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In an !Otm Ot b an mCans, CICcIrOnc Or mCcHanIcaI. ncIUdIng pHOIOcOpng,
rCcOrdng, Ot an n!OrmaIOn sIOragC Or rCIrCVaI ssICm, WIHOUI ptIOr pCrmssOn
In WrIIing !rOm IHC pUbIsHCrs.
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A caIaIOgUC rCcOrd !Or IHs bOOK Is aVaIabIC !rOm IHC BtIIIsH Lbtar.
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A caIaIOg rCcOrd !Ot IHIs bOOK Is aVaIabIC !tOm IHC Lbrat O! COngrCss.
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EvcryIhing IhaIbcOngsIOa vhOc cOnsIiIuIcs an ObsIacIc IO
IhisvhOcinsOIarasiIisincudcdi niI
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ThcrcaisIhcimpasscOIIOrmaizaIiOn: IOrmaIizaIiOn isIhc
paccOIIhcIOrccdpassOIIhcrca
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HcgcI. 'ThcacIiviIyOIIOrcciscsscnIiayacIiviIy rcacIing againsI
iIscII 2
37 SubccIivcandObccIivc
VBII . DC bOOjCCI ODOCI IDC b1@DCI5 O IDC XCCQI1OD
OIIOrcc asdisappcarancc, vhOsc cIIccIisIhc WhOc IrOmvhich
iI hasdisappcarcd
cducIiOnOIIhcspiIIing
'AIanuc accabIanIc Iu
AnysubccIisa IOrccd cxccpIiOn, vhichcOmcs in sccOnd pIacc
cvccryIOrIhc sacrcdOIanysubIracIiOnOIcxisIcncc
VBII . BCB BDO C5IIOCIOD
Thc ncv onc IOrbids IhcncwOnc, and prcsuppOscsiI
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TIcrcarcnOsucIIIngs ascIassrcIaIiOns
EvcrysubccI crOsscs a ackObcng anda dcsIrucIiOn
TIcsubccIsanIcccdcnccIO Isc
I 25
I 32
I 40
TOrsiOn
I 48
TIcOry OIIc subccI accOrdingIO SOpIOccs, IIcOry OIIc
subccI accOrdingIOAcscIyus
I 58
OIIcsIrandsOIIcknOI, IOknOvOnyIIccOOur ! 6
VBtI N. BICt1B15I CVCt5B1 O BICt1B15D ! 77
TIcback sIccp OmaIcriaIsm
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TIcindissOubc saI OIruII ! 0
Ansvcrng-IOIIc SpInx-dcmandsrOmIIc subccI nOI IO
IavcIOansvcr-OrIIc SpIinx
Agcbra andIOpOOgy
cigIbOurIOOds
COnssIcncy, sccOndnamcOIIcrcaaIcrIIccausc
SOiIIcOnIOOgy
VBtI N. bOO[CCI1V1ZBI1OD BDO bOOjCCI1VC VtOCC55
TIcIOpOOgcaOppOsiIcOIIc knOI isnOI IIccuI-dispcrsiOn
buIIIc dcsIrucIOn-rccOmpOsiIOn
SubccIivizinganIicipaIOn, rcIrOacIiOnOIIcsubccIivcprOccss
Hurry Hurry WOrdOIIc!ving
TIcincxisIcnI
!OgicOIIccxccss
VBtI N. OQ1C5 O ID1C5
WIcrc?
TIcsubccivcIvisI: and
agOnasOIIcimagnary
ScIcma
EIIcsasIIcdisspaIiOnOIIc paradOxcs OparIisansIip
CassicaI dcIOur
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224
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243
248
254
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275
277
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365
1|d0Sl dI0|S 0I|00uCI| 00
horicdu su)cl, vIicIIcrcbyaIasIbccOmcsavaiIabcinEngisIIransa-
IiOn, is Aain adiOus mOsI passiOnaIc and cxpcrmcnIaI bOOk. !nIcrms
O sIccrpcrsOna cngagcmcnI, iIispcrIapscOmparabcOnyIOIiscary
nOvcs, Almacslcs ( I 64) and Porlulans ( I 67) , Or IO Iis vriIings Or IIc
tIcaIrc sucI as IIc Opcra-nOvc L charc rouc, vIcI daIcs rOm IIc
samcpcrOd ( ! 7) , OrAhmcdlcsublil, a IariOus arcc cOmpOscdin I 84
durng a brcpcriOd OisOaIiOn and caIm sIOrIyaIcr IIcprcscnIbOOk
vas hrsIpubisIcdn!rcncI. mycycs, 1horcdu su)clsasO adiOus
mOsIdaring,IcrmcIc, andbcvIdcringvOrkOpIiOsOpIy, andIIcImc
IIaI Ias passcd sincciIs OrignaappcaranccOnIysccms IO Iavc addcd IO
tIccccI ObcvidcrmcnI. SOmcinIrOducIOryrcmarks mayIIcrcOrcbc
nOrdcrsOasIOsIuaIcIIcbOOkinIsvdcrcOnIcxI.
!rcscnIcd in IIc Orm O a scmnar bcIvccn anuary I 75 and unc
! 7,vIicIisIOsayduringIIccIOsurcOIIcsO-cacdrcdycars ( I 66-
76) andin a IimcIIaIvOuId viIncss IIc dcpOrabc riscIO amcOIIc
'ncvpIOsOpIcrs ( ! 76)asvcasIIcascIOpcssurrOundingIIccrca-
IiOn OIIc cOmmOn prOgrammc ( signcd n I 72) uniIing COmmunsIs,
SOciaisIs, andradicaILcIsIsinranccvrIIcn in IIcmidsIOvIaI can
OnIybccaIcd anacIvccampaign OOsIracsm againsIiIs auIIOrbccausc
O Iis undyng MaOsm, viII sOmc gOng sO ar as IO ca Iim a MaOisI
piI-bu: andpubIsIcdn I 82 inIIcaIcrmaII OIIcvdcycccbraIcd
cccIOra vicIOry in I 8 I O !ranOis MiIIcrrand IO IIc !rcsidcncy, IIc
bOOk makcs nO cOnccssiOns IO IIc dOminanI visdOm and pOsI-pOIica
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cupIOriaO!iIsIimc.TOIIccOnIrary, sOIiIudcOnIysccmsIOIavcIadan
cmbOIdcning c!ccI. !n IIs scnsc, vc cOuId appIy adiOus Ovn vOrds,
Iakcn rOm Sainl Paul. 1hc Foundalion o] |nivcrsalism, IO IIc auIIOr O!
IIcprcscnIbOOk. EvcryIIing indcaIcs IIaI Ic rcuscd any cOmprOmisc
vIcn iI camc IO hdcIiIy IO prncipIcs. Or agan: His discOursc is Onc O
purc hdcIIy IO IIc pOssibiIiIy Opcncd by IIc cvcnI. TIc pvOIaI cvcnI
in IIs casc bcing nOI sO mucI IIc OuIbursI O May 68, vIOsc rcmark-
abIcnIcnsiIyand sIOrIIivcd cxpcrcnccIIcIvO usuaIIy gOngIandin
IandviIInIIcIradiIiOnOuIIra-IcIism-IIcbOOkOIIcrviscaIsO sccks
IO dagnOsc, sOmucIasIIcpaIcnI acIOn nccdcdIOvOrkOuIIIccOnsc-
qucnccs O!IIisuprisng, duringIIc hrsIIaIOIIc ! 70s, inIIcguiscO!
rcncIMaOism.
TIc upsIOI O!IIisprncipIcd, nOI IO saysIubbOrn,apprOacIis a vOrk
vIOscIcgcndarydihcuIIyunIIrcccnIIyIurncdavaymanymOrcrcadcrs
IIaniI aIIracIcd IasIng admircrs, cvcn rOmamOngadiOus mOsI ardcnI
!OIIOvcrs. As !cIcr HaIIvard admIs. ' 1horic du su)cl is by any crIcria
IIc mOsI dihcuII IO apprOacI O! adOus vOrks.
b l NJUULJlN
and nOvcIy. TIc idca vas IIaI cvcry ncv IruII vOud ncccssariIy
invOvc a dcsIrucIiOn O IIc Od Ordcr. !rOm a sIricI OnIOIOgica vicv,
IOvcvcr, IIc parI O Oss in nOvcIy musI bc rcpIrascd in Icrms nOI O
dcsIrucIiOn buI O subIracIiOn and disquaIihcaIiOn. A ncv IruII cannOI
supprcssanycxisIcncc,buIbycxIcndinga givcnsiIuaIiOnrOmIIcpOinI
O iIs suppcmcnIaIiOn IIaI is an cvcnI, an cngagcd cnquiry inIO IIc
IruIIuncssOrvcridicaiIyOIIiscvcnIcandisquaiy, OrsubIracI,ccrIain
Icrms Or muIIipcs-namcy, IIOsc incgaiIarian Oncs IIaI arc incOmpaI
ibc viIIIIc gcncricandunivcrsanaIurc OaIIIruII. csIrucIiOn, IIcn,
vOuId bc Ony a rcacIivc namc Or IIc aIc O IIaI parI O knOvcdgc
IIaInO OngcrviIIavc quaIihcd asIruIIuIOrvcridicainIIc cxIcndcd
siIuaIiOninvIicIancvcnIIasIakcnpIacc.
HOvcvcr, IIis asI scIcriIicism IOO may Iavc IO bc Icmpcrcd in IIc
cxIcnIIIaIIIcdisIincIiOnbcIvccnIIcIvOpaIIsOdcsIrucIiOnandsub-
IracIiOn rcmains a kcy IOpicOIIc auIIOrs OngOing cnquirics. MucI O
BadiOus Elhics, Or insIancc, dcaIs viII IIc spccihc rcsIrainIs IIaI musI
appyIOanyIruIIprOccdurcinOrdcrIOavOidIIc 'disasIcr OOrcing an
cnIirc siIuaIiOninIIc namc OIruII, IOIIcpOinIOcOmpIcIcydcsIrOy-
ing IIc OId Ordcr O IIings, vIic IIc OppOsiIc OpcraIiOn O subIracIiOn,
vIicI prOcccdsbyvayOa principIc O 'minima dicrcncc, isIIc IOpic
O scvcraI O BadiOus ccIurcs in 1hc Ccnluj. ' ` WIaI is mOrc, vIcrcas
cin andEvcnl sccms IO pOinI IO IIc nOIiOn OdcsIrucIiOn asIIcprinci-
pa misgiving in BadiOus Ovn carIicr IIOugII, vIicI is sIiI vcry mucI
suIurcd OnIOpOiIics undcrIIc inIucncc OMaOism, inLoicso]Worldsa
ncvbaIanccissIruck bcIvccn dcsIrucIiOnand subIracIiOn.A IruII, IIcn,
invOvcsbolha disquaIihcaIiOnOrsubIracIiOn (Obcing) andadcsIrucIiOn
OrOss (Oappcaring) . 'TIcOpcningOaspaccOcrcaIiOnrcquircsdcsIruc-
IiOn.' !nacI,IIisisjusIOncOmanyrcgardsinvIicIIIcsccOndvOumc
Ocin andEvcnlisOnccmOrc cOscrIO 1hcojo]lhcSub)ccl. TIcpOinIis
ccrIainy nOIIOmOvcina scI-rigIIcOus andincarasIiOnrOmIIcrav-
agingbindncssOdcsIrucIiOn, assOciaIcdviIIIIc diaIccIicaIvOrk,IOIIc
cOOIinsigIIsOsubIracIiOn, aOrdcdbyIIcIurnIOmaIIcmaIics.
!ndccd, IIOugIIIisrcmainssOmcvIaIOa bOnc O cOnIcnIiOnamOng
criIics and cOmmcnIaIOrs, BadiOus subscqucnI IrajccIOry suggcsIs IIaI
IIcrc arc ccrIainy as many inIriguing Iincs O cOnIinuiIy and rcsurrcc-
IiOnbcIvccn IIc caricrandIIc aIcrvriIingsasIIcrc IavcbccnpOinIs
O acuIc sc-criIicism and discOnIinuiIy. TIis bccOmcs nOvIcrc mOrc
cvidcnIIIaninIIc!rcaccIOLoicso]WorldsvIcrc BadiOu gadIyadOpIs
IIcnamc'maIcriaisIdiaIccIicIOdcscribcIisicOngcndcavOur,insIarp
JNbLJ
b lNJUULJlN
cOnIrasI IO cin and Evcnl vIcrc IIc OrIIOdOx IradiIiOn O ' diaIccIicaI
maIcriaIism, as ! mcnIiOncd abOvc, is cOnsidcrcd bcyOnd savagc asIIc
'sIiIIbOrnaIIcmpIIO rcndcrIOmOOgOus IIc diaccIic OnaIurc andIIaI
O spiriI. AIcr ncarIy IvO dccadcs O cxprcssIy anIi-diaccIica crvOur,
arIicuarIyinIcxIssucIasMclajolilicsand 1hc Ccnluj, BadiOusvOrkin
rcccnI ycars IIus sccms, i nOI cxacIIy IO Iavc cOmc u circc, IIcn aI
IcasI IO bc spiraIIing back IO sOmc O iIs OriginaI prcmiscs, sincc aIrcady
Onc O Iis carIicsI pIiIOsOpIicaI IcxIs, a rcvicv O AIIIusscrs canOnicaI
ForMarx and Rcadin Cajilal, rcccivcd IIc prOgrammaIic IiIc 'TIc ( Rc)
cOmmcnccmcnIOiaccIicaIMaIcriaIism. BuIIIcnIOprOvidcMarxism
viII a maIcriaisI and diaccIica pIiIOsOpIy cOmpaIibIc viII iIs sIricIIy
pOiIicaI dchniIiOn is prcciscy IIc ambiIiOus OvcraII prOgrammc bcIind
1hcoj o]lhc Sub)ccl, a prOgrammc vIicI BadiOu nOv argucs-againsI
Ihc canOnicaI IcacIings O AIIusscr and viII IIc uncxpccIcd Icp O
Lacan-cannOI bc accOmpisIcdviIIOuIIIc vcry cOnccpI OIIc subccI
thaI maIcriaism prcviOusIy Iad IIc purpOsc O dcbunking as sIccr
idcaIisI Iumbug.
3
Lcnin Oncc amOusy dcscribcd Marxs IcacIing as 'IIc cgiIimaIc suc-
ccssOr IO IIc bcsIIIaI IumaniIy prOduccdinIIc nincIccnII ccnIury, as
rcprcscnIcdbyGcrmanpIiOsOpIy,EngisIpOiIicaIccOnOmyand!rcncI
Ociaism .
b lNJUL1lN
!n!arIOnc, BadiOu hrsIOarcdcncs IIcHcgcian diaccIicinIcrms
Oa Ogic OscissiOn, insIcad OIIcIypica IcxIbOOk nOIiOns OaicnaIiOn,
ncgaIiOn, IIcncgaIiOnOncgaIiOn,andsOOn.TObcmOrcprccisc,Icdis
IinguisIcsIvOmaIrccs OIIc diaccIicin HcgcanidcaisIOnc, dcncd
by IIc cxIcrnaizaIiOn and rcIurn IO sc, and a prOpcry maIcriaisI Onc,
in vIicI cvcry Icrm is spiI viIIOuI uniIy ciIIcr aI IIc Origin Orin IIc
cnd. BadiOu cxamincs IIis disIincIiOnin a rcmarkabc rcading OHcgcs
Scicncco]Loic, cspcciayIIOscparIsOndcIcrminaIiOnandimiIvIicI, as
isOIcnIIc casc viIIcary mOmcnIs in HcgcsprcscnIaIiOn, arcnOIycI
cOnIaminaIcd byIIcidcaisIprcssurcs OIIc AbsOuIc. BadiOus rciancc
On Hcgcs Loic, mOrcOvcr, prOvidcsa rcrcsIing andmucInccdcd cOn-
IrasI IO IIcIcavyinIucnccOIIcPhcnomcnoloy o]Sjirilin IIc IradiIiOn
O!rcncI Hcgcianism rOm Acxandrc Ovc IOGcOrgcsBaIaic, asidc
rOm ObviOusy running cOunIcr IO IIc gcncra anIi-Hcgcianism O IIc
AIIusscrian scIOO. A bOd rcading O CIrisIianiIy in igII O IIis dia-
ccIicOscissiOn, urIIcrmOrc,aOvsBadiOunOIOnyIOcircumscribcIIc
Ivin 'Icrcsics Or ' dcviaiOns O cI-ving GnOsIicism (OrvIicI, ivc
maysimpiy maIIcrs OdOcIrincIOancxIrcmc, CIrisIispurcydivincOr
inhniIc) and ' rigII-ving Arianism (OrvIicI CIrisIispurcyIuman Or
niIc) , buI asO IO spcciy IIc pOinIvIcrcHcgc sdiaccIicrcmains aIcr
a idcaisI in Icrms OIIcIisIOrica pcriOdizaIiOn IIaI iI aOvs Or, raIIcr,
disaOvs, insOar as iI mOvcs in circcs and uIimaIcy cads back IO IIc
spiIIcrmIIaIvasavaysarcadyprcscnIrOmIIcOrigin ( GOdas!aIIcr/
SOnOrinhniIy/hniIudc) . 'HcgcOnIIispOinI,musIbcdividcdOnccagain
sO as IO brcak OuI O IIc 'circc Ocrccs O IIc AbsOuIc, BadiOu cOn-
cudcs: 'TObcbric, vc vi OppOsc (maIcriaisI) jcriodizalion IO (idcaisI)
circulariq.'
b lNJULJlN
insOar asiI asO impics an unspOkcn criIiquc OIIcvIOcAIIusscrian
cOnccpI O sIrucIura causaiIy, IIaI is, O a causc IIaI vanisIcs inIO IIc
IOIaiIy O iIs cccIs. BadiOu IigIigIIs IIc cxIraOrdinarypOvcr OIIis
cOnccpIvIicaIIIcsamcIimcrcvcaingiIsvcakncss, namcy, IIcpacc
vIcrcIIcnOIiOnOacausaiIyack,cvcnOrcspcciayvIcniIisraiscd
IO IIccvc Oa OrmacOnccpIIIanksIOIIc anxicIy-inducing OpcraIiOn
O annumcnI vIcrcby ack iIsc cOmcs IO ack, Iurns inIO a Orbidding
ObsIacc Or sIOpping pOinI, prOIibiIing IIc acIua IransOrmaIiOn O IIc
IOIaiIypuIinpaccbyIIccccIsOIIcvanisIingcausciIsc.Maarmcs
vriIing, IIOugIcmincnIydiaccIica, inIIisscnscvOudrcmainidcaisI,
prcscnIing vIaI BadiOu cas a sIrucIura-IIOugI nOI sIrucIuraisI
diaccIic. 'AIIisOrmsaprcciOuscgacyBadiOucOncudcs,cvcnIIOugI
IIcrc is a nccd IO diaccIicizc IIc sIrucIura diaccIic bcyOnd iIsc. 'NO,
! hnd nO auI viII a IIis, cxccpI IIaI ! am nOI svaycd by an Ordcr O
IIingsinvIicIaIIOugIIisdcvOIcdIOIIcinspccIiOnOIIaIvIicIsub-
OrdinaIcsiIIOIIcpaccmcnIOanabscncc,andvIicIbringssavaIiOnOr
IIcsubjccIOnyin IIcarcady-IIcrcncss Oa sIar
b lNJULJlN
Odcs. IIc AcscIycan Onc, IIc dirccIiOn O vIcI is IIc cOnIradcIOry
advcnI OjusIiccbyIIccOuragc OIIc ncv and IIc SOpIOccan Onc, IIc
anguisIcd scnsc OvIicI is IIc qucsI, IIrOugI a rcvcrsa, Or IIc supcr-
cgOic Origin. AnxcIy, supcrcgO, cOuragc, and jusIicc Icrcby cOmc IO
namc IIc OurundamcnIaIcOnccpIsin any IIcOry OIIc subjccI. WIaI
s mOrc, IIs rcIurn IO anccnIIragcdygivcs BadiOu IIc OccasiOnbOII IO
addrcssHdcrIinsrcmarksOnSOpIOccsandIOcabOraIcIsOvnunquc
IIcOryOjusIicc, OIIcOrccOav, andOIscrOciOusundcrsdcOvO-
cnccandnOnav,viIIvIicIIc maybc said IO Iavc anIicipaIcd mOrc
rcccnIdcbaIcsrOmIIcikcsOacqucscrridaOr
ck.
TIc Orgna scmnars Or !arI !Our cOincidc viII IIc mcdia uprOar
causcd by IIc variOus aIIacks cOming rOm IIc Iands O scI-prOcIaimcd
ncv pIIOsOpIcrs-many O IIcm, kc Andrc Gucksmann, cx-MaOsI
rcncgadcs-agansI IIc masIcr discOursc O Marxism IIaIviII SIainisI
ncccssiIy vOuId Iavc cd rOm diamaI IO IIc Guag. !n rcspOnsc IO IIs
mcdiacvcnI, BadiOuIacIcaysIiIsIIcIcrrainsOasIOansvcrIIccIargcs
OIIcanIi-MarxisIvarmacIincviIIrccrcnccnOIIOIIcmucI-maIgncd
IOIaiIarianism O IIc diaIccIic buI IO a cOnIcmpOrary dchniIiOn O IIc
backsIccpOmaIcraism.Hcrc,IOO,aprincipIcOpcrOdizaIOnappIics,
bascdOnIIcacIIIaIanymaIcraismisdchncdbyiIsimmancnIscissOn
rOm a rivaing idcaIsm: TIcrc arc IIrcc maIcraIsms, OrIIc cxcccnI
rcasOn IIaIIIcrc arc IIrcc idcaisms. rcgOus idcaism, IumansI idca-
ism,andIIcn-IIcruIOIIisIsIOricaIcuI-dc-sacnvIicImpcriaIsm
casIs IsasIrays OanguisIingmOdcrniIyinguisIic idcaIsm. !nsOar
asIIcrcisnOpOinIndcnyingIIccOnsIIucnIrOIc OsymbOicsIrucIurcs
sucI as anguagc, IIc idcaism IIaI rcsuIs rOm IIc inguisIic Iurn asO
cannOI bc OvcrcOmc mcrcIy by rcahrmng maIIcr as sOmc Iard prcin-
guisIic acI. !nsIcad, maIcriaIism iIsc musI bc spIiI n Icrms O a dOubc
dcIcrminaIiOn. IO IIc IIcss O dcnIIy, accOrdng IO vIicI aII bcing is
maIIcr, vcIIusmusIaddIIcIIcsisOprimacy, accOrdingIOvIicIIIcrc
t
arcIvO rcgiOns Obcng, maIIcr andIIOugII,viIIIIchrsIruingOvcrIIc
sccOnd. Wc can say, insIOrI, IIaI IIc IIcsis OidcnIiIy namcs IIcpIacc
(Obcing) , andIIcIIcsisOprimacyIIcprOccss (OknOvcdgc) undcrIIc
ruIc OIIcpacc.
WiII rgard IO IIc IIcOry O knOvIcdgc, IIs dOubc dcIcrminaIOn
O maIcriaism can bc summarizcd in IIc mrrOr IIaI uncIOns as IIc
mcIapIOr Or knOvcdgc in IIc nOIOrOus rcIIccIOn IIcOry, and IIc
asympIOIc, vIcI mcIapIOrizcs knOvIcdgc rOm IIc pOnI O vicv
O IIc rcmaindcr cI bcIind by a cxacI rcIIccIOn. !cI us say IIaI Or
xvII
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b lNJULJlN
maIcriaism rcIccIiOn is IIc mcIapIOr O IIc IIcsis O idcnIiIy, BadiOu
cOncudcs.TIcsccOndmcIapIOrmaIIcmaIizcsIIcIIcsisOprimacyinIO
an asympIOIc.
BOII O IIcsc IIcscs musI bc mainIaincd aI IIc samc
Iimc,csIIIcdiaccIiciIyOIIcdiaccIicIIaIIravcrscsmaIcriaismIIrOugI
and IIrOugIis aOvcdIO apsc backinIO a rigIIisI Or 'cIisI cxaggcra-
IiOn, vIicIvOudrcduccknOvcdgc, rcspccIivcy, IObcingasimpcmir-
rOring rcdupicaIiOnOIIc cxisIing sIrucIurc OIIings OrIOOOvingan
inhniIcincOIigIIcauscdbysOmcindivisibccIOvcr. GivcnIIccurrcnI
IIcOrcIica panOrama, vIicI baIIcs in IIc Obscurc igII prOccIcd by
nOIiOns sucI as dicrcncc, IIc rcmaindcr, OrIIc asympIOIicapprOacIO
IIc rca inIIc nigII OnOn-knOvcdgc, IIcrc is IIus sOmcIIing rcrcsI
ingy cOunIcrinIuiIivcinIIisrcIurnIOmaIcriaisminIIcbrigIImirrOrO
rcIccIiOnIIcOry.
!arIs !ivc and Six, hnay, mOvc IIc argumcnI viII incrcasing spccd
and cOncisiOninIIc dirccIiOn OanOvcrvicvOIIc cnIirc IIcOry OIIc
subccIinOrdcrIO cucidaIca pOssibc cIIicsOMarxism . TIisisaccOm-
pisIcdbymappingOuIIIcOurundamcnIacOnccpIs,OnOncIand,inIO
IvO anayIica IcmpOraiIics rcspccIivcy O subccIivizaIiOn (bascd On
IIc IasIyIimc O inIcrrupIiOn, iIscspiI inIO anxicIyandcOuragc) and
OIIc subccIivc prOccss (bascd On IIc durabc Iimc O rccOmpOsiIiOn,
iIscin Iurn spiI inIO IIc supcrcgO and usIicc) : and, On IIc OIIcr, inIO
IvO synIIcIic mOdcs OrIraccIOrics, Onc vIicI BadiOu dubs IIc mOdc
(rOm anxicIyIOIIc supcrcgO) and IIc OIIcr, IIc mOdco (rOm cOuragc
IO usIicc) . TIc IIcOry O IIc subccI IIus bccOmcs a cOmpcx IOpOOgi-
ca spacc Or ncIvOrk, Ordcrcd arOund IIc Our basic cOnccpIsand IIcir
arIicuaIiOns. !n acI, in addiIiOn IO IIc vcrIica and IOrizOnIa pairings,
IIcrc arc asO diagOna cOrrcaIiOns IIaI mark IIc IraccIOrics O idcO
Ogyin IIcIIcOryO IIc subccI, IIaIis, IIcgrcaIimaginary uncIiOns O
dOgmaIism ( aOng IIc cOuragc-supcrcgO axis) and sccpIicism (aOng IIc
usIicc-anxicIy axis ) . BadiOu urIIcrmOrc incudcs a bric pIcnOmcnO-
OgicaaccOunIOIIc dicrcnIhgurcsandIraccIOricsinIIisOvcrvicv, in
vIicIIcOnccagainrcIurnsIOHcgcandHdcrin.
EIIics cOmcs inIO IIc picIurc in IIis cOnIcxI as IIc namc Or dicrcnI
subccIivc OrmaIiOns IIaI cOnsIiIuIc sO-cacd discOurscs, raIIcr IIan
ciIIcr cOnccpIs Or IraccIOrics. BadiOu disIinguisIcs IvO cxIrcmc cascs.
IIc discOursc O praisc, bascd On bcic in an csscnIia visdOm O IIc
vOrd, and IIc Opcny !rOmcIIcan discOursc O rcbciOus cOnhdcncc.
BcIvccn IIcsc IvO cxIrcmcs O bcic and cOnhdcncc, IIcrc ic IIc dis-
cOurscsOvIaIBadiOucasIIccIIicsOIIcimpassc,vIcIIcrniIiisIOr
xvttI
JNbLJ
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b lNJLJlN
dissidcnI, insOarasIIcyrcccIainkagcsbcIvccnIIcsuppOscdvisdOm
OIIc cxisIing vOrd and IIc subccIs cvauaIiOn OvIaI is IO bc dOnc.
TIc bOOks hna prOpOsiIiOns, vIicI arguc in avOur O an cIIics IIaI
vOudrcusc IOgivc up OnIIc subccIscOnhdcncc, in IIis scnsc canbc
cOnsidcrcd ancaryanIicipaIiOn O BadiOus Llhics as vc as a vccOmc
cOunIcrparIIOIIcaIIcraIOOpOcmicaOvcrIOncs.
4
!mpiciIinIIc nOIiOnOan cIIicso]Marxism, asOppOscdIO a MarxisI
cIIics, is a sIricIy pOiIica undcrsIanding O Marxism. TIis maIIcr
O principc guidcs IIc scccIiOn O IcxIs rOm IIc IradiIiOn. Wc can
ncvcr rcpcaI cnOugI IIaI IIc IcxIs O Marxism arc hrsI and OrcmOsI
IIOsc O miiIanI pOiIics. TIc rcadcr IIus vi scarcI in vain Or
BadiOuspcrsOnainIcrprcIaIiOnOMarxs Cajilal ( IIcccpIanICajilal,
BadiOu says) Or cvcn O IIc Crundrissc (vIicI pay sucI a ccnIra rOc,
arOund IIc samc Iimc in IIc aIc ! 70s, in AnIOniO Ncgris rccasIing
O Marxism) . !nsIcad, iI is viII rccrcncc IO inIcrvcnIiOnisI IcxIs sucI
as 1hcCommunislMani]cslo Or !cnins TIc Crisis Has MaIurcd IIaI IIc
prcscnI vOrk caims IO bc sIanding in Ic incagc OpOiIica Marxism.
!ikcvisc, BadiOu rcpcaIcdy rcccIs any nOIiOn O a scicncc O IisIOry
IIaI vOudbc cmbOdicd in Marxs Ovn sIudy andcriIiquc OIIcpOiIi-
ca ccOnOmy O advanccd capiIaism, in avOur O a miiIanI dchniIiOn
O IIc rccrcncc IO IcxIs by Marx, !cnin, and MaO in cOncrcIc pOiIica
cxpcrimcnIs. Scicncc O IisIOry? Marxism islhcdiscoursc wilh which lhc
jrolclarialsuslains ilscl]assub)ccl. Wc musI ncvcr cI gO O IIis idca
!
cIIicsIasanyrOcaIaIOpayinIIiscOnIcxI, iIisOnyinOrdcrIOscrvc
asapracIicaprincipc, Ormaxim, OrsusIainingIIcraIiOnaandparIisan
cacuaIiOns OpOiIics.
ScaIIcrcd IIrOugIOuI 1hcojo]lhcSub)ccl IIc rcadcr vi IIus bc abc
IO hnd BadiOus rcIccIiOns On IIc rOc O masscs, casscs, and IIc SIaIc
On IIc parIy O a ncv Iypc as IIc bOdy OpOiIics: and On cOmmunism,
rcvOuIiOn, and IIc dicIaIOrsIip O IIc prOcIariaI. AnyOnc inIcrcsIcd in
prObingIIc cxacI naIurc O BadiOus Marxism, inIIis scnsc, sIOudpay
cOsc aIIcnIiOn IO IIc prcscnI bOOk. !crIaps abOvc a, IIc rcadcr vi
cOmcIO apprcciaIca sidcOBadiOusvOrkIIaIusuayisnOIasvisibcas
iIisin1hcojo]lhcSub)cclOr,Onccagain,inLoicso]Worlds,IIaIis,IisIair
OrIisIOricapcriOdizaIiOn.NOIOnydOcsIcprcscnIvIaI!caricrcacda
xx
xx
1NbL1
b lNJUL1lN
maIcriaIisIIIcOryOIisIOriciIyviIIOuIHisIOry:buIIcaIsOsIcpsinIOIIc
IrcncIcs inOrdcrIO inIcrvcncinIIc acIuaI IisIOricizaIiOn OIMarxism, as
IIcdiscOurscOrcIcrcnccinaIcasIIIrcccruciascqucnccsOIcvcnIs. IIc
pOpuar riOIs IrOmIIc Iimc OIIc CommunislMani]slo aII IIc vay IOIIc
cxpcrimcnIOI IIc!aris COmmunc: IIcvicIOryOIIIcOcIObcrRcvOIuIiOn
and IIc cOnsIiIuIiOn O sOciaisI SIaIcs IIrOugIOuI IIc SOvicI bIOc; and
IIc CuIura RcvOIuIiOnin MaOisI CIina. TIc rcasOns Or IIis OIIcrvisc
airy OrIIOdOx cIOrI aIpcriOdizaIiOn arc cOnsisIcnI viII IIcprincipc OI
a miIiIanI-as OppOscd IO a scicnIic, nOI IO mcnIiOnpurcy acadcmic
undcrsIanding OI IIc discOursc Oundcd by Marx. '!Or Marxism, scizcd
rOm any pOinI IIaI is nOI iIscIccIivcOpcraIiOn vIicI is cnIircy O IIc
Ordcr O pOIiIics viIIin IIc masscs, dOcs nOI dcscrvc Onc IOur O Our
IrOubcs
TIis dOcs nOImcanncgccIingIIccrisis OMarxism: 'Ycs,IcIus admiI
iIviIIOuIdcIOurs.Marxismisincrisis;MarxismisaIOmizcdHOvcvcr,
unIikc vIaI Iappcns in IIc anIi-MarxisI var macIinc O IIc discOursc
againsI IOIaiIarianism, IIis crisis musI bc undcrsIOOd immancnIy, rOm
viIIin IIc vcakncss Or IIc cxIausIiOn OI IIc rcIcrcnIia vauc OI IIc
MarxisI discOursc in acIua pOiIica and miIiIanI prOccsscs. '!asI IIc
impusc and crcaIivc scissiOn O IIc 0s, aIcr IIc naIiOnaI ibcraIiOn
sIruggcs and IIc cuIuraI rcvOIuIiOn, vIaI vc inIcriI in Iimcs O crisis
and IIc immincnI IIrcaIOvar is a narrOv and ragmcnIary asscmbagc
O IIOugII and acIiOn, caugII in a IabyrinII OI ruins and survvas !I
Marxism, inaddiIiOnIOiIsundcniabIcIisIOricaIcrisis, musIasOundcrgO
anacIivccOnccpIuadcsIrucIiOn, IIcniI is aIvaysviIIancycOniIspOs-
sibcrccOmpOsiIiOnasapOiIicaI discOursc. TIisisvIy, scvcraycarsaIcr
1hojo]lhSub)cl, iIcancOmcIOuncIiOnasOncOIIIcIvOundamcnIa
'inIcrvcningdOcIrincsOIIIcsubjccI, IIcOIIcrOncbcingpsycIOanaysis,
IIaI rOm IIc OuIsidc cOndiIiOn IIc pIiOsOpIy OI IIc cvcnI, as BadiOu
vi sIaIc cxpiciIy in IIc !rcacc IO in andEvnl. 'A pOsI-CarIcsian
dOcIrinc O IIc sujccI is unOding. iIs Origin can bc Iraccd IO nOn
pIiOsOpIicapracIiccs (vIcIIcrIIOscpracIiccsbcpOiIica, OrrcIaIingIO
'mcnIaiIIncss);andiIsrcgimcOIinIcrprcIaIiOn,markcdbyIIcnamcsOI
Marx and!cnin, !rcudand!acan, isinIricaIcIyinkcdIOcIinicaOrmii-
IanI OpcraIiOnsvIicIgObcyOnd Iransmissibc discOurscBcsidcs, IIc
dOubc IisIOricaIsIamping O IIcsc dOcIrincs OI IIc subccI, viII Marx/
!cninasidcIrOmrccaIingcsus/!auIaIIIcOriginOCIrisIianiIy-bcing
sIricIIy IOmOOgOus IO !rcud/Lacan, Icads BadiOu in 1hojo]lh Sub)cl
IO raisc an inIriguing qucsIiOn: 'WIcrcIs, ycI IOcOmc andmakingIIrcc,
JNbL1
b lNJLJlN
IIc MaO O psycIOanaIysis? TIis qucsIiOn is nOI rIcIOricaI and IO a
argc cxIcnI rcmains Opcn IO IIis day-viII !acan IimscI sIi Iaving
impOrIanI IcssOns IO IcacI, as BadiOu sIOvs, rcgarding a IIcOry OI IIc
subccI IIaIvOudbc cOmpaIibIc viIIIIcdcsIrucIiOn and rccOmpOsiIiOn
OI Marxism.
!n OIIcr vOrds, vIiIc iI is ccrIainIy Iruc IIaI in 1hoty o]lh Sub)cl
BadiOu acknOvcdgcs IO bc spcaking rOm dccaI, as vIcn Ic says. 'TO
dccnd Marxism IOday mcans IO dccnd a vcakncss, vc sIOuId nOI
ncgccI IIc acI IIaI IIis acknOvcdgcmcnIis immcdiaIcIy OIOvcdbya
sIaIcmcnIinvIicIIIcvcakncssOIIIcindcIcnsibcaIOnccprcscribcsIIc
IaskOIa ncv duIy. 'WcmusIjraclisMarxism
ickIrcqucnIyinsisIs,
IIisdimcnsiOnappcarsIObccOmpcIcIyabscnIIrOmBadiOusvOrk aIIcr
in andEvnl. TIrOugI IIc cOnccpI OI IIc abscnI causc iIscII, IIOugI,
IIcrc is ccrIainy a gOOd casc IO bc madc Or IIc argumcnI IIaI 1hoty
o]lh Sub)cl bOII incudcs and prObcmaIizcs IIc rOc O IIc ccOnOmy
in a sIricIy pOIiIicaI undcrsIanding O Marxism. BcIvccn AIIusscr and
BadiOu, inacI, vcmigII sayIIaIa dccisivc rcvcrsaIOIpcrspccIivcIakcs
pacc vIcrcby IIcabscnIcausc, insIcad OIprOviding usviIIIIc masIcr
kcyIOunOckIIcsIrucIuracausaIiIyOOvcrdcIcrminaIiOn,bccOmcssyn
OnymOus viII IIc IransIOrmaIivc pOIcnIiaI Oan cvcnI. TIc ccOnOmicaI
insIancc, vIicI IOrAIIIusscr scrvcs as IIcprincipacxampIc Oa causc
IIaIvanisIcsinIOIIcIOIaIiIyOiIscIccIs,IIuscOnIinucsIObcprcscnIas
iIvcrcvirIuaIyinBadiOusdOcIrincOIIccvcnI, cxccpIIIaIIIccmpIa
sis nOvsIiIIsavay rOmIIc sIrucIuraIdimcnsiOnIOvardsIIcrariIyOa
subjccIivcinIcrvcnIiOn.TIcrccanbcnOdOubI, IOvcvcr IIaI mucImOrc
vOrknccdsIObcdOncinOrdcrIOOOvIIcdcsIinyOIIiscOnccpIOIIc
ccOnOmyquaabscnIcauscinIIcvakcOIAIIusscrianMarxism.acqucs-
AIain MiIcrs carIy vriIings rOm IIc Iimc O Iis parIicpaIiOn in Cahirs
jourlanalys, cspcciaIIy'MaIrix and 'AcIiOn OIIIc SIrucIurc, cvcn mOrc
sOIIanIisvidcyknOvn'SuIurc ( EcmcnIsOIIcLOgicOIIIcSignihcr)
sIOudprOvcparIicuIaryrcIcvanIinIIiscOnIcxI,andIIcyaIrcadyrcccivc
mucIaIIcnIiOninBadiOus 1hotyo]lhSub)cl.`"
!nIIccnd, IIOugI,cvcnarcIurnIOIIccOnccpIOIIcabscnIcauscaOng
IIc paII IIaI cads IrOm sIrucIura IO pOsI-sIrucIura Orms OIIIOugII is
unikcyIOcOnvincc IIcdic-IardMarxisIvIOis inscarcIOIanaccOunI
OIpOIiIica ccOnOmyinIIisIIinkcrsvOrk. !Orin IIccycsO BadiOu, IIc
xxi
xxII
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b l NJULJN
IacIOIIIcmaIIcrrcmainsIIaIMarxs Cajilal, vIiccsscnIiayIruciniIs
diagnOsIic, andpcrIapscvcn Irucr IOdayIIan a ccnIury and a IaI agO,
nOncIIccss puIs us On IIc vrOng Irack iI Our aim is IO dchnc a pOiIica
raIIcrIIanan anayIicaMarxism.TIisisbccauscIIccriIiqucOIpOiIica
ccOnOmyIasbccnunabcIOpcrIOrmiIsOvncriIiquc,asBadiOuvivriIc
inCanPolilicsc1houhl!nIIisscnsc,IIcccOnOmicainsIanccmarksIIc
hxaIiOn, OrIIcbccOminghcIiOn, OIMarxism.
WIaI vas suppOscdIO bc a sIraIcgyOI IIc cvcnI, a IypOIIcsisrcgard
ingIIcIysIcriasOIIIcsOcia anOrganOIinIcrprcIaIiOn-inIcrrupIiOn, a
cOuragcOIIOrIunc, Ias hnaybccn prcscnIcd,byvayOIIIcccOnOmy,
as giving a cOnvcnicnI mcasurc IO sOcia rcaIiOns. TIus, Marxism Ias
bccndcsIrOycdbyiIsOvnIisIOry,vIicIisIIaIOIIIchxiOn,viIIanx,
IIcIisIOryOIiIshxaIiOnbyIIcpIiOsOpIcmc OIIIcpOiIica .
MarxismcanbcIrccd IrOm IIis hxaIiOnOnyiIIIc criscs and IysIcrias,
IOvIicIIIccriIiqucOIpOiIicaccOnOmyvassuppOscdIOprOvidcacccss,
arcsccnnciIIcrassOciaIacIsnOrascmpiricaiusIraIiOnsOIanIagOnism
asIIcmcIapIysicacsscnccOI'IIcpOiIica,lcjoliliquc,buIasIIcrcIrOac-
Iivc OuIcOmc OI pOiIics, lajoliliquc, OrraIIcr, OI uncjoliliquc, IIaIis, OI
a (spccihc mOdc OI dOing) pOiIics. 1hcojo]lhcSub)ccl aims IO cOmc IO
gripsprcciscyviIIIIcOgicOIsucIrcIrOacIivcinIcrvcnIiOns,asdcscribcd
amOsIOn IIcspOIinIIc IcvcrisIymiiIanIvriIingsOIMarx, Lcnin, and
MaO.
A sccOnd inIcrrOgaIiOn cOnccrns IIc IisIOrica naIurc OI IIc IIcOry
OI IIc subccI as sucI. !Or BadiOu, IIis qucsIiOn ncvcr cvcn pOscs iIscI
insOIar as Iis IIcOry is purcy IOrma Or axiOmaIic. WIaI is mOrc, as Ic
rcccnIy rciIcraIcs, Ovcr Iimc nOI mucI Ias cIangcd aI a ciIIcrin IIc
cOnhguraIiOn OI bcing, IruII, and subccI vIicI cOnsIiIuIcs IIc maIrix
IOr pIiOsOpIy, Or in IIc Iypcs and hgurcs OI IruII IO vIicI a subccI
can bc IaiIIIu: 'TIc IacI is IIaI IOday-and in IIis rcgard IIings IavcnI
budgcd mucI sincc !aIOvc knOv Ony IOur Iypcs OI IruII: scicncc
( maIIcmaIics andpIysics) , Ovc, pOiIics, andIIc arIs. !rOm a MarxisI
pcrspccIivc, IIOugI, vc migII vanI IO ask vIcIIcr IIcrc arc nOI asO
impOrIanI IisIOrica brcaks IIaI nccd IO bc Iakcn inIO accOunI viIIin
IIc IOrma cOndiIiOns OI cxisIcncc IIaI arc cOnsIiIuIivc OI sucI prOccsscs
OI subccIivizaIiOn, parIicuary in pOiIic. Ocs nOI capiIaism inIrOducc
a maOr cuI inIO IIcsc prOccsscs? Or dOcs IIc IOrma apparaIus rcmain
IundamcnIay uncIangcd, cvcn iI any givcn IruII prOccdurc, ikc any
pOiIicainIcrvcnIiOn,musIappcarina spccihcIisIOricavOrd?
JNbLJ
b lNJULJlN
Ccary, BadiOus insisIcncc On IIc cIcrna IransIisIOrica Or
IransIcmpOra naIurc OI a IruIIs is mcanI in IIc hrsI pacc IO avOid
tIc rcaIivisIiccOnscqucnccs OI a IIOrOugIyIisIOricizcd accOunI OI IIc
subccI.TIisisprcciscyIIcgisIOIIisOuIspOkcnaIIackinLoicso]Worlds
againsIIIc IisIOricism IIaI IcassOciaIcsviII sO-cacd'dcmOcraIicmaIc-
riaism, asOppOscdIO IIc 'maIcriaisI diaccIic. TIc rcaissuc, IOvcvcr,
cOnccrns IIc cOmpaIibiiIy, Or nOI, bcIvccn a IOrma and a IisIOrica
IIcOry OI IIc subccI. !n MarxisI Icrms, IIis vOud bring us back IO IIc
Iamiiar sIumbing bOck OI dchning IIc rcaIiOns bcIvccn diaccIica
maIcriaism and IisIOrica maIcriaism. AOng IIcsc incs, asidc IrOm a
rcIurn IO
5
AI IIis pOinI, vc migII acIuay Iurn arOund Our iniIia qucsIiOn and
ask vIcIIcr, cvcnIrOmsucI a cursOry Ovcrvicv OI 1hcojo]lhc Sub)ccl
as IIc Onc ! Iavc usI OuIincd, BadiOus OIIcr maOr bOOks, cin and
Evcnl and Loirs o] Worlds, dO nOI asO appcar in a diIIcrcnI and pcrIaps
cvcn criIica igII. !n any casc, vIic ! dO nOI visI IO suggcsI sOmcIIing
IIaI BadiOuOkingy Ias cOmc IO aIIribuIc IO my rcading OI 1hcojo]lhc
Sub)ccl, namcy, IIaIaIIcrIIisbOOkiIagOcssIccpydOvnIi, viII Ony
a bricI Iaring up OI IOpc viII Loicso]Worlds, vc arc IarrcmOvcd IrOm
IIccOmmOnprc udiccaccOrdingIOvIicIIIcvOrkOIpIiOsOpIcrs,inan
OngOing scrics OIscI-criIicisms and cmcndaIiOns, is suppOscdIO IOOva
sIcady paII OI incarprOgrcssiOn.
TIcvcryrcaIiOnbcIvccncinandEvcnlandLoicso]Worlds(subIiIcd
cinandEvcnl, 2) , IObcgin viII, can bcsIbc uncrsIOOdinIcrms OI IIc
arIicuaIiOn OI agcbra and IOpOOgy. BuI IIcn iI sOOn appcars IIaI IIis
cOmparisOnviIIOncOIIIcpivOIacOnccpIuadivisiOnsIrOm1hcojo]lhc
Sub)cclaI Oncc impicsan anIicipaIOrycriIiqucOIIIc vOrk IO cOmc. !rOm
viIIin IIc sIricIy mcIaOnIOOgica paramcIcrs prOpcr IO cinandEvcnl,
xxIII
JNbLJ
b lNJULJlN
ndccd,IIccvcnIcanOnIycmcrgcasavansIngcauscvIOsccnIrcbcng
cs n dsacarng. NOv rOm IIc OIdcr vOrk, vc knOv IIaI sucI an
agcbracvcvOnI, OrvIcIIIcsacnIcaIurcOIIccvcnI-acaIurc
Orbddcn n axOmaIc scI IIcOry-vOuId bc Is sc-rccrcnIaIy Or Is
scbcOngng, musI bc sucmcnIcd vII a 'IOOOgcaI OrcnIaIOn,
vIcI, On IIcbass OcaIcgOryIIcOry OrIIcIIcOry Olojoi, nvcsIgaIcs
IIccvcnI nIcrms OIs cOnscqucnccs andIIccOnssIcncy OIsmca-
Ivc sIrucIurc, asIacns n IIc scqucI IO in andLvnl. !n IIs scnsc,
vc mgII cOncudc, an asIuIc rcadcr O 1hoj o]lh Sub)cl cOud Iavc
rcdcIcd a IOngImc agO IIaIinandLvnlvasIO rcman Oncsdcd
IrggcrngIIc Iackncycd ObccIOns agansI BadOu as a dOgmaIsI nOI
adOvnrgIImysIcOIIcuncIuacvcnI-unIIscxIcnsOnIIaI vOud
IakcamOsIIvcnIyycarsIOcOmcIOruIOnnLoicso]Worlds.
1hojo]lh Sub)clnOI OnIy rOvdcs us vII a kcyIO undcrsIand IIc
daIccIc bcIvccn in and Lvnl and Loics o] Worlds-csccay by
daIccIc, n a drccI ncagc rOm Hcgc, vc arc IO undcrsIand IIc dca
IIaI IIccsscncc Oadcrcncccs nIIcIIrdIcrm IIaI marksIIcga
bcIvccn IIc IvO OIIcrs . BuI IIc carcr bOOk asO s caabc O rcOr-
cnIng Our rcadng O cacI O IIc IaIcr IvO vOumcs Iakcn On Is Ovn.
As ! suggcsIcdabOvc, IIs cOnsIIuIcs Onc O BadOus maOr vrIucs as a
IOsOIcr n gcncra
b lNJLJlN
spccihcaIyIisScicncco]Loic,IIusappcarsOnccagainasakcyinIcrOcuIOr
in Loicso]Worlds, and IIc bOOk Opcns and cOscs viII cxampcs dravn
rOm IIcIisIOryOMaOsm.
AIIsObviOusIyisnOIIOsayIIaIIIcrcarcnOupIurcsOrdiscOnInui-
Iics in BadOusvOrk. T saysO, mOrcOvcr, vOuIdbcIgIy paradOxca,
givcnIIcccnIraiIyOrIIisvOrkOIIccaIcgOryOIIccvcnIasaradicacuI
Orbrcak,abcIanimmancnIOnc.EvcnsucIdiscOnIinuIics,IIOugI,musI
bcpaccdagansIIIcbackdrOpOaargcrarIicuaIOnvIOsccOmpcxand
divdcdnaIurccanbcgraspcdviIIspccaI cIariIyrOmIIcvanIagcpOinI
OBadOusIirsIandmOsIcxpcrimcnIaaIIcmpIaIOrmuaIingamaIcria-
isIdiaccIc,in 1hcojo]lhcSub)ccl. !rOmIIispOinIOvcv,nOIOnycin
andEvcnlbuILoio]Worlds, IOO,appcarsIObc Iravcrscdby a divdcdOr-
cnIaIOn,cOmparabcIOIIcspiIbcIvccnIIcagcbraOavansIingcausc
andIIcIOpOOgyOancvycOnsisIcnIvOrd. OnOncIand,IIaIvIcIn
IIcncvbOOkis cacda 'sIc, vIcIisnOIIObccOnuscdvII IIcOdcr
nOIOnOan 'cvcnIasiIc, ismarkcdprcciscybyIIcpuncIuaiIyOvIaI
disappcarsnOsOOncrIIaniIappcars,asinaigIIningIasI. OnIIcOIIcr
Iand, IOvcvcr, IIcrc is a IruII O IIis disappcaring Ony IIanks IO IIc
cIabOraIiOn Oa scrics OcOnscqucnccs, IIaIs, a ncv mOdcOrrcgimcO
appcarng' Sc-bcOngingannusiIscIassOOnasiIisOrccd,assOOnasiI
Iappcns. A sIc isa vanisIing Icrm I appcars Ony n Ordcr IO disappcar.
TIcprObcm sIOrcgisIcrIs cOnscqucnccs nappcaring. BOII OIIcsc
aspccIs, IIc siIc as vansIing Icrm and IIc rcgmc O iIs cOnscqucnccs,
can bc scparaIcd Ony aI IIc IcvcI O cOnccpIua cxpOsiIOn, vIcrcas in
acIua acI Onc cannOI cxisI viIIOuI IIc OIIcr. BadiOu IigIigIIs IIis
dicmma, Or nsIancc, n Is pcriOdizaIiOn OIIc !aris COmmunc, a Iak
rcvOrkcd andncudcdnLoicso]Worlds. '!OrvIaIcOunIsisnOIOnIyIIc
cxccpIOna inIcnsIy OiIs surging up-IIc acI IIaI vc arc dcaIing viII
a vOcnI and crcaIivc cpisOdc in IIc rcam O appcaring-buI vIaI IIis
upsurgc, dcspiIciIsvanisIing, scIs OuIinIs duraIOn nIcrmsOgOriOus
andunccrIaincOnscqucnccs. TOgnOrcOncOIIcscaspccIsIOIIcdcIr-
mcnIOIIOIIcrvIIcadIOaradicaydicrcnIimagcOIIcpIiOsOpIy
OIIccvcnI,ciIIcrasan absOuIcbuIcmpIydscOnIinuiIyOrasa asIng
buIprcdcIabIccOnIinuIy.AsBadiOunsisIsOvcrandOvcraganin 1hcoj
o]lhc Sub)ccl, IOvcvcr, IIc vIOc Irick cOnsisIs in cOmbinng IIcsc IvO
OrcnIaIiOnsinanOpcn-cndcddiaIccIicObcginnings andrcbcgnnings.!n
acI, a subccI is prcciscy sucI anarIicuaIiOn, as s cOnhrmcdin Loicso]
Worlds. 'AsubccIsa scqucnccvOIvingcOnIinuiIcsanddscOnInuiIics,
Opcnings andpOinIs.TIc and incarnaIcs iIscIassubccI.
JNbLJ
b l NJLJlN
SIyisIcay, 1hcojo]lhcSub)ccladOpIsIIcOrmaIOascmnarinsprcdby
!acanscxampc.BadOushdciIyIOIIs mOdc isacIuayquIccxIcnsivc,
ranging rOm IIc usc O idiOsyncraIic vOrdpay, synIacIic ambguiIcs,
unny asidcs, and bOd prOvOcaIOns O IIc audcncc, aI IIc vay IO IIc
dispOsiIiOn O IIc vriIIcn IcxI viII numbcrcd sccIiOns and a IisI O sub-
IiIcsaI IIc sIarI O cacI cIapIcr, as inacqucs-AIain MiIcrscdiIiOn O
LacansOrgnascminars.
!n acI, IIcsIycOBadOusIIrcc'maOrbOOkscOudnOIbcmOrcd
crcnI.TIus,vIicIIcIudicanddcnscquaIiIyO1hcojo] lhcSub)cclcOud
bc aIIrbuIcd IO an amOsIcOmpcIcindcrcncc IO an acIua rcadcrsIp,
IIcscmnar-OrmaInOncIIcIcss aOvs BadOu IOrcyOna gcncrOus 'vc
IIaIisIruIycOIIccIivcandacknOvcdgcsIIcparIcipaIOnOIsaudicncc.
! IIcrcOrcrcqucnIIyrcndcrIIc !rcncI nousas 'vc nsIcad OsccingiI
mcrcy asa pOiIc Orm OIIc , as is cusIOmaryn EngisI IransIaIiOns.
Bcsidcs, 1hcoj o]lhc Sub)ccl sIII sIOvs cOnhdcncc n IIc pOssibiIy O
spcaking in IIc namc O 'vc MarxsIs, vIcrcas IIis cOccIvc 'vc is
prcciscy parI O IIc IradiIiOn IIaI cOIapscs IOgcIIcr viII SOvicI-sIyc
COmmunsm and IIc Bcrin WaI ' COmmunism namcd IIc cccIivc
IisIOry O vc nOvdcad 'TIcrc snO Ongcr a vc, IIcrc IasnIbccn
Or a Ong Imc. cin andEvcnl, On IIc OIIcr Iand, is vrIIcn viII an
amOsIcasscaIOr, sOmcvOud say, ncOcasscimpcrsOnaIiIy, vIOsccam
scrcniIydOcsnOIcxcIudcamOnumcnIaambIOn.Loicso]Worlds, hnaIy,
is vriIIcn rOm a scI-cOnhdcnI pOsiIiOn O inIcrnaIiOnaI amc, vII an
'! vIO dOcs nOI IcsiIaIc IO rccr IO 'BadiOu inIIcIIrdpcrsOn, sidcby
sdcviII!aIOandanI. EacIOIIcscIIrccvOrks,urIIcrmOrc, adOpIs
a uniqucgcncricOrmaI, OIOvingIIrcc dicrcnI mOdcs n IIc IisIOry
O pIIOsOpIy 1hcoj o]lhcSub)ccl is a Lacanian-inspircd scminar cin
and Evcnl s madc up O 37 CarIcsan Or pOsICarIcsian mcdiIaIiOns and
Loirso]Worlds adOpIsa sIrucIurc vagucy rcminisccnI OSpnOzasElhics,
OrdcrcdinIO scvcn 'bOOksincudngscvcra 'scIOiaandaisI O 'prOpO-
siIiOnsaIIIccnd.
AsidcrOmccrIan IccInicaIcrms,vIcI! vIIisI andcxpan in IIc
ncxI sccOn, IvO sIyisIcidiOsyncrasicsdcscrvca brccOmmcnIIcrc, as
IIcy aIsO ncccssarIy rcquirc a dccsiOn On IIc parI OIIc IransIaIOr. TIc
IirsI cOnccrns BadiOus rcancc On IIc Iucncy and ambiguiIy O ccrIain
cOnsIrucIiOns in !rcncI vIicI, vIic by nO mcans bcng Obscurc OrOuI
OIIcOrdnary, rcsisIcasyIransIaIOninIOEngIsI.TIcscarcinsIanccsO
xxvII
JNbLJ
b NJULJlN
amOsIcOIOquaI spcccI IIaIn IransIaIiOn mayIurnOuI IObc avkvard
OrsimpIy unidiOmaIic. SOmcOIIcscnsIanccs, cspcciayIIOscbOrrOvcd
rOm !acan, rcccivc an cxIcnsvc cOmmcnIary rOm BadiOu Iimsc. !Or
OIIcrs,!IavcIricdIOgivcaiIcraIransaIOn,aIIIIcvIiccxpaningIIc
ambguiIynIIc IransaIOrsnOIcsincIudcdaIIIccndOIIisvOIumc.
TIc sccOnd idOsyncrasy, vIicI BadiOu aIsO sccms IO Iavc adOpIcd
rOm !acan cvcn IIOugI a simiar Ircnd is IypicaI O a ccrIain !rcncI
sIyc O vrIng in gcncra cOnssIs n usng sngc-scnIcncc paragrapIs
vIOsc bOId and cOmpacI synIax givcs IIcm IIc cc OgnOmcOr Oracu-
ar sIaIcmcnIs. WIic n EngIsI I vOud Iavc madc scnsc IO prOducc a
smOOIIcrrIyIImbyincOrpOraIingsucI scnIcnccsinIO IIcOvOOngcr
paragrapIs, ! IavcOpIcdinsIcadOraaIIurcndcring,rcspccIu OIIc
grapIiccccIviIIvIicIIIcscOnc-incrspuncIuaIc,navc-ngIcin-
caIscnsc, IIc graduaIprOccss OanaIyssundcrIakcnby BadiOu in1hcoj
o]lhcSub)ccl.
= = =
! vOuId Iikc IO IIank a IIc ricnds vIOsc IcIp and suppOrI aIOvcd
mc IO scc IIis prOjccI IIrOugI IO IIc cnd. Many mOrc cOud bc namcd
buI ! vanI IO singc OuI !cIcr HaIIvard, Adrian OInsIOn AIbcrIO
TOscanO, and SavOj ick. TIcir advicc during IIc hna sIagcs in par-
Iicuar Iurncd OuI IO bc invauabIc. ! aIsO bcnchIcd rOm bcng abc IO
cOnsuIIIransIaIiOns OsIOrIcrpOrIiOnsOIIisbOOkby Ed!IuII,AbcrIO
TOscanO, and Marina dc Carncri. Audrcy Wasscr and RicardO Arrbas
IcIpcd mcviII bibIiOgrapIca rccrcnccsvIcn! vasaravayrOmIIc
Ibrarcs O COrncI and On sabbaIica in McxcO. AIcssandrO RussO and
!abO!anzascxpcrIiscabOuIIIc CuIIuraRcvOuIiOnvasindispcnsabc
Or OcaIing Obscurc quOIaIiOns rOm MaO. SimOnc !ncI, asavays, vas
my cOmpass: viIIOuI Icr prcscncc in my ic, nOnc O IIs vOud Iavc
bccn pOssbc.
A scparaIc vOrd O IIanks andapprcciaIOngOcs OuI IO AIain BadOu
Imsc,vIOncvcrsIOppcdisIcningIOmyqucrcscvcrsinccOurricnd-
sIpbcgan,prcciscyinrcspOnscIOIIaIhrsIrcadingO1hcojo]lhcSub)ccl
IIaIbcvmc avay, nOv mOrcIIana dccadcagO. AI COnIinuum, hnay,
! vanI IO IIankTOm Crick Or Iis paIcncc and Is cOnIinucd bcIcIIaI
Onc dayIc vOudacIuayrcccvca cOmpcIcmanuscripI,vII diagrams
anda incudcd: andAndrcvMikOajskiandTraccy SmIIOrIIcrIard
vOrk viII IIc cdiIing.
xxvIII
JNbLJ
b lNJULJlN
NOIcsOnIIcIransIaIiOn
A numbcr OrccurrcnI IccInica Icrms uscd in 1hcojo]lhcSub)cclmcriI
a brc cxpanaIiOn. EspcciaIIy vIcn cOmbincd viII IIc auIIOrs Ovn
TIcmaIic RcpcrIOrc, incIudcd aI IIc cnd O IIis vOumc, IIs IsI may
smuIancOusy scrvc as a basic gIOssary. TIc Our undamcnIa cOnccpIs
OIIcIIcOryOIIcsubjccI-cOuragc, anxicIy,jusIcc, andIIcsupcrcgO
dO nOI rcccvc a scparaIc cnIry in IIs gOssary, sncc BadiOu IimscI n
IIc cOursc O IIc bOOk ampy dchncs IIcm. CcrIain grammaIca ambi-
guiIicsandOccasiOnaIIccInicaiIics,OnIIcOIIcrIand, viIIbcannOIaIcd
IOgcIIcrviII addiIiOnabbiOgrapIcaIrccrcnccsin IIc hna sccIOn O
'TransaIOrsEndnOIcsandRccrcnccs.
AnnuluI0n {'DDUDCDI OI DDUIOD. ThisisoncoIIhcIhrccbasicopcr-
aIions associaIcd wiIh MaIIarmcs pocIry in Icrms oI Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic,
IogcIhcrwiIhIhcchaincIIccIcauscdbyavanishingIcrmandIhcnuIIclIccIoI
IorccIosurc. By annuIIinga vanishing Icrm, Ihis opcraIion soIo spcak carrics
ouIa Iack oIIack, which raiscs IackIo IhcIcvcIoIa conccpIaIIIhcwhiIcpro-
ducing anxicIy. AIIcrnaIivc IransIaIions wouId bc 'rcscission, nuIIihcaIion,
canccIIaIion, orrcvocaIion.
UusculcmcnI {'IQQ1Dg OVCI OI 'IOQQDg, OCCSODj 'CDDgCOVCI OI
'IUIDDOUI. AIcrm uscdinIhcprcscnI conIcxIIrcIcrIoIhcsuddcnIrans-
IormaIion whcrcby a sIrucIuraI o aIgcbraic oricnIaIion Iips ovcr and opcns
ouIonIoahisIoricaIorcvcnIaIoricnIaIion.FromIhcvcrybcginningoI 7hcoj
o] lhc Sub)ccl, Ihcrc arc cIcar hinIs ol Ihc HcgcIian-Marxian diaIccIic, as in
Ihc passing-ovcr, or ubcrjchcn, oI quanIiIy inIo quaIiIy, cspcciaIIy whcn Ihc
whoIc proccss ol conIradicIory IranslormaIion Iakcs on a morc abrupI, Icap-
Iikc aspccI oI a suddcn ovcrIhrow or invcrsion, as in Ihc Gcrman Lmschluj.
Jason Barkcr, in Ihc EngIish IransIaIion oI BadiousMclu]olilics, rcndcrs Ihis
Icrm as 'ovcrbaIancing, Ior cxampIc, oI whaI cxisIs inIo whaI cun cxisI, or
Irom IhcknownIowards Ihc unknown, as Ihc rcsuII oI a poIiIicaI inIcrvcn-
Iion.
