De-Symbolization of the World and the Emergence of the Self: A Historically-Idealist Theory of the Subject
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Jure Simoniti
Abstract
Idealism has commonly been regarded as a stance endorsing a timeless frame which precedes and preordains all the temporal, worldly phenomena. By contrast, this paper will indicate how the idealist impulse emerges historically, as a very specific juggling act which hangs suspended between two focal points, the process of the de-symbolization of the world on the one side and the formation of the philosophical subject on the other. The first case is provided by Augustine, the inventor of the “private inner space” of the contemplative self and simultaneously an advocate of an ontologically homonomous world, i. e., the Christian monism of good against the Gnostic and Manichean dualisms of good and evil. On grounds of this matrix, the Cartesian ego, the Kantian spontaneous, synthetic unity of apperception, Nietzsche’s overman, Heidegger’s Dasein, or the psychoanalytical subject of gender difference will also be construed as a reaction to the collapsing symbolic values of the world.
Abstract
Idealism has commonly been regarded as a stance endorsing a timeless frame which precedes and preordains all the temporal, worldly phenomena. By contrast, this paper will indicate how the idealist impulse emerges historically, as a very specific juggling act which hangs suspended between two focal points, the process of the de-symbolization of the world on the one side and the formation of the philosophical subject on the other. The first case is provided by Augustine, the inventor of the “private inner space” of the contemplative self and simultaneously an advocate of an ontologically homonomous world, i. e., the Christian monism of good against the Gnostic and Manichean dualisms of good and evil. On grounds of this matrix, the Cartesian ego, the Kantian spontaneous, synthetic unity of apperception, Nietzsche’s overman, Heidegger’s Dasein, or the psychoanalytical subject of gender difference will also be construed as a reaction to the collapsing symbolic values of the world.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Introduction: Impulses for a New Idealism IX
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Part I: The Neglected Impulses of Idealism in the History of Philosophy
- How Ideal Is the Ancient Self? 1
- De-Symbolization of the World and the Emergence of the Self: A Historically-Idealist Theory of the Subject 27
- Genesis, Structure, and Ideas: Genetic Epistemology in Early Modern Philosophy 69
- Diluvian Philosophy: Utilitarian Motifs in Moby-Dick 93
- Thinking Free Release in Hegel’s System 111
- Idealism and the Problem of Finitude: Heidegger and Hegel 127
- Hegel’s Metaphysical Alternative to the Choice between an Unrealistic Platonic Realism and an Opposing Skeptical Anti-realism 151
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Part II: Contemporary Impulses for a New Idealism
- A Materialist Defense of an Idealist Subjectivity 171
- Philosophy and Its History 193
- Beyond Realism and Correlationism, the Idealist Path 209
- A Typology of Idealism 231
- Fiction: The Truth of Idealism and Realism 251
- Virus and Idea 269
- Index 283
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Introduction: Impulses for a New Idealism IX
-
Part I: The Neglected Impulses of Idealism in the History of Philosophy
- How Ideal Is the Ancient Self? 1
- De-Symbolization of the World and the Emergence of the Self: A Historically-Idealist Theory of the Subject 27
- Genesis, Structure, and Ideas: Genetic Epistemology in Early Modern Philosophy 69
- Diluvian Philosophy: Utilitarian Motifs in Moby-Dick 93
- Thinking Free Release in Hegel’s System 111
- Idealism and the Problem of Finitude: Heidegger and Hegel 127
- Hegel’s Metaphysical Alternative to the Choice between an Unrealistic Platonic Realism and an Opposing Skeptical Anti-realism 151
-
Part II: Contemporary Impulses for a New Idealism
- A Materialist Defense of an Idealist Subjectivity 171
- Philosophy and Its History 193
- Beyond Realism and Correlationism, the Idealist Path 209
- A Typology of Idealism 231
- Fiction: The Truth of Idealism and Realism 251
- Virus and Idea 269
- Index 283
