Philosophies of Difference: A Critical Introduction to Non-philosophy

Laruelle's Philosophies of Difference is a crucial text in the development of his oeuvre, offering a theoretical and critical analysis of the philosophers of difference after Hegel and Nietzsche. It introduces a new theoretical practice of non-philosophical thought, reconceiving philosophical difference in terms of philosophical decision and the self-posing and self-legitimating essence of philosophy. This opens the way for a new form of thought, anticipated with the development of non-philosophy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A pivotal text in the development of François Laruelle's oeuvre, "Philosophies of Difference" serves as an excellent entry point for understanding his broader project. Providing a theoretical and critical analysis of the philosophers of difference after Hegel and Nietzsche, Laruelle then introduces a novel theoretical practice of non-philosophical thought. Instead of offering a narrative historical overview, Laruelle presents a series of rigorous critiques of the various interpretations of difference found in Hegel, Nietzsche, Deleuze, Heidegger, and Derrida. From Laruelle's innovative theoretical perspective, the forms of philosophical difference that emerge appear as variations upon a unique, highly abstract structure of philosophical decision, the self-posing and self-legitimating essence of philosophy itself. Reconceived in terms of philosophical decision, the seemingly radical concept of philosophical difference is shown to configure rather the identity of philosophy as such, which thus becomes manifest as a contingent and no longer absolute form of thinking. By opening up this new perspective, Laruelle anticipates the development of a key notion of non-philosophy, the Vision-in-One, which will pave the way for initiating a fresh form of thought.

Introduction:
"Philosophies of Difference" is a crucial text in the development of François Laruelle's philosophical project. It offers a theoretical and critical analysis of the philosophers of difference after Hegel and Nietzsche, laying the foundation for his innovative approach to non-philosophical thought. In this essay, we will explore the key ideas and arguments presented in "Philosophies of Difference" and their significance for understanding Laruelle's broader project.

Theoretical and Critical Analysis:
Laruelle begins "Philosophies of Difference" by presenting a series of rigorous critiques of the various interpretations of difference found in Hegel, Nietzsche, Deleuze, Heidegger, and Derrida. He challenges the traditional understanding of difference as a mere difference between two entities or as a difference that is external to the entity itself. Instead, Laruelle argues that difference is intrinsic to the very structure of philosophical decision, which is the self-posing and self-legitimating essence of philosophy itself.

Philosophical Decision:
Laruelle defines philosophical decision as the act of posing a question and then answering it through a series of steps. He argues that philosophical decision is not merely a cognitive process but a performative one, as it involves the self-legitimation of the questioner and the object of inquiry. This self-legitimation is achieved through a series of operations, including the identification of the questioner, the identification of the object of inquiry, the establishment of a relation between the two, and the formulation of a response.

Forms of Philosophical Difference:
Laruelle identifies several forms of philosophical difference that emerge from the self-posing and self-legitimating essence of philosophical decision. These forms include the difference between the questioner and the object of inquiry, the difference between the questioner and the world, the difference between the questioner and the other, and the difference between the questioner and the self.

The Identity of Philosophy:
Laruelle argues that the forms of philosophical difference that emerge from the self-posing and self-legitimating essence of philosophical decision configure the identity of philosophy as such. Philosophy is not merely a set of ideas or a body of knowledge but a contingent and no longer absolute form of thinking. This means that philosophy is not universal or timeless but is shaped by the historical and cultural context in which it is practiced.

Non-Philosophical Thought:
Laruelle introduces a new theoretical practice of non-philosophical thought, which he calls "the vision-in-one." Non-philosophical thought is not aimed at producing knowledge or truth but at configuring the identity of philosophy as such. It involves the use of a series of operations, including the identification of the questioner, the identification of the object of inquiry, the establishment of a relation between the two, and the formulation of a response.

Conclusion:
"Philosophies of Difference" is a seminal text in the development of François Laruelle's philosophical project. It offers a theoretical and critical analysis of the philosophers of difference after Hegel and Nietzsche, challenging the traditional understanding of difference as external to the entity itself. By reconceiving difference in terms of philosophical decision, Laruelle reveals the contingent and no longer absolute nature of philosophy, opening up the possibility for initiating a new form of thought, the vision-in-one. Through the development of non-philosophical thought, Laruelle seeks to configure the identity of philosophy as such, paving the way.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 131 x 198 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350030299