Brassier, Ray (2001) Alien theory : the decline of materialism in the name of matter. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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Abstract
The thesis tries to define and explain the rudiments of a 'nonphilosophical'
or 'non-decisional' theory of materialism on the basis of a
theoretical framework provided by the 'non-philosophy' of Francois
Laruelle. Neither anti-philosophical nor anti-materialist in character, non-materialism
tries to construct a rigorously transcendental theory of matter by
using certain instances of philosophical materialism as its source material.
The materialist decision to identify the real with matter is seen to retain a
structural isomorphy with the phenomenological decision to identify the real
with the phenomenon. Both decisions are shown to operate on the basis of a
methodological idealism; materialism on account of its confusion of matter
and concept; phenomenology by virtue of its confusion of phenomenon and
logos. By dissolving the respectively 'materiological' and
'phenomenological' amlphibolies which are the result of the failure to effect a
rigorously transcendental separation between matter and concept on the one
hand; and between phenomenon and logos on the other, non-materialist
theory proposes to mobilise the non-hybrid or non-decisional concepts of a
'matter-without-concept' and of a 'phenomenon-without-logos' in order to
effect a unified but non-unitary theory of phenomenology and materialism.
The result is a materialisation of thinking that operates according to matter's
foreclosure to decision. That is to say, a transcendental theory of the
phenomenon that licenses limitless phenomenological plasticity,
unconstrained by the apparatus of eidetic intuition or any horizon of
apophantic disclosure; yet one which is simultaneously a transcendental
theory of matter, uncontaminated by the bounds of empirical perception and
free of all phenomenological circumscription.
| Item Type: | Thesis [via Doctoral College] (PhD) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Materialism, Phenomenology, Laruelle, François |
| Official Date: | April 2001 |
| Dates: | Date Event April 2001 Submitted |
| Institution: | University of Warwick |
| Theses Department: | Department of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: | PhD |
| Publication Status: | Unpublished |
| Extent: | 472 leaves |
| Language: | eng |
| URI: | https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/4034/ |
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