as #er$eived to be $%ara$teri'ed by ides#read and inveterately i$3ed #ra$ti$es, t%at $o&&(nity $o(ld e*#e$t so&e 3ind o! lar"e-s$ale #(nis%&ent !ro& t%e venerable Deyond. 5%e sa&e belie! o#erated on a &i$ro-level as ell. ,eo#le (nderstood t%at all sorts o! #ersonal a!!li$tions ori"inate !ro& a divine so(r$e. 6o ever, t%ese sa&e #eo#le ere not al ays resi"ned to t%eir !ate, as it as $o&&only believed t%at so&e e*$e#tionally ri"%teo(s #ersons %ave t%e ability to intervene in divine a!!airs and, e!!e$tively, $%an"e or $orre$t t%eir !ate. 5%(s, t%e !irst $%ara$teristi$ o! t%e %oly &an t%at &(st be $onsidered is %is relations%i# to t%e divine. In t%is re"ard, %e &(st be (nderstood as a site o! #o er, or as Dro n des$ribes it= a >livin" i$on,? or a >$learly-de!ined locus o! t%e %oly on eart%? 0Dro n 1982a= 2B84. 12

5%ere is, t%en, a #arallel bet een t%e i$on and t%e %oly &an. 8or Dro n, t%e i$on $an be (nderstood literally as a #%ysi$al ob-e$t t%at e*ists si&(ltaneo(sly in bot% t%e e&#iri$al and &eta#%ysi$al real&s= >5%e i$on as a %ole in t%e dy3e se#aratin" t%e visible orld !ro& t%e divine and t%ro("% t%is %ole t%ere oo'ed #re$io(s driblets !ro& t%e "reat sea o! 9od/s &er$y? 0Dro n 1982a= 2B7-14. 5%e &ira$les t%at o$$(rred at t%e site o! i$ons ; t%e a$t(al e&anation o! &atter 0tears, blood, &yrr%4 !ro& venerated i&a"es ; ere to be (nderstood literally as %oles bet een t%e do&inions o! t%e %oly and #ro!ane. In a si&ilar !as%ion, %oly &en ere #er$eived literally as $ond(its o! t%e &ira$(lo(s. 8or e*a&#le, it as idely believed t%at si&#ly (#on seein" a %oly &an, a believer $o(ld e*#erien$e s(#ernat(ral #%eno&ena or deeds si&ilar to t%ose %i$% i$ons #er!or&ed, in #arti$(lar, t%e &ira$le o! %ealin". 8or t%e 9 t% $ent(ry Dy'antine s(b-e$t, t%is #o er $learly de&onstrated t%e .in%(&an/ $%ara$ter o! t%e %oly &an. As Dro n ar"(es= >W%y t%e %oly &an over ot%er #ossible &ediatorsN 5%e <(estion &(st be as3ed .Are yo( 6(&anN/ 5%e ans er !or t%e so$iolo"ist as <(ite de!initely, .no./ In late Fo&an so$iety, t%e %oly &an as deliberately not %(&an. 6e as t%e .stran"er/ par excellence? 0Dro n 1982b= 1A74. 5%is $on$entration o! divine #o er in t%e !i"(re o! t%e %oly &an &eant t%at %e be$a&e a site %erein t%e #o#(la$e !o$(ssed or dis#la$ed t%eir %o#es and !ears be$a(se %e %ad t%e (ni<(e ability to ens(re t%e a$t(ali'ation o! -(sti$e on Eart%. 6e be$a&e an a##roa$%able ob-e$t !or a reli"ion $%ara$terised by an (na##roa$%able 9od, and t%(s t%e %oly &an be$a&e t%e >bearer o! t%e ob-e$tivity o! so$iety? 0Dro n 1982b= 1AJ4. 5%e se$ond $%ara$teristi$ o! t%e %oly &an t%at needs to be e*a&ined is %is role as #oliti$al &ediatorL$o(nsellor. D(rin" t%e 7 t% and 8t% $ent(ries, t%e Syrian $o(ntryside as $%ara$teri'ed by a ra#id in$rease in bot% #o#(lation and ealt%. As is t%e $ase in all so$ieties itnessin" a "ro t% in so$ial $o&#le*ity, &ediators ere re<(ired to ens(re t%e #ea$e!(l settle&ent o! dis#(tes and t%e (ninterr(#ted !lo o! so$ial relations. 5%e villa"ers o! 9t% $ent(ry Syria !o(nd s($% a !i"(re in t%e %oly &an. In t%is role, %e re#la$ed t%e .#atron,/ a #ersonality %o e*isted as a liaison bet een to n and villa"e, and %o (sed %is $onta$ts in ea$% to !a$ilitate (rbanLr(ral transa$tions, %ile a&assin" %is o n !ort(ne. In t%is re"ard, t%e #ri&ary di!!eren$e bet een t%e #atron and t%e %oly &an is t%at %ereas t%e #atron as !ir&ly entren$%ed in so$iety, t%e %oly &an, as radi$al as$eti$, as resol(tely #ositioned o(tside o! so$iety. 6e a$ted, one &i"%t say, as t%e divine or so$ial particular in relation to t%e to n/s universal. 5%is lent %i& a 13