UuIIcmcnI {'OSCIOD OI 'VCIOD, OCCSODj 'DIIDg. AIcrmuscd
Io dcscribc Ihc movcmcnI around an cmpIy pIacc, as parI oI whaI Badiou
dchncs asIhc srucIuraIdiaIccIic.Alan Shcridan, in his IransIaIionoILacans
Scminar XI, 7hc FourFunJumcnlul Concc]ls o]Psycho-unulysis, opIs Ior 'puIsa-
lion,whichispcrhapsaII-Ioo-physicaIIorIhcpurcIysIrucIuraIIuncIion IhaI
Badiou has in mind, cvcn Ihough Lacans own cxpIanaIion is whoIIy Io Ihc
poinI Ior Ihc Icrms usc in 7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl. I havc consIanIIysIrcsscd in
my prcccdingsIaIcmcnIs,Lacansays, 'Ihc]ulsulivcIuncIion,asiIwcrc, oIIhc
unconscious, Ihc nccd Io disappcar IhaI sccms Io bc in somc scnsc inhcrcnI
xx|x
xxx
JNbLJ
b lNJUULJlN
in iIvcryIhing IhaI, Iora momcnI, appcars iniIssIiIsccmsIo bc dcsIincd,
by a sorI oIprc-cmpIion, Io cIosc up again upon iIscII, asFrcudhimscIIuscd
Ihis mcIaphor, Io vanish, Io disappcar (S XI, 43 . SIiII in Ihc samc scminar,
LacanaIsouscsIhcIcrmIorcIcrIo Ihc 'IuIIcringwingsoIChuangTzuwhcn
hc imagincs hc is a buIIcrIIy, whiIc Badiou in 7hcojo]lhc Sub)ccl rcIcrs Io
a 'baIIing oI cycIashcs Io namc Ihc appcaring-disappcaring oI MaIIarmcs
vanishingcausc. Thc IcrmaIso cvokcs Ihc roIc oI Ihc 'signiIying baIIcry, lu
bullcricsijni]unlc, in LacanianpsychoanaIysis, and, insoIar as Badiou sccks Io
go bcyond Ihc idcaIism oI Ihis sIrucIuraImodcI, Ihcrc is noIhingwrong wiIh
hcaring cchocs oI 'bcaIing in bullcmcnl, incIuding in Ihc pcoraIivc scnsc oI
'bcaIingaroundIhc bushcs.
Urn {'SIIDU. hisIcrmrcIcrsIoIhcsccIions, sIrands,orbiIsIhaIarcknoIIcd
or braidcd IogcIhcr in a subccI, cspcciaIIy Ihc sIrand- ( combining couragc
and usIicc) and Ihc sIrand- ( combining anxicIy and Ihc supcrcgo) . Badiou
Ihus rcIics on Ihc conccpI-imagc oI a cord or a piccc oI IcxIiIc wcaving
IogcIhcr muIIipIcsIrandsorhIacnIs.
L0upurc {'CUI, OCCSODj 'DICK OI 'IUQIUIC. ln7hcoio]lhcSub)ccl, Ihis
Icrm mosI oIIcn rcIainsIhcmcaningoI'cuIIhaILacaninvokcs, IorcxampIc,
in his IopoIogicaI discussions rcgarding Ihc Iying, unIying, and cuIIing oI a
knoI. Thc oIhcr connoIaIion, which via AIIhusscrwouIdrcIcr us back Io Ihc
conccpI oI an cpisIcmoIogicaI 'brcak or 'rupIurc, cou]urcc]islcmolojiquc, in
Ihc work oI GasIon BachcIard, Gcorgcs CanguiIhcm, and MichcI FoucauII,
sccmsIcssmcaningIuIinIhcconIcxIoI7hcoio]lhcSub)ccl.
OcvunO DU dcvuI0n {'UCVIOD. A Icrm uscd in 7hcoi o]lhc Sub)ccl Io
IransIaIcclinumcn,i . c. Ihc sIighI'dcviaIion, 'swcrvc, or'incIinaIionoIaIoms
IaIIinginIhcvoidwhcrcbyaworIdisIormcdaccordingIoIhcancicnIaIomism
oILucrcIius. WhiIcJcviuncchasIhcsamc scxuaI and/or criminaIconnoIaIions
in Frcnch as 'dcviancc or 'dcviancy in EngIish, l havc opIcd Ior Ihc morc
ncuIraI 'dcviaIion insIcad. ThcIcrm IhcnopcnIybcginsIorcsonaIcwiIh Ihc
rcIigious and poIiIicaI dcbaIcs rcgarding Jcviulionsor 'dcviaIions Irom orIho-
doxy or Irom Ihc corrccI Iinc, dcbaIcs IhaI Badiou consIanIIy has n mind
IhroughouI 7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl. AnoIhcrpossibIcIransIaIionIorclinumcn,uscd
inccrIainEngIishvcrsionsoIMarxsdocIoraIdisscrIaIiononcmocriIcanand
EpicurcanaIomism,is'dccinaIion.
LpuruI0n {'QUICIOD, SODCIDCS 'QUIgDg . A Icrm uscd Io dcscribc
Ihc proccss by which Iorcc-and Ihc subccI morc gcncraIIy-works back
uponIhc sysIcmoIpIaccsIhaIoIhcrwiscdcIcrmincsiIsidcnIiIyasIhisorIhaI
Iorcc. Ihis or IhaI subccI. Thc Icrm couId obviousIy bc IransaIcd as 'purgc
or'purging,buIIhcSIaIinisIovcrIoncsoIIhiscxprcssion,whiIcncvcrwhoIIy
abscnI, shouIdnoIbcaIIowcdIodominaIcIhc IcrmsinIcrprcIaIion in 7hcoj
o]lhc Sub)ccl. n 7hcCcnlui, Badiou wiII discuss Ihc paIh oI dcsIrucIion and
purihcaIion, including in iIs SIainisI cxccsscs, in opposiIion Io Ihc paIh oI
JNbLJ
'
b l NJUULJlN
subIracIion and minimal diIIcrcncc. Evcn hcrc, in any casc, hc insisIs IhaI
purihcaIion and purgcs, incIuding Ihc cxcommunicaIion oI IraiIors and Ihc
sccIarian dcIcncc againsI dcviaIions and hcrcsics oI aII kinds, arc common
pracIiccs IhroughouI Ihc IwcnIicIh ccnIury in many arIisIic avanI-gardc
groups, Irom surrcaIism undcr Andrc BrcIon Io Ihc siIuaIionisIs undcr Guy
cbord, aswcIIasin psychoanaIyIicaIgroups, IromFrcudIo Iacan.
EspuO {'SQCC. This is a ncoIogism or porIcmanIcau wordbascd on a con-
IracIion oIcs]uccJc]luccmcnl, 'spaccoIpIaccmcnI. I canbc undcrsIood as a
ncar-synonymIor'sIrucIurcorcvcn'symboIicordcr,cvcn Ihough Ihcrcisno
sIricIparaIIcIismwiIhciIhcrAIIhusscrorIacan.ThaIwhichBadioucaIIs 'sIaIc
oI a siIuaIion in cinj unJEvcnland 'worId in Iojicso]worlJs aIso roughIy
corrcsponds Io 'spIacc in 7hcoi o]lhcSub)ccl. Thc diaIccIicaI counIcrparI Io
Ihc 'spIaccisIhc 'ouIpIacc,usIas 'pIaccingcncraIIuncIions in a diaIccIicaI
opposiIionwiIh 'IorccsIarIingascarIyasinBadious7hcoio]ConlruJiclion.
LIuIquc DU cIuImc {'SIISI DU 'SIISD. WhiIc in 1hcoi o] lhc Sub)ccl
BadiouhasnoI ycIIuIIydcvcIopcdIhc noIionoI'sIaIcoIIhc siIuaIion, which
wilI bcpivoIalincinjunJEvcnl,hc docsrcIyon a scrics oIIcrms Iodcscribc
IhcsIaIic, sIaIisI, orsIaIc-Iikc naIurc oIccrIainhisIorico-poIiIicaIphcnomcna.
lnEngIish, IhcscIcrmscannoIcasiIybcscparaIcdIromIhc oncsIhaIIransIaIc
Ihc Frcnch sluliquc, which Badiou uscs boIh as an adccIivc ( 'sIaIic) and a
noun, uncsluliquc (a 'sIaIic, or 'sIaIics, pcrhaps cvcn a 'sIaIisIics in Ihc cIy-
moIogicaI scnsc oI Ihc Icrm as a scicncc oI Ihc sIaIc, Slulislik in Gcrman) as
opposcdIo uncJnumiquc (a 'dynamicor'dynamics ) . A rcIaIcdcxprcssionis
]uircclul, 'Iodrawupanovcrvicw, 'IoinvcnIory, or, IorIhcprcscnIconIcxI,
'Io dchnc a sIaIc oIaIIairs, Ior cxampIc, rcgarding Ihc bcing oIIhc working
cIass.
Evun0usscmcnI DU Icrmc cvun0ussunI {'VDSDDg DU 'VDSDDg ICID .
Thc basic opcraIionoI Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic, whcrcby a IoIaIiIyorwhoIc is
consIiIuIcdas Ihc cIIccIoIanabscnIorvanishingcausc.S'cvunouiraIso mcans
'Io IainI, 'Io Iadc (away orouI) , 'Iopass ouI or 'Io dic away. ln Ihis scnsc,
Ihc Icrm is noI wiIhouI rccaIIingIhc roIc oI u]hunusis or 'Iading inLacanian
psychoanaIysis. Thc main impIicd rcIcrcncc, howcvcr, is Io Ihc AIIhusscrian
conccpIuaIizaIion oI 'sIrucIuraI causaIiIy in ForMurx and RcuJinj Cu]ilul
unIcssJacqucs-AIainMiIIcrisrighI,againsIAIIhusscr,incIaimingpaIcrniIyIor
Ihis conccpI undcrIhcnamc oI'mcIonymicaI causaIiIy. A Ihird gcncaIogicaI
Iinc, inaIIy, wouId Iakc us Irom Spnozas 'abscnI or 'immancnI causc Io
cIcuzcs 'quasi-causc asdiscusscdin 7hcLojico] Scnsc,aII Ihc way Io icks
rcccnI rcIurn Io Ihc samc sIrucIuring principIc. WhaI shouId bccomc cIcar
Irom Ihis ncIwork oI rcIcrcnccs surrounding Ihc conccpI oI Ihc 'vanishing
Icrm is Ihc cxIcnI Io which Badiou in 7hcoio]lhcSub)ccl is giving IormIo a
uniquc IypcoI 'posI-sIrucIuraI Ihinking IhaIIakcsIo IaskIhccnIirc IradiIion
oIIhc 'sIrucIuraIdiaccIic wiIhouI ignoring iIsIundamcnIaIinsighIs.
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0rcc {'OICC. Thc counIcrparI oI hisIory Io Ihc sIrucIurc oI assigncd pIaccs,
Iorcc isa IcrmhrsIborrowcdIrom HcgcIsScicncco]IojicIhaIin IhccourscoI
Ihc argumcnI dcvcIopcd in 7hcojo]lhc Sub)ccl wiII comc Io dcsignaIc whaI
Badiou wiII IaIcr sysIcmaIicaIIy discuss in Icrms oI 'cvcnI. AIrcady in 7hcoj
o] ConlruJiclion, Iorcc sIands in opposiIion Io pIacc, whiIc rcadcrs oI Jacqucs
crridas wrilinj unJDi]crcncc may bc morc IamiIiar wiIh Ihc opposiIion oI
Iorcc and Iorm. Thrcc oIhcr idiomaIic cxprcssions arc rcIaIcdIo Ihis conccpI
in 7hcoj o]lhc Sub)ccl. cou] Jc ]orcc ( 'sIrokc oI Iorcc, 'vioIcnI ovcrIhrow,
'sIrikc, 'Irick, or suddcn 'blow ) , ]u::crcn]orcc ( ' Iorcing oncs way Ihrough
or'pushingIhrough)nd]orccmcnl( 'byIorcc,'pcrIorcc ) . WhcrcvcrpossibIc,
I havc IricdIo rcIainIhc conccpIua IinkwiIh 'Iorcc inEngIish, whiIcinIhc
casc oI cou] Jc]orcc l havc mosI oIIcn IcII Ihc cxprcssion in Frcnch. FinaIIy,
l havc aIrcady mcnIioncd IhaI Badiou uscs Ihc cxprcssion]orcc Jcloi ( 'Iorcc
oIIaw) IongbcIorc crrida wouId makc IhisinIo a IopicIordcconsIrucIion.
crrida, Ioo, discusscs howIhcrc is no]orccJcloiwiIhouI somc inIrinsic and
vioIcnIcou]Jc]orcc.ThisisaIsobyIarIhcmosIsignihcanIconnoIaIionIhaIIhc
rcadcrshouIdkccpinmindIor7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl.
0rclus0n DU ]0rcl0s {'OICCOSUIC DU 'OICCOSCU. A Icrm uscd Io
dcscribc Ihc cIIccIoIIhc]oinl:Jurrlor 'haIIingpoinIsinMaIIarmcspocIry,
IhaIis, IcrmssuchasIhcmcaningIcss 'pIyx, which puI anabrupIsIopIo Ihc
inhniIcIy sIiding mcIonymicaI andmcIaphoricaI chains. ln Frcnch,]orclu:ion
aIso scrvcs as Ihc oIhciaI IransIaIion oI Frcuds \crwcr]unj, which IogcIhcr
wiIh\crncinunj ( ' dcniaI) and\crlcujnunj ( 'disavowaI ) consIiIuIcsoncoIIhc
manyIormsoIncgaIionconsidcrcdinIhcpracIiccandIhcoryoIpsychoanaIy
sis. ByrcccIing Ihc cxisIcncc oI 'haIIingpoinIs ( Ihcrc arcno unknowabIcs),
aIIcasIin 7hcojo]lhcSub)cclandoncc againinIojic:o]worlJ:, BadioucouId
IhusbcsaidIo bcncgaIingIorccIosurc. WhcIhcrIhisncgaIion, in Iurn, Iakcs
IhcIormoIa dcniaI a disavowaI ora IorccIosurcrcmainsIobcdccidcd.
H0rlcu {'OUIQCC. This is a ncoIogism or porIcmanIcau word bascd on a
conIracIion oIhor:licu, 'ouI oIpIaccor 'ouI oI siIc, aswhcnsomconc ishor:
)cu, 'oII-sidc, in socccr. An aIIcrnaIivc IransIaIion mighI havc bccn 'ouIsiIc,
or'oIIsiIc, whichis Ihc IcrmprcIcrrcdby OIivcrFcIIham in hisinIroducIion
Io Badiou, buI in my cycs Ihis crcaIcs unwarranIcd conIusions wiIh Ihc usc
oI ' (cvcnIaI) siIc in cinj unJEvcnl and Lojic: o] worlJ:. Badiou somcIimcs
uscs Ihc IuII grammaIicaIcxprcssions hor:-licu and hor:Ju licu, which I havc
rcndcrcdaccordingIyas 'ouIoI-pIacc and'ouIoI pIacc inEngIish. An inIcr-
csIinganaIogycouIdbccsIabIishcdwiIhIhc cxprcssionhor:-:cxc, 'ouIsidc (oI)
scx, in Book XX oI 7hc Scminuro]1ucquc: Lucun.Encorc, whichLacanrcIaIcs
Io Guy dc MaupassanIs IanIasIic shorI sIory 'Lc HorIa, iIscII oIIcn rcad asa
conIracIion oIlchor:lu, 'IhaI which rcmains ouIsidc (oI whaI is) Ihcrc. Morc
gcncralIy, Badious horlicu cchocs Ihc Iogic oI Ihc 'nonpIacc or nonlicu in
iIs inIcrplay wiIhIhc licux or 'pIaccs oI a givcn sIrucIurc, which is pivoIaI in
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Ihc IransiIion IromsIrucIuraIism Io posIsIrucIuraIism IorFrcnch Ihinkcrs as
divcrscasRoIandBarIhcs,MichcIFoucauII,Jacqucscrrida,JacqucsRancicrc
andMichcIdc CcrIcau, bcIorc iIsdcpoliIicizaIionin Ihc anIhropoIogicaIwork
oIMarcAugc.
!dculngusIcrc {'UCDgUSICIj. A porIcmanIcau word Io Ihc sccond
dcgrcc, which Badiou crcaIcsbyconIracIingiJculi:mc, 'idcaIism, andLacans
own porIcmanIcau word linjui:lcric, bascd on linjui:liquc, 'IinguisIics, and
Ihc mosIIy pcoraIivc suIhx -cric, which suggcsIs a 'Iakc or 'IaIsc' vcrsion.
Franois RaIIouI and Brucc Fink rcspccIivcIy proposc 'IinguisIrickcry and
'IinguisIricks Ior Lacans linjui:lcric. This wouId givc us 'idcaIinguisIrickcry
or'idcaIinguisIricksIorBadiousiJculinjui:lcric, IowhichI havcprcIcrrcdIhc
Icsscumbcrsomc'idcaIinguisIcry.
1ulunguc {'DgUgC OI 'lulunguc}. A Icrm Badiou dirccIy borrows Irom
IacanIorcIcrIoIhcuniquc,sIippcry, andpIayIuI dimcnsionoIIanguagcIakcn
inIo accounI by psychoanaIysis, as in Ihc possibiIiIics opcncd up in puns or
homonyms.WhiIcBruccinkinhisEngIishcdiIionoIBookXXoI7hcScminur
o]1ucquc: Lucun proposcs 'IIanguagc as a IransIaIion, l havc choscn Io Icavc
Ihc Icrmin Frcnch.
1cu {'QCC, OCCSODj 'OCUS. Thc sIrucIuraI cIcmcnI dcIcrmining Ihc
naIurc andidcnIiIy oIanyIhingwhaIsocvcr, as dchncdby Ihc gcncraI spacc
oI assigncd pIaccs. To disIinguish licu Irom ]lucc, onc couId havc rcIicd on
'locusor'siIc IorIhcIormcr and 'pIaccIorIhcIaIIcr. ln7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl,
howcvcr,I scc no sIrongrcasonsIo diIIcrcnIiaIcIhcIwo cxccpIin IhcconIcxI
oI Ihc Iour maIhcmcs oI anxicIy, couragc, usIicc, and Ihc supcrcgo, whcrc
licu and ]lucc arc kcpI scparaIc. Thc usc oI 'siIc Io IransIaIc licu noI onIy
wouId havc causcd misundcrsIandings in suggcsIing an carIy anIicipaIion oI
Ihc Icrms :ilc ( 'siIc) and :ilccvcncmcnlicl ( 'cvcnIaI siIc) as uscd incinjunJ
Evcnland Lojic:o]worlJ:, buIIhc rcadcrwouId aIso havc misscd ouI on Ihc
pIayin 7hcojo]lhcSub)cclbcIwccn licu andhorlicu, whosc inIcrnaI rhymc is
bcsI rcndcrcd as 'pIacc and 'ouIpIacc. EngIish-spcaking rcadcrs oI MichcI
FoucauIIandJacqucsLacanmaybcIamiIiarwiIh'IocusasacommonIransIa-
IionIorlicu.
%unquc DU munquc cIrc {'CK DU 'CK O DCDg. ThisiswiIhouIadoubI
Ihc mosI ccnIraI conccpI oI Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic, which Badiou aIIribuIcs
Io boIh MaIIarmc and Lacan. OIhcr Frcnch Icrms, such as Jc]uul ( 'dcIccI,
'IauII, 'Iack) andJc]uilluncc ( 'shorIcoming, 'IaiIurc, 'miss, 'IainI ) , arcparIs
oIIhc samcconccpIuaIconsIcIIaIionin 7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl. ForIhis rcason, l
somcIimcs rcndcr Ihcm as 'Iack aswcII, cvcn Ihough Ihis comcs aIIhcpricc
oImissingouIonIhcIcrminoIogicaIdivcrsiIy. Lacanproposcd 'wanI-Io-bcas
Ihc oIhciaIEngIish IransIaIion Ior munquc-u-lrc. Badiou, howcvcr, docs noI
usc Ihc dashcs IhaIwouId makc lcmunquculrc inIo a morcsIabIcIcchnicaI
Icrm, and,insoIarashcaIsopIaysonIhc invcrIcdcxprcssionllrcJumunquc,
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'Ihcbcing oI Iack, I consisIcnIIy sIick Io 'Iack oI bcing insIcad oI wanIIo
bc.
Fussc {'QSS OI 'QSSDg. Badiou IrcqucnIIy has rccourscIo IhisIcrmbolh in
iIscommonscnscand in iIs IcchnicaImcaninginIhcIacanianschooloIpsy-
choanaIysis. ForLacan, whoinsIaIcdIhcproccdurcin ! 67asparIoIhis
(
colc
FrcuJicnncJcPuri:, Ihc]u::cprovidcsaninsIiIuIionaIsIrucIurcIor Ihc passagc
IromanaIysand Io anaIysI, IhaI is, lhc cnd oI analysis IcsIihcd by Ihc ]u::unl
Io a commiIIcc oI]u::cur:or 'passcrs, whoin lurnrcIayIhc accounIIo aury
whodccidcswhcIhcrornoIIoawardlhc'pass.In 7hcojo]lhcSub)cclBadiou
rcIcrsIoIhchcaIcddcbaIcsprovokcdbylhisproccdurcupIoIcnycarsaIIcriIs
inIroducIionbyIacan (who, uponIisIcninginsiIcnccIoIhcIormaIcompIainIs
raiscdaIamccIinginI 78, wcnIsoIarasIocaIIiI a'compIcIcIaiIurc ) . Insoar
as Ihc proccdurc invoIvcs Ihc possibiIiIy oI IransmiIIing knowIcdgc (:uvoir)
abouI Ihc anaIyIicaI pracIicc, BadiouIakcsaninIcrcsIinlu]u::c simiIarIolhc
roIcoIIhc univcrsaI lransmission oImaIhcmaIicsin Ihc scicnIiIiccommunily.
Among Ihc many common mcanings, Ihc noun lu]u::c and Ihc vcrb ]u::cr
can rcIcr Io passagc, 'pass, 'paIch, passing ( Ior, ovcr, by) crossing, 'going
Ihrough, skipping, lcnding, andso on. RcIcvanI cxprcssions incIudc]u::cr
un cxumcn, 'Io pass an cxam,]uirc unc]u::c, 'Io makc a pass, ]u::crcn]orcc,
'pushIhrough,andmol Jc]u::c, 'password . In addiIion,BadiousysIcmaIicaIIy
plays on Ihc diaIccIic bcIwccn ]u::c and im]u::c (somclimcs spcII im]u::c,
wiIh a dash, soasIo highlighIIhc pun) , in a kcy argumcnI IhaI wiII rcappcar
in cinjunJEvcnl.
Flucc {'QCC. ThroughouI 1hcoj o]lhc Sub)ccl, Badiou cxpIoiIs Ihc Icnsion
bcIwccn IhaI which can bc mappcd IopologicalIy in Icrms oI spaccs, placcs,
and spIacc, on onc hand, and, on Ihc oIhcr, IhaI which is a-IopolgicaI, IhaI
is,IorccorIhc cvcnI. I didnoI nda signihcanldiIIcrcnccbcIwccn]lucc and
licuIhaIwouIdwarranIa soIiddisIincIionbcIwccn 'pIacc and Iocus orsiIc.
Badiou IrcqucnIIy insisIs on Ihc dcadcningcIIccI oI IhaI which rcmains :ur
]lucc, 'iniIsplacc or'onlhc samc spoI, mosIoIIcnas IhcrcsuIIoIanovcrIy
sIrucluraI cmphasis in whichpIaccandspIaccIakcprcccdcnccovcrIorcc and
IhcouIpIacc. FuircJu:ur]lucc is alsoa coIIoquial cxprcssionIhaIrcIcrs Io Ihc
quasi-immobiIcgcsIurcbywhichacycIisIaIasIopIighIoraIIhcsIarIoIaracc
IricsIo rcmainsIiIlwiIhboIhIccI sIrappcdon Ihc pcdaIs. InIcrcsIingIy, in 1hc
Iojico]Scn:c, cIcuzcdcscribcsancIhicsoI wiIIingIhccvcnIinIcrmsoI 'a sorI
oIIcaping inplacc,:uul:ur]lucc.
F0nI durrcI {'DIDg QODI OI 'SIOQQDg QO1DI. A Icrm uscd in 1hcojo]
lhc Sub)ccl Io rcIcr Io Ihosc signiIicrs lhaI puI an cnd lo Ihc sliding oI mcIa-
phors and mclonymics in MalIarmcs pocIry. Badiou rcIcrs cspcciaIIy Io Ihc
amphora, Ihc masIcr, andIhc pIyxin Ihc Iamous 'SonncIaIIcgoricaloIiIscI,
andproposcsIo rcadIhcscIhrccsignihcrsinIcrmsoIdcaIh, IhcpocI,andIhc
purc signiIicr oI Ihc signihcr as such. Invoking a quoIaIion Irom Chairman
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Mao ( Wc wiIIcomcIoknowcvcryIhingwc didnoIknow bcIorc ), a quoIa-
lionIhaIwiIlbcrcuscdinIojic:o]worlJ:againslIhcdogmaoIhniIudc,Badiou
dcnicslhccxisIcnccoIinsupcrabIchaIIingpoinIs andaIhrmsIhcopcn-cndcd
naIurc oI Ihc pcriodizcddiaIccIicaIproccss. PoinlJurrlin 7hcojo]lhcSub)ccl
Ihus has acompIcIcIydiIIcrcnImcaningIrom Ihc onc iI has incinjunJEvcnl,
whcrc Ihc void or cmpIy scI issaidIo bc Ihc onIy haIIingpoinI oImuIIipIic-
iIy, IhaIis, muIIipIiciIygocsaIIIhcwaydown, quumuIIipIcoImuIIipIcs, unIi
Ihc void. InElhic:, hnaIIy, asidcIrom iIsonloIogicaImcaning,]oinlJurrlalso
rcIcrs Io Ihc 'unnamcabIc IhaImusInoIbc IorccdinIhcnamcoIIruIh, lcsI
onc IaIIs inIo Ihc cviI oI a disasIcr. This conccpIoI Ihc unnamcabIc, wiIh iIs
connoIaIionoIaninsupcrabIc IimiI-poinIcaIIingouIIorancIhicsoIrcspccI, is
purcIyand simpIy abandoncdinIojic: o] worlJ:, whcrc Badiou oncc again
consisIcnI wiIh his rcIurn Io lhc quoIaIion Irom Mao-aIhrms IhaI Ihcrc
arc aIways conscqucnccs, andno unknowabIcs. In Ihis IasI scnsc, iI is worIh
kccpingin mind,Ior1hcojo] lhcSub)cclaswcII, IhaI]oinlJ urrlcanbcundcr-
sIood noIonlyas haIIing poinI or sIoppingpoinIbuIaIso as 'nohaIIing or
'nosIoppingaIaII. crridain hisrcadingoIMauriccBIanchoIsArrlJcmorl
(Dculh Scnlcncc) , has cxhausIivcIy dcconsIrucIcd Ihc IinguisIic possibiIiIics
aIIordcdby Ihc signihcrurrl.
Fr0ccssus sub)ccI] {'SUD]CCIVC QIOCCSS. A Icrm dirccIIy and cxpIiciIIy bor-
rowcd IromLacansEcril: IodcsignaIconcoIIhc Iwo aspccIsorIcmporaIiIics
oI Ihc subccI, namcIy, Ihc durabIc, ongoing, and mosI oIIcn Iaborious Iimc
oIrccomposiIionIhaIgivcsa subccI consisIcncy, ciIhcrin Ihc guisc oIa ncw
Iorm oIusIicc orin Ihc guisc oI Ihc supcrcgos Icrrorizing caII Io ordcr. Thc
oIhcrmomcnIorIimcoIIhcsubccIiscaIIcdsubccIivizaIion.
Hccl {'IC. BadiouIcndsIouscIhisIcrminawayIhaIisrcminisccnIoILacans
usc wiIhouI cvcr IulIy coinciding wiIh iIs IcchnicaI mcaning ormcaningsin
IhcIriadoIIhcrcaI,IhcsymboIic, andIhcimaginary.IhavcchoscnnoIIousc
a Iargc capiIaI whcn IransIaIing Ihc Icrm as ' (lhc) rcaI, in ancIIorIboIh Io
lcavc inIacI Ihc IIuidiIyoIBadious usc oIIhc Icrm and Io avoid associaIions
wiIh Ncw Agc IcrminoIogy, as in English discussions oI Badious work IhaI
rcndcraII hiskcyconccpIswiIhIargc capiIals. Bcing, EvcnI,TruIh, andso on.
Badiou aIsopIaysonIhcFrcnchcxprcssions]oinlJurccl( poinIoIIhcrcaIbuI
also'noI rcaI ornoIoIIhcrcaIaIaII)and]oinlrccl ( 'rcaI poinI wiIh]oinlas
a nounbuIaIsonoIaIaIIrcaIwIh]oinlasanadvcrb) .
HcI0urcmcnI {'ICVCIS, OCCSOD1 'ICIUID . This Icrm, uscdi nIhc IiIIc
oIParIIVinordcrIoproposca maIcriaIisIrcvcrsaIoImaIcriaIism,isrcminis-
ccnl oI, buI aIso somcwhaI diIIcrcnI Irom, Ihc usual invcrsion ( Lmkchrunj
in Gcrman,orrcnvcr:cmcnl, in Ihc IypicaI FrcnchIranslaIions)bywhich Marx,
Ior cxampIc, cIaims Io puI Ihc Hcgclian diaIccIic 'back on iIs IccI. Thc diI-
Icrcncc sIcms Irom Ihc IacI IhaI rclourncmcnl, asidc Irom a Iurning (ovcr,
upsidc down, insidc ouI), aIso cvokcs a 'rcIurn ( rclour) and a 'lurning back
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or 'scnding back ( rcloumcr). FinaIIy, Ihc Frcnch Icrm aIso scrvcs Io Irans-
IaIc HIdcrIins noIion oI a 'rcIurn or 'rcvcrsaI ( Lmkchr in Gcrman) in his
Rcmarks on AnIigonc, in a hgrc ampIy commcnIcd upon in arI lll oI
Badious 7hcoio]lhcSub)ccl.
5ub)ccIvuI0n {'SUD]CCIVZIOD. A Icrm dirccIly and cxpIicitly borrowcd
Irom LacanIodcsignaIconcoIIhc IwoaspccIsorIcmporaIiIics oIIhc subccI,
namcIy Ihc hasIy, sIightIy hysIcricaI, andmosIoIIcn shorI-IivcdtimcoIintcr-
rupIionanddcsIrucIion,whichaccordingIo 7hcoio]lhcSub)ccltakcsthcIorm
oI ciIhcr anxicty or couragc. Brucc Fink, in his IransIaIion oI Lacans Fcrils,
and Olivcr FcIIham, in his IransIation oI cinj unJ Fvcnl, opI Ior Ihc spcIIing
'subccIivizaIion,whichIhavcadopIcdaswcII,whiIcSIavoickandAIbcrIo
ToscanousuaIIyprcIcrIhcmorc IitcraI 'subccIivation .
T0pquc {'IOQOOgj, OCCSODj 'IOQC . A Icrm uscd in 7hcoi o] lhc
Sub)ccl, rsI, IodcsignaIcMarxandFrcdsrcspccIivc'IopoIogics or Iopog-
raphics oI Ihc subccI oI cIass and oI Ihc unconscious and, Ihcn, Io map
ouI Ihc various discourscs oI'cIhics, in Ihc books hnaIparI, tiIIcd 7o]iqucs
Jc llhiquc, which l havc IranslaIcd as 'Topics oI EIhics so as Io mainIain
somcIhingoIIhcworIdpIayIhaIwouIdbcIosIiIl hadchoscn TopoIogicsoI
EIhics or'EIhicaITopoIogics. Badiou aIsohasinmindandopcnIydiscusscs
LacansIopoIogicalinvcsIigaIionsIromhishnaIscminars.Thcrcmaycvcnbc
a IainI ccho oI Claudc Lcvi-SIrauss grcaI work oI sIrucIuraI anIhropoIogy,
7rislcs 7ro]iqucs.
T0rs0n DU I0rsudc {'IOISOD DU 'IWSI . This isoncoIthcpivoIaI and mosI
obscurc conccpIs oI 7hcor}o]lhc Sub)ccl. In parI condiIioncd by maIhcmaI-
ics, whosc aIgcbraic 'Iorsion groups Badiou discusscs at somc IcngIh in Ihc
book, Ihc conccpIoI 'Iorsion aIIhc samc IimcIuncIionsin a much broadcr
scnsc Io rcIcr Io Ihc way in which a subccI works back upon Ihc sIrucIurc
IhaI dcIcrmincs iI in Ihc irsIpIacc. ln Ihis scnsc, lorsion i srcIaIcd Io]orujc,
anoIhcr conccpI borrowcd Irom maIhcmaIics and discusscd in 7hcor}o]lhc
Sub)ccl IhaI wiII bccomc cvcn morc ccnIraI in cinj unJ Fvcnl. 7orsuJc, Iikc
lrcssc ( ' inIcrIacing ) , dcsignaIcs Ihc IwisIcd uniIy oI thc subccI iIsclI, IhaI is,
IhcdividcdarIicuIaIionoIcouragc,anxicIy,usIicc, andIhcsupcrcgointoIwo
basicIraccIorics. Ihc so-caIIcd modc ( IromcouragcIousIicc) andmodc-
( Irom anxicIyto Ihc supcrcgo) ; and according IoIwoIcmporaIiIics Ihc Iimc
oIinIcrrupIionordcsIrucIion (anxicIyand couragc) andIhcIimcoIrccompo-
siIion usIicc and Ihc supcrcgo) . lnIcrcsIingIy, Jacqucs Rancirc aIso dchncs
poIiIicsinIcrmsoIa consIiIuIivc 'IorsionIhaIIrcaIsa spccihclorlorwrong,
in Disujrccmcnl.PolilicsunJPhiloso]hy.
(1c) T0uI {'WDOC, 'OIIj, OI 'IDC . Again, a Icrm uscd wiIh a combi-
naIionoIHcgclianandLacanianconnoIaIionsIodcsignaIcboIhIhccIIcctoIa
vanishingcausc, namcly,Ihc rcsuIIing WhoIc,andthaI which, IikcanyspIacc,
by Iorcc must incIudc-cxcIudc somcthing, namcIy, Ihc outpIacc, in ordcr Io
xxxv|
JNbLJ
b lNJULJlN
comcinIobcing quu IoIaIiIy, so IhaIIhc WhoIc isaIso always noI-WhoIc or
noI-AII.
Trcssc {'DICICDg. AIcrmuscd, in Ihc samc IopoIogicaIvcin as brin, nuJ,
and lorsuJc, Io dcsignatc Ihc subccIs dividcd arIicuIation. OthcrIransIaIions
couIdhavcbccn braid, 'pIaiI, 'wcavcor' ( inIcr)wcaving .
UnIc dc c0nIrurcs {'UDIj O OQQOSICS OI 'UDIj O CODIIICS. Thisbasic
conccpI oI Ihc diaIccIic, whichisas oId asphiIosophy, is usuaIIyIransIaIcdas
'uniIyoIopposiIcsinEngIish.WhcncvcrBadiouinsisIsonthcroIcoI'conIra-
rics or 'contrarincss in rcIaIion Io Ihc principIc oI unilcJc.onlruircs, I rcIain
Ihc morcIiIcraIIransIaIionas uniIyoIconIrarics .
lcrsunI {'SQCCI, 'SIIDU, 'SUC, 'ICDUCDCj, OI 'SOQC. A IcrmmosI oIIcn
uscdIo dcsignaIc IhcIwo'sidcsor'aspccIsoIIhcdiaIccIicaccording Io 7hcor}
o]lhcSub)ccl-sIrucIuraI sidc and iIshisIoricaI sidc, Ihc sidc oIplacc and Ihc
sidc oI Iorcc, iIs aIgcbraic sidc and iIs IopoIogicaI sidc, thc idcaIisI aspccI and
IhcmaIcriaIistaspccI.
l0c {'QID OI 'IOU. AcommonnounIhaIBadiouIurIhcrassociaIcswiIhIhc
MarxisI and morc spccicaIIy Maoist discussions abouI Ihc sIruggIcbcIwccn
Iwo 'paIhs or Iwo 'roads, Ihc bourgcois and Ihc proIcIarian, Ihc rcvisionisI
and thc socialisI. Morc gcncraIIy spcaking, hc Icrm isparI oI Ihc IopoIogicaI
oricnIaIionbchind 7hcoio] lhcSub)ccl.
xxxvII
||6dC6
TOinIrOducc myscIinIOyoursIOry.
. . ,
. . .
bcOnging, Or cxampc, IO !. TIs s vIaI vc vi scc aIcr On. IIcrc arc
an inhnIy Opaccs. s A in IIc gcncra-singuar OpaccmcnI. NOv,
I s avays in IIs vay IIaI A prcscnIs iIsc (iI is avays paccd) and
rcuscsiIsc(bccausc,aspaccd,IisncvcrOnyiIsc,A,buIasOiIspacc,
A
,
j . !urIIcrmOrc, IIis is Iruc O anyIIing vIaIsOcvcr-O sOmcIIing in
gcncra,OsucI-and
sucIa IIing.
WcmusIIIuspOsiIa cOnsIIuIivcscissiOn. A , A,
TIc ndcx, p, rccrs back IOIIc spacc OpaccmcnI !, IIc siIc Oany
pOssibc rcdupicaIiOn O A. NOIc IIaI IIis dOcs nOI Iavc IO bc spaIia Or
gcOmcIrica a rcdupicaIiOn canbc IcmpOra, OrcvcnhcIivc.
JHL PLLL JHL bUbdLLJlVL
WIaIHcgcdOcsnOIsIaIcccarysIIaI,undamcnIay, IIc IruciniIia
cOnIrary O IIc sOmcIIing, A, is nOI sOmcIIng csc, nOI cvcn IIc samc
A 'paccd, A
,
. NO, IIc IrucbuIcamOuIagcdcOnIrary OAsIIcspacc O
paccmcnI!. Iis IIaIvIcIdclcalcslhcindcx. TIcgvcnncssOAasbcing
iIscspiInIO.
- iIspurcbcing,A
- iIs bcing-paccd, A
,
(Hcdcggcr vOud say. inIO iIs OnIOOgca bcing and iIs OnIic bcing) is
IIc cccI On A O IIc cOnIradcIiOn bcIvccn Is purc idcnIiIy and IIc
sIrucIurcd spacc IO vIcI I bcOngs, bcIvccn iIs bcng and IIc WIOc.
TIc diaccIic dvidcs A bascd upOn IIc cOnIradcIOn bcIvccn A and !,
bcIvccn IIc cxsIcnI and Is pacc. !I is IIis cOnIradicIOn, vIOsc aIcnI
IIcmc is Maarmcan ( NOIIing vi Iavc Iakcn pacc cxccpI IIc pacc ) ,
vIicI, inIrOccIcdinIOA, OundsIscccIivc bcngasscssiOn.
A O IIis is IOO mucI O an anIcipaIOn, bccausc IIc cOnIradicIOn
bcIvccn A and ! OppOscs a Orcc IO a sysIcm Opaccs, and vc Iavc nOI
rcacIcdIIaIpOnIycI.
LcI mc IIrOv usI a iIIc IasI O igII, Onc IIaI mOrcOvcr is pcrccIy
cxccssivc.
TIc Iruc cOnIrary O IIc prOcIariaI is nOI IIc bOurgcOsic. !I s IIc
bOurgcOis vOrd, impcriaisI sOcicIy, O vIicI IIc prOcIariaI, cI IIis bc
nOIcd, s a nOIOrOus ccmcnI, as IIc principa prOducIivc Orcc and as
IIc anIagOnisIc pOIca pOc. TIc amOus cOnIradicIiOn O bOurgcOisic/
prOcIariaI s a imIcd, sIrucIura scIcmc IIaI Oscs Irack O IIc IOrsiOn
OIIc WIOc OvIcIIIcprOcIariaIquasubjccIIraccsIIc Orcc. TO say
prOcIariaIandbOurgcOscsIOrcmainviIInIIcbOundsOIIcHcgcan
arIihcc.sOmcIIingandsOmcIIingcsc. WIy? Bccausc IIc prOccI OIIc
prOcIaraI,iIsinIcrnabcing,isnOIIOcOnIradicIIIcbOurgcOsic, OrIOcuI
Is ccI rOm undcrI. TIsprOjccIis cOmmunism, andnOIIngcsc. TIaI
is, IIc abOiIiOnOanypaccinvIicIsOmcIIngkc a prOcIariaI can bc
insIacd.TIc pOIicaprOjccIOIIcprOcIaraIisIIcdsappcarancc OIIc
spaccOIIcpaccmcnIOcasscs.!IisIIcOss,OrIIcIsIOricasOmcIIng,
Ocvcry ndcx Ocass.
YOuvisay. andvIaIabOuIsOciaism?SOciaismvIcrc,inacI,bOur
gcOisicandprOcIaraIarcmOrcIIancvcraIOggcrIcads,incudinginIIc
gusc O unprcccdcnIcd rcvOuIOns, IIc cuIura rcvOuIiOns? SOcaism
dOcs nOI cxisI. !I is a namc Or an Obscurc arscna O ncv cOndiIiOns
in vIicI IIc capiIaism/cOmmunism cOnIradicIiOn bccOmcs sOmcvIaI
7
b
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
carihcd.SOciaismdcsignaIcsasIiIingmuIaIiOnOIIcspaccOIIcpacc-
mcnIOcasscs. SOciaismis!inIIcpaccO!.!IIcrcisamaOrpOinIin
Marxism, vIicIIIisccnIurycOnhrms amOsI IO IIc cvcI OdisgusI, iI is
IIaIvcsIOudccrIainynOIinaIcIIcqucsIiOnO'sOciaism,OIIc'cOn-
sIrucIiOn OsOciaism.TIcscriOusaair, IIcjrcciscaair, iscOmmunism.
TIis isvIy, aaOng, pOiIicssIandsina pOsiIiOnOdOminaIiOnOvcrIIc
SIaIc, andcannOIbcrcduccdIOiI.AndyOuviIIncvcrrcduccaOIIisIO
Ihc binary pOvcrIy OIIc cOnIradicIiOn, Icrm againsI Icrm, OprOIcIariaI
bOurgcOisic. MarxismbcginsbcyOndIIiscOnIradicIiOn.
4
WiII Hcgc vc IIus pOsiI IIc scissiOn A (AA
(AA
(AA
(A) .
- On IIc OIIcr Iand, IIaI rcvisiOnism, in IIc hna anaysis, and mOrc
and mOrc sO, is ncvcr anyIIing buI IIc spccihc and IOmOgcncOus
Orm, adapIcd IO IIc vOrking cass, O IIc gcncraI bOurgcOis and
impcriaisIspacc, Or!. !n IIc sIruggIc IOpuriyiIscOIIis, IIc prO-
cIariaI unmas (IIis is IIc auIIOrizcd Icrm) IIc parI OiIscIIaI is
cngagcd in rcvisiOnism, and pOsiIs iI as an inIcgra parI OIIc cxIcr-
na anIagOnisIic Icrm, vIicI, as vc sav, is nOI IIc bOurgcOisic buI
impcriaisI sOcicIy O vIicIIIc !C!, IIc uniOns, and sO On, arc IIc
mOdcrn, cccIivc, andacIivc sIandard-bcarcrs. As sucI, dcIcrmina-
IiOn Ony rccOnvOkcs-rcpcaIs-IIc spacc OpIaccmcnI, IIc gcncra
aIcriIy ! OvIicI p is IIc indcx Or A. Wc viII vriIc. A
( A
) !.
TIis is a sOrI O dcad brancI O IIc diaccIicaIprOccss, IIc rcmindcr
IIaIIIcdcIcrminaIiOnOIIcscissiOnA( AA
) OriginaIcsrOmIIcacI
9
1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
IhaIA Ony cx-sisIs inIhc siIc!. This is IhcincrI, divisibcparIOIhc
IOIa dcIcrminaIiOn-viIh Ihc OIhcrparI, markcdA
( A) , Iruybcing
IhcinIimaIccOrcOIhcdcIcrminaIiOn]orA.
!n gcncra, vc can say IhaI Ihc dcIcrminaIiOn O any spiI cx-sisIcnI is
disIribuIivc
dcIcrminaIionpropcr
rcIapscinothcgcncraIspacc
'NothingwiIIhavc IakcnpIaccbuIIhc pIacc
Ocs Hcgc rcay spcak O Ihcsc dcad branchcs O Ihc prOccss?
AbsOuIcy. Hccas Ihcm 'rcapscs ( Rckllc) . Thcyarc Ihc shadOvcasI
byIhcpIacciniIspurc, cvOcaIivcdimcnsiOn.cIcrminaIiOn,OnIhcOIhcr
hand, isIhcncv.
Wc Ihus ObIain, aI Ihis sIagc, Ihc OOving grcaI diaccIica cOnccpIs,
cndOvcdviIhan absOuIcy gcncra OnIOOgica impOrI.
a) Di]crcncc OiIscrOmiIsc, A and A
is Ihc
indcxicainsIanccOrA. AnimpOrIanIpOinIIOnOIcisIhaIiIisIhccOn-
IradicIiOnIhaIcOmmandsdicrcncc, andnOIIhcOIhcrvayarOund.
b) ScissionasIhcOnyOrmOcxisIcnccOIhcsOmcIhingingcncraA
(AA
)
c ) DclcrminalionasuniIyOIhcscissiOn,IhinkabcOnyrOmIhcindcxcd
Icrm (andnOIrOmIhcpurcIcrm) . A
(AA
)
d) ThcscissiOnOIhc dcIcrminaIiOnaccOrdingIO vhaI iIdcIcrmincs.
- dcIcrminaIiOnOIhcncv, A
(A)
- rcapsc. A
(A
) !.
Thc csscnccOIhc rcapscisIhcspacc OpaccmcnI,Ihcpacc.
ArcmarkOnIcrminOOgy.iOncOppOscsOrccIOpacc,as!shacOnIinu-
aydO, iIviaIvaysbcmOrchOmOgcncOusIO say' spaccOpaccmcnIIO
dcsignaIc Ihc acIiOn O Ihc sIrucIurc. !IvOudbc cvcnbcIIcr IO Orgc Ihc
Icrmsjlacc.!,OnIhccOnIrary,Oncsays'pacc,vhichismOrcMaIIarmcan,
vcvinccdIOsay,inIhcLacanianmanncr,'pacc-hOdingOr'icuIcnancy
Or 'pacc. BuI 'Orcc is Ihcn hcIcrOgcncOus IO dcsignaIc Ihc a-sIrucIura
IOpOOgicasidc. !IvOudbc mOrcapprOpriaIcIOsay:Ihcouljlacc.
JHL PLLL JHL bUbdLLJlVL
ThcdiaccIic, inIhcsavdusI-hcdarcnaOIhccaIcgOriacOmbaI,isIhc
OuIpaccagainsIIhcspacc.
5
Thc rcapsc is Ihc incrI ncgaIivc O sIricI dcIcrminatiOn Ony i A
(A)
incudcsa spccihcrcsisIanccOIhcIcrmAIOaOvingiIscIObc cxhaus-
Iivcy dcIcrmincd by iIs indcxicaI insIancc A
! nOI, A
(A) vOud bc
svalIOvcdupinA
!nOIhcrvOrds, lhcrcwouldonlybcrclajscs.ThisisIhc
principc OsIrucIuraisminaIiIsOrms.
BuInciIhcr!nOrHcgcarcsIrucIuraisIs.!Ihink,Orcxampc,IhaI,iniIs
anIagOnisIicdcIcrminaIiOnIhaIisspccihcIOIhcncvrcvisiOnisIbOurgcOi-
sic, IhcprOcIariaIcmcrgcsas a pOsiIivc ncvncss. This happcns, Iimidy,
during May 8 in !rancc, and, viIh grcaI uprOar, in anuary ! 7 in
China-Or insIancc, in Ihc guisc O a IhOrOughy IransOrmcd Marxism
(MaOism) . ThcinIcriOriIyprOpcrIOA Ihus cOmcsIOdclcrminclhcdclcrmi-
nalion. AIcr a, inIhc CuIuraRcvOuIiOn, iIisIhc pcOpc in rcvOII vhO
dcsignaIcIhcncvburcaucraIicbOurgcOisicasIhcgObadcIcrminaIiOnO
thcrcvOuIiOnaryanIagOnismiIsc. ncssvhaIis ncvinIhc diaccIica
prOccssis annucd inIhcpurcrcapscinIO!, IhcpaccOrspaccOpacc-
mcnIs, iIis Ihus ncccssaryIOpOsiI a dcIcrminaIiOn OIhc dcIcrminaIiOn,
namcy. A( A
(A) ) .
This i s a prOccssO IOrsiOn, byvhichOrcc rcappics iIscI OIhaI rOm
vhichiI cOnIicIuay cmcrgcs.
Thc dcIcrminaIiOn O Ihc dcIcrminaIiOn spiIs iIsc in a disIribuIivc
manncr usIasmuchasIhcdcIcrmnaIiOn dOcs. !ndccd,iIcanbcasimpc
rcahrmaIiOn OIhcpurcidcnIiIyOA. A( A) , IhaIis, a purccmcrgcncc O
iIsc, againsI (buIOuIsidc O) dcIcrminaIiOn, and Ihis in a sIricIparac
ism IO Ihc rcapsc inIO !. Thus, a rcvOI viIhOuI a uIurc IhaI vOud piI
Ihc cOmbaIivc racIiOn O Ihc vOrking cass againsI Ihc ncv bOurgcOisic
OIhc!C! andIhcuniOnssOcyinIhcnamcOIOsIpuriIy, hcnccagainsI
Ihc IrcasOn O Ihc !C!-viIhOuI pcrcciving Ihc inIcrna ncvncss O Ihc
ncvbOurgcOs phcnOmcnOn. This is argcy vhaI happcncd in May 8,
cadingmanyIO drcam ciIhcr O a 'rcncvcd !C! Or O a vOrking cass
rc-purihcdOOvingIhcschOOcxampcOiIsgrcaIanccsIOrsOIhcninc-
IccnIh ccnIury. Thc inIimaIc Orcc O A is Ihus cacd upOn again in Ihc
iusOry rcpcIiIiOn OiIs cOsurc OnIO iIscand in Ihc inabiiIy acIivcyIO
suppOrIIhc dcIcrminaIiOn.
11
1Z
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
TIcrcis IIc dcviaIiOn 'IO IIc rigII, vIicIcads back IO IIc ObjccIivc
bruIaiIyOIIcpacc!inOrdcrIOdcnyIIcpOssibiiIyOIIcncvinIcrcnI
in IIc Od. BuI IIcrc is asO IIc incIucIabc dcviaIiOn 'IO IIc cI, vIicI
vindicaIcs IIc Origina and inIacI puriIy O! Orcc vIic dcnying, sO IO
spcak, IIc Od inIcrcnI in IIc ncv, IIaI is, dcIcrminaIiOn. TIc scIcmas
OrIIcscIvOdcviaIiOns arcA
(A
( A
( A) , dcIcrminaIiOn,
and A( A
and A
IIrOugIvIicIIIcIcrm
(IIc OuIpacc) isa!ccIcd, Orin!ccIcd, byiIsspccihccOnIrary (IIc spacc) .
SIrOng cOrrcaIiOn, vIicI IIc vOrd 'sIruggc rcmiIs I O Is pracIicaIy,
dcpcnds On an indrccI nvcsIigaIiOn and On a cOnccpI viIIOuI any rcp-
rcscnIabcassignaIOn.
!IisviIIIIc namc 'OrccIIaIvc sIacOvcrvIaIOvcrdcIcrmincsIIc
cxcusOn!rOmanypaccinvIicIIIc OuIpacccsrcvcacd.
2
WIaIisiIIIaIcanpuI IvOIcIcrOgcncOusquaiIicsinIO cOrrcaIiOn?Ony
tIcr rcciprOca appicaIiOn as Orccs indicrcnI IO anyIIing OIIcr IIan
tIcrvn cxpansiOn.
OrrcaIOn mcans!OrccagainsIOrcc.!IisIIc rlaliono]]orcs.
LcI us scI asdc rigII avay IIc rcapsc Or dcviaIiOn O! IIs sI Obscurc
idca. ! Onc auncIcs nIO IIc IIcmc IIaI an 'acIivc !Orcc rcsIrains and
ObsIrucIs a 'passivc ( IIs, rc-acIivc) Orcc, OncasbackinIOIIc sIaIism
O asymmcIry. TIc absIracIiOn O IIc pair acIivc/passvc Oncc again dis-
sOvcs IIc quaiIaIivc IcIcrOgcncIy. TIc sccOnd (rcacIivc) Orcc is Ony
dcIcrmincd,ncgaIivcy,byIIchrsI.iIis sIiIIc spaccIIaIhxcsIIcpacc
OIIcOuIpacc.
AsIrikingcxampcOIIisrcapscisIIcpurcyanIircprcssivccOnccpIiOn
OIIcpOiIicsOIIcpcOpc. !cOpcarc'mObiizcdbccausc IIcysu!crIOO
mucI misIrcaImcnI. BruIaizcd by vIaI Iurns OuI IO bc, undamcnIay,
IIc Ony acIivc Orcc O IIc pOIica hcd. IIc SIaIc, IIc bOss, IIc cOp.
TIcsc vickcd cnIIcs, suddcny, cxaggcraIc IIcir cv dcsigns. TIc grcaI
baIIc cry ' Ovn viII rcprcssiOn can bc Icard. TIc pcIiI bOurgcOis is
bOiingviIIindignaIiOn.
NOIc IIaI Ic is rigII and IIcrc is a gOOd cIancc IIaI in acI IIcsc
1
JZ
1HLY 1HL bUbdLLJ
'cxaggcraIiOns-vIicIIIcpcOpcpcrmancnIysucrInIIcIrdcpIIs-may
bringIIcpcIiIbOurgcOIs OuI OIiscIrOnicdcccIiOn, OrIIscOmpaccncy.
YcI IIc pIiIOsOpIy bcIind a IIis cOmcs up sIOrI, bccausc II dcnics
aI bOIIOm any acIivc auIOnOmy, any rcaindcpcndcncc, any ahrmaIIvc
pOiIica vIrIuaiIy, IO vIaI riscs up in IIc guisc O IIc cnragcd rcbc O
gOOdaiII. OvnviII rcprcssIOn cads nOurIIcr IIanIOajlaccdrcac-
IIvc.TIc Orcc OIIcpcOpcis IcrcIIc aIsIadOvcasIby IIcIOrrOrs O
IIc SIaIc, and IIc cOnIIcIua cOrrcaIiOnrcmains caugII in IIc unIyIng
vcakncss OIIcsIrucIura.
HOv, in IIc ccIOOIIcgrcaIanIIrcprcssIvcviIupcraIiOn, vI! bc abIc
IO csIabIIsI my capaciIy IO rcjrcsslhc rcjrcssion? TIcrcin Iics IIc kcy IO
undcrsIand cvcryIIIng IIaI OIIcrviscIurns sOuraccOrding IO IIc IIcmc
OdiscncIanImcnI.
WcmusIcOm
c IOundcrsIandIIaIvIaIraiscsmc up rcacIIvcyagainsI
IIc acIivc O IIc OIIcr musI asO bc IIc acIIvc O a Orcc in vIIcI IIc
OIIcrIsnOOngcrrcprcscnIcd.EvcnIiIisrcquIrcdbyIIcadvcrscpOvcr
inIIsrcprcssivccxccss, IIcOrccIIaIrIscsupinrcvOIagainsIIIisrcprcs-
siOnis iIscIninIcrIOrcxccssOvcrIIisrcquisiIiOning.
TIisisvIaIHcgcundcrsIandsviIIa dcniIivcsIarpncss.
3
Ivi bcapprOprIaIc Icrc IOrcad IniIscnIIrcIy Onc OIIc sIrOngcsIpas
sagcs rOm IIc GrcaI !Ogic. IIc cIapIcr IiIcd 'TIc EsscnIia RcaIiOn,
vIicIsuhccsIOsayIIaIiIcOnccrnsIIccnigmaOcOrrcIaIiOn.
!OrsIarIcrs, Icrc is a passagc vIcrc Hcgc cxprcssy dcvcOps IIc idca
IIaI IIc csscncc O IIc rcacIivc musIbc IIc acIivc InIcriOriIy, uncss vc
aback OnIIis sidc OIIc'csscnIIarcaIiOn, IIaI is, uncssvc asIOrI
OIIcsIrOng cOrrcaIiOn.
TIIs prOccss IIcn in vIIcI an impusc is cxcrIcd upOn Onc Orcc by
anOIIcrOrcc, IIchrsIOrccjassivcrcccivingIIcimpuscbuIIIcnagain
passing OvcrrOm IIis passIviIy inIO acIiviIy, IIis is IIc rcIurn OOrcc
inIO iIsc. !Icxprcsscsitscl]TIccxprcssiOnis rcacIiOn inIIc scnscIIaI
iI pOsiIsIIccxIcrnaiIyasiIs OvnmOmcnIand IIussubaIcsiIsIaving
bccn sOiciIcdby anOIIcrOrcc. (! 523)
EvcryIIing Is Icrc. i I i s vIcn Orcc pOsiIs 'cxIcrnaiIy as iIs Ovn
mOmcnI IIaI iI gains acccss IO a quaiIaIivc cOrrcaIiOn ccnIrcd On iIsc,
1HL PLLL JHL bUbdLLJlVL
vIOsc IcIcrOgcnciIy is irrcducibc IO IIc acc-IO-acc cOnrOnIaIiOn O
Orccs. !I Is vIcn IIc pcOpc crccI IIcir visiOn O IIc advcrsary as an
inIcrna IgurcO IIcIrOvnpOiIics IIaI IIcy'subaIc IIc anIircprcssIvc
dcpcndcncc, cxcudIngIIcmscIvcs rOm anyincusiOn andprOcccdingIO
anahrmaIivcscissiOn.
TOIIinkcOrrcIaIiOnIsIOIIInkOrccasacIingand,IIus, asgraIcdOnIO
IIc OIIcrOrcc, buI accOrding IO iIs irrcducIbc quaiIy, Or vIicI Icncc-
OrIIIIcspIaccis nOmOrcIIanIIcmcdiaIiOntobcdcstroycd.
TIis vIOc cIapIcr rOm HcgcI, cvcn I iI is sOmcIimcs IdcaisIicay
IcsiIanI, can scrvcasarccapiIuaIiOnOOurcndcavOur.
!cIusOOkaIIOvIIiscOnsIrucIcd.
TIcIIrccparIsarc succcssIvcy.
J . TIcprObcmaIicOIIc vIOc andIIcparIs
2. !Orcc
3. TIc cxIcrIOrandIIcinIcrIOr
TIisisOurpanasvcII,OrIIcparI-vIOcrcaIiOnisnOIIingOIIcrIIan
aIIcOryOIIcspacc,invIIcIiIIurnsOuIIIaI,insIrucIuraIcrms, cvcry
cOnIradicIOrycOrrcaIiOnisOnyan cxcusiOn, anOuIpacc, vIOscprinci-
pcOuniIyis incusiOn (IIc parIasIIaIvIicIIsOIIc vIO c) .
!Orcc,asvcIavcsccn,cOmcsIOOvcrdcIcrmIncIIcunIyIngimpasscIO
vIicIIIcsIrucIurcOincusIOninIIcvIOccadsback,byIIcirrcducibc
pOsiIiOnOquaiIaIivc inIcrIOriIyInIIc cOnrOnIaIiOn OOrccs.
!na sIrikinganIicipaIIOnOLacan, HcgcscizcsIIIsimpasscinIIcOrm
OIIc pusaIiOn, IIc vaciaIIOn, andIIcaIcrnaIingccIpsc
NOvInsOarasIIis cxIsIcnI IsaparIIIIsnOIavIOc,nOIacOmpOsiIc,
Icncca simjlc.BuIIIcrcaIiOnIOavIOciscxIcrnaIOiIandIIcrcOrc
dOcs nOI cOnccrn iI: IIc sc-subsisIcnI is, IIcrcOrc, nOI cvcn in iIsc
parI; OriIisparIOnyIIrOugIIIaIrcaIiOn. BuInOvsincciIisnOIparI
iI Is a vIOc, Or IIcrc Is OnyIIis rcaIiOn OvIOc and parIs prcscnI
and IIc sc-subsIsIcnI Is Onc O IIc IvO. BuI as a vIOc, iI is again
cOmpOsIIc: iIagaIn cOnsisIs OparIs, and soontoin]niq. TIis inhniIudc
cOnsisIssOcyinIIcpcrcnniaaIcrnaIiOnOIIc IvOdcIcrminaIIOnsO
IIc rcaIiOn, in cacI OvIicIIIc OIIcrImmcdIaIcyariscs, sOIIaIIIc
pOsiIcdncss OcacIisIIc vanisIing OIIsc. (! 5 ! 8)
!OncruIcsOuIOrcc, IIisbcIng-pOsIIcd vIOsc csscncc isIOdisappcar
in a pcrcnnIa aIcrnaIIOn, IIIs vanisIing Icrm in vIIcI IIc diaccIic O
IIc vIOc is suIurcd, is IIc dcsIiny O IIc OuIpacc (Icrc pOsiIcd rOm
JJ
9
THL
Y l JHL bUbdLLJ
IIc sIarI as parI), vIicI Ony hnds a pacc by cxcuding iIsc rOm iI as
auIOnOmOus, andiI is cquayIIc dcsIinyOIIc spacc (Icrc, IIcvIOc),
vIicIOnyacccpIsIIcOuIpaccbycanccingiIscOuIcnIircy,sincciI is
vIaIgOvcrns Ic OcaIiOns.
TIus iI is cOnrmcd IIaI IIc Ony Orm O prOccss IOcraIcd by IIc
sIrucIura diaccIicis IIcinhniIc vaciaIiOn OvIaI isOnyOrIIcsakcO
nOnbcingand OvIaI isnolOrIIc sakc Obcing. SucIisIIc cOrrcaIiOn
cOnccivcdOaspurcscissiOn, sinccIOsayIIaIIIcIvOarcOncmakcsIIcm
nO Ongcr IvO, and i IIcrc arc IvO O IIcm, iI is as IvO Iimcs Onc, and
IIusIIc OncisTvO, andsOOn.
TIisis, byIIcvay, avcryimpOrIanI prOccss.AcOnscqucnIiaIIinking
OIIc vanisIingIcrmisIIcrcaisIicapOgccOIIcsIrucIuradiaccIic.
YcI, Hcgc vOud nOI bc abc IO sIOp IIcrc, mucI css sO in IIaI Ic
sccks-IIis is IIc crrOr O Iis IruII-a circuar cOmpcIiOn. Hcncc, by
suddcnyaddingOnOrcc, Ic prcIcnds IOcngcndcriIrOmIIcOsciaIiOn,
vIcrcas Orcc is Ony IIc aIIcrs csscnIia, Originary, and undcducibc
OvcrdcIcrminaIiOn.
!Orcc is vIaI kccps IIc parIs inIIc mOvcmcnI O IIc vIOc. !I is IIc
nOnnumcrica quaiIy OIIc vIOc, iIs cOnsisIcncy IIaI cannOI bc dissi
paIcdin IIcvaricIyOIIcparIs. OIIcvIOc,iIcngcndcrsnOOngcrIIc
uncIiOning accOrdingIOIIcrcgimcOIIc spacc-IIc disIribuIiOnOIIc
paccOIIcparIs-buIIIcmObiccOnsisIcncy, IIcunihcaIiOninIIcacI.
TIc IIcOry OOrccis IanIamOunI IO a IIcOry O IIcIisIOrica sidc O
IIcdiaccIicacOrrcaIiOn,IIcsidcOiIsacIiviIy-asOnc, ancIOrcdin (and
nOI,asHcgcprcIcndsIObcicvc, dcduccdrOm)IIccOrrcaIiOn-in-ccipsc
OIIcsysIcmOpaccs.
4
TIis IisIOriciIy O cOrrcaIiOn is dccpcncd in an invcsIigaIiOn O IIc
Hcgcian IriniIy, vIicI pOsiIs]rsl 'IIc cOndiIiOncdncss OOrcc, IIaI is,
iIs purc csscncc OcOrrcaIiOn. !Orcc is Ony IIinkabc asacIiviIy rcaIivc
IOanOIIcrOrcc, and IIis iniIsvcry bcing. 'IIc cOndiIiOncdncss IIrOugI
anOIIcrOrccisIIusinilsl]IIcacIOOrcciIsc (L 52 ! ) . TIcnOIiOnIIaI
IIc cOrrcaIiOn is an'acI Ora 'making is IIc unrcprcscnIabcknOIOIIc
qucsIiOn.
ScissiOn asIIc Ocus O Orccs pOsiIs IIc radica anIcriOriIy O
pracIicacxisIcnccOvcrIIcinIcigibiiIyOIIccOrrcaIiOn.
Scondly, Hcgc carics, as vc sav, IIc inIcrprcIaIiOn OcOrrcaIiOnin
JHL PLLL l JHL bUbdLLJlVL
IcrmsOacIiviIyandpassiviIyundcrIIcnamcO'sOiciIaIiOnOOrcc. Hc
sIOvsiIsinIcriOracIivcbasis, viII passiviIybcing Onyanappcarancc, a
dcrivcd cmpirica cOrrcaIiOn.
