Beddoes, Diane J. (1996) Breeding demons : a critical enquiry into the relationship between Kant and Deleuze with specific references to women. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis addresses the relation between Immanuel Kant and Gilles Deleuze, with
reference to women. It argues that Deleuze's "methods" reveal an intensive dyanamic
in Kant obscured by readings which concentrate on the molar structures in his thought
and that this dynamic is implicated with the deployment by Deleuze (and Guattari) of
becoming-woman as a middle line which escapes the rational tribunal. It insists that a
philosophy of difference function as a positive elimination of relations to unity, to the
subject and to other figures of power in philosophical thought and that Deleuze's
oeuvre is a critical and creative engagement with the transformation of philosophical
problems and the relation of thinking to history which emerge from this.
The other theme, that of women, is addressed through Luce Irigaray's reading
of Kant and Rosi Braidotti's reading of becoming-woman. I argue that whilst the
former's critique of an uncritically assumed symmetry in Kant's work is effective and
well-directed, she becomes caught in her own methodology of jamming, but that there
are nonetheless strong and productive directions in her thought, many of which are
parallel and/or connected to those of Deleuze and Guattari's becoming-woman.
Against Braidotti's interpretation of becoming-woman, I argue that it adopts a molar
political strategy and as such does not connect with the force behind this thought.
Lastly, this thesis is an argument against bilateral sexual difference, in favour
of distributive or 'n-sexes': the title, Breeding Demons connects the theme of demons
in Deleuze's writing to the cycles which effect such distributions.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Kant, Immanuel, 1724-1804 -- Criticism and interpretation, Deleuze, Gilles, 1925-1995 -- Criticism and interpretation, Woman (Philosophy)
Official Date:	May 1996
Dates:	Date Event May 1996 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Philosophy
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Benjamin, Andrew E.
Extent:	vii, 277 leaves
Language:	eng

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