s#e$ial #la$e in t%e eyes o! t%e villa"e #o#(la$e be$a(se %is $lients ere able to avoid t%e debilitatin" %(&iliation t%at a$$o&#anied t%e a$$r(al o! debt t%at as $%ara$teristi$ o! relations it% t%e #atron. As a saint and C%rist-li3e !i"(re, it as t%e %oly &an >as #atron, and not %is %(&ble $lient, %o %aTdU already ta3en on %i&sel! by as$esis t%e !(ll load o! %(&iliation? 0Dro n 1982$= 1B14. In t%is re"ard, to t%e e*tent t%at t%e %oly &an as a site o! #o er, t%e #o er t%at de!ined %i& as o! a non-$oer$ive sort be$a(se no $lear &aterial &otivation !or %is inter$essions e*isted 0Dro n 1982$= 1B24. In s%ort, t%e %oly &an as a !i"(re t%at trans$ended e*$%an"e relations. @stensibly %is interest lay not in #ersonal #ro!it ; as as t%e $ase it% t%e #atron ; b(t in so&e ot%er real& and, t%ere!ore, %e a$ted as t%e so$ial #arti$(lar in an Adornian re"ister. W%et%er t%is &otivation as a sort o! ri"%teo(s $%arity or si&#ly t%e s%eer e*er$ise o! #o er, is (n$lear. So e be"in to see t%at t%e %oly &an as an in!l(ential #oliti$al a(t%ority in %is $o&&(nity. 5o t%e e*tent t%at %e $an be (nderstood as a site o! #o er ; bot% divine and #oliti$al ; t%is as a lo$ali'ed #o er it%in t%e "reater $onte*t o! E&#ire, %i$% in$l(ded, o! $o(rse, a %eavily %ierar$%i'ed $%(r$% 0in!ra4str($t(re. 5%(s, t%e %oly &an e*isted side by side an ordained #riest ; t%e o!!i$ial re#resentative o! t%e C%(r$%. 6is in!l(en$e as not easily $%allen"ed by t%e $ler"y d(e to %is s#e$ial #osition as so$ial o(tsider. 8or t%e C%(r$% and E&#ire, a!ter losin" t%e Eastern #rovin$es to t%e Arab in$(rsions, t%is s%arin" o! #o er be$a&e (ntenable. In res#onse, a s(stained atte&#t to eradi$ate t%e in!l(en$e o! t%ese de facto #oliti$al a(t%orities as #(rs(ed alon"side t%e destr($tion o! i$ons. 5%is as #layed o(t by #(r"in" &onasteries and individ(al %oly &en. D(t &ore ill(strative o! t%is #ro$ess as t%e re&oval o! t%e i&a"es o! lo$al saints to be re#la$ed it% &ore (niversal sy&bols o! C%ristendo&, e."., t%e Cross and t%e E($%arist. 5%e intent be%ind t%is as to !oster a ne dis$o(ra"e s(b-e$ts !ro& identi!yin" #rote$ted t%e&= I$ons s(!!ered, in #art, be$a(se t%ey ere t%e sy&bols o! a style o! #oliti$al li!e t%at as o(t o! date. 5%e Dy'antine E&#ire $o(ld no lon"er a!!ord t%e l(*(ry o! re&ainin" a .$o&&on ealt% o! $ities/. Sel!-%el# %ad #roved to be eit%er treasonable or ine!!e$tive. 5%e E&#eror %ad to be o&ni$o&#etent, and to be seen to be o&ni$o&#etent. 8or t%e $olla#se o! t%e $ity le!t a void in &en/s vie o! t%e E&#ire. A ne #atriotis& %ad to be $reated. 5%e void as !illed by &ore 14 !or& o! i&#erial #atriotis&, one t%at re!erred ba$3 to C%ristianity as t%e $ore o! Dy'antine identity, and to it% t%eir lo$al $o&&(nity and t%e saints t%at