!n IIc hncsI parI OIis anaysis, Hcgc pOsiIs IIaI iOrcc is csscnIiay
acIivc in iIs cOrrcaIiOn IO IIc OIIcr, IIcn IIc rcsuI is IIaI vIaI cOndi-
IiOns iI, vIicIaI hrsIappcarsasIIc OIIcrOrcc, IIc cxIcriOr, isinrcaiIy
inIcriO IO iI. TIc mOvcmcnI by vIicI Orcc unOds iIsc IOvards IIc
cxIcriOr, againsIIIc OIIcrOrcc, ismucI raIIcrgOvcrncdbyIIcxjansiv
wrnchinaway]rom ilsl]
!I is by rcaizing iIs inIcriOr uniIy, by puriying iIsc O iIs dcIcrmina-
IiOn (O iIs divisiOn) by IIc bOurgcOisic, IIaI IIc vOrking cass prOccIs
iIsc cxpansivcy in IIc dcsIrucIivc baIIc againsI IIc impcriaisI spacc.
' SOiciIcd by bOurgcOis OpprcssiOn, iI Ony acIs as Orcc, and Ony cnIcrs
inIO a cOmbaIvc cOrrcaIiOn viII IIc advcrsary, by dcIcrmining iIsc
aainslilsl againsIIIc inIcrnaOrmOiIs OrmcrimpOIcncc.
And, ikcvisc, an individua Ony arrivcs aI Iis Or Icr singuIar Orcc
viIIinIIcgivcncircumsIanccsbycnIcring inIOcOnicIviIIIIcncIvOrk
O incrI IabiIs IO vIicI IIcsc circumsIanccs prcviOusy cOnhncd Iim Or
Icr.
TIc unrcprcscnIabcinIcrnamainspring OIIc cOrrcaIiOn is IIc purc
capaciIyOrcxpansivcuniIyOa IcIcrOgcncOusquaiIy.
Or, as Hcgc says, 'IIc acIiviIy is csscnIiay jacIiviIy rcacIivc aainsl
ilsl (L 523)
TIis dimcnsiOn O vrcncIing iIscavay rOm iIsc, as inIcriOr cxIcri-
OrizaIiOn,iyOuvi,isvIaIHcgccas-IIisisIislhirdarIicuaIiOn'IIc
inhniIy O Orcc . TO spcak O Orcc in iIs inhniIy is IO spcak O acIiOn as
cOrrcaIiOn; iIisIO namc IIc primacy OpracIicc. 'TIc inIiniIyOOrcc is
nOIIing OIIcr IIan IIc axiOm O GOcIIcs !ausI '!n IIc bcginning vas
IIc ccd.
TIc prOOundmcaningO
Wha/Is1ocDonciscnIircycOnIancdin IIis dihcuI and Origina
ca. cI us bc absOuIcy and irrcvOcaby pOiIica acIivisIs (mcaning
prOcssiOnas, IIaI gOcs viIIOuI saying. vIO Ias cvcr sccn amaIcur
pOIica Icadcrs?).
2. !I is ncccssary IO Iavc an Ovcra vicv O IIings, in IIc naIOna
ramcvOrk aI casI, and nOI bc ragmcnIcd inIO IIc cdcraism O
sIruggcs.
3. !I is ncccssaryIOOrgcanaianccvIIIIc ruramasscs.
4. !I is ncccssary IO brcak IIc cOunIcrrcvOuIiOn IIrOugIan uninIcr-
rupIcd, miiIariyOcnsivc, ccnIraizcdprOccss.
And vIaI O IIc parIy, IIc amOus LcninisI parIy, in IIc midsI O aI
IIis?TIcparIyasIIccOrcOsIcc,anarmymOvngviIIIIcrIyIImcsIcp
OscasOncdprOcssOnas?!OrLcnin,IIcparIyisnOIIingbuIIIcOpcraIOr
O cOnccnIraIOn O IIcsc Our rcquircmcnIs, IIc mandaIOry Oca pOinI
Or a pOIiIics. TIc pary s IIc acIvc purihcaIOn O pOiIcs, IIc sysIcm
OpracIicaIpOssibiIy Or IIc asscssmcnI O IIc COmmunc. !I is incrrcd
rOm pOIic (rOm IIc subccIivc aspccI O Orcc) . By nO mcans dOcs iI
cOmc hrsI. !IisanabcrraIiOnIOrcad Wha/Is1ocDoncasa IIcOryOIIc
parIy vIcn iI is a IandbOOk O MarxsIpOiIics. WII rcgardIO IIc parIy
asapparaus, vIaI canbc incrrcd is mxcd and sccOndary. Wha/Is1o c
DoncisaIIcOryOIIc subccIivcaspccI OOrcc, inIIcguiscOa gcncra
caI IOpOiIica cOnhdcncc.
!I is nOI ducIO iIsinsIIuIiOnaIcOnccrnsbuIbccauscOIIcdcmandsO
IsMarxisIpOiIicaambiIiOnIIaIha/Is1ocDonccnIaisasIcnIasscss-
mcnIOIIc!arisCOmmunc.
Bcsidcs,iIiscuriOusIOsccIIaIIIccxpiciIcxaminaIiOnOIIcCOmmunc
carricd OuI by Lcninin 1hc S/a/candRcvolu/ion OIIOvs an cnIircy dicr-
cnI IIrcad, vIicIOriginaIcsinMarxandis rcaIivc IOIIcprObcm OIIc
SIaIc. appcaranccs nOIviIIsIanding, in IIaI IcxIvc arc dcaIing, IIrOugI
IIc rcIurn IO ObccIiviIy, viII a ar css nOvcundcrIaking.
JHL PLLL l JHL bUbdLLJlVL
Evcry pcriOdzaIiOn musI cncOmpass iIs dOubc diaccIicaI Iimc and
IIusIO sIay viII Our cxampIccOnIain OcIObcr ! ! 7 as IIc sccOnd
andprOvisiOnay hna scansOn O IIc asscssmcnI. WIcncc IIc cmbar-
rassmcnI O IisIOrians. accOrdng IO IIc Orcc/pacc rcaIOn, IIc
COmmuncsncv (Marx) . AccOrdingIOIIc subccIvc/ObccIivc rcaIiOn,
iI is OcIObcr IIaI is ncv and IIc COmmunc s IIaI cdc o]/hcold vIOsc
pracIca pcrccpIOn, by puriying Orcc, parIakcs in IIc cngcndcring O
iIs nOvcIy.
!IisIigIIyprObabcIIaIIIc CIncsc CuIIura RcvOuIiOnIasIIc samc
prOhcandIIaIIIcqucsIiOnOIIcsccOndImcOiIspcriOdizinguncIOn
isnOv Opcn. TIc subccIivc qucsIiOn (IOv dd IIc CuIura RcvOuIiOn,
massuprsngagansIIIcncvburcaucraIicsIaIcbOurgcOsc, runnIOIIc
prObIcm O IIc rcsIaping O IIc parIy?) rcmans in suspcnsc, as IIc kcy
qucsIOnOranyMarxsIpOIicsIOday.
!Hcgc makcsacircc,iI isbccauscIcavayssccksa singIcIimc. As a
maIIcr O princpc, Ic ignOrcs IIc dicrcd rcIrOacIiOns, cvcn IIOugI Ic
inidiOusyIOcraIcsIIcminIIcdcIais.
5
!n Hcgcs Loic, IIcrc s a cIapIcr On ObccIiviIy. HOvcvcr, iI is mOsI
insIrucIivc IIaI IIis cIapIcr sIOud bc OcaIcd in IIc sccIOn IiIIcd
SubccIvc LOgic, vIcrc I OIIOvs IIc cIapIcr On subccIiviIyand prc-
parcs Or IIc Onc On IIc !dca. ObccIivIy, Or Hcgc, is IIc mcdaIiOn
bcIvccnpurcsubccIivcOrmaIinIcrOriIyandknOvcdgc. Hcrcvc scca
IagranI idcaIsI invcrsOn, buI IIaI is nOI IIc csscnIia pOinI. TIc bOIIOm
incOIIcvIOIcaairisIIaI,nmakingObccIiviIyariscrOmpurcOgica
Orm, HcgcgvcsIimscinadvanccIIcuniIyOIIcIvOcriIcriaOpcriO-
dizaIOn. !nIcgray rccrabc IO IIc Orma subccIivc, vIicI I dssOvcs
andcOnIains, ObccIiviIyaIaIOnccOpcnsiIscIupIOabsOuIcknOvcdgc.
!Iis OnyIIcprOgrcssivchingOIIccxIcriOrbyIIcinIcriOr, IIccOming
IO igII OIIc cOnIcnI OIIc Orm, accOrding IO IIc cxIcnuaIiOn OOrm
iIsc. TIc undcrIying cOnccpIiOn rcmains IIaI IIc subccIvc s IIc purc
av O IIc spacc by vIicI IIc vOd cxcccds iIsc inIO IIc OuIpIacc sO
as hnay IO bccOmc cquaI IO IIc rcccIcd IOIaiIy. !rOm IIaI mOmcnI
Onvard, paccpasscs OvcrinIOOrccaccOrdingIOIIc samcmOvcmcnIby
vIicIIIcsubccIivcpasscsinIOIIcObccIivc, andIIcuniqucrcIccIOnO
IIis mOvcmcnIis nOnc OIIcr IIanIIc diaccIiciIscI. WIcncc a principIc
9
9b
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
O'pcriOdizaIiOnvIicI, a inOncpiccc, cOscs inOniIsc.!IisIIcsubccI
ascircc vIO IasIIc asIvOrd.
TIus IIc dcaisI diaccIic ais IO rccOgnizc IIc discrjan/doublscission
IIaIgrOunds any IisIOricapcriOdizaIiOn.
OcOursc, HcgcIisasavayscapabcOIOcayOrgcIIingIisgObaIOr-
gcIIing. TIaIIIc diaccIicascansiOnimpicsIIc OurIcrms OIIc dOubc
scissiOn(pacc,Orcc, subccIivc, ObccIivc) , andnOIIIcIIrccOaIicnaIiOn
(pOsiIiOn, ncgaIiOn,ncgaIiOnOIIcncgaIiOn) , issOmcIIingIccsIabisIcs
ina amOuspassagcrOmIIccIapIcrOn IIcabsOuIc !dca:
! Onc insisIs On coun/in, IIis scondimmcdiaIc is, in IIc cOursc OIIc
mcIIOdasa vIOc, IIc /hirdIcrmIO IIchrsIimmcdiaIcandIIc mcdi-
aIcd. !I is asO, IOvcvcr, IIc IIird Icrm IO IIc hrsI OrOrma ncgaIivc
and IO absOuIc ncgaIiviIy Or IIc sccOnd ncgaIivc: nOv as IIc hrsI
ncgaIivcis arcadyIIc sccOndIcrm, IIcIcrmrcckOncdas/hirdcan asO
bc rcckOncd as]our/h, and insIcad Oa /rijliciq, IIc absIracI Orm may
c Iakcn as quadrujliciq, in IIis vay, IIc ncgaIivc Or IIc dicrcncc is
cOunIcdasa dualiq. (L836)
TO cOunI IIc ncgaIivc (Or dicrcncc) , vIicI is IIc vcry principc O
cOnIradicIiOn, nOI as simpc univcrsaI, buI asTvO, and IIus IO csIabisI
IIc pcriOd as quadrupc. sucI is IIc maIcriaisI inIuiIiOn aI IIis suprcmc
pOinI O Hcgcs Loic. WIaI is cOvcrcd undcr IIc disIincIiOn bcIvccn
'OrmancgaIivcand'absOIuIcncgaIiviIyisnOIIingcssIIanIIcdisIinc-
IiOn OIIc subccIivc and IIcObccIivc, asis IO bc cxpccIcd, ininvcrIcd
pOsiIiOns.
This inIuiIiOn is immcdiaIcIy rcscindcd by IIc Obscssivc IIcmc O IIc
circuarrcIurnIOIIc bcginning.
!IisinIIismanncrIIaIcacIsIcpOIIcadvancinIIcprOccssOurIIcr
dcIcrminaIiOn, vIiIc gcIIing urIIcr avay rOm IIc indcIcrminaIc
cginning is asO //in back narr IO iI, and IIaI IIcrcOrc, vIaI aI
hrsIsigIImayappcarIObcdicrcnI, IIcrcIrOgrcssivcgrOundingOIIc
cginning, and IIcjrorssiv]ur/hrd/rminin O iI, cOincidcand arc
IIc samc. (L 84I )
!OrIIcmaIcriaisI,IIcrcisnObcginninguncssiIismarkcdbyanOvcIy
tIaIis undcduciblc rOmIIcpcriOdizing cOsurc. !rOgrcssiOnandrcIrOac
IiOncannOIbcuscdIOgcIIcr.TIcpOsiIiOnOIIcrcaIiOnOrcc/paccdOcs
nOI pcrmiI Onc IO dcducc IIc scissiOn OOrccaccOrdingIO IIc ObccIivc
and
IIcsubccIivc. OncmusIwai/OrIIcsccOndIimc.BuI,prcciscy,Hcgc
JHL PLLL JHL bUbdLLJlVL
isinnOcOndiIiOnIO vaiIOrOcIObcr I 7 inOrdcrIOhxIIccIcrnaIIis
tOricacsscnccOIIc COmmunc. HcmusIrOmIIcsIarIIakcupIispOsi
tO
atIIc cndOIimc,vIcrcbyIIccirccisIraccd,inOrdcrIOknOvvIO
is
vhO
in IIcuniIyOIIcprOgrcssivcandIIcrcIrOacIivc.
Onc rcmains dismaycd by IIc hnc arrOgancc IO vIicI Hcgc IIcncc-
OrII cars viIncss. TIc IransiIiOn rOm IIc subccIivcIO IIcObccIivc is
Onc O IIc mOsI IOrIuOus cxcrciscs OIIc cnIirc Loic. Sincc IIc subcc-
Iivc is purcy Orma (vIaIcsccaniIbc bcOrc IIc ObccIivc?) , Onc can
ind risIOIlcs OgiciniI. !Iis IIusa maIIcrOdcducingIIc IIcOryOIIc
physica vOrd rOm IIc hgurcs O IIc syOgism. TIc immcdiaIc rcaiIy
O IIc cxisIing IIing, graspcd in iIs scicnIihc cOnccpI, musI arisc rOm
hc suprcmc Orma hgurc, vIicI is Icrc IIc unOrIunaIc disuncIivc
syOgism-IIcscIcma.isB OrC Or, buIisnciIIcrCnOr, IIcrcOrc
is -prOmOIcd IO IIc sIaIus O nOIIing Icss IIan IIc suppOrIing basc
O cgcian circuariIy. TIc IIickncss O IIc umcs rccas IIOsc OpcraIic
stagings vIcrcby IIc IccInicians bOv smOkc IIrOugI IIc OOrbOard in
OrdcrIOaOvOrIIcusiOn, inIIcmidsIOcOudypOcIry, OIIc dcicaIc
passagcrOmamiiIaryrcccpIiOnviIIcIOrusandccpIanIsIOaOvc-duO
n ngIIgOvnspcrcIcdOnIIcbaIcOnics OVcnicc. !Orcxampc.
Ic syOgism is mdia/ion, IIc cOmpIcIc cOnccpI in iIs josi/dnss. !Is
mOvcmcnIisIIcsubaIingOIIismcdiaIiOn,invIicInOIIingisin and
Or iIsc, buI cacI Icrm isOny by mcans O an anOIIcr. TIc rcsuII is
thcrcOrc animmdiaqvIicI IasissucdrOmIIc subla/ino]/hmdia-
/ion, a bin vIicI is nO css idcnIica viII IIc mcdiaIiOn, and vIicI
is tIc cOnccpI IIaI Ias rcsIOrcdiIsc OuI O, and in, iIs OIIcrncss. TIis
bin is IIcrcOrc a]ac/ [inSachj IIaI is in and]ori/sl]-ob)c/iviq. (L
74)
SuscqucnIy, Hcgc prOpOscs Iis cassihcaIiOn O IIc scicnccs, sincc
ObcctiviIy,IIc supprcssiOnOIIc syOgism, uicIycimbsIIccOnccpIua
slOpcvIicIgOcsrOmmccIanicsIIrOugIcIcmisIryIOic assucI.
COmparcd IO IIis cassihcaIiOn, ugusIc COmIcs is a miracc O ma-
IcriaisIprccisiOn, cspcciaIyivccOnsidcrIIaIHcgccaimsIOdcduccIis
viIhOI rcmaindcr rOmOrma Ogic
Ovcvcr, vcviIakccOmOrIinIIismisOrIuncOIIcHcgciancircc,
ivc knOvIOvIOdravOur cssOn rOmiIviIIrcspccI IO IIccriIcriaOr
pcriOdizaIiOnandivcarcabcIOIIinkvIaIisrcquircdinIcrmsOdivcr-
gcncc, bcIvccn IIc OppOsiIiOn pacc/Orcc and IIc OppOsiIiOn ObccIivc/
ccIivc, OrIIcccararrangcmcnIOIIcpaIIsOIIc sub ccI.
9V
b
JHLY 1HL bUbdLLJ
AndIIcn,HcgcisccrIainycOrrccIIOvrIcIIcOOvingabOuIIIcsy
lOgsm. '!iI is nOIIIOugII a sma maIIcrIO IavcdiscOvcrcdOmc sixty
spccicsOparrOIs, OncIundrcdandIIirIy-scvcnspccicsOvcrOnica, cIc.,
mucI css OugII iI IO bc IIOugII a sma maIIcrIO discOvcrIIcOrmsO
rcasOn ( L682) .
! n !rcncI 'Marxsm, IIcrc i s a pcIIOra O pcOpc vIO, Or Iack O
cngagcmcnIviIIIIc syllOgisms OacIiOn, insisIOn cOunIingparrOIs.TIc
rcsuIisIIaIvIaIIIcyca'idcOOgcasIruggc' cOmcsdOvnIOIryingIO
IakcIIcpaccOIIOscvIOcOunIvcrOnicas.
PAk1| |
1M6 bu0j6CI u006| IM6 b| 0l | 6|S 0 IM6 LXC6QI| 00
b
0|C6 dS 0| SdQQ6d|d0C6, WM0S6 66CI lS IM6
WM0l 6 |0O WMl CM |I MdS 0l SdQQ6d|60
0C0RD0I , Vb
chniIOnOIIcsIrucIuraIdiaIccIic-TIc GrcckaIOmisIs-LOgic OIIc
cinamcn-CIancc-TIcvansIingIcrm-WIaIarcIIcmasscsand
vIaIdOIIcydO?-TIc causaIiIyOIack
Wc cOnhrmcdIIaIIIcrccxisIsnO ncuIraI diaIccIicIIaIcOuIdbc inscrIcd
nIO IIc cIcrnaI sIruggIc bcIvccn idcaIism and maIcriaIsm. !I is IIc dia-
IccIiciIscIIIaI musI bc dividcd, accOrdingIO IIc cdgc O iIs diaIccIciIy,
inIO iIs sIrucIuraI sdc and iIs IsIOricaI sidc. IOgic O pIaccs and IOgic O
Orccs.
!nIIcpcdagOgyOIIsprOccI-vIcIdisasscmbIcsandrcasscmbIcsin
ts cnIrcIy IIc OIdOOIsbridgc OIIc rcIaIiOn Marx/HcgcI-vc prOpOsc
IIaIIIcOrmuIaIiOndcaIisIdiaIccIic,vIicIOncusuaIIyrccIsOIObad-
mOuIIHcgcI,bcrcpIaccdby sIrucIuraIdiaIccIic.
!IishrsIOaIIamaIIcrOassgningHcgcIsidcaIism (OrMaIIarmsand
Lacans) nOI asmucIIO IIc cxIcriOr pcrvcrsiOn O a purc inncr cOrc sO
mucIasIOIIccIOiccOIIcprincipaIIcrminIIccOrrcIaIiOnOOppOsiIcs
vIOsc uniIycOnsIiIuIcsIIcdaIccIicsvIOIcbcng.
WIcncc IIc OIIOving prOvsOnaI dchniIiOn O IIc sIrucIuraI
iaIccIc.
a) TIcsIrucIuraIdiaIccIicisccrIainIyaOrmOdiaIccIicaIIIOugII(IIisis
Is maIcriaIsI sdc) inIIc scnsc IIaI, brOadIy spcakng, iI sIcms rOm
IvO cruciaI OnIOIOgicaIprincipIcs.
bJ
b4
1HLY l JHL bUbdLL1
- IIc primacy O prOccss Ovcr cquiIibrium, O IIc mOvcmcnI O
IransOrmaIiOnOvcrIIcairmaIiOn OdcnIiIy
- IIcprimacy OIIcTvO Ovcr IIc Onc ( cOnIradicIiOn) .
b) TIc strucIuraI diaIccIic Ias a Icndcncy (IIis is iIs idcaIisI sidc), hrsI, IO
makcIIcsIrucIuraIaspccIOIIcdiaIccIcprcvaiIOvcriIsIisIOrcaIaspccI,
IIais,placcOvcrOrccand,sccOnd,viIIinIIsvcrysamcprimacyOIIc
structuralOunaIiOn,IOmakcIIcIIcOryOIIcspIacc,On IIcbasisOiIs
rcgIaIcd univcrsc,prcdOminaIcOvcrIIccmcrgcnccOIIcOuIpIacc.
As a rcsuII, vc musI rcgisIcr IIc pcrvcrsiOn IIaI rOm IIs mOmcnI On
is nIrOduccd inIO IIc rcIaIiOn bcIvccn IIc subccIivc and IIc ObjccIivc,
IOgcIIcr viII IIc Icndcncy IO undO cvcry principIc O pcriOdzaIiOn in
avOur Oa circuIarcIOsurc.
TIcsIrucIuraIdiaIccIic,byIscIOiccOIIcprcvaiIingIcrms, inIIcIOng
run vOrks OnIy On Onc sdc O IIc cOnccpI O cOnIradicIiOn and, n my
OpniOn,Iis nOIIIccOrrccI Onc.
saidbcOrcIIaIIIcrcarcIIrccarIicuIaIiOnsIOIIiscOnccpIOcOnIra-
dicIiOn. dicrcncc, cOrrcIaIiOn, andpOsiIiOn.
TIc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic priviIcgcs IIc vcak dicrcncc Ovcr IIc sIrOng
dicrcncc.!IIcndsIOrcduccanydicrcnccIOapurcdisIanccOpOsiIiOn.
TIis is its spaIaIizingambiIiOn,vIcIvOrks IO IIc dcIrimcnIOquaIiIa-
Iivc IcIcrOgcnciIy, Or IIc IaIIcr, bcing as iI s unscIcmaIizabIc, can bc
rcgisIcrcdOnIyin iIs IcmpOraIcccI.
TIc sIrucIuraIdiaIccIicprccrsIIccOrrcIaIiOnOpurccxcIusiOn, OspIiI
pOsiIiOnaIiIy, and O inIcrcIangcabiIiIy, IO IIaI cOrrcIaIiOn vIicI, undcr
IIc namc sIruggIc O OppOsiIcs, aIIcmpIs IO grasp IIc dcsIrucIOn IIaI
issucsrOmaccrIainquaIIyOOrcc.
0
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
NaIIarmc, in thosc ycars bctwccn J880 and J80, suI!crcd abovc aII
Irom a Iack oI riots which thrcw thc crowd back on thc stabIc !Ioor o!
its statist bcing. Hc kncw this vcry wcII: |. . . ] thcrcs no such thing as a
rcscnt, no-a prcscnt docsnt cxist . . . !or Iack oI thc Crowds dccIaring
itscII, !or Iack oI-cvcrything (Icstrictcd Action, 2J8).
Thcrcs no such thing as a Ircscnt mcans that thcrc is no cIinamcn, no
crcativc disappcarancc oI thc crowd standing up in rcbcIIion. Thcrc is onIy
thc pIacid combination o! pIaccs according to thc Iaws rcguIarity-thc
Law, NaIIarmc says, scatcd in aII transparcncy, nakcd and marvcIous
(Nusic and Lcttcrs, 1).
What is cspcciaIIy marvcIous is that in thcsc coIoniaI and provisoriIy
dociIc timcs, NaIIarmc shouId havc bccn abIc to dctcct, iI onIy so as to
assign its task to art, that cvcrything that has spIcndour, cvcrything that
subsists and continucs, rcsuIts Irom thc crowds Iack and bcars witncss to
thc Iact that, by disappcaring, thc rioting masscs havc Ioundcd cvcn thc
worId that !orbids thcm to cxist.
2
Thc structuraI pcnchant consists in sccking to combinc cIcmcnts that arc
aII idcnticaI. Thcrcin Iics somcthing o! an aIgcbraic prcscription, in which
thc rcpctition oI thc samc Icttcr, onIy diI!crcnt in tcrms oI its pIacc, and
not cvcn indcxcd according to its Iocus, providcs thc matrix o! aII cIcmcn-
tary intcIIigibiIity. Lct us caII this thc hrst hgurc, in which onIy thc strict-
cst minimaI diI!crcncc appcars, thc di!!crcncc !rom thc samc to thc samc,
!rom pIacc to pIacc, occupicd by idcnticaI marks.
!irst hgurc: a a a a a a a a a a . . .
Howcvcr, iI onc is a diaIcctician and not onIy a structuraIist, onc
stumbIcs upon thc obstacIc proposcd by thc rcaI: in ordcr to distin-
guish itscII, thc mark (thc tcrm, thc atom) must Ii!t itscII up against a
background o! bIankncss (thc spIacc, thc void), which now, with rcgard
to thc hrst, cstabIishcs an absoIutcIy quaIitativc diI!crcncc. Onc thus
comcs to posit two principIcs and not just a singIc kind o! tcrms. !n a
sccond hgurc, wc nccd thc void and thc atoms, thc bIank pagc and thc
signs. This nccd Ior a strong di!!crcncc Iunctions rctroactivcIy as thc
condition c prr o! thc Iogic o! pIaccs. Lct us writc 0 Ior thc hctcro-
gcncous tcrm Irom which thc homogcncous oncs draw thcir idcntity
by opposition.
1Hb bUBdbC1 UNUbR 1Hb bNftbRb
5ccond hgurc: 0 !! a a a a a . . .
Hcrc wc arc bIockcd by an cxccss j jrcc. !rom 0 to a, wc do not cvcn
havc, as in thc casc !rom thc pIacc I to thc tcrm A, thc mcdiation oI an
indcx, A
|
thc tcrm-in-its-pIacc. Hcrc wc havc thc incommunication oI
oppositcs, thc Two o! Nanichacism. Opposcd to thc continuous void,
thcrc is thc disscmination o! no whoIc whatsocvcr.
CcrtainIy, thc scrics a a a a a . . . is quaIitativcIy dctcrmincd by its
opposition to U. ut this appIics to cll n nc pccc. Thc strong di!!crcncc
makcs thc muItipIc into a Onc oI opposition, without thc possibiIity that
anything combincd cmcrgcs !rom it.
Thc cIinamcn, as wc saw, hnds thc cscapc routc o! a causaI indcxation.
Onc atom is markcd by thc void in a singuIar way, onc sign is markcd by
thc background, onc signihcr (thc IhaIIus) by thc symboIic, in that its
movcmcnt (its scription, its rcprcscntativc !unction) intcrrupts thc isotro-
pism o! thc domain so that thc combinatory ]c/s ]n].
Whcncc thc third hgurc: a
(vanishing tcrm) ! a a a . . . (initiaI chain
institutcd as pIacc o! aII things).
This hgurc stays in thc IamiIy (onIy as) but this timc around thc combi-
natory consistcncy oI thc chain is guarantccd by thc vanishing tcrm.
This cdging out oI thc void into an indcx touchcs upon thc articuIation
o! thc thing.
Thc vanishing tcrm is nonc oI thc cIcmcnts o! thc WhoIc. Thc causc is
thus nothing, sincc somcthing is onIy a combination o! cIcmcnts oI thc
WhoIc.
NcvcrthcIcss, iI thcrc is somcthing rathcr than nothing (which is thc
qucstion Ior Lcibniz and Hcidcggcr), iI thc combinatory cxists on thc
basis oI which thc immobiIc dispcrsion o! Oncs into powdcr, thc miIk Ior
a miIky way o! nonscnsc, is ovcrcomc, thcn it is undcr thc cI!cct oI thc
dcviation oI onc Onc, vanishcd in thc whoIc.
Thc vanishing tcrm is thcrc!orc not nothing, but, as causc oI thc whoIc,
it is consubstantiaI with its consistcncy.
Likc a cmocritus o! writtcn signs, NaIIarmc says with cIarity: ut
thcrc is, and hcrc ! intcrvcnc with conhdcncc, somcthing, IittIc-smc
l//lc n/hn], Icts say cxpIicitIy-whch cxs/s, Ior cxampIc, cucl / /hc /cx/
(Nusic and Lcttcrs, 177). 5omc IittIc nothing madc !or thc cxprcss
purposc o! causing thc whoIc o! thc pocm, to which thcncc!orth it is
cquaI: such is NaIIarmcs vanishing tcrm, thc support o! thc causaI cI!cct
oI Iack.
0
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
3
!I rcmains mcIaphoricaI Io say IhaI Ihc vanishing Icrm is cquaI Io Ihc
whoIc. U s n/ Ihc whoIc, Ihis IiIIIc noIhing !rom which aII consisIcncy
rcsuIIs, nor is iI Ihis consisIcncy iIscI!, sincc Ihc IaIIcr is so IiIIIc noIhing
IhaI iI is disIribuIcd inIo Ihings. Whcrc Ihcn is iI? WhcrcIo gocs Ihc sIrik-
ing and irrcparabIc dcviaIion, ouI o! which aII ordcr is madc?
A!Icr Ihc muIaIion o! di!!crcnccs, Ihc vanishing Icrm, and Ihc causaIiIy
o! Iack, wc nccd Io dcducc Ihc spIiIIing. This is Ihc !ourIh conccpI o! Ihc
sIrucIuraI diaIccIic.
LcI us pick up Ihc Ihrcad o! aIomism again.
Thc !acI IhaI a cIinamcn has Iakcn pIacc mcans IhaI Ihc aIoms, whosc
movcmcnIs arc hnaIIy combincd, !rom now on can Iink IhcmscIvcs onIo
onc anoIhcr. Thc dcviaIion, Ihough disappcarcd in Ihc scnsc IhaI no aIom
in Ihc rcaI worId is iIs bcarcr in parIicuIar, is in !acI omniprcscnI in any
lnkc]c o! aIoms.
Thc !acI IhaI an aIom, insIcad o! scooIing by paraIIcI Io aII oIhcrs, can bc
Iinkcd Io Ihc poinI o! cnIcring inIo Ihc consisIcncy o! a Ihing, is prcciscIy
Ihc mark in iI o! Ihc cvaporaIcd cIinamcn.
To incIudc iIscI! inIo Ihc Ihing as a whoIc is whaI, in Ihc aIomisIic acI, is
duc Io Ihc dcviaIion. !vcn Ihough Ihis conccrns Ihc cpiIomc o! iIs normaI-
iIy: Io bc an cIcmcnI o! a combinaIion.
ThaI which Ihus Iinks Ihc Icrm a Io iIs idcnIicaI and disIincI ncighbour
a is, so Io spcak, Ihc appcarancc-disappcarancc hcmccn /hcm o! Ihc van-
ishing Icrm, which is Ihc supporI !or any possibIc Iinkagc.
AcIuaIIy, cny c/m is Ihc vanishing Icrm, in IhaI iI is capabIc o! Iinking
iIscI! Io Ihc oIhcrs so as Io makc up Ihc whoIc o! a Ihing.
Thc upshoI o! Ihis is IhaI n sn]lc c/m is Ihc vanishing Icrm, so IhaI
wc can avoid-as is Ihc goaI o! Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic-Ihc rcIurn o!
Ihc sIrong di!!crcncc which is whaI wouId bc cnIaiIcd by Ihc division o!
Ihc sIock o! aIoms inIo Iwo kinds, Ihc dcviaIing and Ihc normaI oncs.
!ach aIom musI bc rcgardcd as bcing, on onc hand, iIscI!, IhaI is, Ihc
indi!!crcnI a disIinguishcd onIy by iIs pIacc, and on Ihc oIhcr, iIs capac-
iIy Io Iink iIscI! onIo Ihc oIhcrs, Io incIudc iIscI! inIo Ihc whoIc, IhaI is, iIs
inIcrnaI marking by Ihc vanishing o! Ihc cIinamcn.
5uch is Ihc cquaIion o! Ihc spIiIIing: a (aa
c
)
in which onc casiIy
rccognizcs, rcconsIrucIcd !rom a di!!crcnI angIc, Ihc cquaIion o! Ihc scis-
sion A ^_, Io which wc wcrc Icd IasI ycar in our invcsIigaIion o! Ihc
HcgcIian diaIccIic.
1HL bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNLRb
! say !rom a di!!crcnI angIc, sincc a!Icr Ihc indcxaIion by Ihc pIacc wc
now obIain Ihc scission by Ihc causc.
!n Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic, any Icrm is spIiI inIo iIs pIacc, on onc hand,
and iIs vanishing capaciIy !or Iinkagc, on Ihc oIhcr.
!or us, Ihis is as good as pIacc and !orcc. uI, as ! said bc!orc, Ihc sIruc-
IuraI diaIccIic is rcIucIanI Io ncmc Ihc !orcc, and brcaks iIs back Irying Io
kccp iI in pIacc.
Onc cIcmcnI o! Ihc combinaIory is incIudcd as singuIar buI iI is Iinkcd
Io Ihc oIhcrs onIy undcr Ihc c!!ccI o! a missing IoIaIizaIion, o! which iI
prcscnIs Ihc bordcr; (aIa
c
) IaIchcs iIscI! onIo (a
!rom which iI rcsuIIs IhaI Ihcy
arc IoIaIizabIc.
Thus, Ihc abscnI causc is aIways rcinIroduccd inIo Ihc whoIc o! iIs
c!!ccI. This is a major Ihcorcm o! Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic: n rJcr jr /hc
ccuscl j lcck / cxcr/ /scl[ cll /crms mus/ hc sl/.
Thus, Ihc Iracc Ic!I bchind in Ihc sociaI worId by Ihc grcaI mass movc-
mcnIs, abouI which wc havc shown IhaI Ihcy wcrc Ihc vanishing Icrms
o! aII Ihings hisIoricaI, rcsidcs in Ihc !acI IhaI any !orm o! consciousncss,
any poinI o! vicw, any rcaIiIy, in Ihc bnaI insIancc is spIiI inIo Ihc oId and
Ihc ncw, caIcgorics by mcans o! which hisIory rJuccs mvcmcn/ in Ihc
cnIiIics IhaI makc up iIs combinaIion.'
As !or Ihc proIcIariaI, iI is Ihc subjccIivc namc o! Ihc ncw in our Iimc.
!! Ihc working cIass dchncs iIs pIacc in Ihc sIrucIurc, Ihc csscnIiaI poinI
is !or iI Io mark Ihc bordcr o! Ihc oId, which cxpIains IhaI Ihis proIcIariaI
can bc, in China in !66, Ihc movcmcnI o! Ihc schooIcd youIh, and, in
orIugaI Ioday, Ihc pcasanIs !rom Ihc 5ouIh. Thc apparcnI misIakc in
Icrms o! posiIion ovcrIaps wiIh Ihc IruIh o! Ihc opposiIion; Ihc !aIsiIy o!
Ihc pIacc is Ihc IruIh o! Ihc !orcc.
No maIIcr how sIabIc, or cvcn ossihcd, iI may appcar Io bc, a hisIori-
caI Ihing prcscnIs Ihc bordcr o! Ihc disappcarcd movcmcnI !rom which
rcsuIIs iIs prcscncc in Ihc whoIc, IhaI is, Ihc acIuaIiIy o! iIs !uIurc dcsIruc-
Iion, jusI as on Ihosc sIumps washcd up on Ihc shorc Ihc dricd !oam marks
a bordcr o! Ihc dcad sca, which is aIso Ihc Iidcs rcvcrsibIc immincncc.
!I is onc o! Naos sIrcngIhs Io havc insisIcd IhaI Ihc rcvoIuIionary
NarxisI is Ihc IookouI !or Ihc vanishing Icrm, cmbIcm o! Ihc ncw wiIhin
Ihc oId. Hc or shc is Ihc acIivc guardian o! Ihc !uIurc o! Ihc causc.
Thcsc grcaI causcs, in whosc namc sacrihcc is somcIimcs Ihc IcasI o!
Ihings, arc in !acI grcaI causaIiIics.
Thc !acI IhaI Ihc vanishing Icrm prcscnIs iIscI!, a
in ordcr Io aIIach
1
Z
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
iIscI! onIo a; IhaI wc havc thc thcorcm o! thc Ihing: (a=aa
c
) " (aa), which
Iinks Ihc spIiIIing Io consisIcncy: aII Ihis is noIhng cIsc than Ihc gcncraI
!orm o! Lacans Ihcorcm: 'A sgnihcr s IhaI which prcscnIs thc subjccI Ior
anoIhcr signihcr.
A Icrm s Ihat whch prcscnts Ihc vanshng tcrm Io anoIhcr tcrm, in
ordcr Iogcthcr Io !orm a chain.
To IuncIion as a combnabIc cIcmcnI amounIs to prcscnIing Ihc abscnI
causc Io anoIhcr cIcmcnI.
4
NaIIarmc Ihus scIs ouI hs programmc: To cvokc, wiIh intcnIionaI vaguc-
ncss, Ihc muIc objcct, using aIIusivc words, ncvcr drccI, rcducng cvcry-
Ihing Io an cquivaIcnI o! siIcncc, is an cndcavour vcry cIosc to crcaIing
('Nagic, 264).
Thc objccI, rcduccd Io sIcncc, docs noI cnIcr thc pocm, cvcn though iIs
cvocaIion grounds Ihc pocIc consisIcncy. !I s Ihc abscnI causc. uI Ihc
c!!ccI o! iIs Iack Iics n aIIccIing cach wrIIcn Icrm, Iorccd Io bc 'aIIusvc,
'ncvcr dircct, in such a way so as to bccomc cquaI on Ihc WhoIc Io Ihc
siIcncc by whch Ihc objcct was onIy niIiaIIy aIIcctcd.
Thc aIIusivc is Ihc vanshing bordcr oI Ihc wrttcn Icrm. !I s IhaI by
which, undcr thc c!!ccI o! Ihc objccts abscncc, it combncs itscI! pocIicaIIy
wiIh oIhcr Icrms, in ordcr hnaIIy Io producc Ihc cvocaton oI thc Iack, that
is, a poctc Ihing, an nIcgraIIy combincd univcrsc.
Thc pocms word is spIiI: iI is word and non word, spccch and siIcncc in
cquaI parts, Iight and cxprcss shadow. Ths spIiIIng aIonc is whaI supporIs
Ihc pocms manocuvring, iIs incIusion nIo Ihc chain o! mcIaphors.
!! iI is siIcncc IhaI must bc said, thc pocm must rcducc cach word Io iIs
vanishing sidc.
Thc pocm as a whoIc, bccomng Ihc cquivaIcnt-accordng Io NaIIarmcs
wish-oI thc siIcnccd obccI, procccds Io Ihc words scI!-c!IaccmcnI. Thc
di!hcuIty Ics in Ihc !acI thaI Ihc cxcIusivc nstrumcnt !or Ihis proccss o!
scI!-c!!accmcnI oI Ihc word, bascd on iIs vanishing bordcr, can onIy cvcr
bc oIhcr words.
Thcrc!orc, wc musI aIso c!!acc Ihc nsIrumcnI o! Ihc cIIaccmcnI, oIh-
crwisc Ihc word gains Ihc uppcr hand on Ihc sidc oI Ihc obIivon oI Iack,
on Ihc sdc oI its anonymous idcntIy, whcrcin NaIIarmc rccognizcs
Ianguagcs !uncIion oI cxchangc, somchow monctary in naIurc.
1HL bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNLRb
Thc pocm cxchangcs noIhing. Thc an nuImcnt o! cxchangc s ts maor
ouIcomc. For Ihis Io happcn, Ihc Iracc musI disappcar !rom IhaI by which
Ihc words put in moIon broughI sparkIc Io thcir vcry own vanishng.
At Ihc corc o! NaIIarmcs daIccIcaI machincs wc hnd noI onIy thc
triniIy: vanishing tcrm, causaIiIy oI Iack, spIiIIing; but aIso thc sccnJ Jc]rcc
o! iIs cI!cct, Ihat is, Ihc Iack oI Iack.
!or rcasons thaI wc wiII havc to invcsIigaIc, Lacan namcs anxicIy Ihc
Iack o! Iack. And, hc says, I s IhaI which docs noI dcccvc.
NaIIarmc says noIhing dI!crcnI:
Thc Iampbcarcr, AnxcIy, aI mdnight susIains
Thosc vcspcraI drcams thaI arc burnI by Ihc hocnix
And whch no !uncraI amphora conIans,
On Ihc crcdcnzas in thc cmpIy room . . . (CI 6, Irans. modhcd)
!ndccd, oI Ihc vod in which a subccI ccIpscs iIscI!, anxcIy s thc
cxIingushcd Ight in whch Ihs subccI gavc IusIrc Io ts scanI rcaIiIy.
9
'A |a rue acca||arte tu'
d8RU8l Z0, 10
5ynIax-!nauguraI mcIaphor-NcIonymic chains-AII Ihc conccpIs oI
Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic-Thc Iack oI Iack: Ihc pocm docs whaI iI says-
Thc L55I and Ihc sircn
A pocm by NaIIarmc is a whoIc whosc missing objccI is Ihc sIrucIuraI
diaIccIic iIscII. !I is, cxpIiciIIy, a sIiIIcd, mcIodic cnciphcrmcnI, oI Ihc
combinaIion oI moIiIs IhaI composc a Iogic (Nusic and LcIIcrs, !88).
This gocs Io show Ihc rcIcvancc oI iIs unpacking.
Why is iI a pocm, iI Ihc Ihcmc cnciphcrs a Iogic? Onc mighI aIso ask:
WhaI IaIIcn objccI is Ihc causc oI Lacans sIyIc?
!I is possibIc Io answcr Ihis qucsIion in Ihc Iorm oI a dcmonsIraIion. Thc
synIacIicaI govcrnancc oI NaIIarmc and Lacans scnIcnccs is noI in Ihc
IcasI IuIiIc or arbiIrary. !I is Ihc Ianguagc oI Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic, aIways
sIanding on Ihc cdgcs oI Ihc tIaI prccipicc oI sIrucIuraIism, ycI rcady Io
Icap back Iikc a young goaI in ordcr noI Io IaII inIo iI.
Hcrc, pocIry makcs up Ior Ihc Iorcc, which onc sccks Io dcny.
LcI us procIaim IhaI NaIIarmcs pocIic machinc, Ihough opaquc whcn
Iookcd aI Irom Ihc ouIsidc, ncvcrIhcIcss posscsscs onIy a singIc mcaning.
Wc musI puI an cnd Io Ihc Iazincss IhaI has so many rcadcrs bypass Ihc
obsIacIc in ordcr Io cIaim IhaI Ihc cnigmas virIuc consisIs in aIIowing a
hundrcd undcrIying answcrs. This absoIuIc diaIccIician docs noI prcscnI
any poIyscmy. Onc shouId noI Iakc Ior an crraIic chaos whaIcvcr is givcn
1Hb bUBdbC1 UNUbR 1Hb bNfbRb
muIIipIc cchocs, bascd on Ihc hrm and consccuIivc cnciphcrmcnI oI Ihc
Onc-oI-mcaning, by Ihosc rcmarkabIc sIampings wiIh which Ihc pocm
iIIuminaIcs and cxIinguishcs iIscII.
Thc guaranIcc oI Ihc uniIy oI mcaning, NaIIarmc warns us, is nonc
oIhcr Ihan IhaI which IuncIions as Iaw Ior Ihc spacc oI wriIing: WhaI
pivoI, in Ihcsc conIrasIs, am ! assuming Ior inIcIIigibiIiIy? Wc nccd a
guaranIcc-5ynIax (Thc NysIcry in LcIIcrs, 234).
NoI Io gcI IosI in Ihc grammar is a major guidcIinc Ior anyonc sccking
Io discovcr Ihc pocms IuncIioning and, conscqucnIIy, Io gain acccss Io Ihc
cIucidaIion oI iIs Iack, IhaI is, Ihc diaIccIicaI Iogic in pcrson.'
To back Ihis up, IcI mc givc Ihc puncIuaIcd, sIrcIchcd ouI, a-pocIic and
tIaIIcncd vcrsion oI Ihc objccI IhaI ! proposc Io unpack Ioday:
5IiIIcd bcncaIh Ihc opprcssivc cIoud
IhaI basaII and Iava basc
Iikcwisc Ihc cchocs IhaI havc bowcd
bcIorc a IrumpcI Iacking gracc
L whaI scpuIchraI wrcck (Ihc spray
knows, buI iI simpIy drivcIs Ihcrc)
uIIimaIc jcIsam casI away
aboIishcs Ihc masI sIrippcd barc
or cIsc conccaIcd IhaI, Iurious
IaiIing somc grcaI caIasIrophc
aII Ihc vain chasm gaping widc
in Ihc so whiIc and IraiIing Ircss
wouId havc drowncd avariciousIy
a sircns chiIdIikc sidc (CI 7-81I83)`
S whc/ shpwrcck hcs swcllwcJ cvcn /hc mcs/, /hc scls /rn j whch wcs
/hc ]ncl Jchrs j c shp? 1hc jcm n /p j /hc scc, /rccc j /hs cc/cs/rphc,
knws /, hu/ scys n/hn]. 1hc shps hrn, whch culJ hcvc njrmcJ us, hcs
n/ hccn hccrJ, mp/cn/, unJcr /hs lw sky cnJ n /hs Jcrk scc w/h /s clur
j vlccnc rck, whch mprsns /hc psshlc cch j /hc Js/rcss s]ncl.
Unlcss, n rccl(y, jurus jr n/ hcvn] hcJ cny shp / Jscppccr, /hc chyss
{scc cnJ sky) hcs swcllwcJ c srcn, j whch /hc wh/c jcm wulJ n ln]cr
hc cny/hn] /hcr /hcn /hc hcr.
!n sum, Ihc pocm rcvcaIs iIs archiIccIurc oncc wc undcrsIand Ihc
IoIIowing:
b
0
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
- 'lu in thc hrst Iinc is a past participIc o! thc vcrb lcrc, to siIcncc,
hush, or stiII, rc!crring to thc shipwrcck ('ucl ncujrc]c, lu lc nuc,
chhl lc ml Jcvcm?: what shipwrcck, stiIIcd bcncath thc opprcssivc
cIoud, has aboIishcd thc strippcd mast?);
- 'cr unc lrmc scns vcrlu rc!crs to 'lu ('ucl ncujrc]c, m lc nuc cr
unc lrmc scns vcrlu: what shipwrcck, stiIIcd bcncath thc opprcssivc
cIoud by a horn without !orcc);
- u mcmc rc!crs to 'hcssc ('lc nuc, hcssc Jc hcscllc cl Jc lcvcs, mcmcin
thc scnsc o! 'lul cnlrc or !Iush withlcs tchs csclcvcs: thc cIoud,
basc o! basaIt and Iava, !Iush with thc cnsIavcd cchocs);
- thc sccond quatrain is punctuatcd with a qucstion mark;
- in thc tcrccts, wc must imaginc a comma a!tcr '1rhnJ (!urious) as
wcII as a!tcr 'hculc (high or cxaItcd);
- ']urhnJ is said o! chmc vcn clyc (thc vain abyss outsprcad),
which is rcsponsibIc !or drowning thc sircn.
No othcr path is possibIc (you wiII tcst this !or yourscI!) i! onc wishcs to
incIudc aII thc cxpIicit matcriaIs !oIIowing thc supposition, conhrmcd by
thc author, that thc syntax scrvcs as guarantcc.
2
Last ycar ! spokc o! thc spIacc, thc IcgaI pIacc prcsupposcd by any cvcnt.
NaIIarmc takcs as his point o! dcparturc a spIaccd hguraI rcprcscnta-
tivc: sca and sky bIcndcd into thc Iow-cciIingcd opprcssivcncss o! thc
nothing.
Nctaphor o! thc spIacc, and morc spccihcaIIy o! thc whitc pagc whcrc
cvcrything is inscribcd. ccor about which it wouId bc too much to say
that it is a !ragmcnt o! naturc, sincc NaIIarmc cxcIudcs with grcat prcci-
sion thc asscmbIagc o! sky and sca !rom naturc: Thc sca-which onc
wouId do bcttcr to kccp siIcnt about than to inscribc in parcnthcscs, i!
thc hrmamcnt docsnt cntcr aIong with it-bccomcs disoincd, propcrIy
spcaking, !rom naturc. A ccrtain cxccptionaI drama works its ravagcs
bctwccn thcm, and this has its rationaIc in no onc ('ucoIic, 26).
O! this cxccptionaI drama, our sonnct o!!crs a skctch as impcrsonihcd
rcason or rationaIc in no onc (purc Iogic) whosc writing must hII thc
Iack by practising thc c!!cct. To rcad such a sonnct mcans to bccomc thc
mcntaI cquaI to thosc !or whom:
1HL bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNLRb
5atishcd by no !ruits hcrc, my starvation
!inds cquaI savour in thcir Icarncd dcprivation. (CI 8J)
As .or thc diaIcctic and !orcc, ! proposc that you, in rcading NaIIarmc,
pcrccIvc thc cquaI !Iavour o! thcir abscncc.
!n this rcgard, diaIccticaI poctry is thc rcvcrsc o! diaIccticaI poIitics,
whcrc thc !Iavour, o!tcn quitc acrid, is pcrccivcd in thc rcaI.
As a rcsuIt, to this day, aII poIiticaI poctry pcrtains to cpic, which is onIy
obIiqucIy poctIc, namcIy, by whatcvcr cscapcs its magnihccncc rathcr
than by that which brings out its spIcndour.
:!
.
onc admits that NaIIarmc, as a poct, hoIds thc virgin pagc to bc thc
orgmaI mctaphor !or thc spIacc-in-itscI!, wc wiII at oncc scc that thc
,ocm opcns with a sccond mctaphor, whcrc thc compIcx sca-sky rcpIaccs
thc bIank papcr guardcd by its whitc (5ca rcczc, CI 2).
On thc NaIIarmcan sca, spIit o!! !rom naturc, rcduccd to its anonymity, a
tracc, thc !oam, hoIds thc principIc o! a mcaning (mlc scs, ccumc: you know
thI, .oam) which it docs not givc up ('mcs y hcvcs: but sIobbcr on).
ThI I thc pocts hrst writtcn tracc on thc papcr void, itscI! a mcta-
phor, !or us, o! thc outpIacc which any spIacc makcs rctroactivcIy into a
pIacc. !or thc writtcn in itscII has no assigncd Iocation and comcs into
cxistcncc onIy by contradicting thc chancc-Iikc purity o! thc virgin pagc.
Thc mctaphoricaI gcsturc by which thc pocm bccomcs possibIc is aimcd
at thc contradiction o! thc tracc and thc bIank spacc, mctaphorizcd into
!oam and sca-sky.
NaIIarmcs cruciaI probIcm rcsidcs in thc proccss sct in motion by thc
inscription o! words that arc out-o!-pIacc on thc spIacc o! thc pagc. Thc
thcorcticaI statcmcnts that cscort thc pocms do not Icavc us any doubt
about this:
To Ican, accor)ing to thc pagc, on thc bIank, whosc innoccncc inaugu-
ratcs It, !orgcttmg cvcn thc titIc that wouId spcak too Ioud: and whcn
in a hingc, thc most minor and disscminatcd, chancc is conqucrcd wora
by word, un!aiIingIy thc bIank rcturns, gratuitous carIicr but ccrtain
now, concIuding that thcrc is nothing bcyond it and authcnticating thc
siIcncc. (Thc Nystcry in Lcttcrs, 236)
!vcn bc!orc thc pocm, wc obtain thc !oIIowing mctaphoricaI Iinc o!
cntry (with N
!or mctaphor), as sccn in thc diagram bcIow.
Thc intcrrogation o! thc !oam, and conscqucntIy o! thc outpIacc and o!
writing, is thc point !rom whcrc thc pocm is arrangcd.
1HbRY t 1Hb bUBdbC1
OuIpacC wrIIIng Oam
spacC
^o
bank cOuO
Two hypoIhcscs, scparaIcd by or or unIcss, u cclc uc, rcsoIvc thc
suspcnsc o! a word IhaI n tscI! s undccphcrabIc:
a) Ihc !oam wouId bc Ihc Iracc on Ihc marnc vod o! a shpwrcck;
b) Ihc !oam wouId bc Ihc Iracc o! a srcns pIungc.
Thcsc Iwo hypothcscs arc n Iurn organzcd accordng Io Iwo mcto-
nymc chans. Thc shp s madc up o! a dsIrcss sgnaI (Ihc horn), Ihcn
o! a masI sIrppcd o! Is saIs; Ihc srcn, o! Is young !Iank, and thcn o! ts
traIng har.
5hp and srcn arc Ihc two vanshng Icrms IhaI supporI Ihc !act IhaI
Ihcrc s somcIhng (thc !oam) raIhcr Ihan noIhng (thc opprcssvc
coud).
Vansh Ihcy do, Ihcsc Icrms, wth Ihc !oam bcng onIy Ihc Iracc o!
Ihcr dsappcarancc. Thc shp has bccn wrcckcd, Ihc srcn has pIungcd
undcrwaIcr, and ! thc !oam opcns up thc whoIc qucsIon o! Ihc Ihng,
I s bccausc Ihc qucsIon conccrns Is causc, whch s o! Ihc ordcr o! Ihc
movcmcnI o! an abscncc.
T!c mcIonymcaI chans, vcrtabIc stII !or Ihc NaIIarmcan conccpI o!
Ihc ncgatvc, am Io brng abscncc aII thc way to Ihc cdgcs o! nuIIty.
Thc shp s cvokcd onIy by Ihc aboIton, noI cvcn o! iIs own massvIy
buI o! Is mast, suprcmc cIsam; or by Ihc hypoIhcIcaI sound o! an nau-
dbIc horn. Thc srcn s rcduccd Io ts youth!uI hcad o! har-cxccpI Ihat
I s onIy a sngIc whtc har.
!! wc agrcc Io mark wIh a sIash, or an obIquc bar, thc dsappcarng
acI o! Ihc causaI tcrm, thcn Ihc Iwo chans, nIcrruptcd by or or unIcss,
prcscnI IhcmscIvcs as !oIIows:
_ -.-..-., ....,,-. .-. .--...--., ---.....,
)a
_ - ..----., ha:
Hcrc wc hnd ourscIvcs back wIh aII our caIcgorcs. Thc strong d!!crcncc
(!oamIbIank), whch opcns up Ihc probIcm o! Ihc thng; Ihc ncIwork o!
wcak d!!crcnccs, organzcd n mctonymcs (shp, mast, horn; srcn, har);
Ihc IransIIon !rom onc Io Ihc oIhcr by way o! Ihc causaIIy o! Iack, supporIcd
1Hb bUBdbC1 UNUbR 1Hb bNtbRb
by Ihc vanshng Icrms: Ihc shps wrcck and Ihc srcns drownng, o! whch
what s-thc !oam-s thc mark ouI-o!-pIacc on Ihc spIaccs dcsoIaIon.
That thc vanshng Icrm s thc mark o! Ihc vod IscI! s suIhccntIy ccar
!rom Ihc !acI thaI Ihc shp s cnguI!cd, and Ihc srcn, stngIy or avar-
cousIy drowncd, as ! Ihcsc Icrms dcrvcd thcr subsIancc and Ihcr c!!ccI
onIy !rom bcng rcabsorbcd nIo Ihc abyss o! thc sca, o! whch Ihcy arc thc
dsappcarng dcIcgaton n Ihc worId.
Lct us aIso noIcc Ihc progrcss madc ovcr Ihc whoIc coursc o! thc pocm:
! Ihc wrcckcd shp s an cxIcrnaI ncudcd, a hcIcrogcncIy cnguI!cd n
Ihc homogcncous, Ihcn convcrscIy Ihc marnc anmaI o! Ihc srcn rcsuIIs
!rom a dazzIng cxpuIson ouI o! ts natvc cIcmcnI, a homogcncIy n
Iranst, usI thc Imc o! a doIphns Icap, n Ihc supcrhcaI hcIcrogcncIy o!
Ihc vsbIc, much Io Ihc rcgrcI o! Ihc avarcous abyss.
Thc pIacc s so avarcous as Io Iakc back mmcdaIcIy whatcvcr I gvcs
ouI, thc Ihn scar o! thc causc, so as Io cnsurc IhaI nothng Iakcs pIacc
oIhcr Ihan tscI!: NoIhng wII havc Iakcn pIacc othcr Ihan Ihc pIacc (A
Dcc 1hrw).
As !or Ihc spIIIng, I Ioo s man!csI, wIh rcgard Io Ihc !oams doubIc
naIurc. Thc !oam ccrIanIy s a Iracc, and Ihus t s capIurcd n Ihc nctwork
o! mundanc d!!crcnccs, as opposcd Io thc unImIcd naIurc o! Ihc coud.
uI on thc oIhcr hand, I hoIds ouI onIy Ihanks to a rcscmbIancc Io Ihc
abyss, o! whch I ndcaIcs thc ncgatvc powcr and Ihc undcrIyng c!!ccI
o! aboIton. That whch cxsts out-o!-pIacc, Ihc pocm says, hnds IscI!
SQ!CcOHQ!Cc
+
.
D!HKWlI!\Hg
CDH i O !OC VHSDHg SI0c O lDc cIHS
, ,
]OCH _ 0l 5
SlIOHg 0cIcHCc
H (0IOWDc0| K (CDl0|
...--. -......- .-,.. -...,.-..
CDH 2
OH!Q!CcSQ!CC
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
pIaccd Ihcrcin undcr Ihc Iaw o! Ihc pIacc (o! Ihc spIacc). 5hip and sircn,
rcIurncd Io Ihc nuIIiIy o! Ihc abyss, dividc Ihc !oam according Io Ihc causc
(Ihc vanishing sidc) and according Io consisIcncy (Ihc c!!ccIivc buI rcaIIy
muIc Iracc, which sIobbcrs on).
Wc wouId Ihus bc aI Ihc cnd o! our IroubIcs, having sccn how Ihc IcxI
works as cmbIcm o! Ihc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic according Io iIs mcIaphoricaI
(N
) and mcIonymicaI (N
) opcraIions.
!xccpI IhaI Ihc diagram immcdiaIcIy suggcsIs Ihc !oIIowing qucsIions:
1. Why Iwo vanishing Icrms (ship and sircn)? Why Ihis sccond cIcavagc
which, cuI in Iwo by Ihc cnigmaIic coup dc !orcc o! or, u cclc uc,
arrangcs Iwo mcIonymicaI chains?
2. Why Ihis unusuaI cIosurc, which aI Ihc cnd o! Ihc pocm provokcs Ihc
mcIaphoricaI rc-cmcrgcncc, in Ihc guisc o! Ihc rcIaIion hairIabyss, o!
IhaI which apparcnIIy had bccn inIroduccd !rom Ihc sIarI as !oamI
sca-sky? WhaI havc wc gaincd, by moving !rom !oam Io hair?
3
!s iI noI cnough Io havc onIy onc vanishing Icrm in ordcr !or iIs c!!ccI o!
Iack, which dividcs any indcx o! Ihc rcaI, Io auIhorizc Ihc whoIc o! Ihc
pocm?
NcvcrIhcIcss, iI is Iwicc IhaI Ihc ship docs noI Iakc pIacc.
!irsI wrcckcd, Ihc ship casIs away iIs saiIs, shuIs up iIs horn (iIs sircn,
aIrcady, buI in Ihc scnsc o! an aIarm), so IhaI iIs suprcmc |cIsam may
aboIish iIscI!.
uI Ihc shipwrcck in iIs Iurn is rcvokcd and puI inIo doubI. !I wouId
raIhcr bc a maIIcr o! a sircns pIungc.
Thcsc Iwo ncgaIions do noI bcIong Io Ihc samc spccics. Thc hrsI o!!crs
a hgurc !or Ihc vanishing o! Ihc causaI Icrm, Ihc sccond annuIs Ihc van-
ishing iIscI!. And, againsI Ihc backdrop o! Ihis rcvocaIion, Ihc sccond and
hnaI vanishing Icrm (Ihc n) Iakcs !IighI.
You scc, in Naoism, wc aIso musI producc thc dcsIrucIion o! Ihc bour-
gcoisic Iwicc. !irsI o! Ihc oId bourgcoisic, Ihc cIassicaI onc, !or which
Lcninism providcs Ihc mcans Io dcsIroy iIs apparaIus. And Ihcn o! Ihc
ncw onc, Ihc sIaIc burcaucraIic bourgcoisic, which as Naoism Icachcs
us sprouIs up cvcn among Ihc insIrumcnIs o! Ihc hrsI dcsIrucIion, Ihc
LcninisI parIy and Ihc sociaIisI 5IaIc.
1HL bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNLRb
Thc whoIc qucsIion consisIs in knowing whcIhcr Ihc rcvoIuIionary
masscs, Ihc hisIoricaI agcnI IhaI is Ihc vanishing causc !or Ihc LcninisI
rcvoIuIion, arc Ihc samc as Ihosc IhaI comc and !Iush ouI, !rom IhaI which
aI hrsI had bccn Ihcir backbonc (Ihc parIy and Ihc 5IaIc), Ihc waiIing
bourgcoisic IhaI managcd Io imposc iIscI! in Iussia, a!Icr 5IaIin had noI
bccn abIc Io proposc anyIhing in ordcr Io dc!cr iI, cxccpI Ihc sombrc
cquaIiIy in Ihc !acc o! Icrror.
Onc or Iwo vanishing Icrms? !s Ihc rcvoIuIion IhaI Lcnin opposcs Io
Ihc 5IaIc Ihc samc as IhaI o! Ihc CuIIuraI IcvoIuIion?
!I sccms raIhcr IhaI a!Icr Ihc sociaIisI wrccking o! Ihc bourgcois ship, wc
havc Io considcr Ihc communisI pIungc o! Ihc sircns o! Ihc 5IaIc. csidcs,
Ihcsc arc sircns wiIh a mousIachc. OnIy Ihc Icmporary asccndancy o! Ihc
ncw, monopoIisIic and sIaIc-burcaucraIic bourgcoisic is abIc Io accounI
!or Ihc !acI IhaI iIs raucous and sinisIcr song can scducc navigaIors o!
hisIory IhaI arc as disparaIc as Ihc !Ihiopian coIoncIs, Ihc miIiIary in
VicInam, a !cw Arab inIcIIccIuaIs, IcchnicaI cxpcrIs in Ihc !asIcrn bIoc,
bcardcd LaIin Amcricans, or Ihc simpIc-mindcd pro!cssionaI workcrs o!
Ihc !rcnch Iradc unions.
!n ordcr Io Iurn aII IhaI inIo Ihc whoIc o! a shipwrcck, iI is noI surprising
IhaI sIrangc novcIIics arc nccdcd, such as Ihc mobiIizaIion o! Icns o! miI-
Iions o! sIudcnIs and workcrs around a!!airs invoIving Ihc IhcaIrc, movics,
oiI painIing, and phiIosophy.
!or NaIIarmc, in any casc, Ihc sccond vanishing Icrm inscribcs iIscI!
bascd on Ihc Iack o! Ihc brsI. This Iack is radicaI inso!ar as iI no Iongcr bcars
on Ihc Icrm (Ihc ship) buI on iIs disappcaring (Ihc shipwrcck, Ihc p).
Thc pocm cxhibiIs Ihc causaIiIy o! Iack in iIs c!!ccI, buI aIso in iIs Iaw,
sincc iI is govcrncd !rom wiIhin by Ihc Iack o! Ihc hrsI supposcd causaI
Icrm, Ihc hrsI vanishing Icrm.
Or cIsc . . . carrics ouI Ihc aboIiIion o! Ihc aboIishcd. WhaI was prcsup-
poscd in Icrms o! Ihc c!hcacy o! abscncc now hnds iIscI! annuIIcd.
ConscqucnIIy, Ihc pocm is noI onIy Ihc mcIaphor o! Ihc diaIccIicaI caI-
cgorics. !I is Ihcir conccpI. Thc rcaIiIy o! Ihc caIcgorics is aI work Io movc
aIong Ihc pocIic Ihing.
