Jeffrey Bell - An Inquiry into Analytic-Continental Metaphysics
Mar 11, 2024
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Jeffrey Bell discusses the history of analytic and continental philosophy, highlighting the shared focus on regresses. The conversation explores infinite regress, brute facts, and the intersection of science and philosophy. Bell also touches on the relationship between mathematics and philosophy, challenging narratives in power dynamics, and navigating through complex philosophical inquiries.
External relations vs. intensive relations: Russell's view contrasts Delus's philosophy
Critique of representational models stresses deeper understanding over scientific analysis
Deep dives
The Importance of Learning over Knowledge in Delus's Philosophy
Delus emphasizes the importance of learning over knowledge, highlighting the process of problem formulation and solution derivation. He discusses the complexity involved in learning, using examples like driving a stick shift car to illustrate how rules necessitate a deeper understanding beyond simple application. Delus aims to unravel the conditions that make determinate rules and identities feasible, focusing on the pivotal role of learning in creating and addressing problems.
Monism Equals Pluralism: Delus's Synthesis of Spinoza and Hume
Delus synthesizes Spinoza's concept of immanence and Hume's pre-individual singularities to formulate his monism equals pluralism thesis. From Spinoza, Delus draws the importance of immanence and the non-determinate nature of reality, while Hume contributes an understanding of pre-individual singularities forming problems. Delus combines these perspectives to assert that multiple manifestations emerge from a singular reality, intertwining immanence and multiplicity.
Exploring Russell's Approach to Relations Being External to Their Terms
Russell's perspective on relations being external to their terms aligns with Delus's concept of intensive relations that transcend the determinate. Russell's focus on relations as independent entities, regardless of the variables they involve, contrasts Delus's emphasis on external relations based on difference of intensity. While Russell relies on brute facts for grounding, Delus challenges such determinate foundations through his differential philosophy.
Balancing Dynamic Systems Theory with Delus's Critical Approach
While dynamic systems theory offers a heuristic for interpreting Delus's philosophy, it falls short of capturing the essence of Delus's critical stance. Delus critiques representational models, emphasizing the need to explain them rather than merely apply them. This critique extends to utilizing scientific models like dynamic systems theory, suggesting that while valuable for analysis, such approaches should not overshadow the need for deeper explanation and understanding in philosophical contexts.
The Philosophical Struggle Between Science and Philosophy
The podcast delves into the ongoing battle between science and philosophy, highlighting how philosophy attempts to surpass science by delving into questions that delve deeper than mere functions and laws. It emphasizes the need for phenomenology and fundamental ontology to provide a solid base for philosophical exploration.
Transcendental Empiricism and the Search for Real Experience
The discussion explores the concept of transcendental empiricism, focusing on Deluze's quest to uncover the conditions of real experience. By examining the givenness of empirical data and the transcendental aspects of empirical observations, Deluze aims to move beyond traditional notions of possible experience towards understanding the genetic conditions of genuine experience.
Narratives, Power Dynamics, and Critical Philosophical Reflection
The episode delves into the role of narratives in shaping worldviews and justifying power dynamics, as exemplified in Arlie Hochschild's research on political opinions. It emphasizes the significance of critical philosophical reflection in challenging prevailing narratives and exploring the underlying beliefs and prejudices that influence societal structures. The conversation highlights the importance of investigating personal beliefs to uncover biases and enhance critical thinking skills.
Artistic Endeavors, Literary Works, and Philosopher-Writer Interrelations
The discussion touches on the intersection of philosophy with art, literature, and political reflections, drawing parallels between literary narratives and philosophical questioning. It explores the significance of artists and literary figures in challenging established narratives and facilitating critical reflection on societal norms. Additionally, it anticipates future publications focusing on the comparison of Deluze's works on art and sensation, along with an investigation into the influence of existentialism on his philosophical inquiries.
Jeffrey Bell joined us to speak about his recently published book, An Inquiry into Analytic-Continental Metaphysics.
Jeffrey A. Bell is Professor of Philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University. He has recently been a Leverhulme Trust Visiting Professor in Philosophy at Royal Holloway, University of London, during which time much of this book was written. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Deleuze and Deleuze and Guattari, including Deleuze and Guattari's What is Philosophy?: A Critical Introduction and Guide (Edinburgh University Press, 2016), Deleuze’s Hume (Edinburgh University Press, 2008), Philosophy at the Edge of Chaos (University of Toronto Press, 2006) and The Problem of Difference: Phenomenology and Poststructuralism (University of Toronto Press, 1998). Bell is co-editor with Paul Livingston and Andrew Cutrofello of Beyond the Analytic–Continental Divide: Pluralist Philosophy in the Twenty-First Century (Routledge, 2015) and with Claire Colebrook of Deleuze and History (Edinburgh University Press, 2009).
By developing a metaphysics of problems, Jeffrey Bell shows how the history of both the analytic and continental traditions of philosophy can be seen to be an ongoing response to the problem of regresses. By highlighting this shared history, Bell brings these two traditions back together to address problems that have been essential to their projects all along and central to much of the history of philosophy.
Links:
Book:
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-an-inquiry-into-analytic-continental-metaphysics.html
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