$on$rete e&#%asis t%an ever #revio(sly on t%e Dy'antines as a #eo#le o! 9od, %ose #oliti$al i&a"ery as borro ed !ro& t%e @ld 5esta&ent 0Dro n 1982a= 2974. Dro n ar"(es t%at by atta$3in" i$ons t%e C%(r$% as indire$tly $%allen"in" t%e #oliti$alLs#irit(al a(t%ority o! t%e %oly &en, #artly by atte&#tin" to (nder&ine t%e #er$e#tion o! t%eir in%(&anity. 5%is as de&onstrated by Constantine S %o or"ani'ed #(bli$ s#e$ta$les desi"ned to %(&iliate %oly &en and to #rove t%at t%ey ere not%in" &ore t%an &ortal %(&ans. 8or e*a&#le, %e o(ld &a3e %oly &en ear &arria"e "o ns d(rin" #(bli$ #ro$essions in t%e 6i##odro&e to de&onstrate to t%e $iti'enry t%at t%ey ere tied or &arried to t%e orld. And as s($%, >TtU%e s$ene in t%e 6i##odro&e o! E#%es(s, <(ite as &($% as t%e destr($tion o! t%e i$ons, T asU no less t%an an atte&#t by a "ro(# o! Dy'antines to $%allen"e t%ree $ent(ries o! (no!!i$ial leaders%i# in t%e C%ristian $o&&(nity? 0Dro n 1982a= A714. As &entioned earlier, t%e %oly &an as a lo$(s o! t%e %oly on Eart%, %o ever, %e as also t%e #ri&ary a"ent o! !osterin" t%e di!!(sion o! i$ons. 5%(s, t%e i$ono$last atta$3s ere, (lti&ately, an atte&#t by t%e C%(r$% to $entrali'e and $onsolidate its #o er. In Dro nHs ords= >W%at as at sta3e M as not t%e dissol(tion o! t%e Dy'antine &onasteries. It as, rat%er, a sin"(larly $onse<(ential, i! s#as&odi$, deter&ination to brea3 t%e #o er o! t%e %oly &an in Dy'antine so$iety, bot% as a #rin$i#al b(l ar3 o! t%e #o er o! t%e i$on and, so one &i"%t s(""est, as a !or$e in itsel!? 0Dro n 1982a= 2954. 5%e events o! t%e i$ono$last $on!li$t ere, in ot%er ords, i&#erial #oliti$s as (s(al arti$(lated t%ro("% t%e idio& o! reli"ion. 8or t%e #(r#oses o! t%is arti$le, t%ese atta$3s re#resent a $on!li$t bet een t%e #arti$(lar 0%oly &en4 and t%e (niversal 0t%e C%(r$%4, de&onstratin" a $on$rete %istori$al e*a&#le o! t%e #o er o! t%e #arti$(lar ; or t%e t%reat o! t%e #arti$(lar to t%e (niversal. In !a$t, late anti<(ity as a %istori$al era al&ost de!ined by t%e lo$ali'ation o! t%e %oly ; in ter&s o! t%e rise o! t%e $(lt o! t%e saints, and t%e so$ial i&#ortan$e o! i$ons, reli$s, and %oly &en. It as a revol(tionary #eriod !or bot% t%e C%(r$% and t%e &asses. 5%(s, e see t%e role o! t%e #arti$(lar in s($% a #ro$ess, b(t a"ain, in a role $onsistent it% 1i2e3/s re-readin" o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition. Contra Adorno, in t%is $onte*t t%e i&a"e is related to t%e #arti$(lar, t%e lo$al, and resistan$e to E&#ire, %ile t%e (niversal and ine!!able "ooseste#s (nder t%e orders o! a %i"%ly $entrali'ed and (n$o&#ro&isin" a(t%ority. We itness %ere, #er%a#s, a $on$rete and i&#erial &ani!estation o! +yotard/s 15