Wc pass pocIicaIIy !rom Ihc ship Io Ihc sircn, boIh o! which arc mcIa-
phoricaI hgurcs o! Ihc vanishing Icrm, by way o! Ihc vanishing o! Ihc hrsI
hgurc, whcncc Ihc ncccssiIy o! Ihc sccond is cngcndcrcd.
WhaI Ihc pocm says, iI docs.
!n Ihis rcgard, iI rcscmbIcs Ihc NarxisI acI, in which Ihc wriIIcn is ncvcr
anyIhing buI Ihc prop wiIh which Ihc poIiIicaI sub|ccI supporIs iIscI! in
1
Z
1HLRY 1HL bUBdLC1
ts anIagonsIc unIy. A!Icr Lcnn, cvcry Narxst IcxI bcars Ihc IIIc: Thc
CurrcnI 5IuaIon and Our Tasks.
NaIIarmc ntcrprcts Ihc sIrucIuraI daIcctc Icss as Ihc thcmc !or a mcIa-
phor Ihan as a drccIvc !or thc pocm.
ThaI whch was Iackng, Ihc shp, or Ihc p, musI comc Io Iack n Is
Iack so IhaI thc n, uc dcaI, may comc nto bcng.
NaIIarmc says: bIow ouI Ihc candIc o! bcng, by whch aII has bccn.
roo! [1]lur, Uuvrcs cmplclcs 4J4).
Thc pocm s Ihs rcIroacIvc proo! o! bIown-ouI bcng-o! ng-whch
n ordcr to bc provdcd rcqurcs thc Iack o! Iack.
!! cvcryIhng cxsts thanks Io whaI s Iackng !rom I, thcn Ihc samc
appIcs Io Ihc causc. lt s onIy by aboIshng a hrsI causaIIy Ihat you gvc
conssIcncy to thc conccpI o! causaIIy tscI!.
Ths spccaI opcraIon, typcaI o! NaIIarmcs daIcctcaI machncs, by
whch Ihcy undcrtakc !rom wIhn Ihc supprcsson o! Ihcr hrsI ncgaIvc
mcIaphor, n what !oIIows wII bc caIIcd: annuImcnI.
As !or Ihc qucston why Ihc srcn comcs Io a stop, mmobIzcd as I s n
thc dcaIIy o! a Iack whch, !or Is parI, cannot comc Io Iack, wc wII noI
havc Imc Io answcr I Ioday.
Thcrc s no shorIagc o! pcopIc who Ihnk Ihat wth Ihc OcIobcr rcvo-
Iuton a 'workcrs 5tatc s put n pIacc Ihat no hsIorcaI conIngcncy,
howcvcr rcpuIsvc, wII cvcr scparaIc !rom Is csscncc.
lI s cIcar Ihat undcr thc banncr o! Ihc wthcrng o! thc 5IaIc, Narx
magncd not onIy thc Iack o! thc bourgcos 5IaIc buI, progrcssvcIy, thc
Iack o! Is Iack, caIIcd communsm, n whch any poItcaI causaIIy s
aboIshcd. O! Ihs aboIton, Ihc 5IaIc o! Ihc dcIaIorshp o! Ihc proIcIarat
supporIs Ihc pIan. Lcnn compIcIcd Ihs by ndcaIng Ihat any 5IaIc was
at boItom bourgcos, so that, n comng Io Iack undcr thc c!!ccI o! Ihc
hrsI nsurrccIonary assauII, whch cIcars Ihc ground !or thc proIcIaraI,
thc 5Iatc-aIways bourgcos-must ncccssarIy Iack a sccond Imc, now
cIcarng Ihc path !or Ihc communsI masscs o! Ihc cIassIcss soccty, as Ihc
vanshng Icrm o! hsIory n gcncraI, nnaIIy gvcn n Is concrcIc conccpt.
WhaI Ihc masscs cxpcrcncc s Ihat Ihc socaIsI 5IaIc and thc parIy aI Is
hcIm arc a raIs ncsI o! bourgcos burcaucraIs.
Ths cxpcrcncc sIII had to bc Iurncd nIo a Narxst poIIcs. lI bcIongs Io
Naos mpcrshabIc ntaIvc Io havc aI IcasI pronounccd Is urgcncy.
Nao, n Ihc gusc o! a Iong scrcs o! cuIIuraI rcvoIuIons, !or Ihc hrsI
Imc has dcsgnaIcd and puI nIo pracIcc thc rcturn o! Ihc 5IaIcs Iack back
upon IscI!-Ihc or cIsc hcrc bcng nothng Icss than hs cndorscmcnI, n
1HL bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNLRb
a scnsatonaI dazbao, !or Ihc roIs o! Ihc youIh and Ihcn o! a scgmcnI o!
Ihc workcrs, agansI Ihc ncw bourgcosc o! Ihc socaIst 5IaIc.
From thaI whch put an cnd to Ihc oId Iyranncs, wc musI aIso know
how Io Ibcratc ourscIvcs.
Thosc who, a!Icr Ihat, pcrssI n taIkng abouI socaIsm and ts 5IaIc as
a sIabIc cnIIy ccrtanIy sharc wIh NaIIarmc Ihc hypoIhcss o! a haItng
pont. uI Ihcy havc !aIcd Io scc ts annuIaIon.
NaIIarmc has an aIb thaI Ihcy cannoI producc. ConIrary, aIas, to thc
mpcraIsI L55I Ioday, Ihc srcn, cvcn ! rcIurncd Io Ihc abyss, docs noI
cxst.
9
Ar] su|ject is a forced erce(tior, which cores
ir secord (|ace
E0tU8l 1 10
TbcaIrc-CaIboIicism and poIiIics-Lack and dcsIrucIion-Tbc signihcrs
o! cxccpIion, Iocus o! Ibc subjccI-On Ibc roIc oI Iombs in Narxism and
in arI-Tbc baIIing poinI-AnaIysis o! Ibc dicc Ibrow-Tbc rosc and
communism
Wbo wiII mcasurc wbaI wc owc Io Ibc IbcaIrc, !rom AcscbyIuss Crcs/cc
Io rccbIs pIays? CapiIaI arI, uninIcrrupIcd anaIyscr oI our bisIory.
NaIIarmc pronounccs a cIcar and disIincI axiom abouI Ibis: TbcaIrc is, by
csscncc, supcrior (O! Ccnrc and Ibc NodcDs, !42).
NaIIarmc appIics bimscI! Io csIabIisb Ibc IbcaIrc oI our Iimc. WbaI docs
our Iimc mcan bcrc? !I is Ibc Iimc wbcn Ibc !orcmosI rcprcscnIaIionaI-
IbcaIricaI-rcIigion, CaIboIicism, bas !aIIcn in disusc.
!n bis anaIysis o! Ibc mass, our diaIccIician hnds as mucb hguraIivc IruIb
as HcgcI docs aI Ibc IcvcI o! Ibc conccpI in Ibc mysIcry o! IcdcmpIion.
Tbc mass is a noIorious IbcaIrc o! Ibc sIrucIuraI diaIccIic. 5cc raIbcr !or
yourscII:
5ucb, dividcd inIo Ibc auIbcnIiciIy oI disIincI !ragmcnIs, is Ibc sIaging
o! a sIaIc rcIigion, as ycI unsurpasscd by any !ramcwork, and wbicb,
dividcd inIo a IripIc work, pro!!crs a dirccI inviIaIion Io Ibc csscncc oI a
Iypc (bcrc, CbrisI), Ibcn pro!!crs bis invisibiIiIy, and Ibcn by vibraIions
ouIIincs Ibc cnIargcmcnI o! pIacc Io Ibc inhniIc, sIrangcIy saIis!ying Io
a modcrn bopc o! pbiIosopby and arI. (Tbc 5amc, 2!)
1Hb bUBdLC1 UNULR 1HL bNfLRb
Tbc summons Io appcar, wbicb is Ibc Ibcmc oI Ibc rcaI prcscncc, cnds
in Ibc invisibiIiIy o! Cod, Ibc !undamcnIaI vanisbing Icrm. Takcn in Ibc
cmbIcm o! bis abscncc, Ibc IaIIcr !uncIions as Ibc causc !or Ibc Ibundcr-
ing arI o! Ibc cburcb organs, wbicb carrics Ibc pIacc Io inhniIy, jusI as in
ADcc 1hrw Ibc Iauncbing o! Ibc numbcrs, unccrIain unIiI Ibc oIhcianIs
disappcarancc inIo Ibc scawaIcrs, Ii!Is Ibc gazc up Io Ibc consIcIIaIions
IbaI cnumcraIc a sum oI sIars.
Tbc !acI rcmains IbaI, in !80, onc can no Iongcr dcccnIIy makc do wiIb
CaIboIicism. Tbc sccuIarizaIion o! aII IbcaIrc o! supcrior csscncc Icavcs onIy
Iwo ways opcn Io mcnIaI rcscarcb, wbcrc our nccd bi!urcaIcs-acsIbcIics,
on Ibc onc band, and poIiIicaI cconomy, on Ibc oIbcr (Nagic, 264).
NoIbing bas cbangcd. To wbaI sbouId wc dcvoIc our nccd Ior IbcaIrc,
i! noI Io arI or Io poIiIics? 5omconc wiII aIIcgc scicncc. NaIIarmcs pro-
IundiIy bcrc Iics in noI baving said a word abouI iI! Wbo wiII bcIicvc IbaI
IruIb, sucb as iI is, may bc IbaI wbicb causcs a subjccIs dcsirc?
!I rcmains Io bc sccn wby iI is Ibc casc IbaI our nccd musI biIurcaIc. Tbis
is Ibc wboIc qucsIion o! IbcaIrc as poIiIicaI arI. NcvcrIbcIcss, ! can voucb
IbaI among Ibosc wbo wcrc up and abouI in poIiIics around Nay 168
and wbo gavc up in 173-Ibcy arc Icgion-Ibc bcIIcr oncs rcIurncd Io
tbc arIisIic rc!crcncc wbiIc Ibc worsI !cII inIo Ibc vacuousncss oI univcr-
saI rcporIagc, i! Ibcy did noI dcvoIc IbcmscIvcs Io Ibc cooI caIapIasm oI
monoIbcisms.
oIiIics is in a sIrucIurc o! hcIion. Tbis is noI Ibc IcasI oI NaIIarmcs
sIaIcmcnIs: . .. Ibc sociaI rcIaIion and iIs momcnIary mcasurc, condcnscd
or cxpandcd Io aIIow !or govcrnmcnI, is a hcIion, iI bcIongs Io Ibc domain
o! LcIIcrs (5aIcguard, 20, Irans. modihcd).
To bavc covcrcd up Ibc csscnIiaI abscncc Irom wbicb Ibc sociaI bond
lssucs bas bccn, Ior Ibis bond iIscI!, a gravc crror. !I prcvcnIs us !rom rcIaIing
lo Ibc poIiIicaI subsIrucIurcs, as wc sbouId, Irom Ibc posiIion o! an invoIvcd
audicncc wbosc cIcmcnIary rigbI is Io biss Ibc pIay, or cvcn Io inIcrrupI iI, as
soon as iI proposcs noIbing morc Iban a mcdiocrc arIihcc, a vuIgar hcIion in
wbicb Ibc crowd wouId noI bc abIc Io rccognizc iIs own grcaIncss:
Grccl Jcmc]c hcs hccn ccuscJ Io IcrrcsIriaI IogcIbcrncss, !or ccnIurics,
by indicaIing Io iI Ibc bruIaI miragc, Ibc ciIy, iIs govcrnmcnIs, or Ibc
civiI codc oIbcrwisc Iban as cmbIcms or, vis-a-vis our csIaIc, as wbaI
nccropoIiscs arc Io Ibc bcavcns Ibcy makc cvaporaIc: an carIb sur!acc,
aImosI noI bad-Iooking. ToIIbooIbs and cIccIions arc noI bcrc bcIow,
Ibougb Ibcy sccm Io sum up dcmocracy, wbaI makcs a popuIar cuII,
b
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
cvcn vIcn sucI OrmaiIcsarc OOvcdaugusIy, asrcprcscnIaIivcs
O IIc !av, scaIcd in a Iransparcncy, nakcd and marvcIOus. ( Music
and!cIIcrs, I 945)
TIssasOaninviIaIiOnIOIIcpOIciansIOIakccarcOIIcrrcprcscn-
aIiOns, vIOsc prOcssiOna-IIaI is IO say, icIiOnaIruc cOmcs dOvn
IO cxpOsng IIcmscvcs absOuIcyin IIc IransiIOry uncIiOn O cmbcms,
viIIOuI cvcr imagining IIaI IIcy IIcmscIvcs pOsscss any subsIancc
vIaIsOcvcr.
!npOiIicsOny Oncinkis rcquircd. IrusI, vIicI musIbc granIcd, asin
IIc IIcaIrc, n OrdcrOrIIchcIiOn IOvOrk.
ApOIics rccvcd OcvcryIIng cxccpI IIis rcvOcabc bOnd vcgIs nO
mOrcIIanIIc vriIIcnIraccOnIIcpagc. EvcryIIing csc, vIcI isasycI
pcrIapsncvIabIc, vcigIs up IOa 'grcaIdamagc .
.
!n Marxsm, IIis IIcaIrca airing OpOiIicsbcarsIIc namc 'vIIcng
avay O IIc SIaIc. TIaI usI gOcs IO sIOv in vIaI scnsc IIc SIaIc cOr-
rcspOnds IO a nccrOpOs Or IIc paradisc IIaI iI makcs cvapOraIc AIIIc
hna Icrm OIIis, vc can sIi spcak O a Icrm, IIcrc rcmains Ony IIc
inIcrnacOnIidcnccOIIc masscs, vIicIisIIcrcciprOca suppOrIOIIcir
IruIIquahcIiOn.
Maarmc, Or IisparI, rcIansIIcIaskOcaringOrIIcBOOk, vIic Ic
vaiIsOr sOmcIIingbcIIcr.
WIaI is arI? TIc arrangcmcnI O naIurc nIO a WIOc, by iIs causa
rcIrcncImcnI.
b0
NaIurc IasIakcnpacc:iIcanIbcaddcdIO, cxccpIOrciIicsOrrairOads
OrOIIcrinvcnIOnsvIcrc vccIangc IIcOrm, buInOIIIcacI, OOur
maIcriaI.
TIc Onc avaiabc acI, Orcvcr and aOnc, is IO undcrsIand IIc rca-
IiOns, in IIc mcanImc, cv Or many. accOrdingIO sOmc inIcriOrsIaIc
IIaIOncvisIcsIO cxIcnd, nOrdcrIOsimpiyIIcvOrd.
EquaIOcrcaIng.cxccpIIIaIIIcnOIiOnOObccI,cscaping,isacking.
( 'MusicandLcIIcrs, I 87,Irans. mOdhcd)
TOOccupyIIcackObcingpuIssOmcOrdcrinIIcsymbO. TIccquaIiIy
O ccmcnIs andIIc hnasca Ovcrsc cOnccnIraIc, in rIyIImand rIymc,
IIcsaIisacIiOnOIIc dcsirc IOcrcaIc. ' . . . IIcpOcIic acIcOnsisIsinsccing
IIaIanidcacanbcbrOkcnup inIOaccrIainnumbcrOmOIisIIaIarccqua
n sOmc vay, and OgrOuping IIcm IIcy rIymc as an cxIcrna sca IIc
inaIvOrdsarcprOOOIIcircOmmOnmcasurc ( CrisisOVcrsc, 20) .
JHL bUbdLLJ UNUL JHL bl Nl ll Lb
OurinvcsIgaIiOnisdcvOIcdIOOOving, undcrIIccccIOIIcnaIura
Onpacc, IIc abyrinIIs OcgaIarianragmcnIaIiOn ( IIc spacc) and O
haIvIicIis crcaIcdIIcrcin in Icrms OIIc ncv undcrIIc IaImark O
crsc (IIcOuIpacc) .
!dOnOIimagnc, anymOrcIIanMaarmcdOcsOrnaIurc, IIaIvccan
add IO sOcicIy-cxccpInuccar panIs. MarxsI pOIiIics musI knOvIOv
IOcnIrcncI, IOvIOpuIIIcOdsOciaOrdcraIauIinOrdcrIruyIOcrcaIc
IatvIicIdidnOIcxisI. !IsccmsIIaIIIisrcqurcsdcsIrucIOn,vIicIs
mOrcIIanIack-vIicIisIO ackvIaIOrcc is IOpacc.
EvcnIcrc,IIcpOcIdOcsnOIabandOnus. ' csIrucIiOnvasmyBcaIricc
(!cIIcrIO!ccburc, ! 7) .
2
TIc annumcnI ncvcr nscribcs iIscI incary in IIc pOcm. YOu Iavc IIc
mcIOnymca cIains, rOmIIcsIip IOIIc masI, rOm IIc srcn IOIIcIar
OIOam.YOuIavcIIcmcIapIOricaIsubsIiIuIiOns,OamOrIracc,abyssOr
Ic spacc. BuI nOrdcrIO prOducc IIc Iack O ack, yOu musI cap rOm
Onc IypOIIcsisIOanOIIcr: sIp? NO. sircn.
TIis capinmcaningOrdrccIiOnaOnccnabcsIIcannumcnIOa hrsI
anisIingIcrmandIIccxIibIiOnOIIccOnccpIOIIccausaiIyOack.
OvcnOIIavcIcrcsOmcsIrOkcOOrcc? A sIrOkcOIIcOrcc?
BuIIIs asO cOmcsaI a pricc. Maarmc pays Or IIc dcbI incurrcd Or
having brOkcn IIc pacI O IIc mcIOnymica cIain vII signihcrs O IIc
cxccpIOn.WcsavOrcIsc. . . . abOvc.TIcrcisamOsInOpOcm, cxccpI
vIicI prOvcs IIc ruc-IIc TOmbs, IIaI cscapc IIs nccd. 'WIaI . . . ,
NO, buI . . . (AFaun in lhcAcrnoon) . ncss . . . ( Funcra 1oasl and
cmcmbcrinc/ianFricnds) . 'WcrcInOIIIaI. . . ' ( Sonncl) . 'BuI . . . ' ( Lill/c
Dilq,ALacc \anishcs+ . . ) . ' ExccpI.. . ' ( 1hcFincSuicidcF/cd. . . ) . 'TIOugI . . .
(Hcrjurcnai/sonhih. . . ) . ' ExccpIpcrIaps . . . (ADicc1hrow. . . ) .
SucI arc, accumuaIcd, IIc inIraIcxIua ndiccs OvIaI IIc avOIIc
IcxIs spaccmcnIvOudnOI bc abc IO cngcndcr a by iIscI, sincc iI is a
maIIcr OvIaI, prOpcryspcakng, isancxccpIiOnIOiI.
Oncc IIc hrsI vanisIng Icrm s givcn, IIc pOcm OOvs a nc
OI IOIaizaIiOn. WIaIcvcr vanIs IO inIcrrupI I musI sIand OuI O pacc.
BuI IOv, i nO OrcccOmcs IO OvcrdcIcrminc, qua subccI, IIc scricsO
cOnsccuIivcpaccs?
Hcrc IIc annuImcnI O IIc vanisIing, IIc sIiI IO a sccOnd inc O
b
bb
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
IOIaizaIiOn, rcquircs IIaI insIcad O! IIc mcIOnymy O! a suppIcmcnIary
c!!accmcnI (a!Icr IIc sIip, IIc pucd saiI, IIc cxIinguisIcd IOrn, IIc
cngu!cd masI, vIy nOIIIc IOrn ag, IIc IIrcad O!IIis ag, IIc aIOm O!
IIis IIrcad?) IIcrc cOmcs-'OrcIsc . . . -IIc quaiIaIivc brcak in vIicI
IIc sIrOng di!!crcncc, dismisscd bc!Orc, Iakcs iIs rcvcngc sO IIaI IIc
rcprcsscdIcIcrOgcnciIyrcIurns.
LcI us say IIis in a sIraigII!Orvard manncr. a IIc Occurrcnccs O! 'Or
csc,'unIcss, andaIIIc'buIsand'cxccpIIIaIarcnOIIingcssIIanIIc
signihcrsIIrOugIvIicI, asacacsurabcIvccnIvOOrdcrsandinIIcIimc
O!a igIIning IasI, IIcsubccIivcc!!ccIIakcs IOId.
AppcaranccdisappcaranccO!ancvIypc, invIicIIIccxccpIiOncausc
makcs!OraIIIcinIcrpOaIcddramaO!IIc subccI. SIrOngdi!!crcnccsud-
dcnypuncIuaIcdinIIcIIickpOIO!mcIapIOrsandmcIOnymics.AbrupI
inIcrrupIiOn O!IIc idca cgaIiIarian!ragmcnIaIiOn.
TIc Iack O! Iack, vIicI rcsuIIs !rOm IIc annuImcnI, is nOI Ivicc IIc
Iack, accOrding IO IIc prcviOusIy csIabIisIcd Iav. !I nccds mOrc, as viI
ncsscd in IIc grammar. an unknOvn Icad, impOssibc IO Irack accOrding
IO IIc iniIiaIspaccmcnI, OpcnsupIOIIcpOcIicc!!ccI.
! prOvisOriy ca'subccIIIisunprcdicIabcbi!urcaIiOn.
AnysubccIisa !OrccdcxccpIiOn, vIicIcOmcsinsccOndpIacc.
MaOIaspOsiIcd !OrIIc hrsIIimc IIaIIIcrc is nO IOpcincngcndcring
cOmmunism in a Iincar!asIiOn!rOm IIc sOciaIisI SIaIc. !rOmIIaIvIicI
su!hccdIO knOckdOvnIIc OId sOciaI Ordcr, vc sIOud nOI cxpccIIIaI iI
viI gOany!urIIcrbascdOnpcrscvcranccaOnc.
'Pcrscvcrarcdiaba/icum is a maxim!OrIIcsOciaisISIaIc.
TIc sIrOng di!!crcncc, vIicI MaO caIs 'anIagOnisIic cOnIradicIiOn,
musIrcappcarIOiIs !u cxIcnI. CuIIuraIRcvOIuIiOn.
!nsOdOingMaOdisccrncdIIccurrcnIagcncyO!IIccOmmunisIpOiIica
subccI, IIc sIrOkc O!!Orcc IIaI scparaIcs iI !rOm iIs aIcgcd priOr inc O!
cxisIcncc, IIcsOciaisISIaIcandIIcparIyIIaIis aIIOOinvOIvcdin iI.
OI, buI Maarmc vOud mucI raIIcrnOI sIOv IIis subccI IIaI IIc
sIrucIuraIviIIO!Iis diaIccIicsIumbIcsupagainsI !!OnIyaIIiscOudbc
kcpIviIIinIIcIOmOgcnciIyO!IIcpOcIicOpcraIiOns HcvOiccsIisambi
IiOninIIcprOgrammc!OrIi/ur. 'TIcdrama. . . isrcsOvcdin aninsIanI,
usIIIcIimcO!sIOvingiIs dc!caI, vIicI un!Odsina asI.
TIcIimcIOsay' Orcsc,'cxccpIIIaI,IappcnsnOsOOncrIIanIIcsubccI
arcady Ias Iakcn pIacc, as dissidcncc IO IIc pacc. Hcncc!OrII, Oncc pasI
IIcannuImcnI,vcarcIransiIiOningIOvardIIcidcaO!IIccausc,andagain
vc OnyIavcaIOurdispOsaIIIc!amiiarunivcrscO!mcIOnymics.
JHL bUbdLLJ UNUL JHL bl Nl lLb
!snOIIIisIIin!Orccd spIiIIing O!IvOcIains, IIisminimainIcrrupIiOn
OrvIicIa !cvadvcrbsOra !cvcOnuncIiOns su!hcc, aImOsI nOIIing?
Ycs, buI viIIOuI IIis inhmOus and IOIa gap, viIIOuI IIis grammar
O! cxccpIiOn, IIcrc vOuId OnIy bc IIc mOnOIOnOus and inhniIc c!hcacy
O!IIc grindingO!bcing undcrIIcIavO!anabscncc.
Any Iruc diaIccIician, cvcn a sIrucIuraI OncvIO subOrdinaIcs iI IO IIc
pay amOng pIaccs, rccOgnizcs in passing, 'in a asI, IIc cmcrgcncc O!
OrccvIcrcbyIIc OuIpIaccincudcsiIscI!dcsIrucIivcIy inIIc spacc IIaI
cxcIudcs iI.
!nsOdOing, saiddiaIccIicianprOduccsa IIcOryO!IIc subccI.
TIc !acI O! Iaving pusIcd Iis pOcIic macIincry aII IIc vay IO IIc
impIacabIc rigOur O!'ccrIainIy IIis, i!iI vas nOI pcrIaps IIaI uIimaIcy
savcs MaIarmc !rOmIIc IIaIprccipicc O!sIrucIuraism. TIc aIIcrisIIaI
vIicI, in A Dicc 1hraw, usI bc!Orc IIc 'cxccpI, pcrIaps, a cOnsIcIaIiOn,
IccasviIIprccisiOn'IIccOnsIanIncuIraIiIyO!IIcabyss ( C!I 77) , !rOm
vIicIIIcunIikcIysIcIIarcxccpIiOncOmcs, !OrIIcIimcO!asubccIc!!ccI,
IO kccpIimaparI.
As !Or IIc 'TOmbs, i! IIcy dO nOI rcquirc IIc grammaIica cxccpIiOn,
IIis is bccausc IIc annumcnI O! IIc hrsI vanisIing Icrm (IIc dcccascd,
!Oc Or Wagncr, VcrIainc Or BaudcIairc) is hgurcd in IIcm by IIc 'sOIid
scpucIrc,IIc'caImbOckvIicI!rOmIIcsIarIparIiIiOnsIIccarIIIyIi!c
O!IIcIcrOandIIcidcaIi!cO!IisvOrk. Icisdcad, cxccpIIIaIvcIOnOur
IismaIcriaIIOmbOnIy!OrIIcmysIcricsO!IisspiriIuacIcrniIy.
NO OIIcr !uncIiOn is aIIribuIcd IO IIc mausOcums O! Lcnin Or MaO.
tIcyarcdcad, IIcmOnumcnIsays, i! iI is nOI!OrIIc!acIIIaIIIcpOIiIi
ca subccIrcmains, !Or vIOsc IOrIuOuspaII IIcyIcncc!OrIIOccupy IIc
pOsiIiOn O!pOIarsIar.
As !Or knOving vIcIIcr iI is nOI raIIcr IIc sIar IIaI is IIus puI in
IIc mausOcum sO IIaI hnaIIy 'IIc Iimc IO sIOv iIs dc!caI may cOmc
!Or IIc subccI, IIaI is an a!!air !Or IIc SIaIc, vIicI, a!Icr a, is ncvcr a
subccI.
J
WIy dOcs IIc pOcm cOmc IO a cOsc? TIis is a qucsIiOn O! purc !acI and
O! purc Ogic. !I is a !acI IIaI iI cOmcs IO a cIOsc. A pOcm by MaIIarmc
cvcn givcsa spcciaI imprcssiOn O!cOsurc, O!aninIcgraI cn!raming. And
ycI, iI vOud bc Ogica !Or iI IOrcmain Opcn-cndcd, sincc IIc cOmbincd
bV
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
OpcraIiOns O IIc vanisIing and IIc annumcnI, by vIicI IIc causc
prOduccs iIscccIand IIcn dcivcrs iIscOnccpI, byIIcmscvcs impy nO
IaIingpOinIvIaIsOcvcr.
TIc sIip . . . OrcscIIc sircn. . . inOINcpIunc . . . uncss a cOncI . . .
AndvIy nOIIIc circcOa rccOnvOcaIiOn OIIcsIip?NOvIIaIvOud
bcprcIIy
V
SIicdbcncaIIIIcOpprcssivc cOud
IIaIbasaIandavabasc
usIviIIIIcccIOcsIIaIIavcbOvcd
bcOrca IrumpcIackinggracc
vIaIscpucIravrcck (IIc spray
knOvs, buIiIsimpy drivcsIIcrc)
uIimaIccIsamcasIavay
abOisIcs IIcmasIsIrippcdbarc
Orcsc cOnccacdIIaI, uriOus
aiingsOmcgrcaI caIasIrOpIc
aIIcvaincIasmgapingvidc
in IIc sOvIiIc andIraiingIrcss
vOudIavcdrOvncd avariciOusy
a sircnscIidikcsidc
cI dcadbyIIcsOngscccss
cccpIIIaIIaIrcdIIc masIannus
rOmOam IIcpungingridc
AIIIc cOsI Oa sccOndsubccIivcOrcing ( ' cccpI IIaI ) , vc ObIain IIc
pcrccI cOsurc, rOm vIicI scI IIcOry Iad IO guard iIsc by Orbidding
IIaIOncacccpIdcsccndingcIainsin IIcOrm Oa OOp OIIcIypc.
a . . . . . . . . . . d c b a
TIc simpcsI O IIcsc OOps is a a, vIicI pOsiIs IIaI IIc scI is an
ccmcnI OiIsc, vIicI is sOmcIIing nO inIuiIivcy graspabc scIcan IO
craIc. AccOrdingy, sucI OrmacnIiIicsvcrccacd 'cIraOrdinary scIs,
sOcIraOrdinary inacIIIaIIO simpiy, OrcvcnsimpyIOmakcpOssibc
IIcirmcIaIIcOry, OncOrgcdIIcirinIcrdicIiOnpurcandsimpc, prOvidcd
Orby IIcspcciaaiOmcacdIIcaiOm OOundaIiOn ( Or OrcguariIy) .
Ands OIOO IIc aiOmO OundaIiOn Orbids IIaI Onc dcsccndI OinhniIy,
in IIcOOvingvay.
JHL bUbdLLJ UNL JHL bl Nll Lb
. . . . . . . . . a
. . . . . . . . . . a
a
cimiIingIIc impOssibc, IIc aiOm OOundaIiOn isprOpcry namcd,
i IIaIiIIOucIcs upOnIIcrca. IIcrcaOsc-incusiOnbyvay Obcing
an ccmcnIOiIsc.
SO iI is, in sOmc rcgard, viII IIc cass parIy, aI casI in IIc vay SIain
ccsiI 'dcIacImcnIOIIcvOrkingcass, parIOIIisclass-ccmcnIOiIs
Oc-iI is asO cquivacnI, idcnIica IOiI.rOmIIc pOinIOpOiIics, IIc
parIyis IIccass
TIusIIc SIainisIcasscOnIainsiIscasccmcnI.
TIisamOunIsIOsayingIIaIiIis unOundcd-viII rcgardIOIIc aiOm
OOundaIiOn.
Maarmc, Or Iis parI, is vc-Oundcd. TIc pOcm, vIicI is suppOscd
IObchniIc, dOcsnOI cndina OOp, nOrdOcsiIsuggcsIIIcprincipcOan
IcraIivc dcsccndinginhniIy.
! cavc iI up IO yOu IO udgc vIcIIcr my OOping-dcOunding
addiIiOn vIicI annus IIc sircn and rc-csIabisIcs IIc sIip prOduccs a
paradO Or IIc OpcraIiOns acccpIcd by IIc Maarmcan IIcOry OpOcIic
cIs. mcIapIOr, mcIOnymy, vanisIing, annumcnI. TIc aIIcr, ! rcpcaI,
arIicuaIcaIIccOnccpIsOIIcsIrucIuradiaccIic:cIaincccI,vanisIing
Icrm, causaiIyOack.
MaarmcsIOps.
MaO dOcs nOI sIOp. TO SIains OOps Icprccrs IIc OIIcr sOpc O IIc
unOundcd, OIIcrcaasimpOssibc. IIcinhniIc dcsccnI. rOmIIcparIy
IO IIc masscs, invIicIiIinsIasandunimiIsiIsc, IIcIraccIOryncvcr
crOsscs a sIabc rOnIicr. WiIIOuI IIc mass inc, IIc parIy is nu and
Oid. NOIIOincudcIIcparIydisarmsIIcmasscsin qucsIiOns OpOiIics.
Icncc IIc OOving IvO aiOms. IIc parIy is 'lcading nuccus O IIc
pcOpc as a vIOc, raIIcr IIan 'cass dcIacImcnI. !I buids iIsc, and
ccIihcsiIscl, 'OpcnvidcOn asidcs, raIIcrIIanpuriyingiIscaccOrd-
ingIOiIs av OOrganiaIiOn.
SIainspOiIics is cOscd, dcIacIcd, rOnIicr-ikc agcbraic; IIaI O MaO
is Opcn, impicaIcd, IcndcnIia:IOpOOgica.
TOpOOgica,IOO,isIIcMaOisIcOnccpIOpOiIicaIisIOry.!criOdicand
passbcyOnd. NOIaIingpOinI. ' Succcss, aiurc,ncvsucccss, ncvaiurc,
and IIus aIIcvayIOIIchnavicIOry. BuIIIc'hnainqucsIiOnisOny
lhc Oncprcscribcd by IIc pcriOdizaIiOn. TIcrc is nO hna vicIOry IIaI is
OIrcaIivc.EvcryvicIOryisIIcbcginningOaaiurcOancvIypc. 'TIis
IIc hna sIruggc,
, vc viI scc,
OrccOsurc), vIicI mOrcOvcr arc irrcducibIc IO Onc anOIIcr, Iavc nO
OIIcraim IIanIIcprOducIiOnOIIc cOnccpI. !IOOvs IIaIIIcycxpOsc
IIcmscIvcs IO cIancc Ony in Ordcr IO inscribc iIs ncccssiIy TIcrcin ics
IIc spcciainIcrcsIOLacan's paradOx, OrvIOm (OrmaI and dcducIivc)
Ogic is IIc scicncc O IIc rca (purc IappcnsIancc, cIancc cncOunIcr).
TIis paradOx cxpains IIc ncgaIivc scmbancc O IIc OpcraIiOns. IIcy
dcimiIviIIinanguagc (viIIinlalanuc, LacanvOud say), mOrcspccih-
cayviIIinpOcIicIanguagc, IIcOrbiddingdicIaIOrsIipundcrIIc cccIs
OvIicI IIc rcacanbc said iniIsncccssiIy.
ADicc1hrowiIusIraIcsIIrOugIOuIIIcahrmaIivcpOvcrOIIcdiaIccIi-
caI scqucnccs, viIIOuIining up IIcparapIcrnaia OncgaIiviIy (buI IIc
lack, IIc vOid, IIcdisappcaring.ycs. AsubIracIiOnisnOIa ncgaIiOn. )
TIc IOarymaniac'vIOcOmcsIOpay. . . IIcgamcinIIcnamcOIIc
vavcs'disappcarssOasIOburyIimscinIIc'OriginaIspray'vIicnObOdy
nOvsvIcIIcrIIcdiccIavcbccnauncIcd OrnOI.ApparcnIy. NOIIing
O IIc unOrgcIIabc crisis Or cIsc IIc cvcnI migII Iavc bccn acIicvcd
n vicv O a rcsuIs nuII Iuman viI Iavc Iakcn pacc a cOmmOnpIacc
psurgc is sIcdding abscncc OIIcr IIan IIc pIacc a Ovy spasIing O
sOmc kind as iIO scaIIcr IIc cmpIy acI abrupIIyvIicIOIIcrvisc by iIs
ascIOOd vOud Iavc Oundcd IIc Oss in IIcsc indcIniIc rcgiOns OIIc
vcIvIcrcaIrcaIiIyis dissOIvcd' ( C! ! 8-, Irans. mOdihcd) .
ExccpI IIaI IIcrccmcrgcsacOnsIcaIiOn, cOdviIIncgccIanddisusc',
vIicI idcaIics IIc vagcr On IIc rcaI OvIicIcOuragc Ias IIc Iask O
IrucIuringIIc suspcnsc !nIIis scnsc Ony. EvcryTIOugII cmiIsa icc
TIrOv'
TIc iniIia OpcraIiOns vIicI ccar IIc grOund Or IIc sIcIar
V
V9
JHLY 1HL bUbdLLJ
cxccpIiOn-IIc invcnIivc prOducIiOn viII vIicI IIc mcnIa bravura is
rcvardcd-prcscnIa Ormidabc cOmpcxiIy.
TIcsccnc-adcscrIcdOccan-bringsOuIOiIsOvnvOidavrcckcdbOaI,
OvIicIIIcOamisIIcsai,IIcmarncabyssIIccOncI.AsIIchnapiccc
O vrcckagc O IIis pIanIOm sIip in IIc prOccss O abOiIiOn, IIcrc riscs
tIc capIains cOscd hsI, cOnIaining IIc dicc. TIc IcsiIaIiOn bcOrc IIcir
auncIing (IIaI is, IIc cquivacncc OncgaIiOn andahrmaIiOn) cIangcs
IIcacaIOrygcsIurcinIOa vciOcngagcmcnI-bcIvccn IIcOdmanand
prObabiiIy, avciOiusiOnvIicI 'viaIcrandaunIiiIisnOOngcr
cOmparabc ( 'as, hrsIsubccIcccI)cxccpIIOaIOvcringqui.TIcqui
mcIamOrpIOscs IIc Occan inIO a vcvcI cap, sucI IIaI undcrncaII IIis
caIIcrcd Icadgcar Onc gucsscs IIcprcscnccO HamcI, biIIcrprincc O
IIcrccbuIabOvca,inIIcpay, IIcmasIcrOIIc undccidabcacI.TIc
ancs rOckisbarcycvcncvOkcdvIcniIisIOiIsbcingsappcdbyIIcIai
OasircnIIaIIIcquisannumcnIisassigncd, OgicaycquivacnIIOIIc
crasurc OIIcdicc IIrOv.
Appcaring suddcny OuI O IIc mariIimc vOid, aI casI six vanisIing
Icrms OOvOnc aIcr IIc OIIcr. IIc (vrcckcd) , IIcOIIc dicc
IIOvcr (IcsiIanI), IIc O cngagcmcnI (vIicI as), IIc /q
( IOvcring On IIc brink O IIc abyss), HamcI (IIc undccidabc ,. IIc
n (Icrminascacs) .
TIcsysIcmO mcIapIOrscOnIinucsunIincIingy,rOmIIcpaircIancc
ncccssiIy IIaI scrvcs as a dirccIivc Or IIc pOcIic Ogic-scicncc O IIc
rca-aIIcvayIO iIsidcaizaIiOnas IaIingpOinI. sky/cOnsIcaIiOn ( 'aI
sOmc asIpOinIIIaI sancIihcs iI ), IIrOugIIIc inIcrmcdiaIc rungs, cacI
OIIcmcarrying OuIIIcsc-caccmcnIOiIsprcdcccssOr.vingOOam/
gapingdcpII: sai/sIc, Iand cOnIainingIIc dicc/IIc masIcrs cOrpsc ( ' a
cOrpsccuIObyiIsarmscparaIcdrOmIIcsccrcIi IviIIIOds ) , prObabi-
iIy/Odman, qui/abyss qui/vcvcI cap, HamcI/rcc: sircn/rOck.
Add IO IIis a IIcOrcIica cOmmcnIary, vIicI is mixcd in viII IIc
prOccss and vIicI undcrscOrcs iIs cquaIiOns. !I inOrms us IIaI in IIis
IIcaIrc vIcrc IIcrc is nO backsIagc, IIc paybcing pcrOrmcdis IIc Onc
rOmvIicIany diaccIicaadvcnIurcdravs iIsOrmacgiIimacy.
WIic IIc IcrO IIOugIOuI Ias Iad IIc cOuragc O disappcaring inIO
IIc OpcraIiOns aimcd aI IIc Ogica capIurc O IIc rca, IIc hna subccI
cccI, markcd bya magnihccnI 'cxccpIpcrIaps, OccursaIIIccndOIIc
Ourncy, vIcn an incrcdibc ncIvOrk O mcIapIOrs, mcIOnymic cOrrO-
siOns, and succcssivc disappcaranccs, Ias scrapcd IO IIc bOnc IIc 'gIOsI
Oa gcsIurc'vIcrc'anidccIanccvas aIIcmpIcd.
JHL bUbdLLJ UNL 1HL bl Nl llLb
5
vOud cOmparc IIis Iard abOurOOgicIOparIisan vOrk, vIcnpOiIics
racks dOvn IIcIinicsIOanIagOnismsin IIc midsIOa IIick cOnscnsus,
rcduccsIIcpcniIudcOIIcsOcia IOiIscOncIivcbOnc,and, usIvIcniI
isOnIIcvcrgcOIavingcxIausIcdiIsrcsOurccs,rcccivcs,iaisprOpcry
carricd OuI, IIcsubccIivizingcxccpIiOnOanabrupIcOapscOIIciniIia
cOndiIiOns undcr IIc impcriOus prcssurc OIIc rcvOIs.
OurminuscucacIiOnmaysccmcquivacnIIOinacIiOn.BuIIIccOuragc
IO IOd sIcadyin IIis cquivacncc cnabcs usIObc IIc pOiIica subccI O
Iisncvcra.
!s OurcIancc asMarxisIs'idc? CcrIainy WIO vOudbcIa pcnnyOn
tIc rcvOuIiOn in !rancc IOday? Our IIOugII, IIOugI, cmiIs IIis IIrOv
O dicc. TIisisbccausc iIIas IIc rcquircdpaIicncc Or iIand, OniIs Ovn
scac, knOvsIOvIO prOducc IIc radica Ogic OvIicIIIc vugar OrIunc
O cvcnIs is Ony IIc hrsI cIancc.
NOvvccOmcIOmysccOndObccIiOnIOIIcpOcIsacgcdHcgcianism.
His IaIing pOinIs arc nOI usI abOuI anyIIing TIc cading rOc is
cscrvcd Or IIc sIars. cOnsIcaIiOn O IIc dicc IIrOv, ' ScpIcnIriOn O
scinIiaIiOns; csIivcsIarcscvIcrc ( WIcn IIc sIadc IIrcaIcncd . . . ) :
'O a sIar IIaInOOngcr sIincs, buI dics ( HcrOdias. OvcrIurc ) . TIisi sa
vc-csIabisIcd IradiIiOn. HugO arcady cnds pcnIy O pOcms viII IIc
sigIIOIIis sIarry sky, cOnccrningvIicI anI said IIaI, IOgcIIcrviIIIIc
mOra avinIisIcarI, iI cOmpcIcd IIcvIOcORcasOns.
TIc OIIcr cndings? TIc svan, IIc rOsc and IIc gadiOus, IIc cvcs
( 'IIc hrc O a bracccI cOd prcciOus sIOncs
98
J6W6| | 6|y 0| IM6 SdC|60 0 d0y Su0I|dCI| 00 0
6X| SI60C6
0DIU3I , V0
MaIarmc and IIc cass sIruggc-SonncI in ix and-!orccIosurc-TIc
subccI as dcay-LogicoIIc IraccIory-EvcryIIingis Iruc, buI vc
musI movc on andgobyond
TIc IcIcrogcncous cxisIs as subccI. TIis is vIaI Maarmc supporIsby
vay o IIc !orccd cxccpIion. TIcrc is aIso IIc !acI IIaI IIc rarihca,ion
oIIc dccor, drivcnby IIc insisIcncc oIIc vanisIingIcrms, cnIcrs Io
conIicIviIIIIcpocmsbruIa concuding inIcnsiIy.
ConcI is IIc diaIccIica IiIc oa rarcIy quoIcd prosc IcxI, originay
pubIisIcdviII anoIIcrIiIc ACasc oConscicncc .
AcascoIac inIc
ccIuas conscicncc in IIc cass sIruggc. Ycs indccd TIc aIIcr s mcn-
IioncdbyiIsvcrynamcinIIcIcxI.
Maarmc is in IIc counIrysidc. !n ronI o! Iis rcIrcaI, as an anncx o
indusIriaizaIion, a 'mcss Ia or raiIroad vorkcrs is bcing consIrucIcd.
!our incs givc us IIc cquivacnI o Gcrmina in ordcr Io prcscnI IIc
vorking cass o!IIisbuiIding, IIaI viocnI, IradcunionisI 'abour squad,
u o aIcoIo and ragc. TransaIion o IIc insuIIs againsI propcrIy and
cxpIoiIaIion. TIcIosIiiIy IurnsagainsIIIc viaoccupicdbyourviIncss.
!iccco crap Accompanicdby IIcsoundoccIkickingIIcgraIc, sud-
dcnIy bursIs ouI. Hc is IurI, irriIaIcd. His rcsIricIivc soioquy, vIicI aI
irsIaIIcmpIcdIocxcmpIiIsc!romIIcvorkcrsIaIrcd, isinIcrrupIcdby
a vIim. IIc oIIcr cass, unorgcIIabyquarrcsomc.
JHL bUbdLLJ UNUL JHL bl Nll Lb
!uing IimsccrccI, Ic cxamincs mcviII animosiIy. !I is impossibc
Io vipc Iim ouI mcnIay. ! vanI Io compcIc IIc vork oaIcoIoand
ayIiminadvanccinIIcdusIsoIIaIIcviIccascIobcIIisvugarand
mcan coossusviIIouImyIavingIooscIoIimhrsIin a hsI igIIIIaI
vouId iIusIraIc, on IIc avn, IIc cass sIruggc. !n IIc mcanIimc, Ic
ovcrovsviIIncvinsuIs. ( 44)
MaarmchndsnoIcpinIisopponcnIsobviousdrunkcnncss.RaIIcr,
Ic sccs in IIc aIIcrs muIcncss a dubious dcsIrucIivc compiciIy. AI IIis
poinI Ic is rackcd viII conIradicIory sIaIcs, poinIcss, isIorlcd, and
a!ccIcdby IIc conIagion, IIc sIivcr, osomcimbcciiccbricIy (ibid. ) .
WIaIcoudbc IIc sIrucIuraarIiccIo vIicI IIcsIadyinIoxicaIiono!
IIc cIasssIruggcpcrIains?
OnySundayo!crsaconIrovcrsiacscapc.A!IcrIIcpoIiIicaIdiscussions
' Sadncss, says Maarmc 'IIaI vIaI ! producc rcmains, Io pcopc ikc
IIis, csscnIiay, ikc IIc cIouds aI dusk orIIc sIars inIIc sky, vain, IIis
Iimc iI is IIc sIar vIicI, Iricd by anIagonism, comcs up againsI iIs imiI
andisunabcIo concudccxccpIviIIvaniIy) , oorcdbyIIc acoIo IIc
vorkcrsaI asccp.
TcmpIcdIorcIurnIo Iis daydrcamingbcyondIIc conusion obodics,
Maarmc cannoI makc up Iis mind Io do so. A povcrurcspccI, vIicI
iIcray Ias comc rom cscvIcrc, rcndcrs Iimimmobic.
!n IIc acoIoI-sIccpincss, IIis momcnIary suicidc ( 45) , Ic dccipIcrs
hrsI IIc dimcnsion o! IIc sacrcd in IIcir cxisIcncc (4) , IIc provisory
subsIiIuIc o! an inIcrrupIion !or IIc vorkcrs in vIicI vc sIoud rccog-
nizc, or Iack o! iIs IigIcr orm vIicI voud bc IIc rcvoI, a dcrivaIivc
orm o!IIisacccssIo IIcconccpIIIaIisIIcannumcnI.
TIcn, 'consIcIIaIionsbcginIosIinc.ArcvconccmorcgoingIocnd on
IIcnoIcoIIcircoId disusc? No.TIc cxpcricnccoanIagonismorccsIIc
inIcccIuaI Io ink Iis cndcavour lo IIc conccpI oIIis cxpcricncc. You
vi sayIIaI IIcyarcirrcducibyrca, IIcsc vorkcrs vIosc mysIcry and
duIy, as Maarmc dccIarcs, Ic inIiscapaciIy 'sIoud undcrsIand ( 45 ) .
TIcbodyo vorkcrs, IIaIis, cIassi niIsnocIurnadcIacImcnI,prcscnIs
anopaciIyarsIrongcrIIanIIcsIars.RaIIcrIIanrcprcscnIinganobsIacIc
orIIcpocIiccndgamc, iIbccomcsIIcaIIcrssubsIancc,rcoiningccnIu-
rics o!crcaIiviIyoIIc pcopIc aIIcvay Io IIcininiIy oa socia idca.
ccping vaIcI ovcr IIcsc arIisans o cIcmcnIary Iasks, ! Iavc occa
sion, bcsidc a Iimpid, conIinuous rivcr, Io mcdiIaIc on IIcsc symbos
o IIc !copc-somc robusI inIcigcncc bcnds IIcir spincs cvcry day
99
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
n ordcr Io cxIracI, viIIouI IIc nIcrmcdiary o vIcaI, IIc miracIc o!
IcvIicIgroundsprcscncc oIIcrs nIIc pasIIavcbuIIaqucducIsor
cIcarcd hcIds or somc impIcmcnI, vcIdcd by IIc samc !ouis!crrc,
MarIn, !oiIou or IIc Norman. WIcn IIcy arc noI asIccp, IIcy IIus
invokc onc anoIIcr according Io IIcir moIIcrs orIIcir provinccs. BuI
n!acIIIcrbirIIsaIIinIoanonymIy, andIIcrmoIIcrsnIoIIcdccp
sIccp IIaIprosIraIcs IIcm, vIiIc IIcvcigII o ccnIuricsprcsscs dovn
onIIcm, cIcrniIy rcduccdIo socaI proporIions. (4)
Givcn IIcIimiIs oiIsImc, vIaI nIcgriIy is IIcrc, in addIon IoIIc
bcauIy o! IIc IribuIc, n submiIIng Is nIcIIccIuaI Iask Io IIc Icnuous
cIancc cncounIcr o IIc rcaI o cIasscs, vIIouI conccding anyIIing
Io popuIsm, IIrougI IIc inncr conscnI gvcn Io IIc dca IIaI Icrc IIc
vioIcnI sourcco!a di!!crcnIkndoconccpImusIbcgraspcd
2
A sccond IaIIcning o vIicI IIc synIacIicaI guaranIcc is IIc Iav o IIc
spIacc.
I
Hcrpurc naiIs onIigIdspIayingIIcronyx,
TIc Iampbcarcr, AnxicIy, aImidngII susIans
TIosc vcspcraIdrcamsIIaIarcburnIbyIIc!Inix
AndvIicIno!uncraIampIoraconIains
On IIc crcdcnzasnIIccmpIyroom. nopIyx,
AboIisIcdsIcIIvIoscrcsonanccrcmans
(!or IIc MasIcrIasgoncIo dravIcars!romIIc SIyx
WiIIIIissoIcobccIIIaINoIIngncssaIIains) .
BuI nIIcvacanInorII, adaccnIIoIIcvindovpancs,
A dyingsIaIogoIdIIumincsasiIvancs
AnixsIcaIIcdinsparksIIaIa unicornkicks.
TIougIsIcinIIcobIvionIIaIIIc mirror!ramcs
!cs nudc and dc!uncI, IIcrc rans
TIcscinIIIaIions oIIc onc-and-six.
In any cmjq room, almidnihl, on/yAnxicq rcins, sujjorlcd by lhc disaj-
jcarancco]lhc /ihl.Likcalorchin lhc]ormo]raiscdhandswhichwou/dho/d
on/yan cxlinuishcd]amc, lhisanxic o]lhc voidcannolbc curcdwilh any
JHL bUbdLLJ UNUL JHL bl Nl l Lb
lracco]lhcscllinsun, nolcvcn wilhlhcashcslhalonccou/dhavcco//cclcdin
ancratyum.
1hcjocl, maslcro]lhcj/accs,hasonclolhcrivcro]dcalh, lakinwilhhim
asincr(lhcjqx) whichrc]crslonocxislinobccl.
Howcvcr,ncarlhcojcnwindowonlhcnorlhsidc, lhcrc]ainl/ysjark/cslhci/l
amco] amirroronwhicharcscu/jlcdsomcunicomschasina]lcranymjh
A//o]lhisisoinlodisajjcar, ilisasi]lhcnymjhdrowncdin lhcwalcro]
lhcmirror, whcrcncvcrlhc/cssriscs lhcrc]cclion o]lhcscvcnslarso]lhc6rcal
car.
MaIIarmc vas raIIcr proud o IIis pocm, vIicI Ic quaIhcd as 'nuII
sonncIrcIccIingiIscI!inaIImanncrs.HcconsdcrcdIIaInIIssonncI
Ic Iad pusIcd scI-suhcicncy Io IIc cxIrcmc n makng a vIoIc ouI
o noIIing. TInk o! IIc IIIc o IIc hrsI vcrson. SonncI aIIcgoricaI o!
iIscI!.
TIc IcxI appcarsIo cmpIyIscIouInonsIop.TIcburdcnoIack, so Io
spcak, saIa maximum:
a) TIc 'vcspcraI drcam, an aIIuson, cIassicaI !or MaIIarmc, Io IIc
scIIng sun, aIrcadyburnIbyIIccndingdayIIougIcaIIcduponIo
bc rcborn, vIcncc Is mcIapIorizaIion by IIc brd !Iocnix, vIcI
aIvaysriscs upagain!romiIsasIcs-IasnoIcvcnIc!IbcIind aIracc.
IIcrcsa IackoIraccoIIaIvIcIIasdisappcarcd.
b) TIcdccor (a saIon) sabsoIuIcIycmpIy.
- TIc masIcris aI IIc SIyx. TIc pocI, subccIo!IIc cIan, aIvays
occupicsIIcpIacco!IIcdcad Hcsacrhccs ImscI!soIIaIIIcIcxI
maycomc nIo bcingasa cIoscdIoIaIiIy, sIrcIIy govcrncd byIIc
Iav. TIcrigIIIo accompIsIanyIIingcxccpIionaI, orbcyondIIc
rcacI oIIc vuIgar, spaid !orbyIIc omisson o!IIcdocr, ando
Iis dcaII asso-and-so ( RcsIrcIcd AcIion, D 2 ) .
- H c Ias Iakcn viII Im IIc 'pIyx . So many gIosscs Iavc bccn
vriIIcn abouI IIis vord IIaI no dcIionary consgns MaIIarmc,
IIougI, IassadIviccIIaII isa maIIcro!a purc signihcr, unin-
scrbabIc oIIcrvsc IIan as IIc aIIrbuIc o! IIc dcad pocI. 'Abo/i
bibc/old'inanilsonorc, nuII-obccI rcducibIcIo IIc sonorous vod
o!IIc sgnihcr; soIc obccIIIaINoIIingncssaIIans, obccI viII-
dravn rombcing, subIracIivc obccI.
- !iI ssubIracIivc-minus onc-IIis isbccausc IIcpIyxsIandsin
cxccssvcrIIcIrcasurcoIIcsgnihcr. Guardiano!IIcpossbiIiIy
II
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
o!mcaning, iI docs noI!aIundcrIIispossibiiIy. TIcpIyxisIIc
pus-onc o! IIc signiicr, vIoscdcnoIaIion, no maIIcr Iov ong
IIccIainmayvcIIbc,ncvcrarrivcs.
TIc masIcris abscnI, undcrIIccmbIcm o!IIispcr!ccIsignihcro
ack, vIicIis aso, mucIIo IIcIormcnIocopyisIs, IIcIacko!a
signihcr, unaIIcsIcd !or ouIsidc IIis pocm, invIicI morcovcr iI
cnIcrs onIy in ordcr IodcsignaIciIscxiI.
c) TIc giI ramc o! IIc mirror agonizcs, iI can barcIy ( pcrIaps) bc
dccipIcrcd.
d) TIcnixisdc!uncI,buricdinIIc mirror.
Asidc rom IIcsc cccIso abscncc, vc coudrigIIysayIIaIIIisIimc
IIcspiIIing Iravcrscs-aIomismIaugIIusIorccognizcIIisncccssiIy-a
IIc ccmcnIs o!IIcpocm.
TIcvcspcradividcsday !romnigII. TIc !IocnixdividcsiIscIby hrc
inIo asIcs and rcbirII. MidnigII is IIc suprcmc MaIarmcan Iour. asI
IouroIIcdayIIaIcnds, orhrsIoncoIIcdayIo comc? ivisibc, spIiI.
AIcmpora Iour. !I isaImidnigIIIIaIIilurmusIrcaIizciIsacI (IoIIrov
IIcdicc) TIisrcIurncdMidnigIIcvokcsiIssIadov, hniIcandnuII,viII
IIcsc vords ! vas IIc Iour vIicI is Io makc mc purc ( Iilur, cIapIcr
'MidnigII ) . TIc uncraI ampIora, vIicI morcovcr is abscnI, ikc IIc
Iomb-anoIIcrcxcmpary MaIIarmcansignvouIdsignaIprcscncc, buI
oIIaI vIicI is no morc. TIc masIcr cxisIs, guaranIor o IIc pIacc, buI
Icisdcad.TIcpIyx, kcyIo amcaning, Iasnonc. TIcgodoIIcmirror
sIovsiIsc!, IikcIIcscIIingsun, onIyiniIs disappcaring. TIcacaIorynix
is pursucd, buI dcuncI. TIc mirror conIains boII IIc vaIcrs o obIivion
andIIchxaIionoIIcscvcnsIars.
NoIcasoIIaInoIIingcxisIscxccpIinIIcormo!a GrcckIac,nocIur-
namyIIoogy, abricaIion o!a drcam. TIc !Iocnix, cgcndarybird. TIc
pIyx,signiyingsIampIanIamounIIoIIc!IaIusor!acan.TIcSIyx, dcad
mcIapIorodcaII.TIcunicorns,mcdicvarcIaysoIIc!Iocnix.TIcnix,
cxcIusivc cmininiIyorIIc!aun.
Wc voud ncvcr bc donc sIaIing IIc annumcnI o incxisIcncc, IIc
noIIing o noIIing IIaI IIis incrcdibIc macIinc makcs inIo iIs subccI
maIIcr.
TIisincIudcscvcnIIcsonoriIics,IoIIcpoinIvIcrcvc cannoIbcicvc
ourcars. Hov can onc possiby consIrucIa sonncIviIIin IIc cIosurc o
rIymcs in yx and orc (quaIrains) and IIcn, by invcrsion o IIc musicaI
gcndcr, in ixc andor( IcrccIs) ?
1Z
JHL bUbdLLJ UNUL JHL bl Nl lLb
cvcIcryorIIcsacrcdo!anysubIracIionocxisIcncc.
AIIIIaIispasscddovnIousisasingccxccpIionoccrIainIy, IIcscvcn
sIars o! IIc consIcIIaIion vIicI aII o a suddcn comcs Io pu us ouI o!
anxicIy, brougII !orII in IIc mirror o our obIivion by IIc IIougI Io
vIicIisinkcd, saIvihc, animpcccabIydcIaycdsubjccI.
J
To IIosc o you vIo Iavc arcady bccn insIrucIcd by A a nuc
accabIanIc Iu, ! proposc IIaI you IunI dovn IIc vanisIing Icrms IIaI
susIain IIc !uncIion o causaIiIy. Wc obIaincd a good rcIurn vIcn vc
oundIvo,IIc sIip andIIc sircn.
NovIcrcvcgcIinIoa snag.
TIc nix is a good candidaIc. Hcr drovning rcsIorcs IcrIo IIc mirror.
SIc is a AndIIisjudiciousvanisIingIcrm issubscqucnIIyannuIcd
( IIougI) soIIaI IIc consIcaIion may bc puI in pacc, as aIvays, viII
IIc vaIuc oa IaIIing poinI.
!!vc sIickIoIIcIcrccIs, IIca!airiscasycnougI.
TIcprcsupposiIiono!IIcscIIingsun (IIcvcspcraIdrcam) , IIcnaIuraI
vanisIingIcrm orIIc pair day/nigII (vriIing/pagc) , is mcIapIorizcdin
lIc cmpIy room by IIc division o IIc mirror: giI !ramc viII unicorns,
on onc Iand, dark gIass, on IIc oIIcr TIc vaning o IIc ramcs goId,
Iorizonora saons scIIingsun, induccsIIc nixasvanisIingdivisibiiIy.
pursucd byIIchrcoIIcramcsunicorns, sIcpIungcsinIoIIc mirrors
nigII. Hcr rcvocaIion ( dcuncI ) vouId noI Icavc any Iracc-iI vouId
gcncraIc onIy IIc obIivion IIaI IIc mirror ramcsi! IIc consIcIIaIion
didnoIcomc IorcIay IcrinIcrms o!annuImcnI ( IIougI ) .
TIc annuing connccIion isaI IIc morc hrmanda!hrmaIivc i nIIaI,
according Io IIc cgcnd, iI is aIcr aI IIc nympI CaIIisIo vIo vas casI
inIo IIc sky soIIaI sIc voud dravIIc GrcaI Bcar. ying !rom iIs ovn
vanisIing, sIcisrcborn, cIcrnaI andcoId.
WIaI is a good mcIapIor !or IIc vanisIing Icrm in gcncraI? TIc
(scIIing) ? !Iis nigII.
WIaIisIIc( dcuncI) ?TIcsamcIIing, rcsIricIcdIoIIcIivingroom
( rcsIricIcdacIion ) . gd (vaning) mirror (dark) .
Nov, vIaIi s a good mcIapIor, i nIIc nigII compIcIcdbyIIc Iacking
sun, orII !dca oIIisack (Icncc, o!IIcIacko!ack) ?TIcsIars, vIosc
brigIIncssrcvokcsIIcvanisIingIcrmbyproducingiIsconccpI.Byvayo!
1d
1hLY l JhL bbdLLJ
IIcsIar, IIcsunccrIanIycomcsIobcIackngIvcc.TIcsIarprcsupposcs
IIc ngII, Icncc IIc causaI vansIng o! IIc sun, and ycI, by brngng
brgIIncss, IannusI.
TIc dca oIIc (scIIng) .vIcI IIc ( dcuncI)rcnamcs, s IIc
rcIccIonoIIcscvcnsIarsnIIcmrrorsngII (nIIcobIvonIIaIIIc
mrror !ramcs ) . TIcrcvcIavcIIcconccpI, IIc Iacko!Iack, !romvIcI
aIanxcIy s I!Icd, sinccilisanxcIy.
!IsIIcabscncco!sunIIaI cdIoanxcIy.TIc scvcn-sIarconsIcIIaIon
sbornromIIcannuImcnIo!IIcsupposcdIracco!IIsabscncc:IIcnx
!IIIusgraspsanxcIy, noIasc!ccIbuIascsscncc.
Ycs,buIsIIcrcIIcnonyoncvansIngIcrm,IIcj?AndvIaIabouI
IIc quaIrans?
4
TIcrc s rsI o! a IIc pocms rcIroacIon upon Is condIons. WIaI s I
IIaI Iakcs pIacc bc!orc IIc cmpIy saon?
TIc naugura parsccarIyIIaI o!dayandngII. !I sgvcnIvcc, n
IsvansIng juncIurc. TIc vcspcra drcam, scarIcI IIumnaIon o! IIc
cvcnng, andIIc!Iocnx (IIc sun) , consumcd byIs nIcrcnIrc nIIc
promsco!bcngrcbornaIdavn.
!IsnIIcmddIco!IIcngIIIIaIIIcpocmproposcsIsvagcr,byvay
o IIc conccpI-sIar o! IIc dcad hrc, on IIc soIar promsc. BcIvccn Ivo
prcscnccs,onyIIcIacko!IIcabscncco!anyprcscnI,vIcIIasIIcvauc
oan dca, savcsIIcvorId !rom c
ancc.
BcIvccnIvomagnarcs, ony IIcsymbocguardsus!romIIcrca.
BcIvccn Ivomassuprsngs,onIyIIcpoIIcsoIIcparIyprcscrvcIIc
cass.
Bcvarc. IIougI IIcy can bc sIaIcd aI IIc samc ponI, IIcsc IIrcc
sIaIcmcnIs, IIc Maarmcan, IIc !acanan, and IIc MaosI, arc noI
somorpIous.
ocsIIccmpIyandngIIIyroomkccpIIcIracco!IIcgoIdcnpromsc?
TIssIIcqucsIonIIaIcommandsIIcnspccIono!IIcpIaccs,accordng
Io IIc pocIcrcgmco!anxcIy.
SomcIIngabIsIrangcIappcns.WccanccrIanIysccIIaI,nIIcrsuc
ccsson, IIc (uncra) ampIora, IIcmasIcr (aIIIc SIyx) andIIc (ncxsI-
cnI) pIyxconsIIuIcIIcIrpcbanononbcng.TIc hrsIoncconIansIIc
asIcs, IIcscconds dcad, IIcIIirdsIIsvordIIaIsaysnoIIng.
19
JhL bbdLL1 NUL JhL bl N llLb
BuInaddIon,nonco]lhcmis lhcrc.
