Grant Maxwell - The Mythic Dialectic In Spinoza, Nietzsche and Deleuze
Jan 15, 2024
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Grant Maxwell, author of Integration and Difference: Constructing a Mythical Dialectic, discusses the mythic dialectic in the work of Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Deleuze. Topics include reverse engineering origin stories, the connection between music and philosophy, the influence of Nietzsche and Spinoza, the significance of 'Jabberwocky', favorite books and artworks, TV shows and Dune, and upcoming projects.
Relationality and potentiality in the works of Deleuze and Guattari resonate with the concept of non-locality and entanglement in quantum mechanics.
Guitar pedals allow for the expression of affective qualities in music, creating infinite sound possibilities.
The concept of the body without organs challenges traditional notions of transcendence and promotes an ongoing becoming, drawing from Nietzsche and Spinoza.
Deep dives
The Concept: Non-locality and Entanglement in Quantum Mechanics
The concept of non-locality and entanglement in quantum mechanics is a fascinating idea that explores how particles that are separated over vast distances can still communicate and be connected. String theory proposes multiple dimensions which correlate with the forces of nature, and entangled particles are believed to be entangled in more expansive degrees of freedom. This concept resonates with the philosophical ideas of relationality and potentiality discussed in the works of thinkers like Deleuze and Guattari.
The Percept: Guitar Pedals
Guitar pedals, with their various effects and modulation, are like effects in a box. By tweaking their parameters and combining them in different ways, guitarists can create an infinite variety of sounds, allowing for the expression of affective qualities in music. Guitar pedals can evoke emotions and create powerful experiences, making them a fascinating percept to explore.
The Artwork: 'Jabberwocky' by Lewis Carroll
'Jabberwocky' by Lewis Carroll is a poem that holds a special place for many people. Grant recalls memorizing it and reading it to his own children, making it a cherished artwork. Its nonsensical and playful language adds a magical and entertaining quality, and it has connections to the philosophical ideas discussed by Deleuze in 'Logic of Sense'.
The Movie: 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'
'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' by Terry Gilliam stands out to Grant as a favorite movie. Terry Gilliam's distinctive style and narrative, combined with the imaginative story and themes, make it a captivating film. Grant also appreciates Gilliam's other works, such as 'Time Bandits', and names him as a favorite director.
The Ambiguity of the Body Without Organs and Immanence
The concept of the body without organs in Deleuze and Guattari's philosophy is equated with immanence, the true Dao, and the will to power. It signifies the univocity of one world, rejecting a transcendent realm. The body without organs, like immanence, is an ever-receding horizon of discernibility, representing virtual potentialities that elicit and construct our consciousness and will. Deleuze draws from Nietzsche and Spinoza to explore the integration of different forces or gods, dramatizing their relationality and actualizing virtual potentials. The body without organs and immanence challenge traditional notions of transcendence and promote an ongoing becoming.
Upcoming Projects and Book on Isabel Stengers
Grant Maxwell is currently wrapping up a book on the philosophy of Isabel Stengers, focusing on her influential ideas and writings. He highlights the lack of existing monographs on Stengers and hopes to contribute to the understanding of her work. In the future, Maxwell plans to write a book on Deleuze and polytheism, delving into the interplay between Deleuze's philosophy and the concept of polytheism. He explores the resonances between these two subjects and their significance in challenging traditional monotheistic views.
This week Grant Maxwell returned to discuss the mythic dialectic in the work of Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Deleuze. The discussion focuses on these 3 central figures in Grant's book, Integration and Difference: Constructing a Mythical Dialectic.
Previously, we spoke with Grant on the whole book and so it was nice to narrow the focus a bit and center the discussion on the mythic dialectic.
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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