&elan$%oli$ s(bli&e. 6o ever, t%is is not to say t%at 1i2e3/s readin", as it relates to e&#iri$al-%istori$al #%eno&ena, is al ays tr(e, b(t &ore t%at t%e relations%i# o! t%e #arti$(lar to t%e (niversal as it #lays o(t in real #oliti$al events ill al ays be $onte*tde#endent 0i! not al ays bo(nd (# $onte&#oraneo(sly in t%e sa&e ob-e$ts or events4. In ot%er ords, i&a"es &(st be inter#reted in t%eir s#e$i!i$ #oliti$al and %istori$al #ositions o! en(n$iation in order to deter&ine %et%er t%ey a$t in t%e na&e o! t%e #arti$(lar, t%e (niversal or, in so&e $ases, bot% si&(ltaneo(sly. At !irst "lan$e, Dro n/s des$ri#tion o! t%e in%(&an %oly &an !its ell it% 1i2e3/s a$$o(nt o! t%e 0in4%(&an, be$a(se %e as (nderstood as a livin" i$on. 5%ere!ore, %is #arti$(larity 0as a site o! t%e divine on Eart% and so$ial o(tsider4 as lo$ated in %is o n #%ysi$al i&a"e, and not in its e*#ress #ro%ibition. In an Adornian re"ister, %e as in%(&an to t%e e*tent t%at %e trans$ended e*$%an"e relations d(e to t%at ine!!able tra$e o! t%e divine t%at $o(ld not be $a#t(red, or be$a(se %e as .non-identi$al/ to %i&sel!. 6e as, in ot%er ords, a &aterial &ani!estation o! t%e #arti$(lar t%at $%allen"es t%e #o er and a(t%ority o! t%e (niversal or $on$e#t(al 0b(t, a"ain, t%ro("% t%e #o er o! %is o n i&a"e4. 6o ever, le!t as is, t%e above $lai& o! an identity bet een 1i2e3/s in%(&an and t%e %oly &an $ertainly la$3s s$%olarly ri"o(r, and needs to be e*a&ined &ore $losely to $on!ir& its validity. It ill be s%o n t%at t%is relations%i# is so&e %at &ore $o&#le* %en e a$t(ally loo3 at 1i2e3/s 0in4%(&an in a &ore detailed &anner.

iek"s ,In-)uman In t%is $on$l(din" se$tion I o(ld li3e to e*#lore 1i2e3/s (nderstandin" o! s(b-e$tivity it%in t%e $onte*t o! Dro n readin" o! t%e %oly &an. 5%e <(estions I #ose %ere are= %at does 1i2e3 &ean, e*a$tly, by t%e .in%(&an e*$ess/ in &anN W%at is %e re!errin" to %en %e $lai&s t%at t%ere is a $ertain divinity in &anN And %o does %is !or&(lation o! t%is divinity relate to t%e %oly &anN 5%ro("% a series o! $ate"ori$al e<(ivo$ations in 1i2e3/s te*ts, one $an or3 t%ro("% t%ese iss(es <(ite e!!i$iently. It is &y assertion t%at t%e .divinity in &an/ and t%e in%(&an e*$ess are one and t%e sa&e in 1i2e3/s re$3onin". 5%is is be$a(se .divinity/ is e*#li$itly e<(ated it% t%e .too &($% o! li!e/ and t%(s, it re#resents an e*$ess beyond t%e %(&an 0or, in 8re(d/s ter&s, .beyond t%e #leas(re

16

#rin$i#le/4. 5%is .too &($% o! li!e/ is one ay to tal3 abo(t jouissance, t%e #oint beyond en-oy&ent= t%e #leas(re so("%t to !ill t%e la$3 at t%e $ore o! s(b-e$tivity. As &entioned earlier, jouissance itsel!, is (nattainable, b(t it is ass(&ed t%at t%e @t%er %as it 0be$a(se e are never satis!ied4. 5o t%e e*tent t%at t%e $a(se o! t%is sear$% !or jouissance is objet petit a, and it is t%e @t%er t%at %as jouissance, t%en t%e @t%er $an be (nderstood as objet petit a. A!ter or3in" t%ro("% t%e lo"i$ o! t%is t%eory, one $an t(rn to a #assa"e t($3ed a ay in The !ublime "bject of #deology= W%at e !ind in C%ristianity is so&et%in" o! <(ite anot%er order Tt%an :(dais&U= t%e idea o! t%e saint, %i$% is t%e e*a$t o##osite o! t%e priest in servi$e o! t%e 6oly. 5%e #riest is a .!(n$tionary o! t%e 6oly/C t%ere is no 6oly it%o(t its o!!i$ials, it%o(t t%e b(rea($rati$ &a$%inery s(##ortin" its rit(al, !ro& t%e A'te$/s o!!i$ial %(&an sa$ri!i$e to t%e &odern sa$red state or ar&y rit(als. 5%e saint, on t%e $ontrary, o$$(#ies t%e #la$e o! objet petit a, o! #(re ob-e$t, o! so&ebody (nder"oin" radi$al s(b-e$tive destit(tion. 6e ena$ts no rit(al, %e $on-(res not%in", %e -(st #ersists in %is inert #resen$e 01i2e3 1989= 11B4. 5%is <(ote is in re!eren$e to a $o&&on tro#e t%at 1i2e3 e&#loys to di!!erentiate :(dais& and C%ristianity. 8or 1i2e3, :(dais& is t%e reli"ion o! the $aw, and t%(s its re#resentative is t%e #riest. 5%e :e is% +a #ro%ibits t%e .too &($% o! li!e/ 0t%e re$o"nition o! t%e in%(&an e*$ess t%at is a #art o! bein" %(&an4 in t%e sa&e ay t%at its Se$ond Co&&and&ent disavo s it in t%e !or& o! t%e i&a"e. C%ristianity 0as a set o! ideas and not t%e instit(tion4, on t%e ot%er %and, is t%e reli"ion o! inner beliefC belie! in one/s #ersonal relations%i# it% 9od, t%e i&#ossible, and t%e &ira$(lo(s= >C%ristianity involves t%e distin$tion bet een e*ternal r(les and inner belie! 0so t%e <(estion is al ays= do yo( FEA++O, in t%e inner&ost o! yo(r %eart, believe, or are yo( -(st !ollo in" t%e dead letter o! t%e la N4, %ile in :(dais&, t%e .e*ternal/ r(les and #ra$ti$es DIFEC5+O AFE t%e reli"io(s belie! in its &aterial e*isten$e M.? 01i2e3 2771a= 11B4. 5%e saint is C%ristianity/s re#resentative be$a(se, in %is i&a"e, t%e i&#ossible or &ira$(lo(s is very readily visible. 5o t%e e*tent t%at t%e saint is objet petit a, and objet petit a is t%e void t%at is t%e s(b-e$t, 1i2e3/s .s(b-e$t/ is revealed to be none ot%er t%an t%e saint or t%e %oly &an. In ot%er ords, in t%e "(ise o! t%e saint t%e s(b-e$t sees a &irror i&a"e o! its irred($ible $ore= t%e Feal o! t%e s(b-e$t. D(t e &(st not !or"et t%at !or 1i2e3, .t%e s(b-e$t/ does not really e*ist in a #ositive &anner ; it e&er"es as an e*#erien$e o! t%e loss o! an ori"inary 0#re-Sy&boli$4 $o&#leteness. 5%at is to say, it is not #art o! t%e Feal, b(t only &ani!est as a series o! 17