TIcsc gIosIIybcngsorsurc vouIdbcvansIngIcrms, sncc IIcy Iavc
no oIIcrbcng cxccpIIo dcsgnaIcnon bcng, !vcddnoIIavcIoadmI
IIaI Io vansI s somcIIng IIcy cannoI do, a!!ccIcd as IIcy arc, n IIc
dccor, by a radcaI abscncc vIIouI anycccI ( conIrary Io IIc supposcd
sIp, vIcI couId bc ncrrcd!rom IIc vsbc !oam, or conIrary Io IIc
dvsbIc mrror, vIcIvccandsccrn) .
SIouIdvc sayIIaIIIcscIcrms arc annuIcd? No, sncc or IIc annu
mcnIo!aIypoIIcIcaIIcrm,IsvansIngmusIbcIIccausco!aIraccvII
rcgardIovIcI, as cxccpIon, anoIIcrIcrmsmadcIoappcar, sucIasIIc
srcna!IcrIIcsIp, orIIcconsIcIIaIonoscvcnsIarsa!IcrIIc nx.
TIc ampIora, IIc masIcr, and IIc pIyx Iavc aII IIc aIIrbuIcs o! IIc
vansIng Icrm, cxccpI IIc vansIng, !rom vIcI a Iracc o IIc ack
sIouIdbc cvnccd. TIcy IackvIIouI a Iracc. OnIIs accounI, IIcy arc
rrcpIaccabc
Hcrc, vc Iavc a ncv knd o! abscncc. onc IIaI no Iongcr opcraIcs
vIInanyrcprcscnIaIon,andonvIcIIIcconccpI, IIcackoIack,Ias
nogrp. !ckng up a noIon!romLacan, vc sIouId sayIIaIIIcsc Icrms
arc!orccoscd
! musIdsIngusIIIrccopcraIonsIIaIvorkonabscncc.
- IIcvansIng,vIIcausavaIuc;
IIcannuImcnI,vIIconccpIuavaIuc
IIcorcIosurc,vIInuvauc.
WcovcIIoMaIarmsgcnusIoIavcposIcd,vIIrcgardIoIIcpIyx,
IIaI IIcpurc sgncroIackIoIcraIcsIobc cvokcdonIyvIcnsIruckby
!orccIosurc. !IsnoIIIaII dsappcars. Iis nollhcrc.
naIIcrabIc supporI o!IIc 'IIcrcsnoI, I makcs!ora Iangcncy oIIc
rcaI, o!vIcIs sadonyIIcIIcrcs.
TIaIsvIyIIcvordIsc!IadIobc carrcdIoIIcsIorcsodcaII.
TIcrc s somcIIng unconccpIuazabc. TIaI s vIaI, bascd on IIc
orccosurcs, IIssonncIsquaIransdccIarc.WIaIsIIsunconccpIuaz-
abIc? TIc purc !acI oIIcrc bcng somc conccpI-vIcI s IIc rcaIIy Io
vIcIIIc IcrccIsarc dcvoIcd. WIaImakcs IIaI IIcrc s somc conccpIs
IIcmasIcr, dcaII, and IIcpurc sgnhcr. IIcpocI, IIcampIora, andIIc
pIyx.
TIs s somcIIngyou vII ncvcrbcabc Io dcducc IIsIrangIcoIIc
subccI, dcaII,andIanguagc. !oraIIdcducIonIappcnsromIIcrc.
TodcduccmcansIosubsIIuIc.TIc rucso!subsIIuIoncaIIIcbass
1b
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
o!maIIcmaIcaIogc. TIcampIora, IIc masIcr, andIIcpIyxarc unsub-
sIIuIabIc, IcIdasIIcy!orcvcrarcnIIc IIcrcsnoI, symboccorrcaIc
oIIc IIcrcs o!IIc rca. TIcsymbocIrnIyassucI.
!sIIsIruc?!mcan,IIaIIIcrcssomcunconccpIuaIabIc?MaoddnoI
sccmIobcIcvcso.Hcsad:'WcvIIcomcIoknovcvcryIIngIIaIvcdd
noIknovbc!orc ( SW!V, 374, Irans modcd) .
! nIIsrcgard, IIcMarxsIaxom. !I s rgIII orcvoII s ambguous.! s I
mcanIIondcaIcIIaIIIc rcvoIIasIs rcason, IsconccpI?! donI IInk
so. TIc rcvoII s vIaI ounds raIonaIy, andI conccnIraIcs a IIousand
rcasonsIorcvoII. Aspopuar subjccIvaIon, Iovcvcr, ncIIcrcan I bc
rcduccdIoIs rcasons (vIcIbcongIoIIcsIrucIurcorIoIIccvcnI), nor
docs I vIoy abosI Isc! n IIc posIvIy o! Is poIcaI uIurc Hcrc
IIcrc s a !acIoroIsIorca orIunc, o!umnaIng cIancc, vIcI snoI
IIaI o!anguagcando!dcaII,buIIIaIocouragcandjusIcc.
O! IIc rcvoII, IIc SIaIc can onIy say IIaI IIcrc s noI any. !oIcaI
rcvouIonarcs, !or IIcrparI, sIck Io IIc IIcrc s . ExqusIc cIancc Io
nIoxcaIcIIcrcvoIuIonary, IIcrcvoIIsIIcpIyxoIIc SIaIc.
5
Wc arc aImosI aI IIc cnd o our IroubIcs. LcI us mark x IIc !orccosurc,
and / IIc vansIng. TIc annumcnI spuncIuaIcd vII buI or IIougI.
WcIIusobIanIIcoIovng consIrucIcdscIcma.
"
?
1
1
>
10
'/HIX
cDQIy
IOOD
HU!
ScIIcS O OIcClOSUIcS
(UHcIl) I pIcI (I bIyX) ~ ,_,
ut. . . ( "HHUlDcHI, DcIIHg OH IDc OIcCIOScU)
DIIIOI
,
+
Dc (WHIHg gOlU) _
, (UcUHCI)
glSS
thouh . . . (2U HHUlDcH!, DcIIHg OH
IDc VHISDIHg)
(SIIS)
IclcCIIOH O COHSIclIIOH/ODIVIOH
JHL bUbdLL1 UNUL JHL bl Nl l Lb
WIcrcIIcns IIcIInng sIrkc o!IIc subccI n IIscasc? TIc Ivo
annumcnIsdonoIIavcIIcsIaIuso!acoujdc]orccIIaIcscvIcrcvcrcc
ognzcdn IIcm (and IIaI onc can dsccrn n IIcmaorIyoMaarms
pocms.pracIscyourscvcs ) .
TIc buI nIIcrsIIcrccI s opposcdonyI oIIcnuIyo! !orccosurc.
!I opcns a nc oIoIazaIononIoIIc gdcdramc, vIIouIbrcakngup
any oIIcr, snccIIc ampIora, IIcmasIcr, andIIcpIyxgvcconssIcncy
onyIo IIcradcaackocxsIcncc, IoIIcnonpacc.
TIcIIougIcIcrnacsIIcnympICaIsIo,raIIcrIIandcsIroyngIcr.
cuncI and nakcd, sIc s a ncv Hcrodas. Mrror, codvaIcr !rozcn n
your !ramc ( C!30) , vIcIIIcsIcIarcxccpIon sIops onIIc cdgcs oIIc
noIIng.
TIs pocm s morc subIIy sIrucIuraI IIan many oIIcrs. Lcavng asdc
IIc!orccosurcs,vIcIIavcnoc!ccIoIIcrIIanIonIcns!yIIcvod,IIc
IcIcrogcncoussamosIunrcadabIcnI. WIaIsdcsundcrIIcIIougI,
suIurcdonIoa Icgcnd ( CasIo)vIcIbrdgcsIIcnympIandIIcsIar, s
onIya subccIo!dmnsIcdorcc,amosI!odcdback-hnaIyonIoIIc
cvcnsuracc oIIcmcIonymcaIopcraIons.
ExccpI or IIs snguar dcay opcrccpIon IIaI savcs IIc day vIIn
IIcngIIonyn IIc na nsIancc, vIcnobvousyIIc skys rcccIonn
IIc mrrorvasprcscnIromIIcsIarI.
TIcconsIrucIonsdcIourvaIIcvannggodandIIcgcncraIonoIIc
rcvocabcvansIngIcrm (IIcnx) onyscrvcIIcpurposco!d!crngIIc
ImcIoconcudc.
TIc oamn Aa nuc accabIanIc . . . vasIraccdor us!romIIc sIarI.
Hcncc,IIcIcapoIIcIypoIIcss,IIcorcsco!IIcsubjccI,mposcdIscI
vIIouIanypossbIyocscapc.HcrcIIcrusc,vIcIusIhcsMaIIarms
askngnI,conssIsnposIponngIIcsIcarIraccasIcoudrcsullrom
IIc nx, vIcrcasI s acIuayconssIcnI, orcocxsIcnI,vIII.
WIaI s IIc !uncIon o anxcIy? To dvdc IIc ngII. TIc opposIon
day/ngII s n and o Isc! an anIdaIccIcaI mcIapIor, a purc sIrong
d!!crcncc. ay and ngII succccd onc anoIIcr vIIouI rccasng IIc
movcmcnI o IIc unIy o opposIcs. TIcy arc dsonIcd aIIcrnaIng
cnIIcs. mcIapIysca, as s IIcr nvocaIon n IIc dcvasIaIng myIIoI-
ogy o amorous !uson-IIc mosI radca aIIcmpI aI dsavovng scxua
d!crcncc-nWagncrs 1rislan.
TIc hrsI daccIcasIcpconssIsn graspng IIcsucccssonoIvoIcrms
nsIrongd!!crcncc!romIIcvansIng oIIc causaIIcrmIIaIarIcuaIcs
IIcm, Icrc IIc (scIIng) . !, Iovcvcr, IIc rcsIrcIcd ngII nvIcI
1
JHLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
onc opcraIcsIIaI o IIc cmpIy saonis indivisibc, IIis sIcp is ony
a scmbancc. WIaI maIIcrs is Io savagc IIc Iracc o IIc day as inIcrna
scission o IIc nocIurna void. TIaI is vIy anxicIy is said Io bc a 'amp-
bcarcr, carricr oigII.TIisis noIsomucIiIs rcaiIy asmucIasiIs.
!Is diaccIica duIy,vIicIrcquircs IIaI aI IIc poinI oanxicIy IIc oIIcr
subjccIivizingigurccomcsin,IIconcvIicIbrcaksupIIcordcroIIings
andIocraIcs iIs scission. couragc.
TIc pocms cncrgy corrcsponds Io vIaI Hdcrin namcs 'IIc pocIs
couragc, IovIicIIIc ooving isprcscribcd.
!s noI alIIaIsaivc coscandakinIo you,
ocs IIc!aIc noIIcrsckccpyou Ioscrvc Icr cnds?
Wc, IIcn, Iravc dccncccss
OnIIrougIic, and carnoIIingIIcrc
AIIaIIappcnsIIcrcbcvccomc,bcbcsscdIoyou,
BcanadcpIinoy, orisIIcrcanyIIing
TIaI couIdIarmyou IIcrc, IcarI, IIaI
Coud ocnd you, vIcrc you musI go? (!! 20! )
!orMaarmc,IIougI,IIcrcisnoIcmporaadvcnIoIIcncv.Couragc,
or IIc sIrucIura diaccIic, is dcvoid oIisIoriciIy. WIcncc IIc grcaI di-
icuIyin disIinguisIingiI romanxicIy.
!or a miiIanI MarxisI, IIcrc is IIc anxicIy o IIc nigII o impcriaisI
socicIics, IIc anxicIy oIIc asIy !Iocnix o May 6, or o IIc CuIura
RcvoIuIioncanvcnoIaskvIcIIcrcvcnIIcampIorarcmains?TIcasI
MasIcris so od Asor 'communism, IIaIpIyx, vIoIakcs Iod oiI, or
vIaIpurposc? !IisasoaduIyIodividcvIaIisobscurc,IoIodasIIoIIc
vorkcrspromisccvcn aI IIc IcarI oiIsdccpcsI dcniaI.
Wc arc amp-bcarcrs. usI as IIc pocm docs viII IIc dcscrIcd saon,
vc inspccIIIcpoiIica pIacc inordcrIodisccrn IIcrcinIIc sIakingouIo
anIagonismIIaI vircayIIcpromiscandorganizcIIcuIurc.
WIcrcin IIcn ics IIc dicrcncc? !n IIaI, a sIrucIura sccIarian o
vcakdicrcnccsvIorcccIs IIc aspccI oIisIoricaorccinIIcscissions,
Maarmccan onydcivcranxicIyovcrIoa ogicoIraccIorics.
Timc is cxIinguisIcd by spacc. TIc souIion Io IIc ampbcaring
probcm (Icrc, IIc rcccIion o IIc GrcaI Bcar) musI bc IIcrc rom IIc
sIarI. OnyIIcpocIsdcadcycspinsIIcsubIcIIrcadsIIaIinkoncobccI
Io anoIIcr so IIaI, in a Irickcd pcrspccIivc, IIc iusion oa surprisc may
comc abouI.
1b
1HL bUbdLL1 UNUL 1HL bl Nl ll Lb
SccvIaIMaIarmcvriIcsIo Cazais IoguidcIIc possibc iusIraIion o
IIc sonncI (Ic is rccrringIo IIc hrsI vcrsion, rom ! 67) .
or insIancc, IIcrc is a vindov opcn, aI nigII, IIc Ivo sIuIIcrs as-
Icncd,a roomviIIno oncin iI, dcspiIcIIcsIabcappcarancc providcd
byIIcasIcncd sIuIIcrs, and in a nigII madcoabscnccand qucsIion-
ing,viIIouIurniIurcaparIrom IIc vaguc ouIinc ovIaI appcar Io
bcIabcs, avarikcanddyingramc oamirrorIungup aIIIcback o
IIc room, viIIiIsrcccIion,a sIcarandincomprcIcnsibc rcccIion,
orsa Maor, vIicIinksIo Icavcn aonc IIis dvcingabandoncd by
IIc vord.
TIccomposiIionoIIcvIocispriorIoIIcopcraIions,andIIcpocmdocs
noIIavcrccourscIoanyIIingoIIcrIIanvIaIiIaIcnIyprcsupposcs.
To IIc ogic o IIc IraccIory, vIicI IIc sIrucIura diaccIic comcs up
againsI and vIicI announccs IIc ncv ony in IIc rcIroacIivc opcra-
IionoiIs misccn-sccnc, vc opposc IIc ogic oIcndcncics, ocurrcnIs, o
vanguards, vIcrcin IIaI vIicI is barcy aI iIs birII, IIougI paccd and
subccIcd, inksupviIIIIcmosIIcrribcorccoIIc uIurc.
TIcMaarmcansubccIvIoisgivcnovcrIoIIc spacc docsnoIcxcccd
anxicIy. Hc ormuIaIcs iIs av o cxccpIion, vIicI Ic dcduccs rom IIc
pacc.
Hcrc vIaIcvcr amounIs Io IIc subccI o anxicIy is noIIing buI IIc
dcay o pcrccpIion. Had IIc consIcaIion bccn iniIia, iI voud subu
gaIcIIcsubccI.Comingi nIIcconcusion,i Isavcsi I. NoIIingncvoccurs,
cxccpI in Icrms oposiIion in IIc Ianguagc.
6
Wc hnd no auI viII IIc MalIarmcan opcraIions. TIc cIain cccI is
Iakcn Io iIs pcak by IIc unprcccdcnIcd usc o mcIonymica scqucnccs.
TIc vanisIing Icrm is IIc ccnIrc o graviIy o IIc vIoc mccIanism o
IIc pocms. TIc causaiIy o ack is rcdupicaIcd, as ack o ack, inIo iIs
conccpI.TIus, a ncvopcraIorisinIroduccd.IIc annumcnI. TIc spiIIing
accIs aIIcIcrms oa givcnpocIic spacc. TIc Icrms IIaI arc orccoscd
convcy IIcIIcoryoIIc unconccpIuaizabc.
Hcrc IIccompcIcsIrucIuradiaccIicisprcscnI, acIivc, displaycdinIIc
vibraIing marvc o anguagc, submiIIcd Io IIc uniying IoucI o vcrsc.
acanvi noIadd Io iI.
1V
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
iaccIic, ycs indccd !or IIc oIIcr IisIorica) aspccI, vIicI is Icrc
subscrvicnI and dcvolcd Io IIc sIccr igIIning IasI, by Iorcc Irccs lIc
subccIrom IIccIainsIIaIkccpiI inlhcsamcj/acc.
A IIis Iorms a prccious cgacy. IIc arlicuaIion oI lIc subccIcIIccI
undcr IIc signihcrs oI IIc cxccpIion; IIc cunning usc oI IIc signiIying
Iorccs oI pocIry IIaI cavc us vidc opcn as Io a Iimc lo concudc and,
Iinay,IIc dcayinIIcIraccIory, byvIicIIIcsubccIoIanxicIyIIrovs
IIc dicc.
TIc cxccpIion in IIc signihcr, IIc vord IIal sIincs, IIc dcay Lacan
vi go vcry Iar aong IIcsc samcIrais.
No, !hndnoIauIviIIaIIis, cxccpIIIaI!amnoIsvaycdbyanordcr
oIIIings invIicI a IIougII is dcvoIcd Io IIc inspccIionoIIIaI vIicI
subordinaIcsiIIoIIcpaccmcnIoIanabscnccandvIicIbrings savaIion
IorIIc subccI onyin IIcarcady-IIcrcncssoIa sIar.
TIc IacI IIaI in IIis Iamous and IaIaIy unknovn auIIor cvcryIIing is
Iruc onIycommiIs us Io scruIinizcIIcvccomc dc-cmpIasizingIovIicI
vc sIoud IrcaIIim.
TIisvilcadusIo!acan,and,!Iopc, IosomcassuranccIromMarxism
as Io iIs amp-bcaring povcrs Ior IIc IIcory oI IIc subccl, vIicI vi
dcIcmincvIcIIcriI, andiI aonc, cancarryIIc igIIoIcouragcinIoIIc
advcnIurc oI IIis ccnIury, in vIicI iI is caimcd Io Iavc provokcd ony
anxicIy.
11
PAk1| | |
LdCK d00 U6S|uC| 00
111
1M6 06W 0B0|0| 0S IM6 BM006, d00
Q|6SuQQ0S6S |I
d3Pd3I , V
LacansampIibOOgy-TIaIOMarxism-TvO scxcs,
IvOclasscs
I scnIr, viIIOuI IurIIcrdclay,nIOLacansambiguiIy. '. . . vIcnOn
as IvO, IIcrc is ncvcr any rcIurn. !I ncvcr amOunIs IO making On
nv nOIcvcna nv OncAucbunis OncOIIOscprcIIy liIIl drcams O
IiOsOpIy XX. 07, Ira. mOdiicd) .
TIc scIIling O! accOunIs vII Hcgcl, cOming !rOm IIc On vIO Or us
rcncI MarxisIs s IOdays Hcgcl-IIc Only Onc vIOm I is Our Iask IO
ividc-in a singlcpIrascgvcsvOicc IO IIc dsIancc IIaI scparaIcs IvO
cnIurics nIIc IisIOry OIIcdialccIic.
acan is spaking abOuI IisIOry-n IIs casc, as bcIOvcs Iim, IIc
hisIOry O lOvc. !I s a qucsIiOn O clucIdaIing IIc absOluIc nOvclIy O
II vcnI namcd 'cOurIly IOvc in IIc IIirIccnII ccnIury. His ansvcr s
IIaI sOmcIIing gcIs spliI IIcrc-sOmcIIing vIOsc vividnss cannOI bc
trcd by any supcriOr rcsOrpIiOn.
Hrc vc arc in IIc midsl OOur dispuIc. !acan, IIc IIcOrcIician OIIc
Iru scissiOn, O vIicI IIc MaOisI maxim 'Onc dividcs inIO IvO sOugII
OprcsrvcIIcirrcparablcOrcc,againsIIIOscrcpairmcnOlaIIyrcs, IIc
rvisiOnisIs, IO vIOm is suiIcd IIc syrupycOnvicIiOn IIaI 'TvO usc nIO
O
> Or IIc sIricI dialccIical lOgic, Lacan OuIpcrOrms Mallarmc, vIO
as
ixaId On IIc sIars, in IIc prccisc cxInI IO vIicI Ic is madc IO
rc
Ognizc.
11
JHLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
- IIcnovcIIyoIIcrcaI, aIIcsIcdIobyIIcIcaringaparIoIIcdiscursivc
link,
- IIc prccariousncss oIIc Onc, obIiIcraIcd bylIcncv, vIosc csscncc
s IIc division
!n so doing, IIc Hcgcian rcconciiaIion, vIcrcin cvcryIIingis dcviscd
so IIaI IIc pangs o mc arc noIIing morc IIan IIc prcscncc o IIc
conccpI ( ' Dii/is/drri]]slbs/, drda is, 'Timc is IcconccpI iIsc
IIaI is /hr', IIc /hrIIaI scIs IIc Ionc ) , is rcduccd Io lIc imaginary
aonc-a 'prcIIyIIcdrcamopIiosopIy.
Hovcvcr, IIc sublcIy, invIicIIIcanayslscxpcricnccis an cdcaIor
bcyond rcproacI, ics in IIc synIacIica ampIiboogy IIaI Lacan vi usc
rccnlcssy-conlrary Io vIaI Icd Io bc Maarms csscnta univoc-
iIy-asanopcraIorbyvIicIIIcscnIcncc,IavingnciIIcrrccIonorvcrso,
IodsIogcIIcrIIc Ivo sdcs ooncand IIc samcrcvcrsibc badc.
WIcIsidcs?!clusbcccar.IIoscoIIcdiaccIic, iniIssIrucIuraaspccI
and iIs IisIorica aspccI. TIc sidc opacc (IIc symbolic, in IIc !acanian
Icrminoogy) andIIc sidcoorcc IIc rcal ) .
Considcrouropcninginc.'IncvcramounIsIomakingoncancv,cvcn
a ncv onc ocs IIis cunningsIraIcgisI o lalanu, as Ic puIs iI, mcan
IIaI IIc divsion o IIc onc makcs or no novcIy? TIc cmpIasis o IIc
ncgaIivc,in IIaI casc, vouIda on IIc ncv. noI cvcna nwonc. Wc arc
in IIc Iogic oiIcraIion, vIcrcin IIaI vIicI spiIs o is absolvcd viIIouI
any rcIurn o iIs unihcd orm-buI vc arc unabc Io say IIaI anyIIing
IappcnscxccpIIIc LavoIIisspiIIing.
OrraIIcr docs Ic mcan IIaI rom IIc division o IIc onc IIcrc ariscs
an ahrmaIivc novcIy, vIicI vc voud ony Iavc Io considcr ouIsidc
IIc orm oIIc oncIIaI prcviousycoudbcassigncdIo iI?TIccmpIasis
o IIc ncgaIivc, n IIaI casc, voud bc on IIc onc. noI cvcn a ncv on.
SomcIIing ncv, IIcrcorc, bcyond IIc signiying av rom vIicI any
prior orm oI IIc onc drcviIs cvidcncc And, conscqucnIly, an irrcvcrs-
ibc disasIcr o Iis vcry av, IIc symboic ruincd by IIc rca, IIc onc
ungraspabIccxccpIin IIc proccssoiIs dcsIrucIion.
TIc cnIirc gcnius o Lacans cucidaIon on IIc subccI Ingcs on IIc
acI IIaI in scnIcncc aIcrscnIcncc, and in scminaraIcr scminar, Ic says
boII lIingsaIIIc samc Iimc.
So do vc. Bccausc vc Iad bclIcr admI IIaI, insoar as iI dividcs iIsc
inIo procIariaI and bourgcoisic, IIc cd o poilics ony givcs rsc H iIs
lcraIivc av, rom vIosc poinI o vicv iIs novcIy is css ccar IIan iIs
119
LLK NU ULbJUL1lN
crmancnccIIrougIouIIIccras.EspccialyivcoovMaoinadmiIIing
h
a IIis division rcmainsinIacI undcr vIaI is calcd 'sociaism and IIaI
il asI, in Maos ovnIcrms, 'or avcryongpcriodo Iislory. Bul vc
uallyadmiI IIaIasIIcpoiIicainduccrononpoiIics ocommunism) ,
cprolcIariaIcauscslIcbrcakdovnoIIconcIIaIiIdividcsIoIIcpoinI
hcrc iI can no ongcr Iakc on IIis orm, noI cvcn by inscribing iIscl as
oIIcIcrmsoIIc conIradicIion.
or Lacan, IIc anayIica IIcory Iods on lo IIis cquivocaIion as IIc
ono dcsirc rom vIcrclIc subccI isapprcIcndcd. !or us, Marxism
hlds on Ioilin IIcpoiIicapracIiccvIoscsubccIivc poinIsIIc parIy
Lacan, an invounIary IIcorcIician o IIc polIica parIy? MarxisIs,
cnigIIcncdpracIiIioncrs odcsirc?
hisis a alscvindovTIcIruIIisIIaIIIcrcis ony onc IIcoryoIIc
bccILacanisaIcadoIIccurrcnIsIaIcoMarxismand vc musIlakc
advanIagcoIIisadvanccsoasIoimprovcourMarxislaairs
WIydovc dravIIisundividcd andmaskcdIIcoryoIIcsubccIrom
Marx!cnin-Mao and rom !rcud-!acan SIoud vc cimb IIc oos
ridgcIIc Iorror-o!rcudo-Marxism?
o,bccauscnoIcvcnorasccondisiIamaIIcrorcconciingdocIrincs.
vcryIIingdpcndsonIIcrca, buIIIcrcaIIaI isours,inIurn,dcpcnds
ly on lIcooving.
IIcrc arclvo scxcs,
IIcrc arcIvo classcs
MakcdovilIIIaI,yousubccIs oal cxpcricncc
11b
0 IM6 S| 06 0 IM6 I|u6
0DIU3I , V
!IiosopIics on IIc backboard!our corncrso IruII. coIcrcncc,
rcpcIiIion, IoIaiIy, IorsionOn para-bcing
AnygoodpocmicisavayssupposcdIorcquircazooogyodcviaIions.SIaIc
Marxism, vIicIin gcncra is Io MarxismvIaIin IIc vord o prosc a scn-
Icnccroma disIricIcourIis Io RimbaudsIllumina/ions, cxccsinIIis manic
manipuaIion o Iypoogics. TIcrc is IIc cI in appcarancc ony, vIicI in
rcaiIy is on IIc rigII, IIc rcvisionism vIicI is symmcIrica Io dogmaIism,
IIc pcIiIbourgcois anarcIism vIicI is IIc counIcrparI o Ia-bourgcois
burcaucraIism, IIccconomismvIoscrcvcrscsidcisvounIarism . . .
TIc CIincsc say ' Giving abcs . Canvc do viIIouI IIcm? ! doubI iI.
SomcIimcs vc musI knov Iov Io simpiy IIc vord. WIaI mcmory
obscurcdby innumcrabc singuariIics voudaicI usi vc vcrc orbid-
dcnIo cnumcraIc IIcpoisonasks?TIcacI rcmainsIIaInciIIcrpoiIics
nor IIc !arIy Iavc as IIcir vocaIion vIaI Maarm cacd IIc 'aIascs,
Icrbariums,andriIuas .
As or pIiIosopIy, IIc-simpIccombinalory compriscs our nolions,
Iakcn Ivo by Ivo idcaism and maIcriaism, and IIcn diaccIics and
mcIapIysics.
!rom Icrcvc incr IIaIIIcrcarc ourpIiosopIicaIypcs
I . McIapIysicaidcaism,
2. iaccIica idcaism
110
LLK NU ULbJULJlN
3. McIapIysica maIcriaism (somcIimcsasocacd'mccIanici
sm ) ,
4. iaccIica maIcriaism.
!urIIcrmorc,vcknovIIaIinordcrIobcacorrccIycaibraIcMarxisI,
iI isbad Io bc idcaisIormcIapIysicaand Ionourabclo bc maIcriaisIor
diaccIica.
Wc IIus Iavc aI our disposa onc scrious insuI (piccc o mcIapIysi
cal idcaisI) , Ivo modcraIc insuIs (idcaisI diaccIicians and mcIanica
maIcriaisIs.you arconIIcrigIIIrackbuIon onccgony), andoncorm
o praisc (maIcriaisI diaccIician cxccIcnI, you passcd IIc cxam, SIain
rizcorIIcpcaccoconccpIs) .
WIaI is IIc mcaning o IIcsc primiIivc Icrms viII vIicI vc
MarxisIs
composcourscacoinsuIs?
MaIcriaisI is vIocvcr rccognizcs IIc primacy o bcing ovcr IIinking
bcingocsnoInccdmyIIinkingin ordcrlobc) . !dcaisI, vIocvcrposiIs
Ic opposiIc.
A diaccIician is somconc vIo Iurns conIradicIion inI IIc av o
cing, a
JYIL
SUD|tC!IVt
Ht!QDySICl UtlSH
UD|tC!IVt
Ht!QHySCl UtlISH 2
UIltC!Cl
IUtlSH
Ht!QDySICl
H!t!|lSH
H!ttIS!
UIltC!C
4
JHIN!ING BLING!NIJ5IL!
_ . . , . . . . . , , a , . , , a .. . @ q
II7
1HLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
TIc prcccding diagram links IIc disIinclions Io IIc IraccIory o IIc
proccss oknovcdgc.
TIisIabcsIouldbcconsidcrcdapIiosopIicaIopoogy.WIy?Bccausc
il is bascd on IIc posiIion o insidc and ouIsidc, on IIc qucsIion o IIc
bordcr oIIinking, on a ogisIics o ronlicrs. And bccausc iI is rom IIis
vanIagc poin IIaI il iuminaIcs IIc qucsIion o IruII, vIosc papcrs vc
arc Icrc rcqucsIng bcorc ilsjassalhrauhcuslams.
TIcsis I , cI us say IIaI o BisIop Bcrkccy, Ias avays sccmcd as-
cinaIngduc Io iIs radicaappca. !I posiIsIIaIIIinkingIas no scnsibc
ouIsidc. No maIIcr Iov ar you go, you vi ncvcr bc any arIIcr lIan
IaI somcvIaI rcacIionary Icro vIo Iravccd around Iis bcdroom.
!I is propcry impossibc or IIougII Io cxpaIriaIc iIscI sncc i ncvcr
dcas viII anyIIing buI IIc magcs o imagcs IIaI popuaIc iI. TruII,
vIicI s IIc namc oan agrccmcnI o IIougII viII iIsc, oan imma-
ncnIadcquaIion, is dcnIica IIaI vIicI ordinariy hxcs IIc orma
sIaIusoiIsinscripIion.coIcrcncc. 'TruIIandcoIcrcnccrcciprocaIconc
anoIIcr. cvcry Iimc you rcad IIs apIorism, oronc oiIs dcrivaIivcs
and IIcy proicraIc-you can bcI IIaI you arc in IIc company o IIc
bisIop.
TIis Iopoogy scas iIs closurcby orccosing IIc rca vIicI, Iaucna-
Iory, comcsbackin IIc orm oIIccross, in IIc dvinccrrancyocoscd
IIinking.
Ycs, IIc dccisivcymodcrnavard ormcIapIysicaidcaism docsnoIgo
lo vIocvcr rcciIcs 'sssljrciji buI Io vIocvcr argucs, on IIc bass o
IIc rigII o orms, IIaI IIc crIcrion oIIc Iruc, giving up on adcquaIion
coIcrcnlviIIbcing, is coIcrcncc adcquaIc Io iIsc.
!osilions2 and 3disIribuIcIIc rcasonabcidcaisms. HcrcIIcouIsidcis
rccognizcd assucI,IIclopoogyarrangcsa bordcroIIougII.
Hovcvcr,lIcproccssocrossingIIcIIrcsIodandIIcdrivingprincipc
bcIind IIcproccssoknovingconIinucIooovIIclavoIIc idca. TIc
IraccIorysIarIs ouIromIIc mcnIa pacc. Hov docs iIpassovcr, ornoI,
inIo iIs obcclivc ouIsidc?TvopaIIs.
a) TIaI o anI, in posilion 2 in our Iabc, cxcudcs IIc bcing o
knovcdgc. Rcquircd in iIspurc mcnIion by IIc vcryacI ocxpcricncc,
IIc inlsc rcmains unknovabc Io iI-an cmpIy Icrm vIcI grounds
IIcuniIyoknovingonyin lIccxIcnIIovIicIiIabscnIsiIscromIIis
vcryopcraIion.
BcinginiIsc or anI is IIc paccd incxisIcnI rom vIicI iI oovs
IIaI il posscsscs orcc oav or lIc IransccndcnIasubccI.
11
LLK N LbJULJlN
WIcnccIIcrcIurnIo coIcrcnccasIIcguaranIccoIruII.
!ncxiIingIIcbisIop'spaacc,vIaIdocsanIganbyrccognizing IIaI
IIcrc is an ouIsdc, i IIc consIiIucnI cgisIaIion o IIc insidc suhccs Io
gaugc cxpcricncc? WIaI Ic gains by doing so is, hrsI, IIc opcning o a
lcrriIory or morals and rcigion IIaI is in cxccss ovcr IIc dcimiIaIion
o knovcdgc. And, sccond, a minima producliviIy, as soon as IIc Iruc
udgcmcnI insIiIulcd by IIc void and IIus dcccnIringIIc pacc obcing
lIaI iI acks, inds IIc orcc Io ink IogcIIcr Icrms lIaI ar nal IIc ana-
yIica rcpcIiIionooncanoIIcr.TIc'synIIcIicajriariudgcmcnInamcs
IIis Iopoogica abiiIy ogcncraIing IIc ncv according Io a IraccIory in
vIcI IIc rca cxIcrioriIy, cvcn IIougI iI cannoI bc Iravcrscd, nonclIc-
css imposcs rom aar upon IIc subjccIivc inIcrior IIc sIrangcncss o a
producIiononiIsc.
b) HcgcIs paII, in posiIon 3, dccIarcs IIaI IIc nIcrior produccs
iIs ovn cxIcroriIy. !I is an cxpansvc Iopoogy, in vIicI IIc passng
ouIsdc-o-iIsc consIiIuIcs IIc vIoc acI o a pacc. Wc couId say
IIaI a HcgcIian scIs arc opcn, vcrc I noI ncccssary, in ordcr Io posiI
IIcir macabc ronIicr, Io cosc IIc vIoc oncc again and Io program
rom vcry ar IIc Iransgrcssivc opcning as rcIurn-IoiIsc, so IIaI IIc
oca cxIcriorizaIon s ncvcr anyIIing buI IIc cccIuaIion o a goba
inIcriorizaIion.
TIisgocsIosIovIIaIIIcHcgcIianIruIIncvcrcxisIscxccpInIcgraIy.
TIisisvIaI!acaninvcrIsvIcnIcmakcsIIcIasaynginIoanabsoIuIc
condiIionorsIaIingIIc Iruc.
BcorcvcgcIIoIIispoinI,IcIusobscrvcIIaIourdocIoroIIcspiIIas
IcsiIaIcd,andcvcnrIcd,ikcaous,viIIIIcHcgcancIimcraoIIc
inIcgrasvayngiI as cosc aspossibc Io IIc diaccIic in vIicI IIc Iruc
circuIaIcsasiIs ovnaIscncss.
j. . . asongasIIcIruIIisnIcnIircyrcvcacd,IIalisIosayinaprob-
abiIyunIi IIc cnd oIimc, iIsnaIurcvi bc Io propagaIc iIscinIIc
ormocrror. j. . .
!n oIIcr vords, ndiscoursciIis conIradicIion vIicI sorIs IruII rom
crror. !rom vIcncc IIc Hcgcian conccpIion o absouIc knovlcdgc.
AbsoIuIc knovIcdgc is IIis momcnI in vIcI IIc IoIaiIy o discoursc
coscsinoniIscnapcrccInon-conIradicIion upIoandincudingIIc
acIIIaIiIposiIs, cxpainsandusIihcsiIsc. WcarcsomcvayycIrom
IIisidca j. . .
So vc arc cd, iI voud appcar, Io a IisIorica !yrronism vIicI
11V
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
suspcnds IIc IruIIvauc O cvcryIIing vIicI IIc Iuman vOicc can
cmiI,suspcnds iI in IIccxpccIaIiOnOauIurcIOIaizaIiOn.
!siIunIIinkabcIIaIiImigIIcOmcabOuI?AIcra,canIprOgrcssO
IIc sysIcm O IIc pIysica scicnccsbccOnccivcdOasIIc prOgrcss Oa
singc symbOicsysIcm, IOvIicIIIings givcsusIcnancc and subsIancc?
. . .
TIis symbOic sysIcm O IIc scicnccs Icnds IOvards IIc wcll madc
lanuac, vIicI Onc migII cOnsidcrIO bc iIs Ovn anguagc, a anguagc
dcprivcdOa rccrcncc IO a vOicc. S !, 23-5/28-! )
WIOdOcsnOImcasurcLacansIOncsIyOn IIispOinI, IIccarcgivcn IO
rcndcring IIc IraccIOry? LcI IIis bc a cssOn in cIIics, as ar asIIc lOgic
O cOnIradicIiOns is cOnccrncd. NObOdy scriOusy Iakcs On IIc diaccIic
viIIOuI cvOking IIc sIadOvy parI IIaI cnabcs IIc drcam O iIs cOacs-
ccncc. SIOuld iI bc sucIa causcOrOyIIaIcrrOrisIIccOmmcrcia agcnI
O IruII? LcI us bcvarc OIIOsc pcOpc vIO arc aIOO IasIy IO cOnscnI
IO IIc nOOnday O IIc Ia-said. TIcy cOvardy can IOvard IIc vrOng
sidc.
!ikciIIIaIOncabdicaIcsIIcWIOcOnyvIcnOrccdandcOnsIraincd
IO dOsO.
Hcgc, OnIisparI, isnOIvcryprOncIO abdicaIc.TIcrcarcnO IruIIs, in
Iiscycs,nO maIIcri IIcy arcabsOuIclyspccia, IIaIcannOI bc sIaIcd as
guaranIccdbyIIcinIcgraOIIcIruc.
WIaI is IIc issuc a abOuI? !I is abOuI IIc IOpOOgica sIaIus O IruII
vIicI,asisIIccascinmaIIcmaIics,invOvcsIIcvcrydiicuIapparaIus
OrpassingrOmIIcgOba sIudyIO IIcOcasIudy.
Wc carnraIIcrcaryOn in scIOOIIaIbcingabcIOgivc IIc prOc O
auncIiOndOcs nOIauIOmaIicalymcanmasIcryOvcrvIaIcvcrbunging
OrcOnuscdaspccIsmay surrOundsucIaparIicuarvauc.
TruII is a uncIiOn, a varicIy, a suracc, a spacc. TIis is vIaI is sO
immcnscyburdcnsOmcOrpIiOsOpIy,vIicIvOudgadyvanIiI IObc
nOIIingbuIa cOmmcrcia cOdc.
MarxisI pIiOsOpIy is nO cxccpIiOn. !Or IIc vIOc busincss O IIc
'primacy OpracIicc, nOI IO say anyIIing abOuI IIc cvcn mOrc Obscurc
aair OIIc 'cass cIaracIcrOIruII, a IIis is mcanIIO dcmarcaIc, viII
rcgard IO IIc rca-viII rcgard IO IIc cvcnI-IIaI vIicI uncIiOns as
gcncrasIrucIurc rOm IIaI vIicI uncIiOns as singuarIcndcncy.
TIc mOsIabsIrusc IOpOOgical sIaIcmcnI OOurvugaIc is IIc OncIIaI
dcclarcs IIaI IIc univcrsa cxisIs Ony in IIc spccihc. TIis is vIcrc
1Z
LLK NU ULbJULJlN
vc prOducc IIc OinI, as clOsc as pOssibc, bcIvccn IIc Oca and IIc
gOba. HOv abOuI IIc univcrsa impacI O a parIicuar rcvOuIiOn? O
vIicI vOrdvidc varicIydOIIcccmcnIscacd' COmmunc, ' OcIObcr,
and ' CuIura RcvOuIiOn, vIicI arc !rcncI, Russian and CIincsc as
arasIIcirOcaizaIiOniscOnccrncd, cOnsIiIuIcIIcundamcnIagrOup?
TO ansvcr IIis qucsIiOn, vc musI Orcc an cnIirc IOpOOgy O IisIOry,
viII iIs OricnIaIiOn, iIs singuar pOinIs, iIs curvaIurcs, iIs knOIs, and a
iIsgcar.
!nanycasc,iHcgcmakcsapassagcandauncIiOnOuIOIIcOcaIIrcsI-
odcrOssings, IcsccsnO guaranIcc OIIcIruIIcxccpI inIIc WIOc.
WIicI is IOsayIIaIIcguaranIccsnOIIing aI a
!OsiIiOn 4 in Our Iabc dOcs nOI bOIIcr iIscviII IIcsc rivOiIics. !Or
LucrcIius Or La McIIric, IIc subccIivc Iimc O knOvlcdgc is nu. WIaI
dOcs IIis mcan? TIaI a rcgiOn OIIc gcncra mccIanism can bc 'namcd
nOvcdgc, in IIc samc vay vc namc a cOv Or spinacI. WIaI disIin-
guisIcsIIisrcgiOnOrcaiIy?ndOubIcdy,IIaIiIIranscrs,OrIranspOrIs,
a maIcriaascmbagcrOm OncpOinIIO anOIIcr, IIaI is, rOm IIcrca IO
iIs 'imagc . TO knOv mcans IO busy Oncsc, by a pIysica cccI, viII a
cprOducIiOn O sOmcIIing. TIc guaranIcc O IruII aIIacIcs iIsc IO IIc
cOrrccI mccIanism O IIis IranspOrIaIiOn. A drcam Or IalucinaIiOns arc
OnyOuIagcsinIIc rcrigcraIcd Iruck IIaI IranspOrIsimagcs, OrimprinIs.
!Iis rOI IIaIgcIsIOus.
TIc maIcriaisI criIcriOn O IruII hIs in Onc vOrd. rcpcIiIiOn. ! cscapc
IIcdazcddrcamOaIOmsinsOarasIIaIvIicImarksrcpcaIsaIadisIancc
IIaIvIicIis.
!OsiIiOn 5, IIaI OIIcmaIcriaisIdiaccIic, admiIs-nOIviIIOuIIaving
IO pay a pricc vIicI vc vi cvauaIc bcOv-IIaI vc musI disIinguisI
IIOugIIrOmscnsibcbcing.TIisisiIsObccIiOnIO IIc radicaiIyOmccI
anicism. WIaI iI rcIains rOm IIc aIIcr-againsI Hcgc-is IIaI vIaI is
arcady IIcrc in IIc prOccss O knOvcdgc is Iakcn rOm bcing, and nOI
rOm IIc idca. As Or IIc IraccIOry, iI dispOscsin iI IIc spiraingdiscrcp-
ancyOIIcncv, vIcrcbyiIcxcudcsIIcidcaisIinIcgra.rOmIIcWIOc,
nOguaranIccvIaIsOcvcrOOvs.
A IruII is ncv, cvcn IIOugI IIc spira asO cnIais rcpcIiIiOn. WIaI
puIs IIc innOvaIivc inIcrrupIiOninIOIIc circuar cxiOn?A ccrIain cOc-
hcicnI OIOrsiOn.
TIcrcin ics IIc subccIivc csscncc O IIc Iruc. IIaI iI is IvisIcd. 'TIc
Iruc, IIcn, O cOursc, is IIaI. ExccpI IIaI iI is ncvcr rcacIcd cxccpI by
IvisIcd paIIvays S, 5/87-8)
1Z1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
2
TIc invcnIOry givcs us Our pIiOsOpIica namcs Or IruII. cOIcrcncc,
rcpcIiIiOn, IOIaiIy, IOrsiOn.
TIcrcarcnOOIIcrs.TIc 'adcquaIiOnOArisIOIcandSainITIOmasIas
ncvcrbccn anyIIing buIa niccIy OuI Oa dicIiOnary. TO sayIIaIIIcrc is
IruIIvIcnIIcspiriIagrccsviIIIIcIIingdOcsnOIdispcnscanyOncrOm
OOking Or IIc cccIivc av O IIc agrccmcnI in qucsIiOn. ArisIOIc and
SainI TIOmas Ocr IIcir sOuIiOnsIO IIisprObcm, vIicI, ikc a OIIcrs,
arc disIribuIcd inIIc sysIcm. cOIcrcncc, IOIaiIy, rcpcIiIiOn, IOrsiOn.
Lacan ncvcrais IO asI OuI againsI adcquaIiOn 'TIus TruII dravs iIs
guaranIccrOmsOmcvIcrcOIIcrIIanIIc RcaiIyiI cOnccrns. iI dravs iI
rOm SpcccI. usI asiI is rOm SpcccI IIaI TruII rcccivcs IIc mark IIaI
insIaIcsiI in a IicIiOna sIrucIurc E 4/0) .
Surc.BuI IIcacIIIaIrcaiIy cngagcsnOIruIIi sIIcpOinIO dcparIurc
Or any pIiOsOpIy. AdcquaIiOn misIcads nO Onc, nOr dOcs iI pass Or an
iuminaIingsIrOkcrcgardingIIccnigma OIIcIruc.
TIiscnigmacan bc rcadOIIcdiagramOIruII.
cohcrcncc _
IoIaIiy Iorsion
Aiming aI IIc vIOc, IIc subccI-prOccssOIruII rcpcaIsiIsdicrcncc,
undcr a ncv av vIOsc Iiddcn cOIcrcncc can bc siIuaIcd Ony by a
IOrsiOnOIIc iniIia ruc.
Lacan, OnIIisIOpic, Iassaid iI aabciIviII aninsidiOussippagc.
WIaI Ic didnOIsayissOmcIIing! cavc IO yOu asa (dihcuI) cxcrcisc
IO hgurc OuI. !I is a qucsIiOn O dcmOnsIraIing IIaI, as ar as Marxism is
cOnccrncd, IIcscIcma OIruIIbccOmcsIIcOOving.
cIasssIruggIc
dicIoipoIh pI
comunism parIy
1ZZ
LLK N LbJULJlN
TIOscOyOu vIO, aIIIissIagc,sOvcIIcprObcmcanmOvcOn IO IIc
asIcIapIcrIIcyarcripcOrIIccIIicsOMarxism, cxccpI OrIIccxpiciI
ppcmcnIary cOndiIiOn O cngaging, Icrc and nOv, viI IIc parIisan
OrsiOn.
OrsiOn, cvcniIIc vOrddOcs nOI bcOngIO IIccOmmOnparanccO
arxism,canbcincrrcdrOmiIbycOmbiningIIcnOIiOnOIIccircIcand
IIaI O IIc cap. TIc IOrsiOn O IIc Iruc dcsignaIcs a circulariIy viIIOuI
a unicd panc, a discOnIinuOus curvc Scc MaO. IIcrc is a circc, sincc
Ic pOinI O dcparIurc O IruII is pracIicc, vIicI is iIs pOinI Oarriva as
vc, and IIcOryis IIc mcdiaIiOnby vay Oa curvc rOm
j
IO
TIcrc
sIOrsiOnbyIIc dOubcunIingingIIaI, asan inIcgraparI OIruII asIra-
ccIOry, grOunds IIcpracIicanOvcIy, IIc Oca indcx OpasIIc divisiOn
nIO
j
and , vIicI is nOI a IcmpOra divisiOnbuI a cOgniIivc Onc IIc
avOpaccmcnI.
WIyadoublunIinging?Bccauscin OrdcrIOguaranIccIIc circuariIy,
cvcn iiI is a brOkcnOnc, vc nccdIvO discOnIinuiIics.
WIcncc IIc IvO caps OknOvcdgc. rOm scnsibc IO raIiOnaknOv
cdgc (a cap in IIc pracIicaidcnIiIy OIIc IraccIOry) and rOm raIiOna
I rcvOuIiOnary knOvcdgc (a cap vIcrcby p dvidcs iIsc) . Rcad 0n
ac/ic.
Onc vi rccOgnizc IIaI rOm IIc scnsibc IO IIc raIiOna vc mOvc by
vayOa brcak aOng IIc axis OIruII. IOIaiIy rcpcIiIiOn.WIcrcasrOm
raIiOna IOrcvOuIiOnaryknOvcdgc, vc mOvc IOrizOnIay. rcpcIiIiOn
cOIcrcncc.
Iis is prcciscy vIaI inIcrrupIs IIc rcpcIiIiOn, sincc IIc pcrccivcd
cOIcrcnccis ncv.
!n IispcdagOgicaanguagcMaOIIcMarxisIsIaIcsIvOIIcscsIIaIarc
csscnIiaOrOurundcrsIanng OIIcIruc.
. A raIiOnaiIysIrucIurcsIIcWIOcbyvay OrcpcIiIivc scrics.
2 ApcrccivcdcOIcrcnccinIcrrupIs a rcpcIiIiOn.
OnccangOvcry arviII IIis. BuI! imagincIIc Ob ccIiOn, vIicI! vi
quOIc 'YOu arc cOung IIc issuc AIcraIIis, isiI sIi pOssibc IO IrcaI
can as an idcaisI? AI casI admiI IIaI Ic is guiIy LcI us add IO IIc
OssicrOnc OIisdccaraIiOns, vIicI is dcvasIaIing .
Or iI is sIi nOI saying cnOugI IO say IIaI IIc cOnccpI is IIc IIing
iIsc, vIicI a cIid can dcmOnsIraIc againsI IIc ScIOasIics. !I is IIc
vOrd O vOrds IIaI crcaIcs IIc vOrd O IIings-IIings vIicI aI hrsI
run IOgcIIcr inIIc hic/nuncOIIc a in IIc prOccss ObccOming-by
1Z
THLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
giving iIs cOncrcIc bcing IO IIcir csscncc, and iIs ubiquiIy IO vIaI Ias
avays bccn.klcmacsaci. E 22/276)
'O yOu rccOgnizc, my MarxisI prOsccuIOr vi cOntinuc, IIc primacy
O IIinking Ovcr bcing-in-iIsc, O tIc subccI Ovcr IIc ObccI-idcaisI
axiOmsIOvIicI!acanassignsIIcirmOdcrnOrm,invIicIiIisaqucsIiOn
OIIc anIcriOriIyOIanguagc Ovcr IIc IIing iIscl?
! ! ask my sagaciOus OppOncnI. '!s IIcrc primacy O capiIaism Ovcr
IIc prOcIariaI? ! am nOI surc IIaI Ic vi bc mucI bcIIcr cquippcd IO
prOvidc an ansvcr. !I vi prOvc uscu aI IIis pOinI IO mcdiIaIc On a
crucia IIcsis rOm Lacan. 'TIc subccI is, as iI vcrc, inIcrnaIy cxcudcd
rOm iIs ObccI ( E 6! 73 ) . !I is dihcuI, in IIis inIcrna cxcusiOn, IO
pinpOinIaprimacy.
AIOrsiOn, ycs.
Likc Marx, and ikc !rcud, Lacan isvividyavarc OIIcacIIIaI Ic is
bringingabOuIa ( COpcrnicanrcvOuIiOn.NOIinIIcscnscOaninvcrsiOn
buI raIIcra sanIing. vIaI vc sav assIraigII, vc musI scc as IvisIcd.
-TIc rcvOuIiOnasIIcimpOssibcprOpcrIOMarxism-An
cxcrcisc in IOrsiOn-'csIrOy, Ic says
!spOkc IO yOu abOuI pcriOdizaIiOn. ! IOdyOuIIaIIIc maIcriaisIdiaccIic
undOcs IIc circc O IIc Hcgcian diaccIic in ccrIain rupIurcs vIcrcby
cvcry pIcnOmcnOn cOmcsIO inscribc iIscIvOIimcs (aIcasI .
TIcdOubcscaisIIcpricc OHisIOryOranOvcIy.
6
O cOursc, Marxism is a pIcnOmcnOn and, as sucI, iI is pcriOdizcd.
!t IIus bcgins IvO Iimcs. viII Marx and IIcn viII !cnin. 'Marxism-
Lcninism is a namc OrIIis dOubcsca-OrIIc dOubc namc. TIc dOc
trina Onc OIIcIisIOricaTvO.
CIrisIianiIy, IOO, bcgins IvO Iimcs. viII CIrisI and viII SainI !au.
NOIcIIaI IIc ccrIainIy O IIc hrsI bcginning isaIIacIcd IO IIcIruII O
IIc sccOnd. WiIIOuIIIcOundingmiiIanIacIiviIyOSainI!auviIIOuI
IIc idca-againsI !cIcr-O univcrsaizing IIc mcssagc, O caving IIc
Lav, O cxcccding IIc cvisI univcrsc, vIaI vOud Iavc bccOmc O
tIis micnary pOvcr, rOm vIicI aOnc vc can rcad a bcginning in
tIc Iangcd IisIOry OIIaI sccIarian cadcr iquidaIcd by IIc !alcsIinian
cstabisImcnIundcrIIcprOIccIiOnOIIcncuIraiIyOIIc ROmanSIaIc?
IcpOiIicaIIimcOIIcunivcrsaCIurcI, OvIicISainI!auisIIcbri-
liant and i-IumOurcd Lcnin, rcIrOacIivcy grOunds IIc !ncarnaIiOn as
1Zb
1HLY r 1HL bUbdLL1
acI. LcI us undcrsIand. asIhcdiscursivcacIoIhismiiIanI, conqucring
apparaIus.
MusI vc arguc IhaI organizaIion aOnc can makc an cvcnI inIo an
origin? cs, insoaras a pOiIica subccI rcquircs Ihc hisIorica undcrpin-
ning o an apparaIus and insoarasIhcrc is no origncxccpI ora dcIcr-
minaIcpoiIics.
Hovcvcr, Ihc cvcnI, oncc iI isIhus assigncd, IakcsOnan incxhausIibc
vaucocriIicaanIicipaIionviIhrcgardIo vhaIIhcrcIroacIionhxaIcsas
origin, scansiOn, orbordcr.
Considcr Ihc suspcnsc o rcIrOacIiOn and anIicipaIiOn IhaI inks Ihc
Third !nIcrnaIionaIo Ihc OcIObcrRcvOuIion. Marxism IruycOmcsinIo
bcing during Ihis pcriod, in parIicuaranIicipaIion-as capabc O hcr-
csics and-rcIroacIion-as capabc o a oundaIiona cpic. !I is Onyrom
vicIoriOus Lcninism IhaI vc can daIc Ihc cxisIcncc o Marxism as Ihc
originary discursivcdcsignaIion oa ncvpOiIicasubccI.
!ndccd,IhcrccanbcnOqucsIionoa subccI asongasIhcanguagcis
sIimissingin vhich Io prOnouncc a vcrdicIabouIhcrcsyor Io rcmiI IO
Ihc cpic.
Wivc say IhaIiI isonyromLacanIhaIvc candaIc, sIricIy spcaking,
rcudianism quaIhcory o Ihc subccI? Or cvcn !rcudianism qua cpc? As
Orhcrcsics, Ihcyappcarcd sOOn cnOugh. Wivc argucIhaI, bcorc Lacan,
IhcrccxisIcdOnyanOpcndocIrincandascicnIhcambiIiOnnomOrcaccOm-
pishcd,inmaIIcrso'psychoOgy,buIaIsonomOrcmcdiOcrc, IhanIhaIOr
vhichvc cancrcdiIMarx, IhrOughCaji/al, inmaIIcrsocconomy?
WiIhouI a doubI. A inc o dcmarcaIion had IO bc dravn bcIvccnIhc
! andIhc cgo soas hnayIo isoaIc Ihc proccss Ovhich 'unconscious is
Ihc namc,usI asiI vas OnyaqucsIiOnovaguc ObccIiviIicsunIiLcnin
cncrgcIicay rcvcacdIhaIin maIIcrs O Marxism, 'poiIics is Ihc cOnccn
IraIcd cxprcssion o cconOmics, and parIisan acIiviIy, Ihc cOnccnIraIion
opoiIics.
!I is noI or nOIhing IhaI !acan vagcs var againsI cvcry rcapsc o
psychOanaysis inIo Ihc cncrgcIic O drivcs or vhaI vc vOud ca
ccOnomism.
WhaI is, in Ihc hna insIancc, Ihc 'primacy O Ihc signiicr? I is Ihc
primacy o Ihc cIhica, o Ihc cIhics o vc-sayng. And or Lcnin, IhaI
is Ihc primacyopOiIics,vhichis an arI-'!nsurrccIiOn i sanarI-much
morc so Ihan a scicncc.
acani s Ihc LcninO psychoanaysis. Hcsays iI himsc, andusIihaby
so ina passagcIhaI hasnoI ycImadca oIo ink Iov
1Z0
LLK NU ULb1ULJlN
Marx and Lcnin, !rcud and !acan arc nOI cOupcd in bcing. !I is via
Ihc cIIcr Ihcy ound in Ihc OIhcr IhaI, as bcings O knOvcdgc, Ihcy
prOcccd Ivo by Ivo, in a suppOscd OIhcr. WhaI is ncv abOuI Ihcr
knOvcdgc is IhaI iI dOcsnI prcsumc Ihc OIhcrknovs anyIhing abOuI
iI-ccrIany noI Ihc bcing vhO consIiIuIcd Ihc cIIcr Ihcrcor iI is
ccary On Ihc basis o Ihc OIhcr ( dc l'Au/rc) IhaI hc cOnsIiIuIcd Ihc
cIIcraIhisOvncxpcnsc, aIIhcpriccOhisbcing,vhich, byGOd,isnoI
noIhing aIaOrcachOus, buInOI avhOcoIciIhcr, Io Ic IhcIruIh.
(S , 7/-0)
Hcrcvc sccIhaIIhcbinomaIOnamcscorrcspOnds univcrsayIO Ihc
oubcscaOIhcOrigin.
So Ihc prObcm o our Iimc vOud bc Ihc Ooving. Whcrc is, ycI Io
comc and makingIhrcc, Ihc Mao Opsychoanaysis?
BuI our !cnn in qucsIiOn is aivc and vc. hc can accumuaIc Ihc
numbcrs, ikca kingsuccccdnghimsc.
2
AsarasOur IOpicscOnccrncd,vhichisIhaIoIruIh, !rcad!acansmaIc-
riaism In hs sIcady uprghIncss abOuI IOrsion rom vhch I Iurns ouI
IhaI, indcxcd accOrding IO Ihc Whoc, a pcrccivcd cohcrcncc inIcrrupIs
hc rcpcIiIiOnIhaIsIrucIurcsiI.
LcI usiusIraIc Ihc IOrsion OIhc Iruc, vhich cOnsIiIuIcs Ihc IOpoOgy
oiIscohcrcncc, Ihc cacsura OiIsrcpcIiIion, andIhc hssurc o IsvhOc,
viIhOurgoOdod OOs bridgc. Ihc rcaIion oprOcIaraI/bOurgcOisic.
! say 'rcaIion, and nOI rcaIion, on Ihc grOunds IhaI, i Ihc rca O
psychOanaysis is Ihc impOssibiiIy O Ihc scxua qua rcaIion, Ihc rca
o Marxism can bc sIaIcd as OIOvs. 'Thcrc arc nO such Ihngs as cass
rcaIiOns.
WhaIdocsI mcanIO sayIhaIIhcrcarcnOcassrcIaIOns?Thiscanbc
sIaIcd dcrcnIy. anIagOnism.
ThcbOurgcoisic/prOcIariaIanIagonismdcsignaIcsIhcrcaIiOnocasscs
simpOssibc,vhcrcbyiIdcimiIsIhcrcaOMarxism.ThsisnOIIhcsamc
as iIsObccI, OrIhcObccI OMarxism,! said sorcpcaIcdy, is nonc OIhcr
thaniIssubccI. IhcpOiIicasubccI.
ThcrcaisvhaIIhc subccI cncOunIcrs, asiIs chancc, iIscausc,and iIs
consisIcncy. ! vi cOmc back IO Ihis IripcI. chancc, causc, cOnsisIcncy.
1Z
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
!OrIIcsubccIOvIicIMarxismisIIcIIcOry, IIisrcaisIIcbOurgcOisic/
prOcIariaIanIagOnismasimpOssibcrcIaIiOnamOngIIcpcOpc. TIcsIapc
IIaIIIisnOcaIiOnIakcsisvaidOranyMarxisIpOiIics, inIIcrcgisIcrO
cIancc(IOscizcIIcbubyIIcIOrns , OIIccausc (iIisrOmIIisnOca-
IiOnIIaIpOiIicsassucI,vIicIisIOsaymasspOiIics,isbOrn , andOcOn-
sisIcncy (IIc susIaining O anIagOnism is vIaI givcs Marxism iIs sIaying
pOvcr, asvcasdchning IIcprincipc OuniIyOiIs sIagcs .
O vc IIcn adOpI, sucI as iI is, Lacans maxim IIaI IIc rca is vIaI is
impOssibc? cs, viIIOuI any quibbc. TIc rca OMarxism isIIc rcvOu-
IiOn. WIaI dOcs IIc rcvOuIiOn namc? TIc sOc IisIOricaI Orm O cxisI
cnccOIIcrcaIiOnOcIass, IIaIis, anIagOnism,vIicIIurnsOuIIObc lhc
dcslrucliono]lhalwhichdidnolcxisl.
TIcrcvOuIiOnisIIccxisIcnIiaOanIagOnism. !IisIIcrcOrcIIcnamc
OIIcimpOssibcIIaIis prOpcrIOMarxism.
OcsIIis mcanIIaIrcvOuIiOnsdO nOI cxisI? uiIc IIc cOnIraryTIaI
IIcy arc rca mcans prcciscyIIaI IIcy cxisI, and IIaIs a. TIc MarxisI
sIaIus O IIc rcvOuIiOns is IIcir Iaving-Iakcn-pacc, vIicI is IIc rca
On IIc basis OvIicIa pOiIica subccIprOnOunccs iIsc in IIc prcscnI.
NOIIingIas Iakcn pacc cxccpI IIc rcvOuIiOn. !I is an impOssibc cvcnI,
ikcaIruccvcnIs,OvIicIMarxismcnsurcsIIcsubccIivcguaranIccby
IIc rcIrOacIiOn OiIs cOnccpI.
'!arisCOmmunc, ' OcIObcr 1, ' CuIuraRcvOuIiOnarcnOIcmpirica
cOniguraIiOns OvIicI sOmc 'MarxisI IisIOrian OrOIIcr vOud prOvidc
IIc narraIivc. TIcyarc MarxisIcOnccpIsIIaI cnabc us IO IIinkIIc rca-
IiOnOIIcpOIiIicasubccI IO IIc rca, IIaIis, IO IIc cxisIingimpOssibiiIy
OIIc rcvOuIiOns.
TIcsc cOnccpIs arc OIIcrvisccrucia and OundaIiOna IIan IIOsc IIaI
Onc is miscd inIO Iaking Or MarxsprimiIivccOnccpIs, sucI as 'mOdc O
prOducIiOn, 'prOducIivcabOur, 'surpusvaIuc, andOIIcrs.
!Or Marxism, scizcd rOm any pOinI IIaI is nOI iIs cccIivc OpcraIiOn
vIicI is cnIircIy O IIc Ordcr O pOiIics viIIin IIc masscs, dOcs nOI
dcscrvc Onc IOur O Our IrOubcs. NOr vOud iI bc vOrII invcsIing IIis
IOur in a !rcudianism rcduccd IO IIc drcary dOcIrinc O scxua dcIcr-
minaIiOn, adusIcd IO sOmc IIcrapy Or OIcr mcanI IO rcinOrcc IIc
cgO.
!n IIcsc Iimcs markcd by IIc 'cOmmOn prOgrammc O IIc !cI,
IIOsc vIO imaginc IIaI anyIIing vIaIsOcvcr O Marxism can subsisI i
OncprcIcnds IOdOviIIOuIIIc impOssibc rcvOuIiOn arcusIgOOdOrIIc
absOvingIacnIqucsIOacadcmia.
JZb
LLK NU ULb1UL1lN
Marxism is IIc pracIica discOurscOr susIaining IIc subccIivc advcnI
C a pOiIics. WIaI pracIicc? ! apprOvc OIIc dhniIiOn Lacan givcs IO
praxis 'WIaIisa praxis? . . . !I i sIIcbrOadcsI Irm IO dcsignaIca cOn
ccrIcdIumanacIiOn,vIaIcvcriI maybc, vIicIpaccsman in apOsiIiOn
IO IrcaI IIc rcaviIIIIcsymbOic (S ! 6/ I .
Marxism sccks IO cIangc IIc rca O rcvOuIiOn IIrOugI IIc symbOic
grip OvIicI iI assurcs IIc pOiIica subccI O sucI a rca, a subccI Or
vIicI, asvcaknOv, iI rcscrvcsIIc namc 'prOlcIariaI, vIicI is nciIIcr
mOrcnOrcss apprOpriaIc IIanIIc (dubiOus vOrd 'uncOnsciOus.
TIisis asOvIcrcMarxismmusIOrdainiIsIOrsOn.
