The past few years have seen a resurgence of interest in ontology and what might be called 'biophilosophy'. This book argues that the notion of individuation is essential for a critical grasp of the origins and prospects of this philosophical conjuncture. Historically, it demonstrates the importance of Kant's treatment of the organism, which recast the problem of individuation in terms of vital autonomy and mechanical heteronomy. Staging the crisis of the Kantian solution in the writings of Nietzsche and Whitehead, it goes on to construct a new concept of individuation in a bold and detailed investigation of the writings of Charles Sanders Peirce, Gilbert Simondon and Gilles Deleuze - three crucial figures in the elaboration of a transcendental materialism. The Theatre of Production thus takes the problem of individuation into the realm of modernity, providing a unique and vibrant contribution to contemporary debates in European philosophy.
'Toscano's exploration of the 'ontology of anomalous individuation' marks a new departure in the field of bio-philosophy at the same time as it recasts the image of post-Kantian philosophy. In a series of elegant and insightful readings, Toscano traces the disruptive effect of anomalous individuation on attempts to establish regimes of representative thought in philosophy and biology. With its historical erudition and its original insight into the relationship between ontology, ethics and the philosophy of life, Toscano's book is an outstanding performance that will set new standards for debate in its field.' - Howard Caygill, Professor of Cultural History, Goldsmiths College, UK
'This is a very important and ambitious book. Marshalling an impressive history of modern and contemporary philosophy (between Kant and Simondon), and using the question of individuation as its guiding thread, it reproblematizes Deleuzean ontology and its bio-constructivist project. Toscano offers us an essential contribution to the debate over contemporary materialism in European philosophy, such as it is dramatised today between Deleuze and Badiou. A rare experience of intellectual delight and a real companion to thought. Towards a new Deleuze?' - Eric Alliez, Senior Research Fellow in Modern European Philosophy, Middlesex University, UK
'I cannot recommend this book highly enough for those interested in the question of individuation, more generally the problem of nature itself, and the continuing debates surrounding the philosophy of Deleuze.' - Anthony Paul Smith, Journal of Cultural and Relgious Theory
Series Editor's Preface
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction: From the Intelligible to the Genetic
PART I: KANT BEYOND KANT, OR, THE ANOMALIES OF THE ORGANIC
The Paradoxical Object: On Self-Organizing Beings in the Critique of Judgment
The Fate of Self-Organization: From Natural Machines to the Philosophy of the Organism
The Method of Nature, the Crisis of Critique: Life, Multiplicity and the Genesis of the Intellect in Nietzsche's Early Notebooks
PART II: ELEMENTS FOR AN ONTOLOGY OF ANOMALOUS INDIVIDUATION
Systems of Habit: Ravaisson, James, Peirce
Tertium Datur? Gilbert Simondon's Relational Onology
The Drama of Being: Figures of Individuation in Deleuze's Philosophy of Difference
Conclusion: Becoming-Individual
Notes
Bibliography
Index
ALBERTO TOSCANO is a lecturer in sociology and a member of the Centre for the Study of Invention and Social Process at Goldsmiths College. He is the author of articles on Schelling, Simondon and Badiou, as well as the co-editor of Alain Badiou's Theoretical Writings and On Beckett. His current research focuses on the link between contemporary ontology and the idea of communism.
Description
The past few years have seen a resurgence of interest in ontology and what might be called 'biophilosophy'. This book argues that the notion of individuation is essential for a critical grasp of the origins and prospects of this philosophical conjuncture. Historically, it demonstrates the importance of Kant's treatment of the organism, which recast the problem of individuation in terms of vital autonomy and mechanical heteronomy. Staging the crisis of the Kantian solution in the writings of Nietzsche and Whitehead, it goes on to construct a new concept of individuation in a bold and detailed investigation of the writings of Charles Sanders Peirce, Gilbert Simondon and Gilles Deleuze - three crucial figures in the elaboration of a transcendental materialism. The Theatre of Production thus takes the problem of individuation into the realm of modernity, providing a unique and vibrant contribution to contemporary debates in European philosophy.
Reviews
'Toscano's exploration of the 'ontology of anomalous individuation' marks a new departure in the field of bio-philosophy at the same time as it recasts the image of post-Kantian philosophy. In a series of elegant and insightful readings, Toscano traces the disruptive effect of anomalous individuation on attempts to establish regimes of representative thought in philosophy and biology. With its historical erudition and its original insight into the relationship between ontology, ethics and the philosophy of life, Toscano's book is an outstanding performance that will set new standards for debate in its field.' - Howard Caygill, Professor of Cultural History, Goldsmiths College, UK
'This is a very important and ambitious book. Marshalling an impressive history of modern and contemporary philosophy (between Kant and Simondon), and using the question of individuation as its guiding thread, it reproblematizes Deleuzean ontology and its bio-constructivist project. Toscano offers us an essential contribution to the debate over contemporary materialism in European philosophy, such as it is dramatised today between Deleuze and Badiou. A rare experience of intellectual delight and a real companion to thought. Towards a new Deleuze?' - Eric Alliez, Senior Research Fellow in Modern European Philosophy, Middlesex University, UK
'I cannot recommend this book highly enough for those interested in the question of individuation, more generally the problem of nature itself, and the continuing debates surrounding the philosophy of Deleuze.' - Anthony Paul Smith, Journal of Cultural and Relgious Theory
Contents
Series Editor's Preface
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction: From the Intelligible to the Genetic
PART I: KANT BEYOND KANT, OR, THE ANOMALIES OF THE ORGANIC
The Paradoxical Object: On Self-Organizing Beings in the Critique of Judgment
The Fate of Self-Organization: From Natural Machines to the Philosophy of the Organism
The Method of Nature, the Crisis of Critique: Life, Multiplicity and the Genesis of the Intellect in Nietzsche's Early Notebooks
PART II: ELEMENTS FOR AN ONTOLOGY OF ANOMALOUS INDIVIDUATION
Systems of Habit: Ravaisson, James, Peirce
Tertium Datur? Gilbert Simondon's Relational Onology
The Drama of Being: Figures of Individuation in Deleuze's Philosophy of Difference
Conclusion: Becoming-Individual
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Authors
ALBERTO TOSCANO is a lecturer in sociology and a member of the Centre for the Study of Invention and Social Process at Goldsmiths College. He is the author of articles on Schelling, Simondon and Badiou, as well as the co-editor of Alain Badiou's Theoretical Writings and On Beckett. His current research focuses on the link between contemporary ontology and the idea of communism.
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