e!!e$ts in t%e Sy&boli$ @rder. 5%is is %y %e $an $all t%e saint objet petit a, t%e none*istent $a(se o! desire, be$a(se in t%e i&a"e o! t%e %oly &an e itness t%e $on!lation o! t%e Feal and t%e Sy&boli$. In t%is ay t%e %oly &an $an be (nderstood as t%e %in&human be$a(se %e $ontains bot% t%e Sy&boli$ and Feal $o&#onents o! s(b-e$tivity in an avo ed !or&. 5%e %(&an is t%e set o! sy&boli$ attrib(tes %i$% e a$3no led"e in o(rselves, %ile t%e in%(&an is %at e disavo 0b(t bot% are al ays #resent in t%e s(b-e$t4. It is (n$lear %at s#e$i!i$, #ositive $ontent $onstit(tes t%ese sy&boli$ attrib(tes, b(t in a liberal so$iety 0a Sy&boli$ @rder de!ined by t%e tenets o! liberalis&4, one o(ld e*#e$t it o(ld $orres#ond to $lassi$al liberal (nderstandin"s o! s(b-e$tivity= t%e %(&an as a rational, et%i$al, and re!le$tive a$tor, %o is in t%e #ossession o! !ree ill. @n t%e ot%er %and, %at e disavo is o(r tr(e desire t%at leads (s to a$t (nder t%e "overnan$e o! t%e deat% drive, t%at (n$ons$io(s i&#erative %i$% leads (s to re#etitive be%avio(r in t%e i&#ossible sear$% !or jouissance. In t%e $lini$al $onte*t, t%e tas3 o! t%e analyst is to %el# t%e analysand re$o"ni'e t%is drive and learn to live it% it, or re-$oordinate it in a less destr($tive &anner. 8or 1i2e3, in %is #%ylo"eneti$ a##ro#riation o! +a$an !or #oliti$al t%eory, t%e s($$ess!(l re-$oordination o! desire is e<(ivalent to t%e A$t 0.traversin" t%e !antasy/4. An A$t is #re$i#itated by a dire$t, i! &o&entary, e*#erien$e o! t%e Feal, in %i$% t%e s(b-e$t/s Sy&boli$ (niverse $olla#ses, t%ereby re<(irin" t%at a ne order be b(ilt 0be$a(se t%e Sy&boli$ @rder objet petit al ays a$ts as t%e li&it-#oint o! t%e s(b-e$t/s ability to render t%in"s intelli"ible4. A s($$ess!(l A$t is, in e!!e$t, a re-orderin" o! one/s $ore !antasy %erein a ne a is establis%ed, and a ne set o! re#etitive be%avio(r be"ins to $ir$le it. It is t%e