3
!na IpOOgyrOm vIicI vc migII IIink IIc pair cxIcriOr/i nIcriOr, vIaI
sIIcsiIc OIIcsc IvOIcrms, 'bOurgcOisic and 'prOcIariaI
EcOnOmism, vIicI is Ond O disIincIiOns, pOsiIs IIc cxIcriOriIy. bOur-
gcOis is vIOcvcr Ovns IIc mcans OprOducIiOn. rOcIaria, vIOcvcris
scparaIcdrOmIIcm and Ias aI IisdispOsaOny IisabOurOrcc, vIicI
c scs.
NOvIIcrcissOmcIIingIIaIisccrIainynOIvrng
Wc knOv vIaIOOvs. TIis IOpOOgica cxIcririIy cIangcs Ovcr inIO
a uncIiOna inIcriOriIy. TIis is IIc rcvcngc O II pacc, vIicI vc sav
nIIc casc O Hcgc. !IIc prOcIariaI is Ony IIis prOducIivc (cxpOIIcd
cxIcriOriIy, iIvOud bcbcIIcrIO namc iI-viII arx-'aburOrcc, Or
cvcn 'variabc capiIa. !ndccd, iI is nOIIing buI a piccc O capiIa. Ou
avcmadcadisIincIiOngOvcrncdbyIIcrucOaIrucIurcdscI, invIicI
disIincIiOn is acIuay OnIy a av O cOmpOsiIiO, IIaI O IIc cycc O
cnargcd rcprOducIiOn. WIaI yOu Iavc is Cajilal. Hcrc IIc Orking cass
scvcn IIc mOsIprcciOuscapiIa, sincc iIi sIIc OnIyacIivcprincipcOiIs
rcgcncraIiOn. Ou may dO avayviII IIc capiIaiIs, aI IIc vIic main-
IainingIIc av OcapiIa. TIis isvIaIIIc Russia uncIiOnarics managc
IO dO quiIc vc. TIc vOrkcrs, by cOnIrasI, cannOI bc subIraIcdrOm IIc
Ovcra cOnhguraIiOn. !rOm IIis vc can incr IIaI IIcir iniIia disIincIiOn
rOm IIc bOurgcOisic, purcy rOm IIc pOinI O cv O cxOiIaIiOn, O
IIc cxIOrIiOn O surpus-vauc, camc dOvn IO II OOvig sIaIcmcnIs
o incusiOn. IIc bOurgcOis vOrd spaccs cass, caiIa is II pacc OIIc
prOcIariaI.
!aradOxicay, in OrdcrIO cOmc IO IIink OIIc rOcIariaI as bcing-Or
1ZV
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
as pOssiby bcing-IIc OuIpacc OIIc bOurgcOis spacc, wcmusl]rsllhink
lhcbourcoisic s inlcrioriqlolhcjrolclarial.
TIis isvIcrc IruII appcarsIOsIandinaIOrsiOn, vIcrcasIIccOIcrcncc
OIIc ccOnOmiss gavc us OnyIIc rcpcIiIiOnOcapiIa aspacc-vIOc.
!nIIcbcginning,IIc'prOcIariaIisindicaIcdasaparIicuarhgurcOIIc
bOurgcOisic, IIc spiIhgurc OIIc aIIcrspOiIics.WIaI sIarIcd Marxism
vasnOIIingcscIanIIcpOpuarandvOrkcrsinsurrccIiOnsO 83-5,
IIcmscvcs graIcd OnIOIIcbOurgcOis dcmOcraIic mOvcmcnI in EurOpc.
An cxccpIiOna disOrdcr. usI as psycIOanaysis bcgan Ony by isIcning
IO IIissinguardisOrdcrOspcccI IIaI isIIc]n-dc-sicclcIysIcric. TIc Iis-
IOrica sympIOmvIcncc IO Irack dOvn IIc subccI Originaycanbc rcad
O IIc bOurgcOis pOiIica disOrdcr. WIaI is IIis disOrdcr? TIc scissiOn
inIrOduccdinIOIIcsubccI by iIsassignaIiOn IO a IcIcrOnOmOus Ordcr. I
is IIc cxpusiOn, IIc purging, O IIc inIcrna inccIiOn by IIc subccIivc
prOcIarian cmcrgcncc, vIaIcvcr IIc dcgrcc O iIs cOnsisIcncy, IIaI rsI
cOnsIiIuIcsiI.
Wc migIIasvc sayIIaIiIisIIccmcrgcnccObizarrcpracIicaOrgan-
isms in IIcIcnccOrII-cOnuscddOmainObOurgcOispOiIicsIIaI cOnsIi-
IuIcs IIcprOcIariaIspar-appcaring.
WIaI is IIc prOcIariaI? A IIaI is IisIOricay in IIc prOccss Ocuring
iIsc O a mOrIa pOiIica discasc. !I is a surviving bOdy, bOrnc rOm rOI.
Ncvcrcurcd, vc sIOudnOIc, avays in IIcprOccssObcing curcd.
As a sympIOm O IcaII, vIicI rOm any OIIcr pOinI O vicv cxccpI
Marxism rcads as a sympIOm Oincurabc incss, IIc pOiIics OIIc prO-
cIariaIccrIainysIandsin inIcrnacxcusiOnIObOurgcOispOiIics,IIaI is,
IO iIs ObccI.
Ocs IIc bOurgcOisic makc a subccI? ! ahrmcd as mucI inIIis vcry
pacc, inApri 75. LcImccOnIradicImysc,iIisaIrickOpar-appcaring.
TIcbOurgcOisicIasnOIbccna subccIOr a OngIimc, iImakcsa pacc.
TIcrc is Ony Onc pOiIica subccI, Or any givcn IisIOricizaIiOn. TO
ignOrc IIis maOr ObscrvaIiOngcIs Onc IangcdupinavisiOnOpOiIicsas
a subccIivc duc, vIicIiIisnOI. TIcrc isOnc pacc, and OncsubccI.TIc
dissymmcIry is sIrucIura in naIurc.
TIcprOcIariaIcxisIscvcryvIcrcvIcrcsOmcpOiIicaOuIpaccisprO
duccd. !I is IIcrcOrc by purging iIscIIaI iI cxisIs. !I Ias nO anIcriOriIy
OvcrIIc OrganizaIiOn OiIs pOiIica surviva. TO cxpc IIc bOurgcOis pOi-
Iicsby cOmprcssingiIsOvn Organism-suppOrI andIObringinIOcxisIcncc
IIcprOcIarianpOiIics, apparcnIy, arc OncandIIc samc.
OcsIIisaOvusIOvagcrIIccxisIcnccOapOiIica subccI? NO, ! dO
1
LLK NU ULbJULJlN
nOIagrcc viII IIcvicvIIaI iI vOud suhcc I IavcIIc muIipiciIy O
IIcrcvOIs,IIcOuIpaccOpurcsubccIivizaIiOn, IIccrupIivcgivcn OIIc
p
OpuarpOiIicacOnccnIraIi On.
TIc IOrsiOn is mOrc radica. !I is nOI Ony as IIc pacc-OuI-O-pacc O
c-cxpusiOn, as IcIcrOnOmOus pOiIics, IIaI IIcprOcIariaI qua subccI
Omcs inIO bcing in IIc vOrd. WiIIin IIc cOnIinuiIy OIIc purihcaIiOn
Onc canavaysIakcIIcprOcIariaIOran unnOIiccdcard OIIcbOurgcOi-
c iIsc, arcIurnOiIssubccIivccOmpcIcncc, apiIaOIIcpacc.TIisis
IaI vc arc IaugIIbyIIc appcarancc in IIc SSROa ncwburcaucraIic
IaIc bOurgcOisic.
Ic subccIs mcasurc dcmands IIaI IIc sIricI Ogic O IIc OuIpacc,
OvcrncdinvIOyMaarmcan asIiOn by IIc causaiIyOack, cxcccds
Iscin IIc dcslrucliono]lhcjlacc.
!I isnOI an cmpIypacc, nOIcvcn IIaIOpOvcr, IIaIcOnurcsIIccmcr-
cncc in IIcpOiIicadisOrdcr, O IIcsubccIOiIs OccupaIiOn.
' csIrOy, Ic says sucI is IIc ncccssaryand prOOngcdprOcIarian
IaIcmcnI.
1Z
LLK NU ULbJUL1lN
LkcHcgcOrMarx, LacanOrusiscsscnIiaand divisibc.Thc primacy
o Ihc sIrucIurc, vhich makcs O Ihc symbOic Ihc gcncra agcbra OIhc
succI,andOlalanu,iIsIransccndcnIahorizOn,iscOuntcrcdcvcrmOrc
ccaryvitha IOpOOgicaObscssiOn in vhichvhaI mOvcs andprOgrcsscs
pcrIainstOIhcprimacyOthcrca.
Thcrcarc, brOadyspcaking, IvOsucccssivcLacans, Ihc OncOIhcack
obcingand thcOnc OIhc OnIOOgyOthchOc, OIhc nOda lojos, and,
onscqucnIy, Othcbcing Oack.
!rOmIhcprimacyOIhcsymbOictOIhccOnsistcncyOIhc rca.
ThcraIiOnamaIrixIicdIOIhc cccI Oack, byvhichLacancOnIinucs
tc Maarmcan cOrt, is cOnccnIraIcd in Ihc arIiccs in vhch acqucs
ain Micr in a ccar sIcp-bysIcp manncrscts OuI Ihc Ogic O Ihc sig-
nicr, and Ihcn Ihc IhcOry O lalanu. Micrs cOncusiOns sum up Ihc
ormaism O Ihc sIrucIura diaccIic, undcr thc Ihcmatichcading O Ihc
vanishingcnIity,OIhcincOnsistcnIIOtaiIy.
!tisOnyvhcnIhcmarkdisappcarsthaIiIspaccappcars,andIhcrcOrc
Ihc mark as such. !s Ihis cnOugh IOusIiy Our saying IhaI iI aIIains iIs
bcing Ony in iIs disappcarancc-IhaI iI takcs hOd Ony On Ihc bOrdcr
OiIsack-ina Iash? j. . . IhcbcingOIhc mark, usI ikcthaIOack,
'cxistsOnyinIhcin-bcIvccn,incOrpOrca,ungraspabc,Orinthcdicr-
cncc bcIvccn Ihc Onc and Ihc OIhcr, in Ihc mOvcmcnI, in Ihcpassagc,
and iI is avays ciIhcr IOO cary Or IOO atc. j. . . This prOccss-Ihis
cnIiIy-prcscnIs iIsc as unIOIaizabc-Or, as a cOnIradicIOry IOIaiIy,
vhichistOsay,aIOIaiIyviIhiIscOnIradicIiOn, OrviIhiIsnOninIcgrabc
ccmcnt, muIipiciIyirrcducibctOa unity. . . . Thcmark j. . . dOcsnI
consisl (iIis incOnsisIcnI , iIpcrsisIs, iIinsisIs, itis a prOccss.
ThcsubccIhcrcis rcvcacdinIhcccipscOIhcmarking,caughIinIhc
pulsaIing mOvcmcnI, IhcIashingaI Ihccdgc OthaIvhicharIicuaIcsiI.
Thus,IhcprOctariaI,trappcdinIhcpOiIicaavOIhcbOurgcOisvOrd,
is Ony-as Lacan says OIhc Obcct O anIasy-an 'unspcakabc vacia-
ton ( E 5 50/656) . WhOcvcrvanIsIOdccarciIssubsIancc is a svindcr.
O Ihc prOcIariaI, vc ncvcr ObIain anything cxccpI Ihc bOdy (Ihc
parIy , cxccpIIhcIraccs:pOpuarhisIOricaacIsvhOscnOminacvidcncc
tikcsusviIh unccrtainIy.
Whcncc IssubccI-making.
rcscribcd by Ihc Oss O iIs ObccI-Ihus suIurcd OnIO thc rcal by
tc ack O bcing-dcsirc dividcs Ihc subcct, bcing incxIcnsivc IO Ihc
nOthing rOm vhcncc iI prOcccds. ThcOnymOdc O cxisIcncc Osucha
1
1HLY 1HL bUbdLL1
divisiOn is IhcavOaIcrnaIiOnOn vhich, in Lacanscasc, nOsIarcOmcs
IOpuI iIs sIamp.
Thc subccI OOvs IhrOughOuI Ihc aIc O Ihc vanishingIcrm, having
Ihc sIaIus OaninIcrvabcIvccn IvO signihcrs, S
l
and S
vhichprcscnI
I Onc H Ihc OIhcr. usI as Ihc prOcIariaI is Ony IhaI vhich a ( namcd)
rcvOuIiOnprcscnIsIOanOIhcr( namcabc) rcvOuIiOn. usI asIhcvrcckcd
ship ( S
vhic nOIhing
cOnsOidaIcsIhisprcscnIaIiOn, nOIcvcnIhcMaarmcandrcamOaciphcr
OIhc univcrsc, cOnhncdinIhc BOOkinvhich Ihis univcrsc shOud Ogi-
caycuminaIc.
!Or Lacan, Ihc subccIcads IO nOIhing,
. -A. Micr, sIi him, gOcs aIcrLacan viIh IhcqucsIiOn. 'WhaI isyOur
OnIOOgy?WhaIisIhcuncOnsciOus?
Oh, Ihc Ordcas IO vhichOncIhinksIhaIMarxisIsarc subccIcd vhcn
Onc IhrOvs aI Ihcm pOinI-bank Ihc burning qucsIiOn (Ihis happcns a
IhOusand Iimcs Ovcr, sO IhaI vc carry incOmbusIibc prOIccIvc gcar :
'Whcrci syOurprOcIariaI? !si InOIan imaginarysignihcr?
WOc IO IhOsc vhO bcicvcIhaIIhcy musI OOv Ihcir OquaciOus IOr-
mcnIOr OnIO Ihc Icrrain O cxisIcncc IO vhich hc has prOvOkcd Ihcm.
WhcIhcrIhcyscarchOn Ihc sidc OIhc vOrkcrs andacIOry cxpOiIaIiOn,
Or vhcIhcr Ihcy bring up Ihc cxisIing SIaIcs, Ihc rcsuI vi avays bc
ciIhcrIOOmuch, OrIOOiIIc. !IisuIicIOvanIIO hand OuIIhc ccrIihcaIc
OcxisIcnccOancmpiricascI (bciIasOciacass OrIhc idca nOnbcingO
a prOccI Or sOcicIy (bc iI 'sOciaisI ) IO IhaI vhich givcs a pOiIicaI subccI
Ihc Orcc OiIs namc.
NciIhcr Ihc scxua drivcs nOr Ihc !nIcrnaIiOna sychOanayIica
AssOciaIiOnhavccvcrprOvcnIhccxisIcnccOIhcuncOnsciOus. LcI usnOI
cxpccI anyIhing mOrc, inIcrms OIhc prOcIariaI, rOm Ihc acIOry sIrikc
OrrOmIhc Chincsc SIaIc.
19
LLK N Lb1UL1lN
acan,vhcnpuIIO IhcqucsIiOn,immcdiaIcyhccdsIhcgOOdadvccO
Obiquc cunning. Thus, hc sprcads OuI his ansvcr, annOuncing hrsI IhaI
'O cOursc, ! havc my OnIOOgy-vhy nOI?-ikc cvcryOnc csc, buI IhaI
as arashis discOursc is cOnccrncd, I 'makcs nOcaimH cOvcrIhc cnIirc
cld Ocxpcricncc (S !, 72/6) .
Oncbruary I , I 64, i IvOud sccm IhaI hc OvcrdOcs i Ii n Icrms O
'''''''''
(whoIc) i ( a) (Iorsion)
( IanIasmaIicimac) (sub ccI cclipsc)
1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
!n IIis IraccIOry, IIc subccI is gOvcrncd by IIc ignOrancc O IIc Oss
IIaI cOnsIiIuIcsiI. !IOOvsIIaIIIcrc isnOIruIIvIicIis nOImuIiaIcd,
and nO subccIvIicIis nOI subccIcd.
TIc OpcraIiOnsOIIcspaccarc subsIiIuIiOns ( mcIapIOrsand mcIOny-
mics . !I isIIcrcOrcimpOssibc IOrccOgnizcIIc Oss assucI. TIc subccI
gidcsbcIvccnIIc succcssivc parIia rcprcscnIaIiOns OIIaIvIOscradica
ackinsIiIuIcsiIas arIicuaIcd dcsirc.
Nccdcss IO say IIaI pOiIics Ias Ony IIc vcry mcdiOcrc inIcrcsI O a
bindncss IIaI causcs a rackcI abOuI iIs asc subsIiIuivc insigIIs. 'WIaI
is sOcia is avaysa sOc ( COnccnccs . And bcIIcycI, in ansvcrIO
IIcOOvingqucsIiOnvIicIrcvcasa gOOdamOunIOrOnIaOpIimism.
'TIcpOiIicaimpicaIiOnsOyOurpsycIOanayIicainvcsIigaIiOns? , vIicI
is a IruyAmcricanqucsIiOn, addrcsscdIO LacaninIIcvinIcrO 75aI
ac nivcrsiIy. '!n any casc, IIcrc isnOprOgrcss. WIaI Onc gains On Onc
sidc, OncOscsOn IIc OIIcr. NOI knOving vIaIOnc Ias OsI, Onc bcIicvcs
IO Iavc vOn. My IvisIcd brains suppOsc IIaI IIis is narrOvmindcd'
( COncrcnccs 37) .
A baancing, inan uncarihcdIaI-saying, Ogain andOss. sucIis IIc
OuIcOmcOanysIrucIura cOnccpI OIIcpOiIicasubccI.
!iI is pOssibc IO sayanyIIingmOrc abOuIiI iI is OnyinsOaras IIcrc
is an cccIivcmas/cjo]loss.
TIc ObccIiOn bcing IIaI iI cannOI bc qucsIiOn Oa Orm OknOvcdgc,
mucIcssa rccOccIiOn.
SO vIaI is IIc masIcry O Oss? Marxism IcacIing us IIaI iI is
dcsIrucIiOn.
TIc dcsIrOycd rca is nOI rcducibc IO iIs disappcarancc in IIc IOc O
IIc ack. !I sucy drOps in iI and sOmcIimcs viIIOuI any cIOvcr buI
IIcnccOrII iI isdividcdbcIvccn iIs causa cccI Opurc ack and vIaI
vcviprOvisOriycaIIc sccOnday cccI, vIOscmainspring cOnsisIs in
dclcgaIinga virIuaiIyOcxccss OvcrIIcrcpcIiIivcpaccmcnIscIinmOIiOn
by IIc ackObcing.
csIrucIiOn dividcs IIc cccI O ack inIO iIs parI O ObiviOn-O
auIOmaIism-and iIs parI O pOssibc inIcrrupIiOnO cxccss Ovcr IIc
pacc OIIcOvcrIcaIing OIIcauIOmaIisms.
By IIis IIin gap anOIIcr masIcry can bc said IO cOmc inIO bcing
IOgcIIcrviII an asymmcIricabalancing O Oss andgain.
COnIrary IO cOmmOn OpiniOn, vIicI sccs pcrscvcrancc in bcing as
IIcgrOund OacOnscrvaIism,iIis in cccI-as acan caims-rOm IIaI
vIicI is lacking IIaI cOnscrvaIiOn sccurcs iIsc. BuI vc musI add IIaI,
1b
LLK N LbJULJlN
rvIaIcOmcs IO bc dcsIrOycd, aI IIcvcrylcasIIIcprccariOusncss O
cnscrvaIiOn is sccurcd, as vc as IIaI parI, inIcrcnI in a rcpcIiIiOn,
icIinsisIsin inIcrrupIing iI.
vcry subccI sIands aI IIc crOssing bcIvccn a ack O bcing and a
csIrucIiOn, a rcpcIiIiOn and an inIcrrupIiOn, a paccmcnI and an cxccss.
1V
1M6 Su0j6CIS d0I6C6060C6 I0 | IS6|
|| , V
csIrucIiOn-TIc mOrc-IIan-rcaIandIIcinIcrrupIiOnOIIc
rcpcaIabIc-Curcandrc-cducaIiOn-TvOsubccIivcaIIOcaIiOnsOOrcc.
anxicIyandsupcrcgO
csIrucIiOn is IIaI hgurc O IIc subccIs grOunding in vIicI IOss
nOI OnIy Iurns Iack inIO a causc, buI aIsO prOduccs cOnsisIcncy OuI O
cxccss.
TIrOugI dcsIrucIiOn, IIcsubccIIaIcIcsOnIOIIaIvIicI, inIackiIscI,
survivcs IIc Iacking and is nOI IIc rcpcIiIivc cIOsurc O IIc cccI IO IIc
prcscncc OIIc causc.
!IIcs/ruc/uralcOnccpIOcOnIradicIiOn (IIcspIiIIing)pOinIsIOIIcIack
as Is mainspring and IO IIc Iav as Is IOrizOn, IIc his/aricalcOnccpI O
cOnIradicIiOnisOrgcd OnIIc basis OdcsIrucIiOnvIOscspIcrcOacIiOn
Iics in IIcnOnIav.
!I isIrucIIaI OncpOIcOIIc cOnIradicIiOn, IIcOncIIaIcOnsIiIuIcsIIc
IavOIIcspIaccasIIcpIaccscviIgcnius, pIaysOn iIsOvn abscnccasOn
IIaIvIicI, by Ounding IIc rcpcaIabIc, guaranIccs IIcpcrcnniaI cOnscr
vaIiOn OIIcvOrId.
SucIis IIc dciniIiOnOIIcruIing cIass, vIicIIIuscanncvcrbc madc
prcscnI cxccpI by IIaI vIicI, in IIc anIagOnisIc subccI, is subscrvicnI
IO rcpcIiIiOn.
!tvOuIdbcraIIcrIIing, mOrcOvcr, I namcIIisabscncc'sOcicIy-Or
19
LLK NU ULbJUL1lN
campIc, !rcncI impcrialisIsOcicIy-sOasIavOidaIIinginIOIIcIrapO
it subccIivizaIiOn.
As Or IIc privaIc subjccI, iI is indccd IO IIc Iav O dcsirc, and mOrc
pcciicaIIy IO IIc pair O pcrvcrsiOn/ncurOsis IIaI vc musI ascribc IIc
uOrgivingcccIOiIsvaciIIaIingidcnIiIy. NcurOsisandpcrvcrsiOn.sucI
i> IIc sOcicIy IIaI cacI O us makcs Or Iim Or IcrscI, as IIc primOrdiaI
lmcn/OIIcsubccIivc.
Ovcvcr, IIc acI IIaI IIc OIIcrpOIc OIIc cOnIadicIiOn rOm vIicI
IIc
subccI ariscs canbccOnsidcrcddcsIrucIvcinviIcsusnOIIO rcducc IIc
uccIivc diaIccIicIO iIs aspccI OsOciaIizcd (OrncurOIic) rcpcIiIiOn.
!I rcmains Iruc, IIOugI, IIaI/hcsacialis/hcncurasisa]jali/ics.
TIis is vIaI Iradc uniOnism, viII iIs dOIcuI cOmpIsiOn, iIs tcary aIc-
giancc IO IIc SIaIc, and iIs sIricI subOrdinaIiOn IO aII impcriaIisIic rcpcIi-
IiOns,incarnaIcs 'inIIc rav.
IcIOgicOIradcuniOnssIcmsrOmIackaIOnc, andIIusrOmIIcav.
IIcirvindicaIiOnisby dchniIiOn 'IcgiIimaIc.
OIiIics, cvcn IIOugI iIis sIrucIurcdin IIc samc vay, OriginaIcsinIIc
cI-dcsIrucIiOn OiIsIcgiIimacy.
WcmusIrcscrvcIIcnamcsub)cc/OrIIaIvIicIcannOIbcinscribcdOn
tIc spIaccd grOund O rcpcIiIiOn cxccpI dcsIrucIivcly as IIc cxccss Ovcr
IIaI vIicIkccps iIinpIacc.
TOdchncIIcsubjccIasIIcmcIOnymyOIIcIackObcingOnIyidcnIi-
ics IaIOiIscsscncc, IIcOIIcrIaIbcing /ha/whichivcs bcin/a/hclack,
IIaI is, dcsIrucIiOn, vIicI is irrcducibIc IO IIc acI OpurcsubsIiIuIiOn.
TIus IIc subccI, as IIc pIaccdprOducI OIIc Iav OIack, bringsOuI a
Orc-IIan-rcaI in iIs dOmain IIrOugI vIicI Iack iIscI, in IIc Iracks O
csIrucIiOn, cOmcsIO Iack.
I is acIuaIIyIIis 'mOrc IIaI! caII]arcc.
HOvcvcr, IIis pOinI nccds sOmc rccIihcaIiOn. !n IIc bOOkIcI cnIiIIcd
!haja]Can/radic/ian, vIicI ! vrOIc IvO ycars agO, IIc nOIiOn OOrcc is
OI rcaIIy diaIccIicizcd. TIcrc Orcc cOmpIcmcnIs, Or cvcn cOmpIimcnIs,
pIaccinsOarasiIiscOnccivcdOasa 'placcdOrcc . AIbOIIOm,iIisnOIIing
cIsc IIan IIc quaIiIy O IIc prOccss IIaI prOvidcs IIc IIrcsIOId, Or IIc
pcrOdIcrm, OrIIcOvcrIIrOving OIIcsysIcmOpIaccs.
TOday ! vOuId say IIaI iI is sIiII in vain, IOvcvcr vcII inIcndcd and
pcdagOgicaIIy sOund iI may bc, IIaI vc scck IO 'hII IIc sIrucIurc viII
IIc quaIiIaIivc. !I is nOI OnIy bccausc O IIcir quaIIaIivc IcIcrOgcnciIy
IIaI tIc IvO Icrms Oa cOnIradicIiOnIurninIO a 'rcIaIiOnOOrccs . !vc
rmain aIIIaI IcvcI, vc arcbackin a ducI.
191
1HLY l JHL bUbdLL1
TIc cOnscrvaIivc Icrm canbc idcnIihcdviIIIIc avOack andsubOr
dinaIcsIIcOIIcrIOiIscasrcpcaIabc.!OrccisnOIIingbuIIIaIvIicI,by
cOnccnIraIinginiIscOuI-O-pacc,aIcrm IIaIvasassigncdIOrcpcIiIiOn,
ams up IIc mccIanism O rcpcIiIiOn and IIus Iriggcrs IIc pOssibiiIy Or
IIc dcsIrucIiOn OiIs av.
TIcrcvIcrcIIc OIdcOIcrcncc prcscribcd a mcrcsdingdispaccmcnI,
aninIcrrupIiOn ariscs IIrOugI a puricaIiOn IIaI cxcccds IIc pacc. TIis
is IIc IisIOryOOrcc.
!rOm IIis pOinI O vicv, usI as IIcrc is Ony Onc subccI, IIcrc is asO
OnyOncOrcc, vIOsccxisIcnccavayssuraccsasancvcnI.
TIiscvcnI,IraccOIIc subccI, crOsscsIIcackviIIIIcdcsIrucIiOn.
SucI is IIc cascvIcna rcvOuIiOncrOsscsIIcrisingcurvc O IIc pricc
OvIcaI, OrIIcnumbcrOvarcasuaIics,viIIIIcinsurrccIiOnarycrOvd
Iaking IIc BasIic, OrviII IIc BOsIcvik pOiIica Ordcr.
TIcsubccIsuppOrIisincscapabydividcdbcIvccnIIcparIOiIscIIIaI
is subccIcd IO rcpcIiIiOn (sincc iI is paccd) and IIc parI IIaI inIcrrupIs,
bOcks, andbrings abOuIIIc nOnrcpcaIabc.
YOuIIusObIainsOmcIIingarmOrccOmpcxIIanIIcsimpcdisIincIiOn
Orcc/pacc. YOu dOnOIIavc IvO cOnccpIs Or Onc andIIc samc prOccss,
buIraIIcrIvOprOccsscs(rcpcIiIiOn/inIcrrupIiOnandack/dcsIrucIiOn)Or
OnccOnccpI ( IIaIOIIcsubccI ) .
!Orcci s vIaI, OnIIcbasisO IIcrcpcaIabcanddividingiIscrOmIIc
aIIcr cOmcsinIObcing asnOnrcpcaIabIc.
!n Ordcr IO sIcd sOmc igII On IIis crOssrOads, ! vOud ask yOu IO
cOmparc IIc aim O IIc psycIOanayIic curc and IIaI O pOiIica rc-
cducaIiOn, nO maIIcr vIaI IIc ObviOus and univcrsa aiurcs O ciIIcr
mayvcbc.!Iis IIc inIcnIiOn IIaIcOunIs.
WcviIurn a dcacarIO IIOsc vIO argucIIaI a cOucI isaIcraInOI
as scriOus as a camp. TO IIcm ! say viIIOuI IcsiIaIiOn IIaI IIis rcmains
IObcsccn.TIcaxiOmOIIcnouvcauxjhilosojhcs'A campis a camp -is
usIasascasvIaIIIcCIicagOIIcrapisIsvanIcdIOprOmOIcIIrOugIIIc
cxcOmmunicaIiOnOLacan. A cOucIis a cOucI
TIc IruII is IIaI IIc psycIOanayIic curc Ias nO rca aim OIIcr IIan
IIaIOIIc rcadusImcnI OIIcsubccI IO iIsOvnrcpcIiIiOn. Hcncc Lacan
sIOvscxIrcmcmOdcraIiOninrcaIiOnIOIisOvnpOvcrasananaysI. An
anaysissIOudnOIbcpusIcdIOOarWIcnIIcanaysandccsIIaIIcis
IappyIObcaivc,iI iscnOugI ( COncrcnccs 5 ) .
WIaI dOcs pOiIica rccducaIiOn scck I OprOvOkc? A radica IOpping
O Oncs subccIivc pOsiIiOn, IIaI is, IIc inIcrrupIiOn O IIc rcpcIiIiOns
19Z
LLK NU ULb1ULJlN
iuccd by IIc subccIs prcviOus (cass) pOsiIiOn TIc 'Iappincss IO bc
aivc dchniIcycavcsIIissubccI indicrcnI.
Ic psycIOanayIic curc dOcs nOI caim IO cxcccd IIc av O ack. !n
a
c IIc OppOsiIc is Iruc. IIrOugI IIc rcsOuIiOn O IIc sympIOm-vIicI
i,
accOrding IO acan, IIaI vIicI many pcOpc Iavc IIaI is IIc mOsI
a (COncrcnccs ! 5 )IIc abOur O IruII is dirccIcd aI rccrcaIing IIc
cpcndcncc On IIc causc IIrOugI iIs vcry ObiviOn. !Or 'cvcry succcss
symbOic inIcgraIiOn invOvcs a sOrI O nOra OrgcIIing, and IIc
iIcgraIiOninIOIisIOrycvidcnIybringsviIIiIIIcOrgcIIingO ancnIirc
vOrd OsIadOvsvIicIarc nOIIranspOscd inIOsymbOiccxisIcncc. And
tIissymbOiccxisIcnccissucccssuand isuyIakcn OnbyIIcsubccI,
it cavcsnO vcigIIbcIindiI ( S !, 2/2 ! 6) .
TIc aim
ngIIcOrcmvIicIsIaIcsIIaIIIcaxiOmaIicIIcOryOIOrsiOngrOupsis
t prcscnIabcina hrsI-OrdcrlOgic.
A irsI-OrdcrlOgicisOnc invIicI IIcquanIihcrs ( ' IIcrc is, , and 'Or
al l . ) arc appicd Ony I individua variabcs. !n IIisIypc OOgic, Or
ampc, yOu can vriIc. 'TIcrc is an ccmcnI Iaving IIc prOpcrIy ,
haI is, x ( ( x) ) . BuI yOu cannOI vriIc 'TIcrc is a prOpcrIy p Iavinga
haacIcrisIic A !irsIOrdcr Ogic is gcncray suicicnI Or nOrma pur-
scs aIIOugI iI cmpOys an inhniIc numbcr O axiOms OrIIc IIcOry
inqucsIiOn.
TIcrc is Onc casc IIaI inIcrcsIs us in parIicuar, prcciscy bccausc iI
hds nOinIcrcsIOrus. !I isIIccascOgrOups in vIicI nOccmcnI di
rcnI rOzcrO is subccI IO IOrsiOn. !n EngisI, IIcsc arc cacd /orsion-
cc. grOups viII absOuIcly nO IOrsiOn IIaIarc, in OIIcr vOrds, pcrccIy
IaigI.
SucI 'sIraigIIncss IrOubcsIIcdialccIician. !n IIcscgrOups, x isaddcd
OiIscviIIOuIcvcrinIcrrupIingIIcprOccssOrcpcIiIiOn.
NOv, IIc IIcOry OIOrsiOn-rcc grOups, IIaI is, IIc IIcOry Oagcbraic
IraigIIncss, is uy prcscnIabc in hrsI-Ordcr Ogic. Takc IIc inhniIc isI
axiOms IIaI say IIaI, nO maIIcr IOv ar yOu gO, Or cvcry ccmcnI x
dicrcnI rOm 0, IIcrcpcIiIiOn OaddiIiOnsIOiIsclvi amOunIIO a sum
IIaI is nOI ni.
Ax. . (x) (x x )
Ax. 2. (x) ( x x x 0)
Ax. (n ! ) . ( x) (nx 0)
IakingasIIcdOmainOIIc quanIihcr
a x dicrcnI rOm
!yOu add IIis IOIIcIIrccundamcnIalaxiOmsOgrOups, yOuIavc IIc
irsI-OrdcrIIcOryOIOrsiOn-rccgrOups.
HOvcvcr, IIc samc prOccdurc cannOI uncIiOn Or IOrsiOn grOups.
WIyBccauscyOu dOnOIknOv,OrcacInumbcr,vIicIvIOcnumbcr
pcscnIsiIsIOrsiOn.YOuOnyknOvIIaIiIcxisIs.TIus,yOuvOuldIavcIO
cabcIO vriIc '!Or cvcry ccmcnI x, IIcrcisaIcasIOncvIOc numbcr
l sucI IIaInx , Or ( x) (n) (nx 0) .
BuI ( n) appicsIIc quanIiicr, nOII Oanindividuavariabc, buII OIIc
prOpcrIy 'bcing a vIOlc numbcr, IIaI is, IO a prcdicaIc. !n IIis vay, vc
xcccdhrsI-OrdcrOgic. TIus, IIc IIcOry OIOrsiOnisindcd quaiIaIivcy
cxccss, inIcrmsOOgicalcOmpcxiIy, OvcrIIcIIcOry OsIraigIIncss.
Iis is vIaI dciniIcy cOnvinccs IIc diaccIician. !n acI, sIc vi bc
1bJ
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
Iappy IO scc IIaI iIis IIc cxisIcnIia unccrIainIy OOming Ovcr IIc cIcc-
Iivcncss O IOrsiOn IIaI Iindcrs IIc aIignmcnI O IIc IIcOry OnIO hrsI-
Ordcr Ogic. NOIicc IIaI i IIc axiOms O aIgcbraicsIraigIIncss a sIOrI,
iI is bccausc IIcy arc aI univcrsa dcIcrmincd by V, IIaI is, by IIc 'Or
a vIOsc Ogica cccIs O simpiciIy and mascuinc cIaracIcr arc vc
knOvn. A IIcOryinvIicIIIc axiOms arcaunivcrsaIIasgOOdOrrObusI
prOpcrIics. !n parIicuar, cvcry subsIrucIurc O a mOdc O IIis IIcOry is
IscaIsOa mOdcOIIisIIcOry.
!n cOnIrasI, IIc cxisIcnIia IIaI IIc IIcOry O IOrsiOn runs up againsI
hgurcOIIcacaIOrynaIurcOIIIcinIcrrupIiOns,IIcindcIcrminacyinany
rupIurccxcccds IIc Ogica panc vIcrc IIc univcrsa cOud IOdup.
MaIIcmaIicausIiccOrIIcccansaIcOsucccssIuIrcvOuIiOns.
3) TOrsiOn grOups (inhniIc Oncs, iI is undcrsIOOd hniIc grOups arc aI
IOrsiOngrOups,buIiIIcdOvccarcOrIIchniIc)can,ncvcrIIccss,prcscoI
pIcasanI aIgcbraic prOpcrIics, prOvidcd IIcy arc cOmmuIaIivc. A grOup b
cOmmuIaIivcircgardcssOIIcvaIucOIx andy, vcIavc.x y y x
!nIIiscasc,vccancasiycsIabIisIIIc OOving.
TIc ccmcnIsIIaIIavcIIcsamcIOrsiOnn IOrm a subgrOup.
TIcgrOup canbcbrOkcndOvnasIIc dirccIrcsuIOIsubgrOups,wiII
cacI OI IIcsc subgrOups bcing cOmpOscd O ccmcnIs vIOsc IOrsn
IakcsIIcIOrmp,vIcrcp is a vIOc numbcr.
! dO nOI vanI IO Iakc up IOO mucI Iimc cxpaining IIcsc sIaIcmcnIs.
TIcy IcI yOu, aIbciI vagucIy, IIaI in a univcrsc OI cOmmunicaIiOn, O
rcvcrsibiiIy, IOrsiOns drav up vc-Ordcrcd subscIs, brcaking dOvn
IIc iniIia scI inIO subsIrucIurcs vIOsc principc O idcnIiIy is ccary
csIabIisIcd.
TIc subvcrsivc vauc O IOrsiOn IIcrcby is vaIcrcd dOvn inIO an ana-
yIica av, bccOming a cOnccpIua vccIOr IIaI aIOvs IOr a rcasOnabc
parIiIiOning OIIcWIOIc.
.
Hcrc, in sum, IOrsiOnIcnds IOvardsIIcscgmcnIaIiOnOIIIc WIOc IO
OcaIcOIcrcnccsin vIicI rcpcIiIiOnis, sOIOspcak,minima.
!Iis asi,sccnIrOmaIarinarcvcrsibcIisIOricaspacc, rcvOIuIiOnsIad
nO OIIcr IuncIiOn IIan IO scriaizc cvcnIs, IO cIassiIy IIc cpOcIs and IO
rccOnnccI andrc-grOupIIcIcIcrOgcncOus.
OrasiIIcparIyIadnOOIIcrdcsIinyIIanIObringIOigIIIIcparIiIivc
rcpcIiIiOn O IisIOry, IIrOugI IIaI spccIacuar ccmcnI OI cOmmuIaIiOn
IIaI vc caII IIc 'rcsIOraIiOn O capiIaIism . Aas, IIis is vIaI Iappcns, as
vc aknOv,vIcnIIcparIy cOnIaIcsiIscviIIIIc SIaIc.
1bZ
LLK NU ULbJULJlN
BuI in IIc hna anaysis, IisIOry i s nOI cOmmuIaIivc.TIis i scvcn IIc
Oundingprincipc OiIsincxisIcncc, IIcsccrcI OvIicI isIOrsiOn.
WIaI, IIcn, dOcs IIcagcbraisIIcI usabOuI nOn-cOmmuIaIivcinhniIc
I
OrsiOn-grOups
4) Wc, nOImucI. HcIandsIIcqucsIiOnOvcrIO us.
TI
.
c OnIyIOpcvasIIaIanOn-cOmmuIaIivcIOrsiOngrOupgcncraIcdby
a Ic numbcrOccmcnIs vOud iIscbc hniIc.
WIy vas IIis IIc-anIidiaccIicaIIOpc Bccausc Onc IIus vOud
havccOnnccIcd IIc vaucsOIvO hniIudcs. IIc iniIudc OIOrsiOn, vIicI
lOcks IIc inhniIy O IIc rcpcaIabc, and IIc IiniIudc IIaI cngcndcrs IIc
gOup, vIicI masIcrs, i n sOmc vay, IIc IvisIcd diaccIic IIaI puIs IIc
alaIOr hniIc suspcnsc O IOrsiOn IO vOrk viIIin IIc nOncOmmuIaIivc
nhniIyOIIc grOup.
A hniIcgcncraIcdgrOupisOncvIOscccmcnIscanbcprcscnIcdasIIc
sms (viII pOssibc rcpcIiIiOns) OccmcnIs Iakcn rOma hniIc sIOck. !,
Orcxampc, yOursIOckcOnIainsIIrcc ccmcnIsa, b, ccvcry ccmcnI
O IIc grOup vi bc OI IIc Iypc (a a), (a b a c), (c b a)
. . . IIcscarcOnyarbiIrary cxampcs.
ObviOusy,IvOcOmbinaIiOnscanbcIIc cquasIOOncanOIIcr (IIaIis,
Icy can yicd IIc samc ccmcnI) . TIus a hniIcgcncraIcd grOup is nOI
cccssariyinhniIc.
Sincci naIOrsiOngrOupanyaddiIivcrcpcIiIiOn OIanccmcnIIOiIscis
nIcrrupIcd (IIaI is, iI apscs backIOzcrO
LLK N LbJULJlN
Iis cOnsisIcncyIO IIc supcrcgOOIIOvsIIcinvOIuIiOnOIIcspaccIOIIc
OinIOdcaII.
TIc kcy pOinI Or AcscIyIus is cOmpIcIcIydicrcnI-iI is IIcinIcrrup-
IiOn OIIc pOvcrOOrigin, IIcdivisiOnOIIc Onc. TIisinIcrrupIiOnaIsO
hasIvOaspccIs.TIchrsIisIIaIOIIccOuragcOusrcusaIvIicIqucsIiOns
IIc av undcr IIc cccI O an cxccss-O-IIc-rca and Iransccnds anxicIy
IIcmOdc Oa disju/c. TIis mOmcnI is rcacIcd vIcn OrcsIcs dcmands
tIaIadccisiOnbcmadcOnIIcqucsIiOnOvIcIIcrIcvasrigIIOrvrOng.
TIc OIIcr aspccI is IIaI OIIc rccOmpOsiIiOnvIicI, On IIc basis O IIc
iIcrrupIiOn, unOIdsa ncvOrdcrO usIicc.
NciIIcrOIIcscIvOOrmsamOunIsIOarcIurnOIIcOrigininIIcruIc.
BOIInamc IIc dimcnsiOnOIIcsubccIvIicI, vIicaIvaysbcingrcaI-
izcd undcr IIc Iav (anxicIy and IIc supcrcgO), nOncIIcIcss aI IIc samc
Iimc aIsO cxcccds iI sO as IO bring inIO bcing IIc nOvcIIy OiIs bcing-in
IIis casc, OrAcscIyIus, a subccI OIav.
IruIIIIaIisnOIa.
6. SIaIcandmasscs, IIc sidcOIIcav
TIc SIaIc is IIcviOcnIcOrcOIIcavscOmmandmcnI.!IsspccihccccI
cs inIIc annumcnIOIIcanIagOnisIic subjccIivc Orcc.
TIcmasscs,bymakingIisIOry (gOOdasmucIasbad), canbcrcgisIcrcd
On IIcsidcOIIcnOnav. TIcyarcIIcOnyanIisIaIcOrcc, vIicIisIIcir
crydcniIiOn.
TIc masscs can irrupI OnIO IIc sIagc O IisIOry Ony in a dcsIrucIivc
cxccssOvcrandabOvcIIcSIaIc. TIisisIIcircOmmunisIinvariancc.TIcy
mayasO, in IIciridcnIiIyassubsIancc, dicIaIcIIcIIickcsI, and cvcn IIc
mOsI abjccI, sIaIisI cOnscnsus. BuI IIis is IIcir paccd bcing, IIci
Orccd
bcing. TIcirbcing-in-Orccas undcrIIcavOnOnav.
Wc ca'masscs IIcIisIOricainIcrrupIiOnassucI, IIcrcaOIIc cuI.
7. !OurmaIIcmcs
Ouragcbra is cOmpOscd O L (IIc Ocus Or pacc), ! (Orcc), (pacc), T
IruII), (ack) , and d ( dcsIrucIiOn) . TIcsign marks a dicrcnIiaIimc:
tIc sign an inIcgra prOccss. isIIcOrkOIIc cxccssOvcrIIc barO
IIcpaccmcnI.
1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
! Iavc aIrcady vriIIcn OuI Or yOu IIc maIIcmcs O anxicIy and IIc
supcrcgO.
AnxicIy.
SupcrcgO.
r r
. )
t - a
r
.
!
TIcsc Our maIIcmcscOnsIiIuIc IIc cccI-O!-IIc-subccI.
2
cI mc rccapiIuIaIc IIisOryOu inspacc (scc diagram bcIOv) .
Rcgarding IIc dOubIc divisiOn vIicI dcIcrmincs IIc subccI cccI,
iI vOud bc air IO say IIaI Lacan Ias cxIausIivcIy namcd OnIy Onc
IaI.
TO IIc hrsI divisiOn, IIc IOrizOnIaI Onc in IIc IabIc, cOrrcspOnds IIc
diaIccIic OIavandIruII, vIOsc cOrrcIaIc vOuId bc IIaIOIIc SIaIc and
cass. !rcud namcdiI.
TIc sccOnd, vcrIicaI dividc rcccivcs nO anaIyIicaI namc. !I passcs
bcIvccn IIc Onc O IIc Iav and iIs divisiOn, bcIvccn IIc SIaIc and IIc
19
LLK NU ULbJULJlN
ors.suc.iox
oIthcothcrsothaI oIthcIawsoIhaIthc
IhcIawmayIivc oIhcrmaylivc
Iawas nonlaw nonlawaslaw
1
.
1
SIaIc masscs
1
=
`
1
r r
r r
s 1
Crcon
. .
AIhcna
+
xir\
AnIigonc r r
. )
r r
s
d
OrcsIcs . .
v
v
m
1
=
1
dominanI cIass rcvoIutionarycIass
Ihc Iorcc, loss oIIhc pIacc Ihc pIacc, IossoIIhc Iorcc
roscr
asscs, bcIvccn IIc IvO anIagOnisIic cIasscs. Marx Ias namcd iI. !I is
hOugh IIisdivisiOn IIaI IisIOriciIy circuIatcs.
As a rcsuII OIIc knOt OIIis dOubIc spIiIIing, a knOIvIicI sOar vc
Ov OnIy by IIc cOIOur O iIs sIrands, IIcrc arc Our undamcnIaI cOn
c
pIsOIIcIIcOryOIIcsubccI.
TIiscxIausIsIIccriIicaI pOvcrs OOuraIgcbra. WcknOvvIaI,undcr
lc
cccIOIIcunnamcddcsIrucIiOn,cscapcsLacaninIIcdcIcrminaIiOn
1b
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
O IIc subjccI. BuI vc dO nOI knOvvIaI iI is in cOuragc IIaI rcIrOacIs
OnIIc unavOidabIc anxicIy, nOrvIaI iI isin usIiccIIaI rcsOnaIcs inIIc
prcscripIiOnOIIcsupcrcgO, nOrhnaIIyIOvIIcrccOmpOsiIiOns,vIcIIcr
IIcyarcIcrrOrizingOrdissOving, arIicuaIcIIcmscIvcsOnIOIIcinIcrrup-
IiOns, OIIcrIIanin IIcaIsc cmpirica cvidcncc OIsucccssiOn.
TIc maIIcmc O IIc Our maIIcmcs dchncs Our currcnI impassc. TO
cnsurciIsmaIcriaisIguaranIccvircquircavasIdcIOur.!rOmIIcaIIcr,
vccxpccIaramcvOrkviIIvIicIIOcucidaIc Oursinguarivcs,andIIc
arI IIaI imbucs IIcm, asvc asIIc cxisIcncc OpOIiIics, andIIc IisIOry
IIaIispOIIcd inIIcm.
AIaIimcsiIisrOmancIIicsIIaIacIiOngainsaprcmOniIiOnOiIsrisk
and iIs succcss. !rOmIIcvidcsprcadcOnvicIiOn IIaI acIiOn is impOssibc,
IIc mOsIravagingdcsubjccIivizaIiOnsarcbOrnc.
WIaI can vc cxpccIIrOm a IIcOryOIIIc subjccI, i nOI IO sIcd sOmc
igIIOnIIcmysIcryOIdccisiOn
PAk1| V
M8I6|| dl |SI K6V6|Sdl 0 MdI6|| dl | SO
h
c
n
c
O
an
c
an
o
na
A
cO
pO
an
h
c
c
TIcdcnIIyOIIOugIIandbcng, IOcxprcssmyscnHcgcanasIOn
cvcyvIcrccOncdcsvIIyOurcxampcOIIccrcIcand IIcpOIygOn
r IIc IvO O IIcm, IIc cOnccpI Oa IIng and Is rcaIy, run sdc b,
dc .kc Iv
.
O asympIOIcs, avays apprOacIng cacI OIIcr ycI ncvcr
mccIg. TIs dcrcnccbcIvccn IIc IvO s IIc vcrydcrcncc vIcI
prcvcnIs IIc cnc
s IIc
asymp
'
OIc. Ev
.
cry
.
m
'
rr
.
Or (cvcry cOnccpI) IIrOvs nIO a IcndcnIa abyss
IIc ObccI vIcI I s Is hOn IO rcdupcaIc. TIaI s vIaI IIc casscs
tcI us.
Sup
bcvar
.
cOsacrhc
'
ng
.
IIcasympIOIcIOIIcrcIccIOn, IIc IIcss Oprmac,
(O bcg Ovc IIkg, O pracIcc Ovcr IIcOry) IO IIc IIcss OdcnIIy
(IIcmOnOIypcObcng) .
1Vb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
Bcginningin I 64-5, vc rcccIcd IIcacIIIaIIIc !C! IadabandOncd
acassObccIivcs,andvcnamcdIIcimagcrcvisiOnism.TIcadcquaIiOn
OIIccOnccpIviIIIIcIIing-IIcIIcsisOidcnIiIy-amOunIcdIOIigIIy
cOvcringIIcpOiIicapracIiccsOIIisparIy, mOsInOIabyiIsIagranIIradc
uniOnisI cOunIcr-rcvOuIiOn O May-unc I 6, undcr an idcOOgica
bankcI. IIc rcvisiOn OMarxism. Wc drcv grcaI IOpcs rOmIIis Opcra
IiOn O dccipIcring, sincc a dOcIrina rcvisiOns arc vcak and mOrIa
bcing OnyIIc dccOmpOsing OIIaIvIicIIadIIcpOvcrOIIcunivcrsa
OniIs sidc. WcvcrcIIusabcIOimaginc IIaI IIc immcdia/crcay, by IIc
Iruc Marxism andIIc Iruc masscs, vas rcscrvcd Or us in Icrms O IIc
rcvOuIiOnaryidcOOgyOCass. !rOm IIcrc iI vas Ony a sIcpIO suppOsc
IIaI vc vcrc IIc aIIcr Organizcrs in IIc sIOrI Icrm. Bccausc bcIvccn
IIc bOurgcOisic and IIc vOrking cass idcOOgucs O IIc !C! (IIcir rcvi-
siOnisI scrvanIs) On Onc Iand, and IIc rcvOI and iIs MaOisIbapIism, On
IIcOIIcr, vIaImOrccOudIIcrcbcIIanbcIvccnancgg-ayingbirdand
aviviparOusmamma, IIaIisIOsay, nOIIing?
WIaIayinbcIvccnvasprcciscyIIc duck-bi OcassIIaI is IIc ncw
bOurgcOisic, IIc mOnOpOisIandsIaIcburcaucraIicbOurgcOisic, OvIicI
rcvisiOnism is Ony IIc IransiIOry idcOOgica prOducIiOn and vIOsc Iis
IOricariscIOpOvcr,ancIOrcdinIIcimpcriapOvcrOIIcSOvicIniOn,
sOnyusI bcginning.
!I IIus bccamc ncccssary IO mcasurc IIc IcndcnIia gap bcIvccn Our
hrsI-idcOOgica-cOnccpIandIIcpOiIicarca.TOmcasurciI,vcsIOud
add, in IIc cxpcrimcnI O a vcakncss, vIicI brOugII us back IO IIc
primacyOpOiIicapracIicc OvcrIIcarrangcmcnIsOIIOugII.
!rOm IIcrcIccIiOnOIisIOry,by cOnIicIivcy asking Orgivcncss rOm
IIc duckbi O IIc cOmmOn prOgrammc, vc Iad IO IransiI inIO IIc
asympIOIc Oa sIubbOrnpOiIicaduraIiOn.
Vcry cv IavcviIIsIOOd IIis cxpcricncc,vIicIcOnsisIs in Iravcrsing
IIcmcIapIOricadivisiOnOmaIcriaism. TO ask OrOrgivcncssrOmIIc
duckbi Or IIc vasImaOriIyrcprcscnIcd IIc dramaIic cIOicc bcIvccn
duck-biing IIcmscvcsOrcsc sIOudcringIIcOdurIunIcrsric.
HisIOry is IIc hnc siI O grOss apprOximaIiOns. TIaI is iIs maIcriaism
andiIsausIcriIy.
RcIccIiOn scrvcs as a mcIapIOrOIIc acIIIaIIIinking andbcingarc
Onc and IIc samc IIing. TO IIis Engcs adds-via IIc asympIOIc-IIaI iI
is IIc samc IIing cxccj/]orsomc/hin, sOmcIIing IO vIicI IIc prOccss O
knOvcdgcrccrs cndcssyasi/s rcmaindcr.
!n IIc Ordcr O IIc sIrucIurc, IIc mcIapIOr O rcccIiOn pOsiIs IIc
1V0
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
cnIiIy, vIic IIaI O IIc asympIOIc Iurns IIis idcnIiIy inIO a Iis-
pOssibc, iIsymbOizcsIIcrca.
AssucI,yOuIavcdcsIrOycdIIcprcviOus sysIcm OrcIccIiOn IIrOugI
! h
inccIiOn, n cxccss Ovcr IIc pacc, O iIs asympIOIic rcmaindcr. TIc
d OIIc dcnumcrabciscnargcd.A ncv cga sysIcm, brcakng up IIc
ld
cOnsIranIs, Orgcs a cOnccpIO numbcr OnncvgrOunds.
!Ii snOIvrOngIOsIaIcIIaI, undcrIIcnamcOnumbcr,IIcrcaIiOnO
Z
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
IIcdiagOna OIIcsquarcIO Is sdccOmcsinIIcpOsiIOn OIIc subccI
OrIIc Od paccOIIc dcnumcrabc.
WIcrcbyyOuhndIIcOuIpacc, Orcc, dcsIrucIOn, andcxccss.
WIcrcbyyOuhndusIcc,IIcrcvOuIiOnaryrccOmpOsiIiOnOIIcIIcOry
OnumbcraccOrdngIO anOrdcrnvIicIOrmsOknOvcdgcprcvOusy
cOnsidcrcdabsurdcannOvuncIiOnasrcccIOns.
YOuIavcdispaccdIIcprncipcOIIccrOssngIIaIIcsIIcasympIOIc
IO IIc rcccIiOn, IIc rcmaindcr IO IIc pacc, IIc mpOssbc rca IO IIc
cgaiIyOIIc pOssbc.
OcsIIismcanIIaIaIIaIscIpcrIainsIO IIcOrdcrOrcccIiOn?NOI
aI a. !n sucI a spacc-vIcI admIs irraIiOna numbcrs-IIcrc rcmains
(Orcxampc) IIcimpOssbiiIyOanysOuIOnOrIIccquaIiOnx
I
TIc undcnumcrabc (IIc unnamcabc) rcmains as asympIOIic suppOrI Or
IIc sOIvngrcIrOacIiOnOprObcmsvIOscpOssibccxisIcnccIprcscribcs.
WIcnIIc!IaanagcbraisIsOIIcsixIccnIIccnIurypOsiIIIccxsIcncc
O 'imagnary rOOIs (sO vc-namcd IIc anIasmaIc ury Onumbcr as
WIOc ) , OIIcIypc!- I , IIcypcrOrmIIcsccOndOrcngOIIcarrangc-
mcnIOIIcdcnumcrabc.
Evcryun-crOssingOIIc knOIOknOvcdgcmakcs Ora rcvOuIOn, by
pOsiIinga namc OIIcimpOssbcOrIIc subccI.
3
TIc rcvOuIiOn O OcIObcr ! I 7, yOu vi agrcc, Opcns OnIO a ncv sIagc
nIIc IisIOryOMarxism.
TIssIagcsdchncdbyIIcadcquaIcsOuIOn,IIcsOuIOn-rcccIOn,O
aprObcmIandcddOvnbyIIcaIurcOprcviOusrcvOIuIiOns,spccihcay
byIIc!arsinsurrccIiOns Ounc ! 4andMarcI I 7 I .
TIs prObcm can bc OrmuaIcd as OOvs. vIaI Iypc O OrganzaIiOn
dOcs IIc prOcIariaI nccd IO rcay and cnduringy brcakIIc cncmy sIaIc
macInc?WIaIbccOmcs Oavic/orious insurrccIOn?
TIc LcninisI parIy rcsOvcs IIs prObcm. TIc cd O pOssbiIcs prc-
scribcdbyIIis OrganizaIiOnaOrmiscacdIIcTIird!nIcrnaIiOna. !rcIIy
mucI cvcryvIcrc, pOiIica cass OrganizaIOns in cOnOrmIy vII IIc
BOsIcvk mOdc arc scIup. Onc rcccIs BOsIcvsm, unvcrsaypracIs-
ngIIcBOsIcvizaIiOnOparIics.
TIcrc arc succcsscs. TIc CIincsc parIy scizcs pOvcr, and sO dO IIc
Orcan, YugOsav, andAbanianparIcs.
Z9
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
SOOn I appcarsrOm viIIin IIc LcnnsI nvcsIigaIOn IIrOugI IIc
scissiOnnIIcinIcrnaIOnaIcOmmunsImOvcmcnIOIIc I 60sIIaIIIc
cninisI parIcs n acI Iavc bccn capabIc ObccOming bOurgcis parIics
IIaIOpprcssIIcvOrkingcIassandpcOpIcsinanaImOsIascsI manncr.
WIaI can vc say abOuI IIs dcmOnsIraIiOn? WiIIOuI rcsOrIng IO IIc
dOcIrnc O IIc rcmandcr, Onc vI bc cOnIcnI vII IiIIc, IIaI is, viII
armngikc a rgII-vng !yIIagOrcan summariIycxpcngIIcdiagO
nanIOnOIIingncssIIaIIIcscdcgcncraIcparIicsarcno/LcninsIparIcs,
tIaI IIcy incxsI Or IIaI dOmain. TIis cOnscrvaIivc pOsIurc amOunIs IO
spcakingIIccOscdIanguagcOOrIIOdOxy. TIc IaskisOncOrcsIOraIOn
IOrcdO (rcpcaI) IIcIOsILcninisIparIcs.
BuI i Onc s an audacOus !yIIagOrcanOr BOsIcvkOnc viI
nsIcadpOsc IIc baspIcmOus qucsIOn. vIaI IIcn vasIIcasympIOIc O
BOIsIcvikknOvIcdgc?WIcrc IIcnis Is rcmandcr?
TIc LcnnsI parIy s IIc IsIOricaI ansvcr IO a prObcm IIaI s vIOy
nscrbcd n IIc SIaIc/rcvOIuIOn cOnIradcIOn. !IIrcaIs OIIc vicIOrOus
dcsIrucIOn. WIaI Iappcns IIcn IO IIis parIy viII rcgard IO IIc SIaIc/
cOmmunsm cOnIradcIiOn, IIaI s, in rcaIOn IO IIc prOccss vIcrcby
IIc SIaIcand casscsmusI nO Ongcr bc dcsIrOycd buI musI vIIcr,
IIrOugI ancccI OIransIOn?
TIcIsIOry OIIc SSRis by andargc IIcIsIOricaI dcmOnsIraIiOn O
IIispOnI.IIcLcninisIparIysincOmmcnsurabcIOIIcIasksOIIcIrans
IiOn IO cOmmunsm, dcspiIc IIc acI IIaII sapprOpraIcIO IIOsc OIIc
vcIOriOus insurrccIiOn.
BuI vIaI IcsIhcs by vay O Orcng IO IIc ncccssary cxIcnsiOn O
IIc 'parIihabcIkc IIc dcnumcrabIc n EudOxusis IIc CuIIura
RcvOuIOn in CIna, vIicI, Iaving sIumbIcd On IIc parIy nIIc hrc O
a cOmmunsIuprisng, puIs On IIc agcndaIIcacIIIaIIIcLcninisIparIy
isOvcr.
TIc dOmain O Lcninsm makcs nO rca pIacc, vIcn I cOmcs IO IIc
parIy, OrIIcprObcmOcOmmunismassucI.!IsbusncsssIIc SIaIc,IIc
anIagOnsIc vcIOry. TIc CuIuraI RcvOuIOn bcgns IIc Orcing O IIs
unnIabIabcpIacc.!InvIcsusIOnamc'parIyOIIcncvIypcIIcpOsI-
LcnnisIparIy, IIcparIy Or cOmmunsm, On IIc bass OvIicIIOrccasI
IIc cnIirc hcdOMarxisIpracIicc.
TIus I is rcIrOacIvcy prOvcn IIaI IIc prObcms O LcninsmIIc
qucsIiOns OLcnnsm, as SIaInpuIIcI asa rcmandcr IIc prObIcm
OIIcscprObIcms, IIcprObcmaIicOcOmmunism, OnyrcIccIingasIIcy
dOIIcprcviOusyprcscribcdIask, IIaIOIIcIakngOpOvcr.
Zb
1hLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
TIc asympIOIc OI IIc BOsIcvik rcccIiOn is nOIIing OIIcr IIan
cOmmunsm.
WIaI makcs IIc SIaIc/rcvOIuIiOn cOnIradicIiOn inIO a cOnsIrainI musI
bcdcsIrOycdand rccOmpOscdbyIIcIisIOricaInOminaIiOn OIiIs rcmain-
dcr, vIicIis rcaIivc IOIIc SIaIc/cOmmunism cOnIradicIiOn.
WIcncc a rcvOuIiOninMarxism, IIcMaOisIrcvOuIiOn.
4
IknOvcdgcisprOccss, iI musI in princpc IOOvIIc Hcgcan maIriccs,
vIicIvc IavcscIcmaIizcdn I 75.
WcsIOudcxpccIIIaI IrOmIIccrOssOvcrIvO dcviaIOns, IvO rcIapscs
scparaIc IIcmscvcs.
WIaI arc IIcIcrcsicsOImaIcriaism?
TIcmccIanicisIOncisOaIcsIIcmcIapIOrOIIIcrcccIiOn.Iimagincs
adcquaIiOn viIIOuI rcmaindcr. IsIicks IOrcpcIiIiOn.
TIc dynamicisI Onc dOcs IIc samc viII IIc asympIOIc. nivcrsaIizng
IIc dOcIrnc OIIIc rcmandcr, iI pOscs IIaI a is ux, Icndcncy, apprOxi
maIiOn. !OrIIisIcrcsy, cvcryunihcd cOnhguraIiOnisaniIusiOn, Orcvcn
a 'IOIaIiIarian IIrcaI.
HcrcyOuIavcIIcIabc.
oxmrcrs. nitrcict mrcnxicrs.
m.rsitrsm m.rsrtrsm mrsrtrsm
muIIipIcoI crossing combinaIoryoI
variabIcinIcnsiIics
undccomposablc
uniIs
IhcsisoI IhcsisoI
primacy idcnIiIy
asympIoIc rcIIccIion
rcIaIivc absoIuIc
knowIcdgc knowIcdgc
rcmaindcr pIacc
IIIisIs righIisIs
Z0
M1LlLlb1 LVLbL l M1LlLlbM
TIcdcviaIiOnOnIIcrigIIknOvsOnyIIc avOIIIcpacc. ImakcsnO
ObcmOIIIcprObcmsi IrcsOvcs.
TIcdcvaIiOnOnIIccIIIOOvsapcrspccIivcOIgII.Iisaradicaism
OI
nOvcIy. IbrcaksamirrOrs.
ccuzc On IIc uIracII, viSIrauss On IIc rigII. TvO maIcriaisms
haIIrcaIOIidcainguisIcrybyvayOIadriII. OncinIOIIccOmbinaIOryOI
igns, IIcOIIcrinIOIIccanccrOusmOccucs.
MaIcriaismisavaysnIIcpOsiIiOnOIIavingIOrcsisIIIc IcmpIaIiOns
haIIOund iI. nciIIcraIOmicdccipIcring nOribcraIiOn OIux.
Z
| 60|d d00 I0Q0| 0y
0C0RD0I V, V
OgmaIisIsandcmpiricisIs-LavOcOmpOsiIiOn, OrccmcnIary
bcOnging (agcbra)-NcigIbOurIOOd, OradIcrcnccbyincusiOn
(IOpOOgy)-Hcgc IIc Onc, IIc Onc Onc ( dascincLins)
TIc GnOsIics O maIcriaism-IIc mccIanicisIs-pOsiI IIc adcquaIiOn
viIIOuIrcmaindcr. SaIishcdviIIIIc Samc, cOisIcrcdinrcpcIiIiOn, iIIc
dO IIcy carc IIaI IIc crOssing O IvO prOccsscs is nccdcd Or any ObccI
vIaIsOcvcrIOcOmcIObcknOvn.
