Mysticism Without Transcendence? Laruelle’s 'Vision-in-One' with Jeremy R. Smith
Apr 20, 2025
01:10:00
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Quick takeaways
François Laruelle's concept of 'unlearned knowing' advocates for intuitive understanding that arises directly from lived experience rather than formal education.
Laruelle critiques traditional mysticism by proposing an immanent spirituality that emphasizes immediate engagement with reality over transcendent aspirations.
Deep dives
The Concept of Unlearned Knowing
Unlearned knowing is a key concept that François Laruel introduces as a form of knowledge independent from traditional philosophical education. Rather than relying on acquired doctrines or teachings from external sources, this type of knowing emphasizes intuitive understanding grounded in individual experience. It challenges established educational paradigms by advocating that knowledge should be accessible to all, irrespective of formal educational backgrounds. This perspective reframes the relationship between knowledge and individual experience, suggesting that one can possess profound understanding solely through lived experience rather than through structured teachings.
Breaking from Neoplatonism and Gnosticism
Laruel's approach fundamentally critiques the Neoplatonic and Gnostic traditions, which often emphasize transcendent realities or ineffable experiences. He argues for a mysticism that exists within the immanent sphere, one which does not seek to escape the material world or rely on grand metaphysical constructs. Instead, this new mysticism aligns more closely with the tangible, everyday lives of individuals, promoting an understanding of reality that is both immediate and grounded. This shift emphasizes the importance of an immediate engagement with one's reality rather than an escape into lofty philosophical abstractions.
The Vision in One Framework
The Vision in One framework introduces a non-dialectical viewpoint that redefines identity as fundamentally united and indivisible. Rather than viewing identity through the lenses of difference or hierarchy, Laruel proposes an understanding where individuals are regarded as part of a singular reality that transcends traditional divisions. This framework asserts that there is a shared human existence, fundamentally linked yet unique, that allows for personal understanding without external mediation. Such a perspective helps navigate the complexities of philosophical thought, asserting that true identity is experienced within one's existence rather than through external definitions.
Democracy in Philosophical Thought
Laruel's notion of non-philosophy emphasizes introducing democratic principles into philosophical practice, suggesting that philosophy should serve the needs of individuals rather than dictate them. This approach calls for a reevaluation of how philosophy is practiced, advocating for its use as a tool for empowerment and personal agency. By rejecting sufficiency in philosophical thought, Laruel envisions a space where individual perspectives can shape collective understanding without being constrained by established doctrines. This democratization of thought not only enriches philosophical discourse but empowers individuals to define their realities.
In this special crossover episode of LEPHT HAND and Acid Horizon, we explore the radical mysticism of François Laruelle through his essay Vision-in-One or Unlearned Knowing. Laruelle proposes a mysticism stripped of transcendence and doctrine—one grounded in solitude, immanence, and the irreducibility of lived experience. Our guest, translator Jeremy R. Smith, helps unpack Laruelle’s challenge to Neoplatonism, dialectics, and the pedagogical authority of philosophy. Along the way, we consider how this "unlearned knowing" might offer tools for thinking mysticism on the left, beyond both theology and theory.
Vision-in-One or Unlearned Knowing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-i7-kfCt_ykSxrMrUIeNxLwLKcCzcl3LbSJCR_etVQ/edit?tab=t.0