in%(&an $o&#onent o! bein" %(&an t%at is t%e #ri&ary so(r$e o! &otivation !or t%is and, as s($%, t%e %oly &an stands in !or s($% #otential. 5%(s, one $an establis% t%at t%e in%(&an $o&#le&ent or t%e divinity in &an $orres#onds to bot% a desire and a #otential in %(&an bein"s. A desire to e*#erien$e t%e #leas(re o! t%e @t%er, %i$% drives (s to a$tion, and a #otential !or t%e .&ira$(lo(s./ 5%at is to say, in t%e sa&e ay t%at t%e %oly &an as a $ond(it o! t%e &ira$(lo(s, so too is 1i2e3/s 0in4%(&an %i$%, in a se$(lari'ed $onte*t, si&#ly &eans t%at it %as t%e ability to a$t in a ay t%at &a3es %at on$e see&ed impossible be$o&e possible #re$isely to t%e e*tent t%at it %a##ens. In %indsi"%t, !ro& t%e #ers#e$tive o! a s(b-e$t %o %as itnessed a &ira$le, %at on$e see&ed .i&#ossible/ only see&s t%is ay be$a(se t%e !or&er Sy&boli$ @rder deter&ined t%e li&it o! t%e s(b-e$t/s ability to 18

i&a"ine #ossible a$tions or events. Si&ilar to Dro n, %o s(""ests t%at as a reli"io(s e#o$% +ate Anti<(ity as distin$tive be$a(se >t%e locus o! t%e s(#ernat(ral as t%o("%t o! as restin" on individ(al &en? 0Dro n 1982b= 1514, $onte&#orary ti&es !or 1i2e3 are de!ined by t%e banality o! &ira$les, i.e., t%ey %a##en all t%e ti&e be$a(se t%ey are si&#ly s($$ess!(l re-$oordinations o! t%e Sy&boli$ @rder. Wit% t%is in &ind, e $an add to 1i2e3/s !or&(lation o! t%e ne 1i2e3 it as not C%rist b(t ,a(l %o C%ristian (niverse as a !(lly s(blated #a"an one, i! e $onsider %is or3 on ,a(l. In a #oliti$al re"ister, !or as t%e tr(e revol(tionary C%ristian !i"(re. 5%is is be$a(se %e instit(tionali'ed t%at %i$% only e*isted in an ideal !or&, or as 1i2e3 says= >there is no Christ outside of !t' (aul C in e*a$tly t%e sa&e ay t%ere is no .a(t%enti$ )ar*/ t%at $an be a##roa$%ed dire$tly, by#assin" +enin? 01i2e3 2771b= 24. It is, in ot%er ords, ,a(l %o !o(nded t%e C%ristian +a t%at e 3no today, and t%(s it is %e %o $o&&itted t%e 1i2e3ian A$t 3no n as .C%ristianity/ 01i2e3 2771a= A4. +et (s, !or a &o&ent, $onsider t%e %oly &an in t%is $onte*t. I!, as stated above, t%e %oly &an is t%e site o! bot% t%e #arti$(lar and t%e (niversal b(t also o##osed to t%e C%(r$%/s (niversal, eit%er t%e C%(r$% &(st %ave #rod($ed t%e %oly &an as its in%(&an e*$ess or 0and #er%a#s it is t%e sa&e t%in"4 t%e %oly &an is a tra$e re&ainder o! t%e ori"inal &o&ent o! C%rist %i&sel!, or t%at %i$% re!(ses identi!i$ation it% C%ristianity as an instit(tion. In t%e $onte*t o! t%is arti$le, t%e reason %y t%e $lai& t%at t%e %oly &an $an be (nderstood as analo"o(s to objet petit a is %istori$ally relevant is t%at, li3e C%rist, %e is an embodied !or& o! t%is non-e*istent ob-e$t. In ot%er ords, %e rein!or$es t%e $riti<(e o! t%e traditional :e is% readin" o! t%e ,ro%ibition. As s($%, %e re#resents t%e disavo ed in%(&an $o&#le&ent o! bein" %(&an, b(t dire$tly in t%e !or& o! an i&#ortant #oliti$al a$tor, %i$% raises anot%er interestin" $o&#arison bet een 1i2e3/s and Dro n/s or3. As 1i2e3 s(""ests, t%e sear$% !or jouissance is an e*%a(stin" (nderta3in", and e a$t(ally e&bra$e t%e +a be$a(se in its #ro%ibitions it #rovides (s an e*$(se to "ive (# t%is i&#erative 0even t%o("% it al ays ret(rns in o(r en-oy&ent o! &inor trans"ressions and t%e e!!e$ts o! t%e deat%-drive4 01i2e3 1997= 11J4. I! e re$all Dro n/s $lai& t%at t%e %oly &an ass(&ed t%e %(&iliation and !inan$ial debt o! %is $lient t%en, in a si&ilar vein, t%e dis#la$e&ent o! t%e in%(&an e*$ess by re"(lar Dy'antine s(b-e$ts onto t%e %oly &an is a strate"y to relieve t%e&selves !ro& t%e s(#ere"o $o&&and&ent to en-oy. D(t as +a$an as al ays e&#%ati$ in %is insisten$e= one s%o(ld never "ive (# on one/s desireV 19