TIcir Ogic is mcrcy Onc O cxacIiIudc. McIapIOricay, IIcy sIick IO
IIc mirrOr.
!n pOiIics, IIcy dOgmaIic. 'WIaI issaidsaysvIaIis
!IsIOudbc nOIcdIIaIvcnccdIIcdOgmaIisIs. GuardiansOprincipcs
inIIcrOcnsuraccOIIcmirrOr, IIcykccp usrOmcOnusingIIcavO
IIcrcmaindcrviIIIIcabandOnmcnIOIIcpacc.TIcyarcIIc Oncs vIO
acrI us IOIIc acI IIaI IIis Or IIaI 'nOvcIy in Marxism (rOm BcrnsIcin
IOIrusIcIcv) Or!rcudianism (rOmungIORcicI) , arrOmOrcingIIc
unOccupyabc pacc IIaI spccihcs IIc currcnI sIaIc O Our prObcmaIic,
simpy cavcs andgOcsOclscwhcrc.
TIc acI rcmains IIaI IIc Orcing Iurns IIcm O. TIc cOnscrvaIivc
uncIiOn O IIc mirrOr-O IIc OOking gass-makcs O IIc dOgmaIisI a
rcucIanI maIcriaisI. !gnOrancc O IIc rcmaindcr makcs IIc dOgmaIisI
rcmainin pacc.
Zb
MJLlLbJ LVLbL MJLlLlbM
TIc Arians O maIcriaism-IIc dynamicisIs-pOsiI IIc ubiquiIOus
r
cmaindcr, IIc muIipiciIy O variabc inIcnsiIics. TIcy arc pcOpc vIO
bcicvcinIIc insOubc Icndcncy. SaIishcdviII IIc OIIcr, sIrcIcIcd OuI
OvcrIIcIOrsiOns,iImaIIcrsiIIcIOIIcmIIaIa spaccandiIsrucarc
ccdcdOranyIIing rcavIaIsOcvcrIObc inIIcpOsiIiOnOanObjccI (O
nOvcdgc) .
McIapIOricay, IIcy sIickIOIIc asympIOIc, IOIIc !Ov. TIcir Ogici s
nIy Onc OapprOximaIiOn. ! npOiIics, IIcy cmpiricic. 'WIaI is maIIcrs
OrcIIanaIIaI issaid
TIccmpiricisIsacknciIIcravOurnOruscuncss.!yinginvaiIOrIIc
OvcmcnI,IIcyccpusrOmrcducingIIcnccdOrcxacIrc!IccIiOnIOIIc
biviOn OnOvcIy. TIc cmpiricisIs arc IIc Oncs vIO acrI us IO IIc acI
IaI IIis Or IIaI cOnsIrainI O IIc pacc (rOm !assac IO SIain, Or rOm
ncs IO Anna !rcud) dissimuaIcs Or us IIc unOccupyabc pacc rOm
IicI any brcak cOudprOcccd.
TIcacIrcmains IIaIIIcyarcIurncdObyIIcparIisan Iaking Osidcs.
IcasympIOIic pcrspccIivc O!igII makcs OIIc cmpiricisI a vandcring
aIcriaisI, a vagabOnd pIiOsOpIcr O naIura subsIanccs. !gnOrancc O
IcmirrOrIurnsIIccmpiricisIinIOIIc mirrOrOIIcvOrd.
TIcscIvOarmyanks OcOnscqucnIiamaIcriaismarcIIcsympIOm O
IcaIIcrsvcryOvn scissiOn, vIOscmcIapIOricaknOIIIcyunIic.TIcsc
prcscrvaIiOnisIdiscOurscs, cuIOrOmIIcirOvnic,pOinIOuIIIaIIIcrc
rc lwoprOccsscsIIaI makcup oncmaIcriaism-andnOIOny IvO IIcscs
IaIOidcnIiIyandIIaI Oprimacy) .
!na n OpcningOnIOa ncvmcIapIOr, vc visayIIaI IIcrci s IIcagc-
raicdispOsiIiOnandIIcIOpOOgicadispOsiIiOn.
AcIivcmaIcriaismcrOsscsIIcscIvO dispOsiIiOns.
As OrIIc subccI, iIs-maIcriaisI-argumcnI isinscribcdin IIisinIcr-
cIiOn. Any subccIcccIuaIcsIIcOpcraIiOnsOa IOpOOgicaagcbra.
2
prudcnIycxpOscmysc, hrsI IOIIc maIIcmaIician scOndcmnaIiOn
! bOrrOvmcIapIOricayrOm IisvOcabuaryand, IIcn, IOIIcpIiOsO-
crs ObccIiOn, i ! givc up On IIc idca O making IIcbOrrOvcdvOrds
nc inIIcigIIOpurcscicncc.
TIispaII O spiI inIcrprcIaIiOn is my Ovn. !casc rccrIO IIc cIapIcr
orsiOn . ! IOpc IIaI ! say nOIIing imprccisc in maIIcmaIics, buI asO
ZV
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
noIIng IIaI s maIIcmaIcay procrcd. My ambIon Icrc s Io adorn
maIcrasm vII a cv sgnhcrs vIosc susIancd rgour v bc IIaI
o prccous sIoncs, vII IIc dvcrson o Is cnd goa conIrbuIng Io Is
orcc.
!rccson puI nIo IIc razor o IIc MarxsIbarbcr, maIIcmaIcs s IIaI
unaIcrabc badc vIIvIcI onc cndsupbccdng IIcpgs Io dcaII.
Bcsdcs, as namcs or ccrIan domans o maIIcmaIcs and noI or
obccIsoIIcscdomans,ncIIcragcbranorIopoIogysasccnIhcnamc.
TIcy raIIcr parIcpaIc, as gcomcIry or scI IIcory, n IIc cIasshcaIory
anaIomynIo vIcI any dscpInc rcdupcaIcsIscnordcrIo dcscrbc
IscaccordngIo a cvscccIcdpcccs.
WIaI docs IIc maIIcmaIcan ca agcbra? LcI us Irvazc, as IIcy
say. Supposng a gvcn scI-provsory hgurc o IIc WIoc-agcbra pro-
cccdsIoIIcsysIcmaIcsIudyoIIcnIcrcsIngrcaIonsbcIvccnIIcclc
mcnlsoIIs scI. !Is mosIgcncraconccpIs IIaI oIIc av ocomposIon
IoIvo ccmcnIs oIIcscIoncassocaIcsaIIrd, naruIyasIon-usIas
IoIvo numbcrsonc assocaIcsIIcrsumorIIcrproducI.
WIaIdchncsanagcbracspcccs (asIrucIurc) , vIcIsIIaIorvIcI
IIc maIIcmaIcan rcscrvcs IIc kcy conccpIs o aIgcbra, conccrns IIc
consIranIs uponIIcavocomposIon.!orcxampc,obcngassocaIvc
( ( ab) ca( bc) ) , orobcngcommuIaIvc ( abba) .
TIc cxcrcsc o agcbrac nomnaIon prcsupposcs IomogcncIy, n
IIaIaIIaIs IakcnnIoaccounI, asarasIIcccmcnIsarcconccrncd,s
IIcrbcIavouraccordngIoIIcIav,onccIIcrdcnIcabcIongngIoIIc
orgna scIsacccpIcd.AncIcmcnI snoIdchncdagcbracaybyIsoca-
Ion nIIc scI. !I suhccsorI IobcongIo IIs scI. !nIcrms opacc, IIc
agcbracdcnIIys oncobcongng.TIcpaccsnsomcvayunvcrsa.
TIcorccsIackng. TIc IavmposcsdsIncIonsonIoIIc ndsIngusI-
abc. SucI or sucI ccmcnI, say c, v or cxampc Iavc IIc propcrIy
o bcng ncuIra n IIaI, s IIc av, or any ccmcnI a (ncudng c
sc), aca.
!nIIcprcvousIabIc, IspossbcIosayIIaIagcbrasrcgsIcrcd'onIIc
rgII. IcxcudcsaIIougIIoIcndcnccsandasympIoIcs.Homogcncous
dcnIIy o bcIongng, ccmcnIary sIrucIurng, spcccs dsIngusIcd n
Icrms oIypcsocgaIconsIranI.IIcaIgcbracunvcrscsImIcdIocom-
bnaIorymaIcrasm.
TopoogysIcms-vaIIcrcqurcmcnIsoanayss-romIIcnccdora
maIIcmaIcaguaranIcc n ordcr Io grasp movcmcnI. !I cs aI IIc orgn
o prmIvcIy vaguc noIons sucI asocaIon, approxmaIon, conInuum
,
Z1
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
nddcrcnIa.!I snoIamcd(asaIgcbra s) aIvIaIIappcnsvIcnIvo
dsIncI and Iomogcncous cvcnIs cnd up bcng combncd undcr ccrIan
consIranIs, buI aI vIaI Iappcns vIcn onc nvcsIgaIcs IIc sIc o a
Icm, Is surroundngs, IIaI vIcI s morc or css 'ncar Io I, IIaI vIcI
s scparaIcd rom I n conInuous varaIons, Is dcgrcc o soaIon or
adIcrcncc.
! IIc masIcr conccpI o agcbra s IIaI o IIc Iav (o composIon) ,
IopoIogy s bascdonIIcnoIono ncgIbourIood.
TIcobccIonoIIcIccIncans?TIaIancccIvcaxomaIcsIarIsrom
IIcdchnIonoopcnscIs.TIsobccIonIasnoIsIorcavadIy.!orIIc
daccIcaInIcrprcIaIon, I s ccar IIaI an opcn scI s onc IIaI scrvcs as
ncgIbourIoodorcacIoIsponIs.
Topoogyvorkspcrorcc on IIcjarls o a scI, consdcrcdasamIcso
ncgIbourIoods o an ccmcnI (oa ponI, oncv say, IIcrcby markng
haI IIsImcIsIIcocaIonIIaIscruca) . !IdocsnoIassocaIcIo cacI
cmcnI anolhcrccmcnI, buIraIIcrmposcs uponI IIcmuIorm con-
iguraIon oIscnvronmcnIs.
TIc agcbrac cgsaIon produccs dcrcncc bascd on IIc oIIcr
(ccmcnI) as IIc samc. TIc IopoIogca dsposIon makcs dcnIIy oIIc
samcaccordng Io IIc muIpc-oIIcr oIsncgIbourIoods.
A n a, IIc cIcmcnI byIscIas no nIcrcsI or Iopoogy. !I s a ds-
cpnc o IIc IcIcrogcncous, n IIaI I Icnds Io dcIcrmnc IIc ponI by
amIcsoparIs, IIcncudcdbyvIaI Ics around I. !IsamsIo makc a
ucouIoapproxmaIon.MucImorcsoIIanIIcbcngoaIcrm,Isccks
ocsIabsIIssysIcmoproxmaIcdcrcnccs.
TIc agcbrac aIcrIy s combnaIory, IIc IopoIogcaI dcnIIy s
dcrcnIa.
You canrcad IIcsc caIurcs aI a gancc n IIcoundng axoms o an
agcbrac or IopoogcaI spcccs. TIc hrsI xaIc IIc consIranIs or IIc
producIvcassocaIonsamongccmcnIs.TIusarcspcchcdgroups, rngs,
bodcs, and so on. TIc sccond dcIcrmnc IIc condIons or amIcs o
parIs (osubscIs) .
Topoogy Icnds 'Iovard IIc cI n IIc prcvous Iabcon IIc sdc o
ynamcsI maIcrasmor I IInks IIc (ccmcnIary) Onc accordng Io
hc prmacyoIIc mIpc (oparIs) .
Advanccd maIIcmaIcs dcas vII IIc Iopoogcs IIaI arc compaIbc
vIIa parIcuaragcbrac sIrucIurc.
Any conscqucnIa maIcraIsm arIcuaIcs an asympIoIc (IopoogcaI)
poccssanda rcdupIcaIng (agcbrac) proccss.
Z11
1hLY l 1hL bUbdLL1
3
!nHcgcsLoicIIcrcisanasIOnisIingpassagcinvIicIIIcbccOming-rca
OIIc OncguaranIccsIcIransiIiOnrOmquaiIyIOquanIiIy.
TIisisnOIIingcssIIanIIc spccuaIivcbirIIOnumbcr.
WIaI is quanIiIy? Hcgc ansvcrs IIc uniIy OIIc cOnIinuOus and IIc
discrcIc ! I ) . TIaI is, IIc diaccIicOadIcrcnccIOIIcncigIbOurIOOd
(cOnIinuiIy) and O ccmcnIary bcOnging ( discrcIcncss) . 'TIis acI O
disIinguisIingOr dicrcnIiaIiOn is an uninIcrrupIcdcOnIinuiIy (L I ) .
Agcbrai s IicdI OIOpOOgy.
!IisIIcrcOrcIIccaIcgOricsOmaIcriaismIIaIHcgcscIsabOuIcngcn
dcring, sIarIingrOm IIc purc cOnccpIOIIc Onc. TIaI is IO say, OnIIc
basisOIIc paccdccmcnIassucI.
TIis arIihcc Ias grcaI inIcrcsI Or us. WIy? Bccausc in pOiIics IIc
cOnsIanIIaskOncscIsabOuIaccOmpisIingisIOincrIIcmaIcriaisIprOs-
pccIingOa siIuaIiOnOn IIcbasisOIIccOnccpIOIIc Onc. TIc uniIyO
cass, IIc uniIy OIIcpcOpc. sucI arc IIc rccrcnccpOinIsrOmvIicI iI
OOvsIIaIIIcmaIcriaisIanaysis, aIIIcarIIcsIrcmOvcrOminacIiviIy,
prcscribcsIOIIcpOiIicaacIOrs IIcirIaskinIIc givcn circumsIanccs.
WIaIisiIIIaIunihcs, inIIcanIagOnisIicacIiOn, asOciaIOrccinrcvOI?
WIaI amagamaIcs IIis hrsI uniIy viII IIc Onc O IIc Ovcra pOiIica
prOccss,rOmvIicIIIcsubccIivcOgicOIIcparIyIypccanbcincrrcd?
!IisnOIcxaggcraIcdIOsayIIaIIIcrcinicsIIcmainspringOIIcmiiIanI
inIcrvcnIiOn.
!IisIIusrOmIIcOncIIaIIIcmaIcriaisIIIcmcOacIiOnmusIsusIain
iIsc.
TIc bOurgcOis vcrsiOn O IIis rcquircmcnI IIaI is inicIcd upOn us
IOday,andbyvIicIiIissIOrIcircuiIcdinIOIIcidcaisImiragcOsubmis-
siOn, asOhndsiIscmbcminIIcuniIyOIIc 'LcI.
AgcbraicmanipuaIiOnOpariamcnIarypaccs, iIbarsIIcpcOpc, IIaI
suppOscd uniIy, rOm IIc IOpOOgica paII O IIc cOnIinuOus, O acIivc
cOnsisIcncy.
Hcgc inIrOduccs IvO OpcraIOry mcdiaIiOns in Ordcr IO accOmpisI,
accOrding IO IIc Onc, IIc cngcndcrmcnI O agcbraic discrcIcncss and
IOpOOgica cOnIinuiIy rcjulsion, byvIicIIIc OncpOsiIsiIscasdisIincI
rOmIIcmuIipcO-Oncs, anda//rac/ion, byvIicIIIcOncamagamaIcs
IIc mIipcviIIiIsc.
A IIis is quiIcudiciOus. RcpusiOn dravs iIs IIcmc rOm divisiOn as
IIc csscncc O IIc Onc. !I is 'IIc sc-dicrcnIiaIing O IIc Onc, aI hrsI
Z1Z
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL MJLlLlbM
inIOmany, and IIcn, bccausc OIIcirimmcdiaIcncss, in OIIcrs ( L I 73) .
Wc, IOO, apprOacI IIc Onc accOrding I OiIs 'dicrcnIiaIing. TIc sOcia-
rca, OrvIicIIIc rcvOIs and IIc OrmsOcOnsciOusncss arc Ourguidc,
can bc rcad O IIc unIying OiIs prcviOus ink. Any Onc is cccIuaIcd
IIcrcin as innOvaIing puncIuaiIy viIIin a uniIy O aIOmicizaIiOn, O a
Onc Iircd O iving in IIaI iI is nOIIing mOrc IIan 'a bccOming Omany
Oncs ! ! 67) .
!n IIis passivc agcbra, IIc rcpusivc Onc, IIc hrsI Onc I Orisc upin
rcvOIOrin disuncIiOnis rcadabcOnyOnaccOunIOiIs cOnIradicIOry
virIuc O aIIracIiOn. ! iIs immcdiaIc aspccI is IIc dissidcncc viIIin IIc
IOmOgcncOus mIipcIIis mIipc O Oncs abOuI vIicI Hcgc bri-
ianIyahrmsIIaIinIIcpaccskcIcIcdOuIbyiI, IIcOnc 'bccOmcs Ony
Onc ( ibid. ) , iIs acI cOnsisIs in pOarizing IIc cnIirc hcd by an aIIracIivc
unca/ion.usI asa OcaizcdpOpuaruprising, iiI carrics IIcprOpOsiIiOn
O a ncv uniIy, disIurbs IIc agcbraic IOmOgcnciIy in IIc IOpOOgica
dirccIiOn Oa rcgcncraIcdcOnsisIcncy.
TIisisvIaIinIIccasssIruggcis cacdIOOrma camp.
TIccsscnccOIIcrcpusivc Oncis IIcrcOrc IO dicrcnIiaIciIscrOm
cpsiOn, IO purgc iIsc aIIracIivcy in Ordcr IO Orgc, sIarIing rOm IIc
idca OdispcrsiOn, IIc rca OIIc unihcaIiOnOIIcmuIipc.
!nIIisvay,IIcncvpOpuarcamp, IIcsIrucIurcOvIicIisIIcprOccss
O prOcIarian pOiIics, is nO Ongcr dcIcrmincd ( agcbraicay) as Onc-in-
IIcmuIipc-O-Oncs, vIicI is IIc sIaIus, cI us say, OIIc vOIcrin IIc
vOIingbOOII, buIdcIcrmincs i/scl]IOpOOgicayasOnc IcIcrOgcncOus IO
IIc muIipcOcquaiIy.
TIisisvIaIHcgccOnccnIraIcsasOOvsTIusIIc OnccxcrcisingIIc
aIIracIiOn, as rcIurningIO iIscsIarIing Orm muIipiiIy, dc/crmincs i/scl]
as Onc iIis Onc asbcing nOImIipc, Onc Onc (L ! 74, Irans.mOdihcd) .
' OncOnc (IOpOOgica ) apprOximaIiOnOIIc Gcrman. 'dascincLins.
TIc Onc Onc is IIaI Onc vIicI, rOm Iaving cmcrgcdassubccIundcr
IIc av O rcpusiOnaIIracIiOn, csIabisIcs iIsc aI IIc crOssing pOinI
bcIvccn anagcbraiccOnsIrainIvIicI makcs iI Onc and a IOpO-
l Ogica, aIIracIivc, cOaguaIingcOnsisIcncyvIicImakcsiI 0ncOnc.
TIus,cass,iniIsdividcdbuIsOmcIimcscrupIivcsOciacxisIcncc, isIIc
Onc rOm vIicI iI OOvs IIaI IIc Onc Onc, IIc parIy, can cOmc inIO
bcingaspOiIics.
TIcvIOcqucsIiOnOrIIcparIyisIOrcmainaIIracIivc,sinccaIIracIiOn
is prcciscy 'IIc Onc IIaIis Onc Onc (L I 74, Irans. mOdihcd) .
Tradc uniOnism i s IIc inIrinsicay rcpusivc Orm, vIcncc iIs
Z1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
OrganizaIiOncOpicdrOmIIcprOducIivcbrancIcsOcapiIaism, invIicI
IIc Onc bccOmcs OnymOrcOIIc Onc. !Is dOminanI is agcbraic.
!rOcIarian pOiIics is IIc mOving sysIcm O rcpusiOn-aIIracIiOn by
vIcIIIc Onc bccOmcs Onc Onc.
!nIIisrcgard iIsuIimaIcsiIc, OOving HcgcsanaOgy, musIcncOm
pass bOII IIc cOnIinuOus, vIicI is IIc cccI O aIIracIiOn, and IIc dis-
crcIc,cccIOrcpusiOn.
!ndccd, i IIc aIIracIivc uniIy-IIc pOpuar cOnsisIcncy O a camp
sprcads, vIaIisnccdcdIOmcdiaIcIIisprOpagaIiOnis OrIIcanIagOnisIic
rcpusiOn IO bc OpcraIivc, IIaI is, IIc cass cOncI by vIicI IIc cOn-
IinuOus Onc Onc disIinguisIcs iIscin Iurn (as Onc) viIIinIIc discrcIc
sysIcm OOppOsiIcOrccs
!n cOnIinuiIy, IIcrcOrc, magniIudcimmcdiaIcy pOsscsscsIIcmOmcnI
O icclcnc-rcpusiOn, as nOv a mOmcnI in quanIiIy. COnIinuiIy is
scsamcncss, buI OIIcManyvIicI, IOvcvcr, dOnOIbccOmccxcu
sivc; iI is rcpusiOn vIicI cxpands IIc sc-samcncss IO cOnIinuiIy.
Hcncc discrcIcncss, On iIs sidc, is a cOacsccnI discrcIcncss, vIcrc IIc
Oncs arc nOI cOnnccIcd byIIc vOid, by IIc ncgaIivc, buIby IIcirOvn
cOnIinuiIyanddOnOIinIcrrupIIIissc-samcncssinIIcmany.TIcdi-
crcnccOIIc rcpcingisIIcrcOrcprcscnI Ony as dicrcnIiabiiIy. (L
I 7, Irans. mOdihcd)
TIOugI ahrmaIivc in csscncc, aIIracIiOn IOds viIIin iIsc IIc di-
crcnIiabiiIy rOmvIicI iI prOcccdcdIO bcginviII,vIcniIs cxisIcncc
(ikcIIaI Ous, a Iandu O MaOisIs) rcmaincd subOrdinaIcIO IIcavO
puncIuacxisIcncc, inIIcpaccOmuIipc-Oncs.
AnymaIcriasubccI, OncOrIIcOnc Onc, and Onc OncaccOrdingIO
IIc Oncs, arIicuaIcs IIc agcbra OiIs paccmcnI andIIc IOpOOgy OiIs
nOvcIy.
Z19
N6| M00u|M000S
0DIUI 0, V
BcOngingandadIcrcncc-CanIOrsIIcOrcmandIIcincxIausIiOn
OIisIOry-RcaIivcscarciIyOprOpcrnamcs-MaIcriaism andscI
IIcOryTIc axiOmsOncigIbOurIOOdsinIIcirdiaccIicacgibiiIy
TIcmaIIcmc OIIccuIOpcrsOnaiIy
cI usrcauncIviIIa summary.
OnccanObviOusysIaIc IIaIagcbra is IIcmcIapIOrOIIccalculablcin
aIcriaism. !n iI, IIc rcaIiOnIOIIc rca sIcms rOm IIcprOccdurapOs-
siiiIyOknOvingIIcbcIaviOurOsucIOrsucIa Icrm, iniIsdicrcncc
and iIs cOmbinaIOry capaciIy, undcr IIc cccI OsucI OrsucI an cxpiciI
ruc.
TOpOOgy Iakcs IIings 'y IIc pack. !I mcIapIOricay IransaIcs IIc
unclionalinmaIcriaism,insOarasiIisIIcncigIbOurIOOd,IIcamiicsO
cOnging, IIc OcavariaIiOn, vIicI cOnsIiIuIc iIs dOmain.
TvOdicrcnIrcaIiOnsIOIIcWIOc.agcbracxpOrcsiI undcrIIcacgis
IIc individuas IIaIbcOngIOiI and IIcrucsaccOrdingIO vIicI IIcy
rcaIc IO Onc anOIIcr. TOpOOgy, undcr IIc acgis OIIc varicd subscIs O
hicIcacI individuamakcsiIssiIcviIIinIIc WIOc.
WiII rcgardIOIIc WIOc, IIcIcrmOagcbraicmaIcriaismisisOaIcd
hc OnyrcaIiOniIIasIO IIcscIis OncOsinguarbcOnging,c e E. TIc
rmOIOpOOgicamaIcriaismisapprcIcndcdin IIcOcamOdaiIyOiIs
p
rcscnccviIIinIIcWIOc,IIrOugIIIcmcdiaIiOnOIIcamiicsOparIs
Z1b
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
IIaI surrOund iI. WIaI is IIus spccihcd is IIc parIicuar vay in vIicI iI
adhcrcs IOIIcWIOc. TIc acI IIaIiI is Onc OiIs ccmcnIs is a ncccssary
buIinsuhcicnIrcquircmcnI. OncsccksIOknOvrOmvIcrciIbcOngsIO
iI, IOv, invIaIgcOgrapIy, viIIvIaIcOccIivc pIysiOgnOmy.
Agcbra is a OgicObcOnging IOpOOgy, aOgicOadIcrcncc.
TIinkOIIcdicrcnccbcIvccnbcingamcmbcrOapOiIicaparIyand
IavingadIcrcdIOiI.
TO rcgisIcr-IO pOsscss IIc card-pcrIains IO agcbra IO uniIcpcrIains
IO IOpOOgy.
2
HibcrI said IIaI maIIcmaIicians vOud ncvcr cI IIcmscvcs bc cIascd
OuIOIIcparadiscIIaI CanIOrIadOpcncdup OrIIcm.
HibcrI ispcrIapsIIc asI OIIOsc grcaIsubccIivc IccInicians O sub-
scrvicnIvriIingvIOcOnsIiIuIcda sccOndgOdcn agc OIIc cOnccpI (IIc
hrsI bcing IIaI O IIc Grccks) . TIis agc, ikc iIs prcdcccssOr, asIcd Or
IIrccccnIurics, and Gauss, inIIc middc OIIisIimc span, gaIIcrsaiIs
prcsIigc. Hcrc yOu Iavc anincOmparabc scrics O hgurcs O anIicipaIiOn
and masIcry, rOm vIicI cvcn IIc incxpicabc adOcsccncc, in IIc sIyc
O Rimbaud, is nOI abscnI-sincc iI s prOvidcd by IIc hgurc O EvarisIc
GaOis.
TIc paradisiaca aspccI O scI IIcOry, crcaIcd in Onc c svOOp by
CanIOr, icsinIIcacIIIaIiIprOvidcsauniyinganguagcOsucIpOvcrs
OgcncraiIyIIaIincOmparisOnIIcancicnIObccIsOmaIIcmaIicadcnO-
IaIiOnmusIappcarascOnIrivcdarIcacIs.
Onc vi nOI bc surpriscd IIaI, csIabisIing IIis cacuabc dispOsiIiOn
O inhniIcs in IIc IarsI sOiIudc O a pOsiIivc IIcOOgian, CanIOr sOvy
sIOud IavcsippcdIOvardIIc dciriumOgrandcur.
TIcnOIiOnIIaIcvcryIIingcanbcsIaIcdundcrIIcsOcnamcOIIcscI,
andviIIinIIcOgicObcOnging, iscquivacnI, asaras! amcOnccrncd,
IO IIc maIcriaisI rccOgniIiOn O IIc Onc O IIc namc O bcing. 'MaIIcr
Icrcscrvcs, Orbcing, asunivcrsasignihcr,usIasIIcscIdOcsOrmaII
cmaIics. Bcsidcs, ikc IIc scI, iI can Ony rcccivc an impiciI dchniIiOn,
gOvcrncdbyaxiOms, vIcIIcraIcnIOracIuayOrmuaIcd.
ScI and maIIcr arc as a rcsuI subOrdinaIc IO IIcprincipc OimiIa-
IiOnIIaIrcsIricIsIIc usagcOanymasIcrsigniIicr, namcy, IIaIiIcannOI
bc rccrrcd IO IIc WIOc. !I is vc knOvn IIaI IIc nOIiOn O a scI O a
Z10
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL MJLlLlbM
cIsis incOnsisIcnI. Simiary, IIccOnccpI Oan inIcgra maIcria IOIaiIy
is Ony IIc pOrOus anIasy O maIcriaism, iIs dcccIiOn Iurncd back inIO
idcaism.
!OrIIcmaIIcmaIicsOscIIIcOryasmucIasOrIIcIrucmaIcriaisI,a
IOIaiIyisparIicuar.TIaIvIicIbcOngsIOIIcvIOcrcquircsIIcpOsiIiOn
OIIcOIIcr,vIicIisnOIOIIcvIOc.
Ic vaucOcxccss
Z1
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
Takc a uncIiOn O cOrrcspOndcncc vIicI IO cacI parI ! O IIc IOIaI
(imaginary) univcrsc makcs cOrrcspOnd an cIcmcnI u O IIis uni-
vcrsc, in sucI a vay IIaI IvO icrcnI parIs Iavc IvO dicrcnI cOrrc-
spOnding cIcmcnIs. ! IcII yOu IIaI Onc parI drOps OuI O IIis suppOscd
cOrrcspOndcncc.
!nOrdcrIOcsIabIisIIIis,iIsuhccsIOdisIinguisIIIOscparIsIIaIcOnIain
IIc cIcmcnIIIaI is assigncdIOIIcmrOm IIOsc IIaI dOnOIcOnIain iI.
Onc cOuId aIsO say IIaI IIc aIIcmpIcOnsisIs in disIincIIy namin cacI
parIOIIcunivcrscviIIan cIcmcnIrOmIIis univcrsc. !I isIIcaIIribu-
IiOnOaprOpcrnamcIOiIsparIs,aIIribuIiOnsuppOscdIObcimmancnIIO
IIcrcsOurccs O , IIaI IcrcprOvOkcsIIcimpOssibIc.
! caII auIOnymOus a parI vIOsc namc hgurcs, in IIc guisc O an
cIcmcnI, wi/hin IIc namcd parI, and IcIcrOnymOus IIaI parI vIOsc
namcis cxIcrnaIIOIIis parIiIscI.
LcIusinvcsIigaIcIIcscIOaIIIIc cOrrcIaIcs-OaIIIIcprOpcrnamcs
assigncdIO IIOscparIsvIicIdOnOIcOnIainIIis namc. OaII IIc prOpcr
namcs OIcIcrOnymOus parIs. Sincc iI is a scI O cIcmcnIs O , iI is nO
dOubI a qucsIiOn O a jar/O , vIicI IIcrcOrc Ias iIs disIincI prOpcr
namc. vcsuppOscindccdIIaI aIIcanIavc Onc.
!s IIis parI auIOnymOus? NO, bccausc by dchniIiOn iI cOnIains only
namcs O IcIcrOnymOus parIs, and IIcrcOrc iI cannOI cOnIain iIs Ovn
namc, vIicI asa rcsuII vOuIdbc a namc O an auIOnymOus Onc. !s IIis
parIIcIcrOnymOus?Evcry namc Oa IcIcrOnymOusparI bcIOngs IOiI, by
dchniIiOn aIvays. ua IcIcrOnymOus, iI vOuId IIus Iavc IO cOnIain iIs
Ovn namc, and IIus, bcauIOnymOus
WcmusIagrccIIaIIIcparIIIaIisIIuscOnsIrucd,nciIIcrauIOnymOus
nOrIcIcrOnymOus, purcIyandsimpIyisnciIIcrnamcdnOrnamcabIc. !I
insIiIuIcsiIscIincxccssOvcrIIcsuppOscdcOrrcIaIiOn.
Wc IOucI upOn IIc impOssibIc O IIc bi-univOcaI cOrrcspOndcncc
bcIvccn IIc parIs O and IIc cIcmcnIs O . TIc rcsOurcc O muIIi-
pIiciIy OIIc parIs OvcrIOvs IIccIcmcnIarymuIIipIiciIy invIicI iI is
rOOIcd. sIands in a virIuaIiIy O bcing, by iIs parIs, mOrc numcrOus
IIaniIscI.
AnycIcmcnIarymuIIipIiciIyinduccsanOvcrIaking OiIscI.
!IavcaIvaysIOOkcdupOnIIisaIgOriIIm,!addinpassing,asIIcrcuIa-
IiOnOIIcisOmOrpIismIIaIisprcsuppOscdinsOmanydOcIrincsbcIvccn
tIaI vIicI is OvaIuc IO IIc individuaI and IIaI vIicI is OvaIuc IO IIc
cOIIccIiviIics.TIcrcsOurccOIIccOIIccIivcsncccssariIysurpasscsIIcIypc
OsIrucIuraImuIIipIiciIyin vIicIIIcindividuaIsarc rcsOIvcd.
Z1b
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL MJLlLl bM
TIc pOinI O IIc impOssibIc O IIc cOrrcIaIiOn bcIvccn cIcmcnIs O
and parIs O marks IIc rcaIO vIaI? OIIc acI IIaI IIc pOvcr O
annOI gO sO ar as IO incIudc IIc immancnI nOminaIiOn O aII iIs parIs.
AI Icas IIaI is, iyOu scckIOdisIinguisIIvO dicrcnI parIs by dicrcnI
cIcmcnIary namcsnamcs.
EiIIcrIIcunivcrscis cIOscd, IOIaI, and IIcnIIcrcissOmcIIingsIricIIy
indisIinguisIabIc, sincc yOu dO nOI Iavc cnOugI prOpcr namcs aI yOur
ispOsaI in IIc univcrsc IO isIinguisI iIs parIs, Or cIsc Onc can aIvays
isIinguisI, buI IIcn IIc univcrsc dOcs nOI Orm a vIOIc, IIcrc is sOmc
cxccss by vIicI yOu givc risc IO a prOpcr namc bcyOnd IIc suppOscd
OIaIiIy.
TIc univcrsc aIvays cOnIains mOrc IIings IIan IIOsc iI can namc
accOrdingIOIIcscIIingsIIcmscIvcs.
WIcncc iIs incxisIcncc.
!rOIcIarianpOIiIics, vIcn iI cxisIs, vIicI is nOI sO cOmmOn, is Onc O
hcunnamcabIcs Oany cIOscd sIaIiI spacc. AccOrdingIO IIc Iav OIIc
ay, iI rcmainsviIIOuIaprOpcrnamc.
TIis Iack OciviI sIaIus is prcciscIy iIs pOIiIicaI sIaIus. !I indicaIcs cOm-
unismasnOn-SIaIc, asnOn-vIOIc.
3
nasmucIasIOpOIOgyprOcccdsbyvayOamiIicsOparIs andaIgcbra, by
ay OcOmbinaIiOns OcIcmcnIs, IIcimpOssibiIiIyOcan aIsO bc sIaIcd
as OIIOvs. cxccssOIOpOIOgy OvcraIgcbra.
Hcrc, Oncc a scI is hxcd, yOu Iavc IvO Iypcs O muIIipIiciIy. Onc is
cincd accOrding IObcIOnging, c e E IIcOIIcr, accOrding IO incIusiOn,
E.
!ncIusiOn, iI sIOuId bc carcuIIy nOIcd, dOcs nOI undcrminc IIc scI-
hcOrcIicaI uniIy O Ianguagc. WIaI is a parI? A subscI aII OvIOsc cIc-
cnIs aIsObcIOng IO IIc hxcd iniIiaIscI. ! L E mcans by dchniIiOnIIaI
c e ! c C E. HOvcvcr, IIc virIuaIiIy OIIc parIsOvcrIOvsIIc iniIiaI
uIIipIiciIy. TIcrc is a scissiOn O vIaI 'bcing-in mcans. TIc parI, usI
lic IIc cIcmcnI, is in E. !n anOIIcrscnsc, lhcparIs cxcccd E, vIcrcas
ccIcmcnIscOmpOsciI.
O nOI IOOk any urIIcr, asar as absIracI gcncraIiIy is cOnccrncd, Or
hcgrOundOyOurcOnvicIiOnasIOIIc'micrO-rcvOIuIiOns OIIcdcsiring
dividuaI.TIcysIayinIIcirpIacc.NOindividuaIIasIIcpOvcrIOcxcccd
Z1V
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
IIc cra and iIscOnsIrainIs, cxccpIbyIIcmcdiaIiOnOIIc parIs, and, cIs
sayiI, OparIics.
! vOudrccapiIuaIcIIisasOOvs.
m.rsiti..nrmr m.nrm.ictxtoo\
uniIyoIbcing (maIIcr) uniIyoIIanguagc (scts, rcIaIion )
principIcoIdctoIaIizaIion. nciIhcr principIcoIdcIoIaIizaIion. noscI oI
univcrsc, norhistory alIscIs
- rcIIccIionabsoIuIc knowIcdgc c r(cIcmcntarybcIonging)
- asymptoIc-rcIaIivcknowIcdgc PC r(parIitivc cxccss)
Ihc coIIccIivcsarca Iorcc supcriorto thcsctoIparIsoIascIhasa
Ihc sIructuraIIramcinwhichIhc cardinaIiIy grcatcr Ihan Ihat oIIhc
individuaIsarcpIaccd iniIiaIsct
lo]olojical]oinlo] aljcbraic]oinlo] lo]olojy aljcbra
vicw vicw
bccomingoIa ccmcnIs and IamiIicsoIparIs IawsoI
proccss rcsulIsoIa (ncighbourhoods) composiIion
proccss amongcIcmcnts
cxccss posiIion
Iorcc pIacc IopoIogicaI aIgcbraic
sIrucIurcs sIrucIurcs
(spaccs) (Iaws)
WIO vi ai IO scc, in IIc diaccIic O ccmIcnIary muIipiciIics and
parIiIivc muIipiciIics, IIc pOOracgOry O vIaI ! said abOvc rcgarding
IIcscissiOnOmaIcriaisI knOvcdgc? TIcagcbraiccOmpOsiIiOnOIcrms
rccrsIOIIc rcIccIiOn, IOIIcgrOundcdcOrrcaIiOnOIIccOnccpIandIIc
rca. WIaI is knOvn is cccIivcy sO, IIc pOvcr O nOminaIiOn is cOm-
pcIc, absOuIc. !Iis urIIcrmOrc rcaIivc, asympIOIic, iOnc rccrs IOIIc
OvcrIOving parIiIivc muIipiciIicsIIaI suppOrI iI and IIaIcOnsIiIuIc an
ObsIaccIOIIc hxiIy OIIcvIOc.
4
TIcmaIIcmaIicanOIiOnOncigIbOurIOOdcsIabisIcsaIink bcIvccn IIc
ccmcnIsOa scI, vIicIisIIc basis ObcOngingOraIgcbraicmaIcriaism,
ZZ
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
andIIcsurrOundingadIcrcnccbyvIicIIIcccmcnIsarcOcaIabIc,basis
OrIOpOOgica maIcriaism.
LcIuspracIiscIIc cxcgcsisO IIc Our axiOms IIaIgOvcrnIIc usagc O
IIisnOIiOn.
! . AnyncigIbOurIOOd Oa pOinI cOnIains IIis pOinI.
TIisisIO say IIaI IIc scI cOsc IO yOu incudcs yOu. Hcrc vc Iavc in an
cxcmparyasIiOna principc O adIcrcncc in IOpOOgicaIIinking IIcrc
cxisIs nO ncigIbOurIOOd in cxIcriOriIy. TIis maIcriaism is an incIusivc
OpcraIiOn, vIcrcinIIc inguarisapprOacIcdaccOrdingIOIIaI OvIicI
Iisa parI.TIc ccmcnIisIIcpOinIOigIIOra scricsOcOccIivcs.TIc
individua Ias nO OIIcr namc IIan iIs muIipc adIcrcnccs. By cOnIrasI,
yOu knOv IIaI agcbra, as scparaIing maIcriaism, arrangcs IIc cxIcrna
cOnnccIiOnsOIIcsinguarOnIOIIcsinguar.
2 . AnyparIIIaIcOnIainsa ncigIbOurIOOdOa pOinIisiIsca
ncigIbOurIOOdOIIispOinI.
TIcrcinicsIIccxIcnsivcvauc OIOpOOgicaIIinking. AprOximiIyIIaI
isOOscrIIananOIIcrisnOncIIccssaprOximiIy.TIcarIIcr,vIicIcan
cmcasurcd OnIybyIIc 'ncarcr, skcIcIcsOuIamOvcmcnIOcxpansiOn
OIIc Oca. Bycvcr-IazicrapprOximaIiOns,IIcccmcnIIOucIcs Icndcn-
IiaIyupOnIIcIOIaiIy,vIicIisIIcimiIncigIbOurIOOd, IIcncigIbOur
hOOd O any pOinI IIaI Ias a ncigIbOurIOOd. TIis axiOm is IIaI O IIc
invcrIcd asympIOIc. IO scizc IIc ccmcnI rcquircs IIc mOvcmcnI O iIs
dicrcnIIOrizOns, iIimpOscsIIcIrajccIOryOdisIancing.
YOuIavc a dOubcpacc aI vOrk inIIcanaysisOa cOncrcIc siIuaIiOn.
On IIc sOid grOund O an agcbraic ramcvOrk, prinipc O IIc disIin
guisIabcandOcgacOnnccIiOns, iIisa maIIcrOIOOkingOrIIcIigIIcsI
ncigIbOurIOOd, IIc cOscsIcOccIivc, in sum, IIcOncIIaIisjusI-IO-IIc-
Ody. !nOrdcrIO dO sO, vc musI pracIisc IIccxpansiOn, acccpIIIaIIIc
lOca bc diaccIicizcdby cvcrvasIcr surrOundings.
TIisIOpOOgicaavOcxpansiOn-cOnsIrcIiOngivcsiIsacIivcmcaningIO
IccassicapairOIIc univcrsaI andIIcparIicuar.TIcrcisIruII IOIIcsc
ixcdcaIcgOrics, IIc IruII Oagcbra. TIcir rca cccIuaIiOn spins OuIIIc
OpOOgicaincusiOn OadIcrcnccs, bOIIIIc ncarcsI andIIc arIIcsI.
ZZ1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
3. TIcinIcrsccIiOnOIvO ncgIbOurIOOdsOapOinIis a
ncigIbOurIOOdOIIis pOinI.
TIcrc yOu Iavc sOmcIIing viII vIicI IO IigIIcn IIc apprOximaIiOn,
an asympIOIic insIrumcnI. ! yOu arc parI O IvO prOccsscs, yOu arc
parI OIcircrOssing, rOm IIc pacc skcIcIcd OuIby vIaIIIcyIavc in
cOmmOn. TIc vOrking cass may bc IIc hrsI ncigIbOurIOOd-arcady
vcryvasI-Oa acIOry rcvOI. YOu vil IIus ObIain, accOrding IO axiOm
2, vidcrncigIbOurIOOds, IIcbcOngingOcassIOIIcgcncraprOccssO!
IIccOnIradicIiOnprOcIarian rcvOuiOn/impcriaism. TIcinIcrsccIiOnO
IIcsc IvO ncigIbOurIOOds is nOIIing css IIan IIc Orm OinIcrnaIiOn-
aism immancnI IO IIc Icrm 'rcvOI. Ocs iI uniy IIc !rcncI and IIc
immigranIs? Or is iI cIauvinisIic? Ocs iI ahrm, viII IIc !C!. Madc
in !rancc Ony? !I is a ncv ncigIbOurIOOd, aI IIc inIcrsccIiOn O IIc
naIiOna and IIc vOrkcrs, vIicI dcmands a spccia IOpOOgica Iaking
Osidcs.
YOu ObviOusy Iavc OIIcrscrics in IIc pOiIica IOpOOgy. TIc rcvOI,
IIOugIOIIc workcrs, cads IOa OgiciniIsjojularsurrOunding (suppOrI,
bcIaviOur O vOmcn, cIc. ) . !I is an cxpansiOn (axiOm 2) and asO an
inIcrsccIiOn. AccOrding IO vIicI principcs arc IIc cadcrs assuming IIc
vOrkcrs adIcrcncc IO IIc pcOpc? Arc IIcy vOrkcrisI, Ockcd up in
IIc !acIOry? OIIcyIavcprOpOsasOa parIyIypc, cxpiciIprincipcsO!
IIcvOrkcrsimmancnccIOIIcpOiIicsOIIcpcOpc?
YOu mayasOask. vIicIdOminanIIisIOricamcmOrysaIuraIcsIIcm?
TIisisIIcIcmpOra cxpansiOncOnsIricIiOn. OIIcy acIaccOrdingIOIIc
drcam O unc I 36? TIc ccIO O May I 6? TIc scnsc O an isOaIiOn,
Oa bcginning?
O! cOursc, IIcsc qucsIiOns arc ancIOrcd in IIc cOnsisIcncy O IIc
MarxisI agcbra, vIicI arrangcs inIO a sIrucIurc IIc ccmcnIs O cass,
IIc pcOpc, impcriaism, IIc sIrOng mOmcnIs O idcOOgica IisIOry, and
sO On.
TIc cOncrcIc anaysis O IIc siIuaIiOnIravcrscs, viIIin IIc cOnccpIua
cgaiIyOanayIicaMarxism, IIccOccIivc adIcrcnccs, IIcirincusiOns,
IIcirinIcrsccIiOns.TIcpOiIicasubjccIis]ound-nOI-inIIcscmaIcri-
aisI crOssings OIIcrcccIiOnandIIcasympIOIc.
ZZZ
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
4. Givcna ncigIbOurIOOdOapOinI,IIcrccxisIsa subncigIbOurIOOd
OIIispOinIsucIIIaIIIchrsIncigIbOurIOOd
(IIc'biggcr Onc) is IIcncigIbOurIOOd OcacI OIIc
pOinIsO IIc sccOnd (IIc smacr Onc) .
TIis axiOm maIIcmaIicay IransaIcs IIc asympIOIic idca accOrding IO
vIicIvIaIisncara pOinIisncarcvcryIIing IIaI is ncarIIis pOinI. TIc
caIcgOryOncigIbOurIOOddOcsjusIicc IO IIcncigIbOurs ncigIbOurs.
Oncc againiI isa qucsIiOn O IrackingdOvn IIc cOccIivcadIcrcncc,
Iccxccss O anyOcaizaIiOn OvcrIIcsinguariIyO!IIc Icrm. TIc axiOm
sIaIcs.imaIcriaismdcIcrmincsIIcapprOximaIccnvirOnmcnIOapOinI,
OncknOvsIIaIIIiscnvirOnmcnIvi asObc IIaIOscvcraOIIcrpOinIs,
O a cOccIivc O! pOinIs, vIicI IIcmscvcs cOmpOsc a (IigIIcr) cnvirOn-
cnI OIIc hrsI pOinI, vIicI iIsc, mOrcOvcr (axiOm I ) , rcsidcs amOng
Icm.
OncsccsIOvIOpOOgyisdisidcnliininnaIurc.TIaIvIicIinIOpOOgy
appicsIOaIcrm, apOinI,anindividuabyvayOIIcdcIcrminaIiOnOiIs
siIc,iIsOcaadIcrcncc,musIasOavaysIOdIrucOrOIIcrs,Ora cOcc-
Iivc, IOvIicI IIis individuabcOngs.
Any IOpOOgica prcdicaIc is pura. TIc IOpOOgica nOminaIiOn is
cOmmOn, diaccIicizingIIcprOpcrnamcsOagcbra.
!I is Ic maIcriaisI dcsIiny O! IIc subjccIIO Iavc IO subvcrI iIs prOpcr
namcinIIcapprOximaIiOnO!iIscOmmOnnamcs.
OrIOIavcIOidcnIiyiIscOmmOnnamcsinIIcagcbraicsubsumpIiOn
OIIcprOpcr.
TO rcccI upOn IIis pOinI is vIaI in maIcriaismgrOunds IIc Orcc, as
vc asIIc crrancy, OIIc 'cuI OpcrsOnaiIy, vIicIinIruII is IIc cuI
Oa namc.
HavingIO cOnsIiIuIc IIc IOpOOgy OiIs adIcrcncc is vIaI cxpOscs IIc
pOiIica subjccIIIc parIyIO IIc anxicIy O disidcnIihcaIiOn, rOm
vIicIiIis cxccpIcdbyIIcIcrrOriingrcIurn Oanagcbra OIIcnamc.
ZZ
L00Sl SI60Cy
S6C000 0dO6 0 IM6 |6dl dI6| IM6
CduS6
l0DIU3I Z, V
sycIOanaysisandMarxismin 60andaIcr-SIainisIs?-TvO
cOnccpIs OIIc rcaMasscs, casscs, SIaIc, parIy. cIainsandknOIs
TIc dOubc rcaOIIc COmmuncWcakandsIrOng cOnsisIcncy-
Rhodus, hisalla
TIc cxIrcmc Orm O IIc subccIs agcbraiciaIiOn can bc Ound in IIc
IirsI Lacan, Or cxampc. AI IIcOuIscI, subccIiviIyIasnOrcaIiOnIOIIc
rca, buI raIIcr IO a synIax vIicI is cngcndcrcd by IIc signiying mark
IIcrc (E 3/ 50) .
TIcviIIOuI-rcaIiOnIOIIcrcaisIIcsanIcdvay, subOrdinaIcdIOIIc
agOriIImicruc,OrsavingmaIcriaisminIIcmidsIOIIcarcancmysIcr-
icsOiIssubccIivcbacksIccp. !yOudcIcrmincIIcprOccsssIarIingrOm
iIs sIrucIurc, yOuObIainaI casI IIcsIrucIuramaIcriaism. YOuavOidIIc
cOnsIiIuIiOn OIIcrcabyIIcsubccI, yOusIOrI-circuiIIIcpIcnOmcnO-
OgyOIIcdaIaOcOnsciOusncss.
HOvcvcr, dOcs a synIax amOunI IO a maIIcr? TIc cra ( 5 5 ) bcgins
IO bcicvc sOviIIOuIasycIknOvingiI. Wc arc nOI sO ccrIain. Tcn ycars
aIcr, IIc synIacIica mOdc O IIinking is rcIaincd, as ar as Marxism
is cOnccrncd, in AIIusscrs argumcnI IIaI IIc cass is IIc nOnsubccI
rcsuIingrOmIIcarIicuaIiOnOIIc dicrcnIinsIanccsinIIc OvcrdcIcr-
mncdsOcaIOIaiIy.TIcrcisIIcrcOrcanundccidabiiIybcIvccn,OnIIc
Onc Iand, IIc cOmbinaIOryand iIsmainspringas ack, vIicI IIrOvsIIc
ZZ9
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL MJLlLlbM
maIcriaisI IcnsiOn back IO IIc signiying inscripIiOn, and, On IIc OIIcr,
idcainguisIcry.
Lacans cmincnIOrcc cOnsisIs inanIicipaIing (by Icn ycars) , and cvcn
inanIicipaIingupOnIIc uIurcOIisanIicipaIiOn.
Hc ncvcr cOnOunds IIc agOriIIm O IIc cIain and IIc IaI cOmbina-
IiOn OIIcIcrms, sOIIaIIisagcbraismaxima, IOIIcpOinIOcccIivcy
bcingiIsOvnbOrdcr.
WIaIinIcrcsIsLacaniscssIIcavIIanIIcicga,
cIancc-ikc principc O dcIcrminaIiOn IIaI IIc av puIs inIO cccI. Hc
IOds sIcady viII rcgard IO IIc subccI cccI, vIcn a IIc OIIcrs vi
undcrsIand IIaI iI musI bc rccgaIcd IO IIc muscum O dying IumanisI
idcOOgy.
WIcn, arOund I 60, IIc CIincsc cOmmunisIs sIarIcd IIc idcOOgica
crisisviIIIIcSSR,IIcysubccIcdIIcmscvcsIO IIrccprincipcs.
TO rcsIOrcIIc scicnIihcandcOnccpIuarigOur OMarxism-Lcninism,
in vIicI scnsc IIcy vcrc agcbraic, againsI IIc band IOpOOgy O
pcaccucOcxisIcncc, inIcrpcncIraIiOn, rcaismviIIOuIbOrdcrs,and
gOuasIcOmmunism.
- TO mainIain IIaI IIc rcvOuIiOnary IIcmc rcmaincd acIivc ( Icncc,
agOriIImic,andnOIasIabccOmbinaIiOn) inIIchgurcOIIcvarsO
naIiOna ibcraIiOn. !n IIis scnsc, IIcy pusIcd IIc agcbra O vOrd-
vidccOnIradicIiOnsIOiIsIOpOOgicabOrdcr, undcrIIcsignOapOinI
OcOndcnsaIiOn ( Oa imiI-pOinI) OaIIcacIOrspuIinIOpay.
- NcvcrIOgivcup OnIIcprOcIariaIasunivcrsapOiIicasubccI.
COnscqucnIy, IIcymanicsIcdIIc currcnIOMrxisI scicnIihciIy-IIc
vOrdvidc mOvcmcnI O LcninisI OrIIOdOxy againsI IIc rcvisiOnisIs O
IIc rcmin-bcyOnd iIsc, a IIc vay IO iIs rcvcrsiOn in IIc CuIura
RcvOuIiOn. usI as Lacan, undcr IIc banncr O IIc rcIurn IO !rcud and
againsI IIc Amcrican cmpiricisIs, subvcrIcd bOIIIIc cOmmOnIIcmcO
anIiIumanism and IIc dcsubccIiviaIiOn advOcaIcd by IIc sIrucIura-
isIs, aIIc vay IOiIsrcvcrsainIOa IIcOry OanaysisinvIicIiI isIOiIs
caIIaI IIcsubccI cxpOscs iIscin IIc anguisIing risk OOsingbOIIiIs
imagc andiIs avin IIcprOccss.
EvcnmOrc vas aIrisk, IObc surc, inIIc CuIuraRcvOuIiOn.
AndycI, sOmcIIingisIinIcd aIby IIc minOracIIIaI IIc suicidc Oa
cv inIcccIuas is invOkcdas an argumcnI againsIbOII Lacan and MaO.
SOmcdayiI vi bc IIccasIOIIings IO abcLacananOIIcrSIain.WiII
IIings as IIcy sIand IOday, a SIainisI is vIOcvcr sccks, On sOmc maOr
pOinI OdOcIrinc OrcIIics, nOI IOgivc in.
ZZb
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
Hovcvcr, IIaI nciIIcr Lacan nor Mao arc SIaIinisIs is somcIIing you
knov, orIIcsccond,romIIcacIIIaIIcvasIIcBuddIaocommunisI
disordcr(IIcoIIcrbcingIIcsociaIisIcommandcrospcciaIcavymcIas)
and,orIIcIrsI,romIIcoIIovingIcxI, amongoIIcrs,invIicIIIcagc-
braicmcIaI mcnIioncdabovc, rcIurncdIo iIsagoriIIm, comcsIo mcIin
IIcurnaccoIIc IopoogisI.
You knov Iov, by mcans o axioms, !cano arIicuaIcsiI IIc scrics o
numbcrs . !I is IIc uncIion o IIc succcssor, o IIc n , IIaI Ic puIs
inIo rcIic as sIrucIuring IIc vIoc numbcr-vIicI ncvcrIIccss prc-
supposcs aIIIcouIscIa numbcr IIaIvoudnoIbcIIc succcssor oany
oIIcr, vIicI Ic dcsignaIcs asIIc zcro. AII IIaI IIcsc axioms producc,
in conormiIy viII IIc rcquircmcnIs o ariIImcIics, viII IIcrcorc bc
IomoogousIo IIcscricsovIocnumbcrs.
TIc knoI is somcIIing csc. Hcrc, indccd, IIc uncIion o IIc pus-
onc is spccihcd as sucI. OmiI IIc pIus-onc, and IIcrc no Iongcr is a
scrics-simpIy rom IIc sccIion o IIis onc-among-oIIcrs, IIc oIIcrs
arc IibcraIcd, cacIas onc. TIis couIdbc a vay, uymaIcriaI, Io makc
you graspIIaI Onc isnoIa numbcr, cvcnIIougIIIc scricsonumbcrs
ismadcup o oncs.
!ImusIbcadmiIIcdIIaIi nIIisscricsonumbcrsIIcrcissucIconsisI
cncyIIaIoncisIardpuInoIIoIakciIorbcingconsIiIuIivcoIIcrcaI.
AnyapproacIoIIcrcaIisorusvovcnouIonumbcr.BuIvIcrcrom
sIcms IIis consisIcncy IIaI Iics in numbcr? !I is noI naIuraI aI aII, and
IIisisprcciscIyvIaIbringsmcIoapproacIIIccaIcgoryoIIcrcaIinas-
mucIasiIisIicdIoIIaIIovIicI! amasoincincdIogivcconsisIcncy,
IIcimaginary and IIcsymboicaI.
!! hndsomcscrviccinIIcknoI,iIisbccauscinIIcscIIrccsomc/hins
vIicI ! originaIizc as IIc symboic, IIc imaginary, and IIc rca, iI is a
qucsIion o IIc samc consisIcncy. !I is on IIis accounI IIaI ! producc
IIc Borromcan knoI, and IIis, viII an cyc on doing jusIicc Io my
pracIicc.
ToisoIaIcconsisIcncyassucIissomcIIingIIaIIasncvcrbccndonc.
Mc,! isoaIciI,andbyvayoiIIusIraIion !givcyou-IIc cord.
HcrcIIcIopoogicaIinIcrvcnIionisspccihcd. !I ismadcrom IIc Onc,
asvasIobccxpccIcd.
TIc MaIIarmcan sidcoIIc rcapcrIainsIo IIcvanisIingobccI, causc
odcsirc-or o IIc IcxI-Icrc IIc zcro,romvIicIiIoIovsIIaIIIcrc
issucccssion.
2
To IIink IIconcoIIcIvo vIIouI aconnccIionIIaI voud bccxIcrna.
IIisccaryrcquircsancorIinIopoogy.
Topoogy is IIis poinI o maIcriaism vIcrc IIc diaccIic supporIs Is
dvision. 'On IIcbass j+ . . ] orings o sIrng, a vcdging [coinac] occurs,
sincc iI is IIc crossing o Ivo conIinuiIics IIaI sIops a IIird conIinuiIy.
ocsnIiIsccmIIaIIIsvcdgingcoudconsIiIuIcIIciniIiapIcnomcnon
oa Iopoogy? (S XX, I ! / I 3 I2) .
Wcdging, cossing:vc IavcsccnIIcscIcrms, vIicIarcconsIIuIivc o!
maIcriaismin IIc proccso knovcdgc.TIcrca, inaddIionIoiIsidcn-
IIyasa missng causa obccI, comcsIo IIc suracc in consisIcncy asIIc
sIoppcd crossng oIvoproccsscs.
TIissIovsIIc cxIcnIIovIicIIIc rcaisIIc uniIyoIIcagcbraicand
IIcIopoogica, uniIyoIIccauscandIIcconsisIcncy.
!I isobccI, buInolonly.
!nvIaI scnscdo vc sayIIaIIIc!ars Communcis rca? CcrIainynoI
in IIaIiI IasIakcn pacc, vIcI ismcrcyIIc indcx o iIs rcaiIy.
!I is rca, IrsI o a, in IIaI iI brcaks viII IIc ramcvork o! IIc SIaIc,
andcvcnmorcsoviIIIIcMarxisIIIcoryoIIcSIaIc.!IisbypuIIinginIo
cccI a poinI o IIc impossbc in IIis IIcory IIaI iI rcvcas Is sIaIus as
rca,soIIaIMarx,vIoogicaydisapprovcsoIIcIriggcringoIIcnsur
rccIion, canonycncounlcriniIIIcvanisIing!arisianmasscs.WIcnccIIc
obigaIon, Io vIicI Ic cmains aiIIu, o bcing vIoy on IIc sidc o!
IIaIovIicI Ic disapprovcsin IIcory, soasIo hndIIcncv and rcIroac
Iivc conccpI o! Iis pracIica approva.
Z
M1LlLlbJ LVLbL l M1LlLlbM
!Iisrca,inIIcsccondpacc, inIIaIIIcCommunccnIcrsinIoIIccon
sisIcncy o any proongcdprocIarianpoiIics, Io IIc poinI vIcrc !cnin
is brougII Io dancc n IIc snov vIcn IIc povcr IIaI rcsuIcd rom IIc
OcIobcrRcvouIion supasscs IIc duraIion o IIc poor !arsan SIaIc o
87 . To IIc ponI aso vIcrc IIc vorkcrs insurrccIion in SIangIai in
67 dccarcs IIc !ounding o! a Communc, and IIaI morcovcr, as cary
as 66, in IIc socmn dccaraIion IIaI Irics Io organic IIc CuIura
cvouIion, IIcMaoisIcadcrsa!hrm:'!IisncccssaryIoinsIIuIca sysIcm
gcncra cccIons, kc IIaIoIIc !aris Communc.
Wc IIus pass !rom IIc agcbrac puncIuaiIy, by vIicI a maIcraisI
domain opcns Isc!upIoknovcdgc,IoIIcIopoogicaadIcrcncc,vIicI
aIuraIcsIIc rccurrcncc o conIicI vII mcmory and ncigIbourIoods.
!or us a, IIc Communc is IIc rcIccIon o IIc rcvouIionary brcak
IiuminaIcs, vIic vc sIandin anasympIoIicrapporIIo iIscommunisI
vocaIion.
!I consisIs, or Iaving disappcarcd. TIis samc objccI vII iIs vanisIcd
rccision, vIicI is commcmoraIcd in IIc !rc LacIaisc ccmcIcry, isco
rcscnI, asncxIausIbcconccpI, ncarcsI Io ouracIion.
!IsIIc vcdgingoIIsdoubcmodc o!bcng IIaImakcs upIIcmaIc-
iasI rcao!IIc Communc.
TIisobviousyrcquircsIIccurrcnIpoiIicasubjccI.IIaIoIIcCuIura
cvouIion,IIaIoIIcMaoisIs.
3
ocs !acan pusI IIcdiaccIico IIcrcaIIisar?
HcrcvcarcnIIcviciniIyo!acgiIimaIcandnamcabcdivcrgcncc.WIy?
ccausc IIc !acanian conccpI o consisIcncy is Ioo rcsIrcIivc. By !aiing
I opposc and conjoin cxpiciIy IIc agcbra and IIc Iopoogy, Ic cxposcs
msc!IoIIcrsko!IInkingoconsisIcncyonyasanaIIribuIcoagcbra.
LikcIIoscvIoinpoiIicsvoudsccin IIc masscs, onccpasIIIcrcvoI
IaIisIIc causaIyo!ack, onyan aIIribuIc o! IIc cass SIaIc.
!orIisovnnccds, !acandocsnoIIavcIopusI IIcissucbcyondIIaI
IicI, aIIIc cvc o !ormaiaIion, cIs Isc! bc rccognicd as consisIcnI
omogcnciIyo!IIc symboic
TIc naIurc o IIc maIIcmaIica anguagc, oncc iI is su!hcicnIy iso-
atcd in Icrms o iIs rcquircmcnIs o purc dcmonsIraIion, s sucI IIaI
Z1
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
cvcryIIingIIaIis puIOrvardIIcrc-nOIsO mucIinIIc spOkcn cOm
mcnIaryas in IIc vcryIandIing O IcIIcrs-assumcs IIaI i Onc OIIc
IcIIcrs dOcsnI sIand up, aII IIc OIIcrs, duc IO IIcir arrangcmcnI, nOI
OnIycOnsIiIuIcnOIIingOanyvaIidiIybuIdispcrsc. !Iisin IIis rcspccI
IIaI IIc BOrrOmcan knOI is IIc bcsI mcIapIOr O IIc acI IIaI vc
prOcccd OnIyOn IIcbasisOIIc Onc. (S , I ! 6/ ! 28)
WIO aiIsI OsccIIaIcOnsisIcncy, i niIs BOrrOmcanhgurc, i s Icrc dan
gcrOusIycIOscIObcingasimpIcprincipIc OcxisIcnIiaIinIcrdcpcndcncc?
TIisisnOIbyaccidcnI.EngcIs-andSIaIin-madcIIisprincipIc, crrOnc-
OusIy, inIOIIckcyOdiaIccIicaI maIcriaIism.
TIc uniIaIcraI rccrcncc IO IIc Onc, viIIOuI IIc scissiOn vIicI cvcn
in HcgcI OppOscs IIc Oncs IO IIc Onc Onc, makcs vIaI is prOpcr IO IIc
IOpOIOgy disappcar, IIaI is, iIs rOOIcdncss in incIusiOn, IIc parIiIivc, IIc
ncigIbOurIOOd,IIcmuIIipIc.
TO say IIaI i IIc Onc isIacking, cvcryIIing dispcrscs, cOmcs dOvn IO
dcrivinconsislcnq]romlhccausc.
vcnIurc IIaI IIc primacy OaIgcbra Ias IIc cccIOrcducingIIchcId
OIOpOIOgyIOIIcsOIccOnsisIcncyOIIcaIgcbraicIOcaIiOn.
