Grant Maxwell, philosopher and author of Integration and Difference: Constructing a Mythical Dialectic, joins Coop and Tay to discuss difference, Derrida, Deleuze's innovations on Hegel, Leibniz's monads, anger and love as powers of the idea, mythical dialectic in Deleuze, Deliz's relationship and the Oedipal complex, and Stangers' integration of science and philosophy.
The affective experiences and biographies of philosophers provide insight into their thinking and shape their philosophical perspectives.
Deluze's notion of a mythical dialectic challenges the idea that he rejects dialectic altogether, advocating for a deeper dialectic of existence.
Deluze's thinking on affective potencies and the transcendental nature of archetypes aligns with Jung's latest conception of archetypes.
Understanding the intertwining of affective experiences and philosophical ideas helps illuminate the motivations and influences that drive philosophers in their pursuit of profound questions.
Deep dives
The Relationship between Philosophy and Biography
Philosophers are motivated by affective problems and their biographies can provide insight into their thinking. Nietzsche's critique of David Strauss is an example of his deeply personal response to a philosophical issue. Derrida's experiences as a French Jew growing up in Algeria influenced his work. Deluze's biography, particularly his relationship with his father and the death of his brother, shaped his philosophy. These affective complexes are not the ultimate cause of their philosophy, but rather resonate with deeper ontological structures.
Shelling and the Mythical Dialectic
Deluze's notion of a mythical dialectic is influenced by Shelling's discussions of the ontological ambiguity of the gods in Polytheism. Shelling explores the idea that gods are constitutive of consciousness and correlate with Spinoza's affects and formal causes. This understanding of the gods as affective potencies resonates with Deluze's differential ontology and his emphasis on the coexistence of potencies. This aspect of Deluze's thinking challenges the notion that he rejects dialectic altogether, as he is advocating for a deeper dialectic of existence.
The Development of Jung's Archetype Theory
Jung's latest conception of archetypes aligns with Deluze's thinking on affective potencies and the transcendental nature of the archetypes. These archetypes are not transcendent fixed entities, but rather transcendental immanent structures that exceed the duality of form and formlessness. This resonates with Deluze's exploration of formal causes and the ambiguity of the archetypes in relation to the relationality of the world.
Exploring the Intertwining of Philosophy and Biography
The interconnectedness of affective experiences and philosophical ideas is a recurring theme in the work of Nietzsche, Derrida, Deluze, and Jung. While biographical events and affective complexes are not the ultimate cause of a philosopher's ideas, they provide insight into their thinking and the experiences that shape their philosophical perspectives. Understanding this intertwining helps to illuminate the motivations and influences that drive philosophers in their pursuit of profound and paradoxical questions.
The Influence of Hegel and Deluze
The podcast episode explores the relationship between Deluze and Hegel. Deluze's critique of the Hegelian dialectic is discussed, along with his rejection of the negative. It is suggested that Deluze and Guattari relate the dialectic to the edible triangulation and explore the complexities of father-son dynamics. The episode also highlights the influence of Hippolyte, Deluze's mentor, on his reading of Hegel and the personal factors that shaped their relationship.
The Relevance of Deluze's Work
The podcast delves into the significance of Deluze's work in contemporary philosophy. Deluze's ability to mediate between different philosophical streams, such as Jamesian Bergsonian pragmatism and Jungian thought, is highlighted. His critical engagement with philosophers like Spinoza, Leibniz, Hegel, Schelling, and Nietzsche is also discussed, emphasizing Deluze's role as a powerful philosophical voice in the 20th century and beyond. His rejection of orthodoxy and encouragement for others to do their own work is noted.
Exploring the Philosophy of Isabelle Stengers
The podcast recognizes the importance of delving into the philosophy of Isabelle Stengers. Her unique approach, integrating science and philosophy, is admired. Her works on chaos theory, order out of chaos, and capitalist sorcery are mentioned as significant contributions. The idea of writing a separate volume specifically on Stengers and her thoughts on concepts like cosmic politics and the world's power is suggested as a future project.
Friend of the show, Grant Maxwell joined Coop and Tay for a discussion on his new book, Integration and Difference: Constructing a Mythical Dialectic. We examine the approaches to difference pursued by both Derrida and Deleuze, how Deleuze innovates on Hegel and opens up a future space, and much more.
Grant's Links:
https://www.routledge.com/Integration-and-Difference-Constructing-a-Mythical-Dialectic/Maxwell/p/book/9781032049854
https://grantmaxwellphilosophy.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/grantmaxwell/
Support us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/muhh
Twitter: @unconscioushh
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