In $on$l(sion, t%e ne

!or&(lation o! s(b-e$tivity t%at 1i2e3 #rod($es on %is re-

readin" o! t%e I&a"e ,ro%ibition $ontains &any o! t%e $%ara$teristi$s t%at de!ine t%e saint or t%e %oly &an. 5%is $an be (nderstood !ro& t o #ers#e$tives= 14 t%e %oly &an as t%e s(b-e$tC and 24 t%e %oly &an as an ob-e$t o! desire !or t%e s(b-e$t. 8ro& t%e #ers#e$tive o! t%e !or&er, t%e s(b-e$t %as t%e ability to #er!or& .&ira$les,/ b(t only in a banal se$(lari'ed !or&. In ot%er ords, even t%o("% t%e s(b-e$t is enslaved by its inability to !(l!ill its desire, it $an still act. 5%is si&#ly &eans t%at t%e s(b-e$t $an identi!y and alter its ob-e$t-$a(se o! desire so as to #rod($e so&et%in" ne . As to t%e latter #ers#e$tive, t%e %oly &an re#resents t%e desire o! t%e @t%er. 5%e s(b-e$t &is#er$eives t%at t%e @t%er %as t%e ability to satis!y its desire. Dy re$o"ni'in" t%e !alsity o! t%is #ers#e$tive, t%e s(b-e$t learns so&et%in" $r($ial= all s(b-e$ts are bo(nd by t%e sa&e universal $ondition t%at #revents !(ll satis!a$tion o! desire. ,oliti$ally, t%is over$o&es t%e $on!iden$e o! )ar*is&, in %i$% t%e satis!a$tion o! desire is not only rendered attainable, b(t also ass(redC and !(rt%er, it $%allen"es t%e #ost-&odern ne"ation o! all desire as ill(sory or so$ially $onstr($ted. In t%e $onte*t o! le!t- in" #oliti$s, 1i2e3/s $%allen"e is to t%eori'e a illin" $o&&it&ent to a (niversal #osition, t%e a#tit(de to identi!y it in t%e #arti$(lar, and t%e $o(ra"e to !ail. Notes

20

15%ese t%eorists in$l(de, b(t are not li&ited to= Slavo- 1i2e3, )i$%ael 6ardt and Antonio Ne"ri, Alain Dadio(,
:a$<(es Fan$iWre, 9ior"io A"a&ben, and :odi Dean.

2Feaders &i"%t instin$tively $rin"e at 1i2e3/s (sa"e o! t%is broad $ate"ory >se$(lari'ed :e is% t%o("%t,? as
bein" bot% slo##y and overly "eneral 0i.e., :e is% t%o("%t is not &onolit%i$4. W%ile I s%are t%ese $on$erns, t%ro("%o(t t%is arti$le I atte&#t to (n#a$3 t%is ter& in order to ill(strate t%e $o&&on tenets 1i2e3 asso$iates it% s#e$i!i$ >:e is%? t%in3ers li3e Adorno, Den-a&in, +evinas, and Derrida. Dy doin" so, I %o#e to -(sti!y 1i2e3/s (se o! t%e ter& >se$(lari'ed :e is% #%iloso#%y,? i! only to ill(strate an i&#ortant $on$e#t(al insi"%t in 1i2e3/s or3. A#art !ro& t%is "oal, t%e ter& itsel! still re&ains #roble&ati$.

3See !or e*a&#le= ,rit$%ard 027724C Io$% 0199A4C Ia(!&ann 0199B4C Ia(!&ann 027774C Webb 027794.

4Dased in #art on t%e or3 o! :a$<(es-Alain )iller, 1i2e3 di!!erentiates bet een t%e >early? and >later? or3
o! +a$an in relation to s(b-e$t !or&ation and desire. 8or 1i2e3 t%e earlier +a$an e&#%asi'es t%e role o! t%e !antasti$ relations%i# to t%e Sy&boli$ !or &aintainin" t%e $o%erent s(b-e$t. 5%e later +a$an, by $ontrast, stresses t%e i&#ortan$e o! t%e Feal in bot% t%e #rod($tion o! t%e s(b-e$t, and %o it is s(stained t%ro("% drive. In !a$t, as Fobert Sa&(els s(""ests, 1i2e3 ta3es t%e Feal and sit(ates it !ir&ly in t%e Sy&boli$ as t%e li&it #oint o! intelli"ible si"ni!i$ation, &ani!ested by t%e $onstant !ail(re 0drive4 to si"ni!y 0Sa&(els, 2778, #. 54. It is t%e Feal, t%en, t%at deter&ines t%e s(b-e$t and not t%e Sy&boli$ 0as t%e >#ost&odern? readin" o! +a$an o(ld %ave it4. 5%is a##roa$% to (nderstandin" +a$an is es#e$ially #rod($tive !or over$o&in" t%e #roble&s asso$iated it% so&e #ost&odern and #oststr($t(ralist #oliti$al t%eory as it #rovides a !o(ndation !or #oliti$al a$tion 0t%e A$t4 t%at is #re&ised on t%e destr($tion o! t%e Sy&boli$ @rder.

5>5%e !les% ass(&ed by 6i& is &ade divine and end(res a!ter its ass(&#tion M 5%ere!ore I boldly dra an
i&a"e o! t%e invisible 9od, not as invisible, b(t as %avin" be$o&e visible !or o(r sa3es by #arta3in" o! !les% and blood? 0:o%n o! Da&as$(s, 1987, #.1B4'

6I need to a$3no led"e &y $ollea"(e Dr. A&y S i!!en !or brin"in" t%is idea o! .i&&anent diale$ti$/ 0a&on"
ot%er 1i2e3ian and +a$anian $ate"ories4 to &y attention and e*#lainin" t%e& in #atient detail.

#e erences
Adorno, 5. 0277J4 Negative )ialectics. Ne Oor3= Contin((&. Dro n, ,. 01982a4 >A Dar3 A"e Crisis= As#e$ts o! t%e I$ono$lasti$ Controversy? in !ociety and the *oly in $ate +ntiquity. Der3eley= University o! Cali!ornia ,ress, ## 251-A71. Dro n, ,. 01982b4 >5%e Fise and 8(n$tion o! 5%e 6oly )an in +ate Anti<(ity? in !ociety and the *oly, ##. 17A-152. Dro n,,. 01982$4 >5o n, Silla"e and 6oly )an= 5%e Case o! Syria? in !ociety and the *oly, ##. 15A-1B5. Cornell, D. 019924 The (hilosophy of the $imit' Ne Oor3= Fo(tled"e. :o%n o! Da&as$(s 019894 "n the )ivine #mages, trans. D. Anderson, Crest ood, NO= St. Sladi&ir/s Se&inary ,ress.

Iant, I. 0197A4 Critique of Judgment' @*!ord= @*!ord University ,ress. Ia(!&ann, D. 0199B4 >Adorno and t%e Na&e o! 9od?, ,lashpoint I.1 %tt#=LL ebdelsol.$o&L8+AS6,@IN5Ladorno.%t& Ia(!&ann, D. 027774 >Correlations, $onstellations and t%e 5r(t%= Adorno/s @ntolo"y o! Fede&#tion? (hilosophy and !ocial Criticism- 2B054= B2-87. Io$%, 9. 0199A4 )i&esis and .ilderverbot, !creen AJ0A4= 211-22. +yotard, :.-8. 019914 The #nhuman/ 0eflections on Time . Ca&brid"e= ,olity ,ress. ,rit$%ard, E. 027724 >.ilderverbot )eets Dody in 5%eodor W. Adorno/s Inverse 5%eolo"y?, *arvard Theological 0eview- 95=A= 291-A18. Samuels, R. (2008) Lacan after iek: Self-Reflexivity in the Automodern Enjoyment of Psychoanalysis, International Journal of 1i2e3 !tudies, 2(4). Webb, D. 027794 >I! Adorno isn/t t%e Devil, it/s be$a(se %e/s a :e = +yotard/s &isreadin" o! Adorno t%ro("% 5%o&as )ann/s )r ,austus?, (hilosophy and !ocial CriticismA5054= 517-5A1. 1i2e3, S. 019894 The !ublime "bject of #deology' Ne Oor3= Serso. 1i2e3, S. 019974 The (lague of ,antasies. Ne Oor3= Serso. 1i2e3, S. 02771a4 "n .elief. Ne Oor3= Fo(tled"e. 1i2e3, S. 02771b4 The ,ragile +bsolute/ "r,orN Ne Oor3= Serso. hy is the Christian $egacy orth ,ighting

1i2e3, S. 0277A4 The (uppet and the )warf/ The (erverse Core of Christianity. Doston= )I5 ,ress. 1i2e3, S., Eri$ +. Santner, and Iennet% Fein%ard 027774 The Neighbour/ Three #nquiries in (olitical Theology, C%i$a"o= University o! C%i$a"o ,ress.