As did Or dicrcncc, Icrc ! pOsiI IIaI IIcrc arc IvO cOnccpIs O
cOnsisIcncy.
Wcak cOnsisIcncy is rcsOIvcd in sIrucIuraI cOIcsiOn. Ilmakcs a knolo]
whalis onlyachain.
AII Lacans Iracking O IIc rcaI is subOrdinaIc IO IIc sIudy O sIrings,
scricsOknOIs, BOrrOmcan cIains.
SIrOng cOnsisIcncy OvcrdcIcrmincs IIc aIgcbra, as cOnsisIcncy O
ncigIbOurIOOds.TIOugIancIOrcdinIIccausc,IIcObccI,IIcsIrucIurc,
iI namcs IIc principIc OIIc rcaI in IIc cOIIccIivc cxccss and IIc adIcr-
cncc, IcIIing iIscI bc summcd up nciIIcr in IIc Iack O a Icrm nOr in
bcIOnging.
TIc cOnsisIcncyOinIcrdcpcndcncc is IIc cIcmcnIary Orm, barcIy scI
aparIrOmIIc aIgcbra, OIIaI vIicI musIbc pusIcd aII IIc vay IO IIc
pOinI OcOnIicIuaI cOnsisIcncy, IcIcrOgcncOus cOnsisIcncy, IIc cOnsisI-
cncyIIaIis indcpcndcnIOaIIinIcrdcpcndcncc.
YOuknOvIIaIIIisrcquircsIIc cOnccpIOOrcc.
LcI us say IIaI IIc Lacanian rcIaIiOn O IIc causc IO IIc cOnsisIcncy,
vIicI makcs up IIc vIOIc dividcdnamc OIIc rcaI, vanIs IO rcmain in
iIs pIacc.
TIcIruII is IIaI dcsIrucIiOn isrcquircd,aIIIc IcarIOmaIcriaIism, in
ZZ
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL MJLlLlbM
OrdcrIO grOund in iI IIc rcaI uniIy O IIc IOgic O ncigIbOurIOOds and
IIaIOIack.
AsOrIIcsubccI, iI hnds in IIis uniIy IIaI vIicI in Lacan is Ony IIc
ccIipscOiIs inscripIiOn. IIcvIcrcviIIaIIOcarryOuIIIc cxccss OvcrIIc
lav, viIIOuInccdingIO surpassmaIcriaIism.
!OriIis maIcriaIism, divisibIcuniIyOaIgcbraandIOpOIOgy,IIaI undcr
IcprimacyOIIcsccOndsucIasiIisinduccdbyasubccIivizaIiOn, cnIcrs
nan cxccssOvcriIscI.
TIc IvO paIIs arc cIcar, aIcr aII. EiIIcr IIc maIcriaI IOcus OIIc sub-
ccIivc is madc up O an aIgcbraicizaIiOn O IIc IOpOIOgicaI (BOrrOmcan
cIains, cOnsisIcncyOinIcrdcpcndcncc) OriIis madc up Oa IOpOIOgiza-
tiOn OIIcaIgcbraic ( maIriccsOdcsIrucIiOn, cOnIcIuaIcOnsisIcncy) .
HicRhodus,hicsalla.
Z
b0 | | IIl 6 00I0l 0y
M3ICR , V
HcidcggcrTIc guaranIccing OcOmmunismbyIIc sOciaIisI SIaIc
is nOIvOrIImOrcIIanIIaIOcOnsisIcncybyIIc causc-TIcIIrcc
cOnsisIcncicsOIIcvOrking cIass-Bcingis saidinIIrccvays
TIcnOIiOnIIaIbcingissaidaccOrdingIOIIccauscandaccOrdingIOcOn
sisIcncyisacIuaIIyIIc OIdcsIIIcmcOpIiIOsOpIy.
As sucI, pIiIOsOpIy IOucIcs upOn IIc rcaI, andupOn maIcriaIism, by
IIcindirccIandurgcnIrccOgniIiOnOIIcpairaIgcbra/IOpOIOgy,nOmaIIcr
vIaIspccuIaIivccIOIIingiIcOmcs in.
! dO nOIapprOvc, rankIy spcaking, O IIc disdain viII vIicI !acans
sccIariansrcgardpIiIOsOpIy,vIicIIIcyinscribcunivOcaIIyinIIc rcgis-
IcrOIIc imaginary.
TIcy bOasI abOuI bcing daring anIipIiIOsOpIcrs. ! raIIcr scc IIcm
prOIccI IIc aIgcbraicindivisibiIiIyOIIc ObccI. Bcsidcs, Icrc IIcy arc aI
a IOss as sOOn as IIc OnIOIOgicaI Iracking pursuiI O IIc masIcr, cdging
On siIcncc andindicrcnIIO IIc subIIc and vain gamcs O mcIapIOr and
mcIOnymy, vanIs OnIyIO kccp On vcavingnO OIis Ovn crrancy
IIc rcaIcOrdOdcsIiny.
COnsisIcncy suppOrIs IIc qucsIiOn. vIaI abOuI IIc bcing O vIaI is?
CausaIiIy, IIc prObIcm O IIc suprcmcbcing, byvIicI IIc vOrId is IIc
OrmOvIaIis.
OnIOIOgicaIqucsIiOn,IIcOIOgicaI qucsIiOn.
Z9
M1LlLlbJ LVLbL M1LlLlbM
Hcidcggcr inIcnds IO dc cOnsIrucI mcIapIysics, prcviOusIy dchncd as
IIc cOnccaImcnI O IIc hrsI qucsIiOn by IIc sccOnd. ! say IIaI Ic sccks
IO dissipaIc IIc aIgcbraicprccisiOnO GOd, IOcaIizaIiOn OsimpIcbcIOng-
ing,pIaccdbcingrOmvIicIaIIbcingsIakcIIcirpIacc. !Iisa qucsIiOnO
Opcningup OnIO IIcIOpOIOgicaIunIimiIaIiOnObcing, OrvIicIiIisnOI
Or nOIIing IIaI Hcidcggcr cvOkcs ad nauscam IIc diaIccIic O IIc ncar
ndIIcar.
Hcidcggcr vOuId Iikc IO put an cnd IO IIc pIiOsOpIicaI idca O a
uaran/cco]consis/cnqby/hccausc.
YOuviIIbc abIc IO sIcd sOmc IigII On IIis pOinI iyOuknOv IIaIvIaI
vc cOnIcmpOrary MarxisIs vanI IO puI an cnd IO is IIc IIcmc Oauar-
an/cco]communismby/hcsocialt/S/a/c.
TIc SIaIc, as causaI rcsuII O IIc vanisIing O IIc masscs, csIabIisIcs
IIc aIgcbraicdispOsiIiOn OpOIiIics. Wc dccIarc IIaI, sOciaIisI Or nOI, and
IIOugIinvariabIynccdcdOrIIcinIcIIigibiIiIyOacIiOn,IIc SIaIcguaran-
IccsnOIIingviIIrcgard IOIIcsubccIivc cccIuaIiOn OcOmmunism.
!nOrdcrIObcIicvcIIc cOnIrary, OncmusIimagincIIissOciaIisISIaIcas
ancxccpIiOn-assIaIc OIIc cxccpIiOn, capabIcby iIscIOan aIgOriIIm
OriIsOvnviIIcringavay, vIcrcasLcninaIrcadykncvIIaIanymOdcrn
IaIc, incIuding IIc sOciaIisI Onc, is inIrinsicaIIy bOurgcOis and Icncc
pcrIains, viII rcgard IO IIc cOmmunisI IOpOIOgy, IO IIc caIcgOry O IIc
IrucIurcandIIcObsIacIc.
TIissIaIusOIIccxccpIiOncanbcdccipIcrcdinpIiIOsOpIyamOngIIc
cruciaI OpcraIOrsIIaIaIIOv OncIOcrusI cOnsisIcncy undcr IIc causc, Or
cing undcr GOd. Scc ArisIOIIc. aII naIurc Iics in mOvcmcnI, sucI is IIc
lav OIIc vOrId. TIc suprcmc mOvcr, vIO is bcing jarcxccllcncc, is ccr-
ainIyIIcObccI-causcOmOvcmcnIingcncraI,buIiIiscxccpIcdrOmiI,
cingiIscIimmObiIc.
TIcsOciaIisISIaIc,suppOscdcauscOcOmmunism,iscxacIIyIIisimmO-
iIcmOvcr.
TIcrcisnO mOrcimpcriOusdcmandIIanIOkccpIIc disIanccbcIvccn
causc andcOnsisIcncyas IIcdiaIccIicaIdivisiOnOIIc cccIs-O-IIc-rcaI.
IaIisIIcrcbyaIsIakcisIIcsubccI.
! a pIiIOsOpIyIas nOOIIcrdchniIiOn IIanIO prOvidcOrIIc cIOsing
p O IIis disIancc IIrOugI iIs immObiIc mOvcrs, iIs IransccndcnIaI sub
ccIs, iIsncgaIiOnsOIIc ncgaIiOn,iIsbcings-IIaIarc-nOIvIaI-IIcy-arc,
hcniI is IrucIIaIvc cannOIbcpIiIOsOpIcrs.
LcI ussayIIaIpIiIOsOpIyIicsOn IIissidc OIIcarIiIiccsviIIvIicIiI
aItcmpIsIO cnsurciIsgripOn IIc ncigIbOurIOOdsand IIc adIcrcnccsby
Zb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
IIcsOIidiIyOIIcObjccI and IIc rcguIaIcd chcacy OIIccausaIiIyOIack.
!I is nciIIcriIsvirIucnOriIs csscnccIOvanIIOgrOundIIcuniIyObcing
in IIc Onc OIIc ObccI. Evcn in IIc mOsI subIIc O IIccOnccpIsOrgcd
Or IIc sakc OIIis cOnsOIing misIakc, vc can aIvays rcad IIc IabOriOus
rccOgniIiOn O IIc acI IIaI IIc rca, nOminaIIy spIiI, prOpOscs bOII IIc
ObccI-causc andIIc prOccss-cOnsisIcncy, andIIaI, OrIIcsubjccI Oany
knOvIcdgcvIaIsOcvcrIOaccupIOIIis,vIaIisnccdcdisIIccxpIOraIiOn
OacOnIIicIuaIcOmpaIibiIiIybcIvccnIIccIcmcnIaryncIvOrksOaIgcbra
andIIc inIricaIc parIiIiOnsOIOpOIOgy.
2
TO IIink IIc vOrking cIass.
!irsI, IIcaIgcbra.AvOrkcrisvIOcvcrscIIsIisOrIcrIabOurOrccIObc
incIudcdin a prOducIiOnprOccsscOnIrOIIcd by capiIaI. !cgiIimaIcIy, Onc
viIIannOunccIIaIIIc cIassisdchncdbyiIsjlaccinIIcmOdcOprOduc
IiOn. TIisis IIc inaIIibIc signOIIc rcIccIiOn, OIIc aIgcbraicizaIiOn. !n
addiIiOn, IIisis anObIigaIOrypassagcvay.
!s IIcrc cOnsisIcncyaI IIis sIagc? Ycs, i Onc rcIains IIc vcak cOnsisI-
cncy, IIaI O IIc aIgcbraicIOcaIiOn. !I is anObjccIivccOnsisIcncy, rcduc-
ibIc IO asimiIariIyObcIOnging, IO a Iav OIIc Samc. TIc nOun'vOrkcr
dcsignaIcsIIis.
OIIcsc vOrkcrsOrm a cIass? Ycs, IIc sOciOIOgisI viII bc pIcascd IO
hnd IIc spcciaI aIIribuIcs, IIc simiIariIics in cIOIIing, aIIiIudcs, IasIcs,
vOIing IabiIs, and sO On. TIc sOciOIOgisI, in Iis bOOkkccpcrs invcnIOry,
dOcs nOI Iavc IO knOv abOuI IIc cxcIusivcIy dicrcnIiaI naIurc O IIcsc
simiIariIics. !I is cIcar IIaIIIcy rcguIaIc IIcsamcbyvayOIIcOIIcr, by
vay O IIc bOurgcOis, IIc prOcssOr, IIc armcr. TIc cOnsisIcnI inIcriOr
iIy is missing. TIaI vIicI Iinks IIc vOrkcrs as cIass ObviOusIy cannOI bc
summcdupbyIIccccIsOIIcirpOsiIiOn. 'TIcyprccr1hclucDanubcIO
Wagncr? AsarcsuII,! cOnsidcrIIcmOnIyasObccI]orano/hcrob)cc/-c
Onc vIO IikcsWagncr, IIc pcIiIbOurgcOis; ! dOnOI cxcccdIIc aIgcbra.
RigOrOusIy spcaking, Onc sIOuId sayIIaI Icrc cOnsisIcncy isincOnsisI-
cnI. Or IIc sIrucIurc O bcIOnging O IIc vOrkcrs IO IIc IabOur markcI
puIsIIcmincOmpcIiIiOnviIIOncanOIIcr.!IdisjOinsIIcmmOrcsOIIan
iI brings IIcm IOgcIIcr. YOu knOv vIaI is oncvOrkcr, yOu ignOrc vIaI
arc IvO vOrkcrs, asOnc.
TIisis IIczcrOdcgrcc OIIcncigIbOurIOOd.
Z0
MJLlLlbJ LVLbL l MJLlLlbM
TIchrsIdcgrccisprOvidcdIOusbyIIccOnsisIcncyOdcmandsOrIradc
uniOnism. TIcacIIIaI adIcrcncc is nOI nuII and vOid in IIcmbccOmcs
manicsI viII IIc appcarancc O OrganizaIiOnaI pIcnOmcna. Hcrc IIc
tOpOIOgy inIrOduccs a disIanccinIOIIcaIgcbra OcOmpcIiIiOn.
TIaIvIicIauIIOrizcsIIisgapis,sIricIIyspcaking, IIcpOssibIcbargain-
ingabOuI IIc pricc OIIc IabOurOrcc. TIc saIary dispcrscs IIcvOrkcrs,
uIIIcacI IIaI iIisncgOIiabIcOrganizcs IIcm.
Hcrc yOu Iavc a Icndcncy: IIc acIuaI saIary IIucIuaIcs sIigIIIyarOund
tIcvaIucOIIcIabOurOrcc.TIcsurrOundingOIIisIIucIuaIiOn, IIOugI
rcsIricIcd, bringsOrIIa vIOIcIOpOIOgyOprOIcsIsand dcmands, vIicI
rcIaIcs /hcvOrkcrsOaacIOryOra sccIOrIOIIcsaIary, nO IOngcrasahxcd
cOnIracIbuIasanasympIOIc.WIaIIIc uniOnscaII'IIcairsaIary,vIicI
gOvcrns IIc 'IcgiIimaIcdcmand. IIcsc arcaII cOnccpIs vIOsc prOpcrIy is
IIaIIIcyknOvnOsuhcicnI saIisacIiOn, sinccIIcy hxOnIyanimaginary
limiIpOinI.
YOucanmcasurcIOvIaIcxIcnIIIiscOnsisIcncyrcmainssubscrvicnIIO
tIcaIgcbraOcxpIOiIaIiOn.!IisOnIyinIIcmarginOpcncdupbyIIccOmpc
tiIiOnamOngcapiIaIisIs, IIcindusIriaIrcsIrucIuring,IIcimpcriaIisIcxpan-
siOn, IIaI IIc Iradc uniOnisIdcmand cndOvsIIcvOrkcrsviIIa rcaIiIyO
parIiIivcincIusiOn,cIcvaIingIIcmabOvcIIcaIOmizaIiOnOIIcmarkcI.
As vaciIIaIiOn arOund a hxcdpOinI-IIc ObccIivc vaIuc O IIc IabOur
OrccIIaIIIcrcvOIIiIscIinIIccndcOmcsupagainsIasiIsabscnIcausc,
tIc cOnsisIcncyO dcmands knOvs OnIy IIc pOOrcsI O ncigIbOurIOOds,
tIcadIcrcnccsIIaIarcIIcIcasIdisIanccdrOm IIcbcIOngings, IIcmOsI
triviaIIOpOIOgics.
!IisnOIsurprisingIIaI IIc Iradc uniOn cnds up by bccOming rigidihcd
n IIc aIgcbra OIIc grcaI impcriaIisI SIaIcs. AI iIs pcak, as in IIc niIcd
SIaIcs, IIis subscrvicnI rOIc cOncrs upOn IIc uniOn IIc mOnOpOIy O
cmpIOymcnI. !nIIcsIricIscnsc, IIcuniOnisIadIcrcncc, sincciIisObIiga-
tOry simpIy in OrdcrIO IindaOb, uscsviIIIIc vOrkcrsbcIOnging.
TIc acI rcmains IIaI vIaI vc Iavc Icrc is IIc prcciOus acquisiIiOn
OIIcgap as sucI, aI IcasI in IIc IcrOicpIasc OIIc uniOnizaIiOn OIIc
vOrkcrs. TIc uniOnizcd cIass, viIIOuI bcing subccI, nO IOngcr sIands
ndcr IIc Iav O IIc ObccI. !I brings inIO bcing IIc absIracI cIcmcnI O
IIc subccIivc.
TIc pOIiIicaI anIagOnismgivcs risc IO a principIc OcOnsisIcncyIIaI is
adicaIIy IcIcrOgcncOus IO iIs undcrIying aIgcbra. As a rcsuII, bcIOnging
hcnccOrII is OnIy a vaguc criIcriOn. TIc IOpOIOgicaI) pOsiIiOn O cIass
ust bc disIinguisIcd rOm IIc aIgcbraic and sOciaI) bcing O cIass. TIc
Z
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
pOIiIicaIIcadcrs OIIc vOrkcrs arc inIcIIccIuaIs. !ngcncraI, IIis prOvOkcs
IIcindignaIiOnOnIyOIIcbOurgcOis, OrOIIOscOrvIOmIIcmysIcrics
OIIc rcaIarcunaIIOmabIc.
!nIIcparIisanpOIiIicaIIOpOIOgy,IIcsIakcsI i cincxcccdingIIcaIgcbra
aII IIc vay IO iIs IimiI pOinI, vIcrc iI can brcak. TIc dcsIrucIiOn is
arIicuIaIcd upOn IIc mainIcnancc, IIcrc vIcrc IIc Iradc uniOn
pcrscvcrcd.
TIc parIy is IIc suppOrI O IIc cOmpIcIc subccI, by vIicI IIc prOIc-
IariaI, buiII On IIcvOrking cIass, aims aI IIc dissOIuIiOn OIIc aIgcbraic
ramc invIicIIIiscIassispIaccd.
!cOnsisIcncy1isincOnsisIcnI,accOrdingIOIIcvcryIavOIIcaIgcbra
OcOmpcIiIiOn, cOnsisIcncy3 dcsIrOysIIcprincipIc OcOnsisIcncyOIIc
pIacc.!IisIIuscquaIIyincOnsisIcnI,inIIaInOob)cc/, OnIIcsidcOcapiIaI,
canuncIiOnas causcOiIs cOnsisIcncy.
!nIIcprOIcIariaI, IIcvOrkingcIassIasdisappcarcd. RcaIizcdasvanisI-
ingcausc, iIcOnsisIsin IIcparIy, vIOsc cxisIcnccIasnOOIIcraimIIan
IOsupprcssIIaIvIicImadcpOssibIcIIc causaIiIy.
TIc Ob ccIivccxisIcnccOIIccIasscOIIccIsdispcrscdvOrkcrs. !IspOIiIi
caI cxisIcnccgaIIcrscOmmunisIs. !nbOII cascs, IIc scissiOn OIIc causc
andOcOnsisIcncyisasymmcIricaI.TIcrcaIOcIassisaspccihcimbaIancc
OaIgcbraandIOpOIOgy.
OnIyIradcuniOnismsccksa baIancc. TIisisbccausciIpurpOrIsIOmakc
cOnsisIcncyOuIOIIccapiIaIisI causc.
AI, IIc Icdium iI unIcasIcs BcIvccn IIc IardsIip O vOrk and IIc
IabOur OIIc rcvOIuIiOn, nciIIcr Onc nOrIIc OIIcr, and priding iIscIOn
iIs'rcaIism,iIisa IiddcnaIgcbraanda submissivcIOpOIOgy
3
TIcsc disIincIiOnsarcgcncraI.
Bcing-sO IiIIIc OnIOIOgy-is said in IvO vays, Icncc in IIrcc. ausc
and cOnsisIcncy arc IIc primiIivc cOnccpIs, vIOsc cOmbinaIOry, rccOg-
nizcdinIIcasymmcIry OdiaIccIicaIdivisiOns, givcsus.
Zb
I . TIc primacy O IIc causc Ovcr cOnsisIcncy (O IIc aIgcbra Ovcr IIc
IOpOIOgy) . bcing-pIaccd, in a pOsiIiOn O vanisIing as IO IIc ObccI,
andOdispcrsiOn-rcpcIiIiOnasIO IIcsubccI.
2. TIc cquiIibrium O IIc causc and O cOnsisIcncy. bcing-sIrucIurcd,
M1LlLlb1 LVLbL l M1LlLl bM
in a pOsiIiOn OvariaIiOn as IO IIc ObccI, and O simiIiIudc asIOIIc
subccI.
3. TIcprimacyOcOnsisIcncyOvcrIIccauscbcingOrccd,inapOsiIiOn
OdcsIrucIiOnasIOIIcObccI, OcxccssasIOIIc subccI.
Asancxcrcisc,!prOpOscIIaIyOucOnrOnIIIcIripIiciIyObcing,csIab
isIcdinIIisvay,viIIIIc!acaniannOminaIiOns
- insisIcncc,invIicIIIc cccIOIIcsymbOIicgOvcrnsIIc rcpcIiIiOn;
- cOnsisIcncy (in IIcvcakscnsc), inIOvIicIIIcimaginaryidcnIihca-
IiOnisrcsOIvcd;
- cx-sisIcncc, vIcrcinIisIIc rcaI.
AsOr mc, ! viII OnIy IcII yOu IIaI, sccing IOvpcOpIc Iivc andIIink,
onc may cOncIudc IIaI IIcrc arc indccd IIrcc visiOns O IIc vOrId. IIc
ordinary, IIc Iradc uniOnisI, and IIc pOIiIicaI. EacI gcsIurc, cacI vOrd,
pcrIainscIcarIyIO OncO IIcscIIrcc Iypcs. CIassiy yOurscIvcs Ona daiIy
basis, yOu viIIbcbcIIcrO.
!sIIcrcnOIa sOurccOIappincss, inIIcancicnIscnsc, inIIcOnIOIOgi-
caIgrOundbcIindIIcscmundanccvaIuaIiOns?
!rOmIIisOurncyIIrOugI maIcriaIism, ! incr IIaI aIrcadyIvO dchni
iOnsOIIcsubjccIOppOscOncanOIIcr.
IIc subccI is a cOnsisIcnI rcpcIiIiOn in vIicI IIc rcaI cx-sisIs;
(!acan)
- IIcsubccIisa dcsIrucIivccOnsisIcncy,invIicIIIcrcaIcx-cccds.
ZV
PAk1V
bu0j 6CI| V| ZdIl 00 d00 bu0j 6CI| V6 ||0C6SS
Z91
1M6 I0Q0| 0| Cd| 0QQ0S|I6 0 IM6 K00I |S 00I IM6
CuI0| SQ6|S| 00 0uI IM6 06SI|uCI| 00~|6C0OQ0S| Il 00
M3ICR , V
OubIc OccurrcnccOIIc subccI-CruciaIcOnccpIsA Lacanian
cmbarrassmcnI!npraisc OIIcparIy
Ic subjccI, i sucI an cccI cxsIs, is maIcriaI-Iikc cvcryIIing cIsc IIaI
xisIs.IOIIOvsIIaIiIcanbcgraspcdbOIIbyvayOrcIIccIiOnandbyvay
OIIc asympIOIc, IIrOugIaIgcbra and IIrOugIIOpOIOgy.
WIaI arc IIc dividcd spccihcaIiOns OIIc subccIprOccss IIaI circum-
cribc IIcIvO cOnccivabIc Ordcrs OiIsmaIcriaIIy?
LcI us rccaII IIaI IIc pOIiIcaI subjccI s IIc cIass parIy. TIc cmpiri-
caI sidc O I sIOvs us iIs inIcrmiIIcnI briIIiancc vIcn iI s a qucsIiOn O
surrccIiOn, andIsIasIingcOnsisIcncyvIcniIbcIOngsIOIIc SIaIc.
TIc acI OIyng IOgcIIcr-IIc BOrrOmcan cccI-is nOI IIc samc n
Icsc IvO circumsIanccs. ! viII arguc IIaI, hrsI, as IIc cuI IIaI ruins
IIc Iink IIaI Ics IIc OId cIass IO IIc OId SIaIc, iI avcrs IIc rcaI O IIc
masscs n IIc dspcrsivc vanisIing O iIs cccI. TIc SIaIc aIIs IO ruin,
Ic cIass scizcs IOId O IIc mass, IIc parIy is rcsOIvcd inIO IIc IIOv
tIaI carrics iI, pOIiIcs cOncidcs viII IisIOry. TIcn, IIc rc-Iyng causcs
Ic Onc O a dicrcnI kind, IIc ncv cIass SIaIc, Organizing a mass
onscnsus.
WIaIIicsIIcknOIdcpcndsciIIcr OniIscuIOrOn iIsIinkagc.
WIaIdOcs iI mcanIO cOmc IO knOva knOI? nIyingiI is nOI cnOugI,
ccausciI mgIIbc a maIIcrOcIancc. !I is aIsOncccssaryIO IiciI.
TIc subccIcrOsscsIIcscIvOOpcraIiOns.
TIc IimcOnsurrccIiOniscsscnIaIIyaIgcbraic, as! said. !Iisby dnIO
vIaI I causcs IO disappcar IIaI a rcvOIuIiOn dcscrvcs IO bc gaugcd. TIc
Z9
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
Iimc OdirccIiOn is IOpOIOgicaI. !I is in IIc namc O vIaI iI buiIds IIaI a
parIy appcars bcOrc IIcIribunaIOcOmmunisIcvaIuaIiOn.
BuIIIcsubjccIisnOIycInamcabIcinIIcscparaIcdabsIracIiOnOIIcsc
mOmcnIs.
!acan vas cIcarabOuIIIis, ascanbc sccnin a nOIcaddcdOn IIcOcca
siOn OIIc pubIicaIiOn O Iis Ecrils, in vIicIIc Icmpcrcd IIc dOminanI
aIgcbraism OIis hrsIpcriOd. TIcIcxIisrOm I 5 5, IIcnOIc rOm ! 66.
!ni I !acan cOmmcnIs On IIc inIrOducIOry cxcrciscs OIIc ' Scminar On
TIc !urIOincd !cIIcr,vIcrcvccanhndIIc dcnscsIOrmuIaIiOnOIIc
agcbra OIIc subjccI.
TIc inIrOducIiOn Oa sIrucIuraI apprOacIIO IIc hcId inpsycIOanaIyIic
IIcOryIIrOugIsucIcxcrciscsvas, inacI, OIIOvcdbyimpOrIanIdcvcI
OpmcnIsinmyIcacIing.COnccpIsrcIaIcdIOsubjccIivizaIiOnprOgrcsscd
Iand-in-Iand viII a rccrcncc IO IIc analysis si/us in vIicI ! cIaim IO
maIcriaIizcIIc subjccIivcprOccss. (E48 n. 2/ 57)
TIcsc cOnccpIs O'subccIivizaIiOn and ' subccIivc prOccss arc cruciaI
IO mc insOar as IO IIc hrsI vc can aIIacI IIc aIgOriIImic cxpIOraIiOns
O IIc cIain, and IO IIc sccOnd, IIc analysis si/us, IIc IOcaIizaIiOn by
ncigIbOurIOOds.
! aIsOIOIdIIaIviIIOuI dcsIrucIiOn-andiIsObvcrsc, rccOmpOsiIiOn
yOu cannOIIIinkIIc subccIivc maIcriaIiIy O IIcircOupIing aIIIIcvay
IOIIccnd.
TIisisvIy!acanIassIudicdIIcmOncaIcrIIcOIIcrsubccIivizaIiOn,
unIiIIIc mid- ! 60s, and, subscqucnIIy, IIcsubccIivc prOccss, cspcciaIIy
aIcr ! 68.
SubccIivizaIiOn raiscs IIc qucsIiOn O iIs causc, IO vIicI !acan
rcspOnds viII IIc rcaI as ObjccI subccIivc prOccss, IIaI O iIs cOnsisI
cncy,IOvIicI!acanIcnccOrIIsIiIIrcspOndsviIIIIcrcaI,buIinvIaI
guisc? TIis is vIcrc Ic Icavcs us bcIind, bccausc IIc BOrrOmcan knOI
sucI as Ic cOnccivcs O iI rcmains IaunIcd by IIc IOgic O IOss and O
dispcrsiOn.
!acanscmbarrassmcnIviII rcgard IO cOnsisIcncysIcms rOm IIc acI
IIaIIcIOIdsIIccuIIing(OIIcknOI) IObcIIcprOOOiIsIruII.NOvIIc
OppOsiIcOIying IIc knOI is nOIIOcuIiIbuIIO dcsIrOyiI. TIccuIisOnIy
IIc aIgcbraicabsIracIiOnOIIc dcsIrucIiOn. usIas IIc rcvOIuIiOnisOnIy
anabsIracImOmcnIOcOmmunism.
TIis cmbarrassmcnI is IransparcnI in !acans IcxIs. COnsidcr IIc
OIIOving.
Z99
bUbdLLJlVlJlN N bUbdLLJlVL PLLbb
TIc rcaI is IIaIIIcrcissOmcIIingcOmmOnIOaII IIrcc in cOnsisIcncy.
NOv, IIis cOnsisIcncy Iics OnIy in IIc capaciIy OOrming a knOI. !s a
mcnIaIknOI rcaI? TIcrcin IicsIIcqucsIiOn. j. . .
WcarcOrccdnOIIOpuI IIc rcaIinIO cOnsisIcncy. COnsisIcncy, IO caII
iIbyiIsnamc, !mcanbyiIscOrrcspOndcncc, isOIIc Ordcr OIIcimagi
nary. SOmcIIingvIicIisIargcIydcmOnsIraIcdinaIIOIumanIisIOry,
andvIicIsIOuIdinspircasinguIarIypcOprudcnccinus,isIIcacIIIaI
aIIcOnsisIcncyIIaIviIIsIOOdIIcIcsIOIimcispurc imaginaIiOn. . . .
! vc can cnsurc IIaI IIc imaginarycx-sisIs, iI is bccausc iI is a qucs-
IiOnOanOIIcr rcaI. ! sayIIaIIIccccI Omcaningcx-sisIs, andIIaIin
IIisscnsc, it is rcaI. !I is nOI a maIIcrO apOIOgcIics, buI OcOnsisIcncy,
imaginarycOnsisIcncy,nOdOubI,buIIIcrcccrIainIydOcscxisI, iIsccms,a
vIOIc usuaI dOmain OIIcimaginaryuncIiOn IIaI IasIs andIOIds up.
COnsisIcncy, inasmucI as iIi srcaI, is Icrc rcduccd IO cx-sisIcncc, and
IIus IO vIaIcvcrviIIdravs iIscIrOm vIaI is inscribcd, IO IIc abscncc
OIIaIvIicIvIaIcvcrcOnsisIs makcsinIOiIs prcscncc. AsIOcOnsisIcncy
prOpcrIy spcaking, Icrc iI is rcascribcd IO IIc rcgisIcr O IIc imaginary,
vIOscIicIO IIc rcaIcOnsisIsincx-sisIing.
TIisragmcnIcOnIainsan csscnIiaIcquivOcaIiOn,vIOscsympIOmsarc
cIcarcnOugI.
- IIcrcaIisaIIIcsamcIimcprcscnIinIIc BOrrOmcanknOI, asOncO
IIcIIrccIOOps,andcx-sisIcnIviIIrcgardIOIIaIsamcknOI,bccausc
'cvcni! dOnOIIraccIIchgurcOmyBOrrOmcanknOIOnIIcbIack-
bOard, iI cx-sisIs, sincc nO sOOncr is iI Iraccd IIan anybOdy can scc
cIcarIy IIaI iI is impOssibIc Or iI nOI IO rcmain vIaI iI is in IIc rcaI,
namcIy, a knOI
I , V
uaIiIaIivcuncIiOnOIIcsuppOscdknuckIcIcad-!Orcc rcIurnsIOIIc
sccncNcigIbOurIOOds and subccIivizinginIcrrupIiOn-!OurcOnccpIs,
IvO Iimcs, IvO mOdcs
WcnOvknOvIIcOIIOving.ci/hcrIIcsubccIivccaIcuIaIiOnOIIOvsIIcaIgc-
braic ruIc IIrOugI and IIrOugI, in vIicI cascIIcrcisnciIIcr anIicipaIiOn
nOrrcIrOacIiOn, orIIcrc is aIasIy subccIivizaIiOnOccrIainIy,buIIIcnvc
musIprcsuppOscsOmccIcmcnIOOriginarynOnidcnIiIy. WIicIOncisiI?
!, vIcn IIc OIIcr bcgins IO mOvc, ! sIOp, avarc as ! am O pcrIaps
Iaving umpcdaIcad,iIisbccausc!suppOscIIaIvIiIc! rcasOncd accOrd
ing IO R, IIc OIIcrmaynOI Iavc bccn abIc IO cOmpIcIc mOrc IIan IIc
rcasOningR2, cvcnIIOugIR2 isparIOR.
TIc cxpcricnIiaIhcIdIIusincIudcsIIcacIIIaIcacIsubccIrccOgnizcs
IIc pOssibIc nOnidcnIiIy OIIc OIIcr. !n IIis casc, IIc acI IIaIIIcrc arc
dicrcnI spccds OrcasOning.
My avarcncss O IasIc is Icrc dcpcndcnI On IIc pOssibiIiIy IIaI IIc
OIIcrispcrIapsa knuckIcIcad.
YO scc tIaI vIaI is aI sIakc, vIiIc mcasurabIc by IIc aIgOriIIm (iIs
spccd), cannOIbcrcduccdIO iI.
MyIasIcandIIusIIc cnIircpcriOdizaIiOnOIIcprOccsssIcmrOmIIc
pcrccpIiOn, vIicI is inscparabIc rOm IIc acI, IIaI IIcrc is a quaIiIaIivc
cIcmcnIin cvcrysubccIivc dcIcrminaIiOn.
Zb9
bUbdLLJlVlJlN NU bUbdLL1lVL PLLbb
My IasIc, my IaIIing. !yOu cIiminaIc IIc cIcmcnI O dOubI as IO IIc
dicrcnIiaI IcIcrOgcnciIy O IIc OIIcr, IIcn yOuII Iavc nO cOnccivabIc
IasIc vIaIsOcvcr.
!IisIcrc, OcOursc, IIaIgraIcdOnIOIIcaIgOriIIm, IIcrcariscssOmc
IIingvIOscprincipIcs cannOIbc rcduccd IO IIc IaIIcr ruIcs. IIc qucs-
IiOnOmyjroximiq IO IIc OIIcr, IcrcassigncdIO IIc dicrcncc R- R2,
in vIicI IIc pOssibIc incriOriIy Omy cOIIcagucs inIcIIccIin maIIcrs O
dcducIivc vcIOciIy varns mc abOuIIIc nccd IO bc varyvIcnIc sIarIs
IOvaIk.
TIus, ! musI hIIcr IIc cxpcricncc O Iis sIarIing IO vaIk, ccrIainIy
IIrOugI IIc aIgcbra, vIicI rcIaIcs iI IO myrcasOning, buI aIsO IIrOugI
IIc IOpOIOgy, vIicI arOundIIis rcasOningdcIcrmincs a scI OsubccIivc
ncigIbOurIOOds ( O spccd, IasIc, sIupidiIy . . . ) IIrOugIvIicI! prOcccd
IOcvaIuaIcIIc OIIcr.
Wc musI Obscrvc IOv IIc cOmpcIiIiOn mcnIiOncd by !acan impOscs
OnIIcsubccI,inaddiIiOnIOIIcIcsIOIIcaIgOriIIm,aquaIiIaIivcaIIcn-
IiOnIObcpaidIOIIcpIayOdicrcnIiaIcdIIaIsuIurcsiIscIOnIOIIc
rcasOningassOOnasiIis a maIIcrOanacIprOpcrIyspcaking.
BcIIcr ycI, ! musI cOnccivc O IIc subccI-vc Iavc bccn saying IIis
rOm IIc sIarI-as IIc rcsuII O a purihcaIiOn O Orcc in IIc IcnsiOn IO
rcsOIvcIIc aIgOriIIm.
SubccIiviaIiOnOpcraIcsaccOrdingIOIIccIcmcnIOOrccbyvIicIIIc
pIacc (IIc cOncIusiOn ! drav rOmR) hnds iIscIaIIcrcd.
TIcsIOryunOIdsin IIcvayLacansaysOnIyundcrIIcIypOIIcsisOa
hcId OpOssibIc ncigIbOurIOOds IIaI, bydiing a quaIiIaIivc ccrIainIy
IIrOugIOuI IIc aIgOriIIm, Orccs IIc pcriOdizaIiOn O IIc subccIivc
prOccss-IIc suspcndcdIimc.
WIcncc ariscs IIis immancnI IOpOIOgy, vIicI cOmcs IO inIcrrupI an
aIgOriIImIIaIviIIOuIiIvOuIduncrringIyIcadIOiIsmccIanicaIandIruc
cOnscqucncc? !rOmIIcacIIIaIIIc spIacc isaIvaysalrcadyIIcIOcus O
IIcsubjccIivc.
BysuppOsingIIaIIIcOIIcrsIandsinapOsiIiOnOapOssibIc dicrcncc
OOrcc, ! subOrdinaIcmy cxpcricncc IO IIc nOIiOn IIaI cvcryOccupaIiOn
OapIaccrcsIOrcsIIcIavOnIIcbasisOIIc OuIpIacc.
TIc mark O IIis dicrcnccOinIcIIccIuaIOrccvOuIdbc my saIvaIiOn
i IIc prisOn vard rccd mc aI IIc cnd O my vicIOriOus and rcasOnabIc
cxiI. BuIIIisdicrcnccmusIsIrucIurcIIccnIirchcId]rom/hcs/ar/, asIIc
ncccssary cOnccpI OIIc subjccI, in Ordcr Or my rivaIs sIcps IO Iakc On
tIcvaIucOanaIarm.
Zbb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
TIc subccIivc, inIIcdicrcnIiaIOOrccs, aIvays prc-cxisIsiIscI.
TIaI subccI IIaI ! cOmc IO bc in ccrIainIy is sOmcIIing ! cOuIdOnIy
anIicipaIc,bascdOniIssuppOscdIybcingaIrcadyIIcrc,IIrOugIIIccvaIu-
aIiOnOIIcOIIcr.And!cangrOundIIaIsubccIrcIrOacIivcIyOnIyinsOar
as, IIrOugIIIccccIsOIasIc,iIgainsmasIcry, iniIsvcrypIacc, OvcrIIc
cOnIradicIiOnOOrccs.
2
!nIIc cnd, ! rcad IasIc asIIcinIcrcrcnccOaIOpOIOgyinanaIgcbra.TIc
subccIiscOnsisIcnIOrIavingsiIuaIcdiIscauscinIIccIcmcnI OdisOrdcr
asmucIasinIIaIOOrdcr.
!Ora knuckIcIcadisa disOrdcrinrcasOning, nO?
AsMaO says. isIurbanccs arc ancxccIIcnIIIing Wc sIOuId undcr-
sIandIIaIIIcrcinIicsIIcsccrcIOcOnsisIcncy.
HOvcvcr, iIasIccannOIbcincrrcd rOmIIcaIgOriIIm; iIIcrc cxisIs
nOpurcIyIOgicaIuncIiOnOIasIc, asLacancIaims, ducIOIIcacIIIaIiIs
uncIiOnisIOpOIOgicaI IIcnvIcrc sIOuIdvc siIuaIciIspOssibiIiIy?
!iIisIIcOIIcrssIcpIIaIurgcsmcIObcdisIrusIuIandIIaIrcmindsmc
OIIcacIIIaIIcpOsscsscspcrIapsadi]crcnl ]orccrOmminc,IIcniIisacIu
aIIybccausc!didnOIIIinkOIIisbcOrc,bccausc!cOuIdnOIIIinkOIIis.
HOv cOuId ! Iavc, sincc IIc cxIcnI O my dicrcncc rOm IIc OIIcr,
IOpOIOgicaIIycOnsIiIuIcd, dOcsnOIaII undcranysIabIcIcmpOraImcasurc
and aIvays Icavcs mc gucssing vIcn iI cOmcs IO knOvingvIcIIcr IIc
suppOscd knuckIcIcadmaynOIbc abOuI IO gcIIOsIin IIc mOsI sIraigII-
Orvardprcmiscs?
uring IIc hrsI mOmcnI O my rcasOning suspcnsc, nO cOnvicIiOn
rcgarding IIc dicrcnI Orccs invOIvcd scrvcs any purpOsc, Or Iack O
aIIingundcrsOmcrcasOnabIccaIcuIaIiOnOiIsinscripIiOninduraIiOn.
!IisIIushIIingIOIakcOassOOnas!IavccOmpIcIcdR, solhallhcloic
o]lhcncihbourhoodsis aclivconlyaccordin lo lhcslcjso]lhcolhcr.
Wc viII pOsiI IIaI IIc IOgic OIIc ncigIbOurIOOds is inscparabIc rOm
IIc rcaI. HasIc, vIicI cannOI bc incrrcdrOm IIc symbOIic, isIIc mOdc
invIicIIIcsubccIcxcccdsIIcIaIIcrbycxpOsingiIscIIOIIc rcaI.
!irsIOaII, IIc rcaI O IIc OIIcrsmOIiOn, raIIcrIIanacccIcraIing mc,
makcsmc sIOp.
BuI, mOrccruciaIIy,IIc rcaI dchncs IIc sIakc, IIaIis, IIcsubccIiIscI
quarccsubccI.
Zb0
bUbdLLJlVlJlN NU bUbdLLJlVL PLLbb
! IurryOrIIcsimpIcrcasOn IIaIbcingIIc hrsIIO cxiIisIIc OnIyrcaI
IIaImaIIcrs.TIcacIIakcsprcccdcnccOvcrIIcrcasOning.
YOu scc. inIIisprimacyIicsIIcvIOIcsccrcIOsubccIivizaIiOn. WIcn
IIc pOpuIar insurrccIiOn brcaks OuI, iI is ncvcr bccausc IIc caIcuIabc
mOmcnIOIIisinsurrccIiOnIasarrivcd.!IisbccausciIisnOOngcrvOrII
dOing anyIIing cIsc cxccpI IO insurrccI. TIis is vIaI Lcnin said. IIcrc is
rcvOIuIiOn vIcn IIOsc rOm bcIOv dO nOI vanI IO cOnIinuc as bcOrc,
andvIcniIiscvcryvIcrcimpOsingIycvidcnIIIaIiIisvOrII mOrcIOdic
sIandingIIanIOIivcIying dOvn.
OuranccdOIcrcvcaIsIIaIiIisIIcinIcrrupIiOnOanaIgOriIIm, and nOI
iIs cxccuIiOn, IIaI Ias a subccIivizingcccI.
As Or IIc subccIivc prOccss, iI cxisIs OnIy in IIc rccOmpOsiIiOn O
cOnscqucnccs in IigII O IIc inIcrrupIiOn. !I is ncvcr IIc pursuiI O IIc
aIgOriIIm, sincc IIccnIrancc OOrccOnIO IIc sIagc brcaks viII IIc Iav
IOvIicIiIOvcsIIcacIIIaIiIcxisIsiniIspIacc.
SOiIisviIIIIcparIy,vIOscpOIiIicaIcOnsisIcncy, puIIOIIcIcsIOIIc
massuprising,ismOdihcdOrcvcr.
HasIcisdivisibIc.
! can cxiI, viIIOuI giving any IIOugII IO IIc quaIiIaIivc dicrcncc O
IIc OIIcr, bccausc IIc rcaI subccIs mc IO an inIOIcrabIc prcssurc and
bccausc IIc spacc O IOpOIOgicaI masIcry is nuII. My passiOn IO bc rcc
Icads mc IO IrusI OnIy IIc sIOrIcsI aIgOriIIm, viIIOuI IOIcraIing any
inIcrrupIiOn.
Hcrc is IOv iI IOOks: bccausc IIc rcaI OvcrvIcIms mc, in IIc guisc O
IIcviIaIimpOrIanccOIIcsIakcsinvOIvcd,!cxcIusivcIycaIIupOnIIcIav,
vIicIaiIs IOsusIainmcIO IIc cnd.
! ! sIOrI-circuiI IIc ambiguOus mcssagc O IIc OIIcrs dcparIurc, in
OrdcrIOrunviIIaIcavingcIcsIIOvardIIcdOOr,viIIOuIcvaIuaIingIIis
mcssagcsdivisibIcsignihcancc,!nOdOubIsubccIivizcbuIpurcIyaccOrd-
ng IO IIc cccIOa sIicncd and IicIcss aIgcbra. ! cIing IO R, viIIOuI
cOnidcringIIcIOgicOIIcncigIbOurIOOds.
!rOm a dicrcnIpcrspccIivc, vIaI vc ObIain Icrc is anxicIy, vIOsc
maOrcOnccpIvc aIrcadyIavc inIrOduccd.
TIc cOrrcIaIcd subccIivc prOccss rcprcscnIs IIc prisOn vardcn as IIc
kcy IO myvcrybcing. !IisIOvardIimIIaI! run rcckIcssyIObcgOrmy
Zb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
rcIcasc. ! IIc knuckIcIcad rcasOncd accOrding IO R2, IIcrc vOuId bc a
sOmbrc IruII IO iIiIc vcrc IOpuI mcbackinIIc IOIc.
AnxicIy-subccIivizaIiOn-caIIs upOn IIc supcrcgO-IIc subccIivc
prOccss.
TIcrcisanOIIcrsidcIO IasIc, vIicIhndssuppOrIin a sIraIcgicanIici
paIiOnviIIOuIIavingmanagcdIOrcacIa vcII-grOundcd ccrIainIy.!Iakc
a mOmcnIsadvancc,bya vagcrOn IIcrcaI.
! Or cxampIc, ! IIink as a gOOd IOpOIOgisI IIaI my cOmpcIiIOrs arc
mOrc OrIcss mypccrs, IIc OnIyvay IO gcI avay is by no/wai/in OrIIc
cndOIIcrcasOning,vIicIIIcyvOuIdOIIcrviscaccOmpIisIaIIIcsamc
Iimc as !. TIc pOssibIc undccidabiIiIy O IIc OuIcOmc is vIaI ! caIcuIaIc
musIbcbrOkcn,IIrOugIancsscnIiaIsubccIivccOnhdcnccinIIcacIIIaI
! viIIcOmpIcIcIIcrcasOningin rOnI OIIcprisOndirccIOr.
AIcraII, IIaIsIIc OnIyIIing IIaI cOunIs.
VicIOry bcIOngs IO IIc Onc vIO gains IIc uppcr Iand by IIinking On
IIc gO.
Wc Iavc aIrcady cncOunIcrcd IIis suddcn baIancing mOvcmcnI by
vIicI ! cxpOscmyscIIOIIcrcaIviIIOuIrcsOrIingIOIIcimmObiIcIcm-
pOraIiIyOIIc Iav. iIsnamciscOuragc.
TIcIvOgcncricOrmsOsubccIivizaIiOn arcanxicIyandcOuragc.
NOIiccIIaIIIcacIisIIcsamc. asIcisIIcOrmOIIcOncOrIIcscis
siOn cOuragc/anxicIy. BuI IIc subccIivc mOdcs arc OppOscd, insOar as
OncbIOcks a rigidIavundcrIIc cccI OIOOmucI-O-IIc-rcaI, vIcrcas
IIc OIIcrbcIsOnIIcrcaIundcrIIccccIOananIicipaIcdcaIcuIaIiOn.
AsOrIIcprisOnvardcn,inIIccascOcOuragcOussubccIivizaIiOn,iIisnOI
rOmIimIIaI!cxpccIanysaIvaIiOn.!prOpOsc,raIIcr,IIaImycxccssOvcraII
caIcuIaIiOn,vagcrcdbybcIOnIIcrcaI,subccIsIIcIavIOiIscI.Onhdcncc
aIIOvsmc IOrcIaIcIOmyscIin IIccOnvicIiOnIIaI, inIIcIOngrun, IIc sub
ccIivcprOccssviIIrccOmpOscavOrIdinvIicIIIcIavmusIviIIcr.
Ouragc appcaIs IOusIicc.
TIus,IIcdOubIcsubccIivizingOccurrcnccrcccivcsiIsnamcs, asvcIIas
iIscOnnccIiOnIOIIcdOubIcidcnIiIyOIIcsubccIivcprOccss.
TIcrcarc OurundamcnIaIcOnccpIs anxicIy, cOuragc,usIicc, supcr-
cgO) , IvO IcmpOraIiIics subccIivizaIiOn, subccIivc prOccss), and IvO
mOdaIiIics. IIc mOdc , vIicI Iinks anxicIy IO IIc supcrcgO, and IIc
mOdc, vIicIIinkscOuragcIOusIicc.
AsIIcIOpOIOgicaIupIcavaIOanaIgcbra,IIcsubccIaccOmpIisIcsiIscI
inIIcacIOdividingIIcmOdc andIIcmOdc.
Zbb
1M6 l 06Xl SI60I
M3 , V
umuIaIivc dchniIiOnsOIIcsubccICanIOrsIIcOrcmandIIc
rcguIaIiOnOnaIiOnaIiIics!rcscripIiOn OIIccmpIypIacc
A subccI is sucI IIaI, subscrvicnI IO IIc ruIc IIaI dcIcrmincs a pIacc, iI
ncvcrIIcIcsspuncIuaIcsIIcIaIIcrviII IIcinIcrrupIiOnOiIscccI.
!Is subccIivizing csscncc Iics in IIis vcry inIcrrupIiOn, by vIicI IIc
pIacc,vIcrcIIcruIcisdcrcguIaIcd, cOnsisIsin dcsIrucIiOn.
A subccI is cquaIIy IIc prOccss OrccOmpOsing, rOm IIc pOinI OIIc
inIcrrupIiOn,anOIIcrpIaccandOIIcrruIcs.
TIcsubccIissubccIcd,insOarasnOIIingisIIinkabIcundcrIIisnamc
cxccpIarcguIaIcdpIaccaspIacc.AndaIsOinasmucIasvIaIIIcsubccI
dcsIrOys is aIIIc samcIimcIIaIvIicI dcIcrmincs iI in iIsbcngpIaccd.
TIc acIIIaI IIc subccIivcprOccss OccursrOm IIc pOinI OIIc inIcr-
rupIiOn indicaIcs IIc Iav O IIc subccI as IIc diaIccIicaI divisiOn O
dcsIrucIiOnandrccOmpOsiIiOn.
TIis is vIaI guaranIccs IIaI IIc subccIivc prOccss in parI cscapcs
rcpcIiIiOn. TIccccIOIIc Samcis dcsIrOycd, andvIaIIIisdcsIrucIiOn
insIiIuIcsis an o/hcrSamc.
TIcIOpOIOgyaIOnciscapabIcOmcasuringIIcacIIIaIOnccOnsisIcncy
cOmcs aIcranOIIcr, inIIc causaIOrdcringOIIcinIcrrupIiOn.
TIcsubccImaIcriaIizcsIIcdivisiOnOmaIcriaIism, insOarasiIcannOI
bc cOnccivcd viIIOuI IIc suppOrI O an aIgOriIIm OvcrdcIcrmincd and
ZbV
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
cOnOundcdbyIIc subccIvizinganIcpaIiOnsandIIcrcIrOacIiOnsOIIc
subccIvc prOccss.
2
A subccI isIIaIcIcmcnIOanaIgcbra rOmvIcIIIcIavOcOmpOsIOn
IIaIdcIcrmincsiIbccOmcsOpcnIO cIancc.
As IIc pOvcr O IIc rabbIc aIvays asscrIs. Wc can ncvcr knOv vIaI
IIcscpcOpIcarcIIinking.
!knOvsOmccx-cOIOniaIisIsvIOvcrcIaunIcdbyIIc rcguIaIcd caIm-
ncssOIIcirscrvanI,IspcrccIandsmOOIIbcIOngngIOIIcracsIsysIcm
OscrviIudc.TIcycOuId nOIsIOpandrgIIIysO-bcingcOnvnccdIIaI,
aI IIc hrsI sgnaI, IIaI s aI IIc hrsI cccI O vicinIy IIis aabIc man,
IIis cxccIIcnI cOOk, IIis cIiIdIOvcr, vOuId unIOad rgII On IIcr cIcsI
IIc scrap mcIaIOanOIdgun usuaIIy rcscrvcdOrMsIcrsmOrnng IunI
(bcsidcs, IIc IIIIc dcvI vas diIgcnI cnOugI IO brng IIc gamc and IIc
snackIOIIcOccasiOn) .
TIsi s IIc OId cOIOniaI subjccIivc IIcOrcmO IIc mpassvcncss O IIc
CIncsc.
TIc IOpOIOgicaI disIurbancc OanaIgcbras IIcprccscnamc OrIIcsc
carsvIOscrOOIsIicnIIccxIrcmcaIgcbraiczaIiOnOIIcspIacc.
AII IIis sIII gvcs yOu OnIy IIc causalIOcaIiOn. TIc subccI cxsIs OnIy
insOar as IIaI vIcIpcrIurbs cOmcs IO puI Is Ovn Ordcr On anOIIcr
pIacc.
'GrcaI disOrdcr undcr Icavcn crcaIcs grcaI Ordcr undcr Icavcn. MaO
vas vcry Ond O IIs prOvcrb. TIc suppOrI O IIs cngcndcrng is IIc
subccI-cccI as sucI. A subccI s cngcndcrcd vIcn IIc uprisng gans
acccss IO IIc cOnsisIcncy OIIc var OIibcraIOn, andIIc aIcaIOry O IIc
pIaccbccOmcsarIicuIaIcdupOnIIc dcrcnIiaI OOrcc.
Z0
YOu IavcOurIcmmas.
! . A subccI sIands inIIcaIgcbraicpOsIiOn OnIcrnaI cxcIusOn. Evcn
IIOugI I can bc assgncd IO IIc Iav, iIOcaIzcsIIc nIcrrupIiOn O
IIcIaIIcrcccI.
2. A subccI sIands in a piIOn O IOpOIOgcaI cxccss Ovcr IIc pIacc.
EvcnIIOugIiIbcIOngs,asasnguIarIcrm,IOIIcspIacc,IcO-adIcrcs,
as a cOIIccIvzingIcrm, IO a scrcs O ncigIbOurIOOds IIaI bIur IIc
pIaccs.
bUbdLLJlVlJlN NU bUbdLLJlVL PLLbb
. AsubccIisdcsIrucIOn/rccOmpOsiIiOn, OrIIcrcsncvcranOnpIacc.
Z7
bUbdLLJlVlJlN NU bUbdLLJlVL PLLbb
TIis gOcs IO sIOv IIc cxIcnI IO vIicI IO pOsiI any scI as cOnsIrucI-
ibIc,vIicI is GdcIs paII IO csIabIisI IIc cOnsisIcncyOIIc cOnIinuum
IypOIIcsis, mcans IO casIraIc IIc immancnI pOvcr O IIc mIIipIc and
IO sIrikc IIOsc muIIipIiciIics IIaI arc IOO ambiIiOus viII IIc sIamp O
inIcrdicIiOn.
!n ! 6, COIcndcmOnsIraIcsIIaIIIcncgaIiOnOIIccOnIinuumIypOII-
csisisascOnsisIcnIviIIIIcaxiOmsOscIIIcOryasiIsahrmaIiOn.
TIc 'disOrdcrOncarII insIaIIsiIscIbyvayOdcmOnsIraIiOn.
MOsIamazingIy,inOrdcrIObuiIdIismOdcIinvIicIIIcaIgcbraicrcgu
IaIiOnOcxccsscOmcsIOaIIcr, COIcnuscsaIccIniqucIOvIicIIcgivcs
IIc namc O 'Orcing. bIind inIuiIiOn OIIc acI IIaI, aI IIc pOinI vIcrc
IIc ruIc O succcssiOn nO IOngcr appIics, vIaI is aI issuc is IIc subccIiv-
izingOrcc.
COIcns mOdcI is buiII aIOng paIIs IIaI arc diamcIricaIIy OppOscd IO
IIOscOGdcI. Wc canIardIyprOvidcan idca OiI, iOrnOOIIcrrcasOn
IIan IIaI nOinIuiIiOn maIcIcs IIis mOdcI. TIis is a sympIOm OIIc acI
IIaIiIbcspcaksIIccxccss.
!n Ordcr IO cxpIOrciIs dcIOurs, IIc rcadcrviIIrccrIO IIc cIapIcrby
. !. BurgcssOn]orcininHandbooko]Ma/hcma/icalLoic(404
52) .
! I i s by IIc 'imaginary cxIcnsiOn O a sIabIc primiIivc mOdcI (round
modcl) IIaI vc ObIain IIc vIcrcvIIaI IO unIimiI IIc parIiIivc rcsOurccs
OIIcmuIIipIc.
TIcuncIiOnOIIc cxccss O IIis addcd imaginary scI asan inducIOr
canbcgIanccdrOmiIs namc. gcncricscI.
And,ccrIainIy,anysubjccIbringsabOuIIIcdividcduniIyOIIcgcncric
andIIc cOnsIrucIibIc.
TIc gcncric suppIcmcnI is OnIy minimally dcscribcd. TIis is kcy. IIc
vcakcsI pOssibIc masIcryOIIc Ianguagc OIIcvIOIcOvcrIIaIvIicIis
cxpccIcdIOmakciIprOIicraIc.AsCOIcnIimscIsays.'!nIIcprcscnIcasc
vcarc sIarIingviII a singIcsymbOIOrIIc scIa andvisI, insOmc scnsc,
IOgivc IIc IcasI pOssibIcinOrmaIiOnabOuI iI
GdcI, by cOnIrasI, rcquircs aI cacI sIagc IIc maximum dcscripIivc
capaciIy, sincc Ic rcIains OnIy IIOsc parIs O vIicI an cxpIiciI OrmuIa
prOvidcsa singuIarprOpcrIy.
!n Ordcr IO kccp IIc inOrmaIiOn as scarcc as pOssibIc, COIcn rcpIaccs
Z7I
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
IIcprOpcrIics OimpIicaIiOn (ip,IIcnq) viIIIIcmOrccvasivcprOpcrIy
O]orcin. i IIcrc is sucI Or sucI a cOndiIiOn, IIcn IIc sIaIcmcnI q is
' Orccd IO bc IIc casc.
A cOndiIiOn is in acI OnIyan cIcmcnIO IIcgcncricscI. TIc inOrma
IiOn IIaI aIIOvs us IO siIuaIc IIc cxIcnsiOn as IIc IIcOrys mOdcI can
bc summcd up by saying IIaI IIc bcIOnging O an cIcmcnI IO IIc addcd
'imaginary scIOrccssucIOrsucIa prOpcrIy OIIiscxIcnsiOn.
A IypicaI cxampIc O IIis cvasivc IOgic, Or O IIc sysIcmaIic undcr-
inOrmaIiOnsOugIIaIcrbyOIcn, canbcOundinIIcprccrcnIiaIIrcaI
mcnIgivcn IO IIcunivcrsaIquanIihcrOvcrIIc cxisIcnIiaIOnc.
WIy? Bccausc i ! Iavc a sIaIcmcnI O IIcIypc (3 x) (! ( x) ) , iIs IruII
accOrdingIOIIcmOdcIrcquircsIIaI!dcsignaIcaprccisccIcmcnIaOIIis
mOdcI sucI IIaI !( a) is saIishcd in iI. TIis prccisiOn runs cOunIcr IO IIc
gcncric inspiraIiOn, vIicI aims IO disIinguisI as IiIIIc as pOssibIc viIIin
IIc rcsOurccsOIIccxccss.
!nIIisrcgardIIcgcncriccsscnIiaIIyrcscmbIcsIIcIOpOIOgicaI,vIicI,as
vc csIabIisIcd, disidcnIihcsIIccIcmcnIin avOurOiIsncigIbOurIOOds.
!IOIIOvsIIaI 'vIcnaccd viII 3 x B ( x) , vc sIOuId cIOOsc IO IavciI
aIsc, unIcssvcIavc aIrcadya symbOIx OrvIicIvcIavcsIrOngrcasOn
IO insisIIIaI B( x) bc Iruc .
Wc can ncvcr rcpcaI cnOugI IIaI IIc IcxIsOMarxismarc hrsI and Orc
mOsI IIOsc OmiIiIanI pOIiIi. TIc sign O IIis csscnIiaIiIy is an urgcnI,
pIOspIOrcsccnI vriIing, aI IIc uncIurc O inscripIiOn and subccIivc
IasIc. !I is IIcrc, upOn cxiIing IIc aIIcgOry O IIc prisOncrs, IIaI Onc
IIinksOnIIcgO. !amOIIcsamcOpiniOnasuIicnGracq (inparcnIIcsis,
IOgcIIcr viII SamucI BcckcII, IIc cxIrcmc cnd-pOinI O cOnIcmpOrary
prOsc, iiIisnOI IIc cascIIaIIIcOrmcrbrings CIaIcaubriandIOa cIOsc,
andIIcIaIIcr, !ascaI ) .
! rcrcad 1hc ClassS/rulcsin Franccand 1hcLih/ccn/hrumaircviIIan
admiraIiOnandcvcna OyviIIOuIanyadmixIurcs.NOIIingcOmcscIOsc
IO IIcIigI IOncandIIcsIarpncssOIIcIraiI-IIaIrOm bcginningIO
cnd and aImOsIcOrIIcssIy Iravcrscs IIcsc IcxIs-IO IIc crOciOus and
buOyanI cIccruIncss O Marx IIc OurnaIisI . . . IIis rcvOIuIiOnary
ubiaIiOn IIaIIascxcIusivcIybcaIIcnOnIyIIcvcrygrcaIcsI-a kindO
sIaIc Ogracc, aayascicnza OIIcapOcaIypsc j. . . .
And IIc rcsI? TIc cIcpIanI IIaIi s capiIaI? TIis i s IIc Iard suracc O
cOncrcIc On vIicI IIc rcaI maIcI is pIaycd. OnOI misIakc IIc aspIaII
Zb
1PlLb l L1HlLb
OrBOrgsgamc.TIaIIIcsamcman,Marx,canbcIIc cnginccrOaspIaII
and IIc cIampiOn aI IIc ncI IcraIds IIc Iimcs IIaI arc IO cOmc Or
IIc pOIyvaIcnI vOrkcr.
!I is viII grcaI sviIncss IIaI yOu can hnd IIc dccipIcrmcnI O IIc
pOIiIicaI subccI vIcn Marx, !cnin Or MaO, cxpOsing IIcmscIvcs IO IIc
dcsIrucIivc rcaI O IIc sympIOms O IisIOry, OIIOv a cIain unIiI IIcy
ObIainIIc inbcIvccnOIvOIinks.
By IIc IirsI, rcad 1hc Class S/rulcs in Francc, by IIc sccOnd, 'TIc
Crisis Has MaIurcd, and by IIc IIird, Rcjor/ on an Invcs/ia/ion o] /hc
Pcasan/Movcmcn/in Hunan, Or IIc sIrangc dirccIivcs during IIc CuIIuraI
RcvOIuIiOn. TypicaIcxampIc. 'AccOrdingIO my OvnObscrvaIiOn! vOuId
sayIIaI,nOIinaIIacIOrics,nOrinanOvcrvIcImingmaOriIyOacIOrics,
buIinquiIc a IargcmaOriIyOcascs IIcIcadcrsIipisnOIin IIc IandsO
Iruc MarxisIs, nOrycI in IIc Iands OIIc masscs OIIcvOrkcrs, sOIIaI
'iI sccms csscnIiaI IIaI IIc GrcaI !rOIcIarian CuIIuraI RcvOIuIiOn sIOuId
sIII bc carricd OuI ( ApriI ! 6) . Or again, cnigmaIic and csscnIiaI, in
IIc ycar O Iis dcaII ( I 76) . 'YOu makc IIc sOciaIisI rcvOIuIiOn, and
ycI yOu dO nOI knOvvIcrc IIcbOurgcisicis. !I siIs aI IIc IcarI O IIc
COmmunisI!arIy.
AqucsIiOnOIOpOIOgy.WIcrcisIIcbOurgcOisic?BuI, mOrcdccisivcIy.
WIcrc is IIc prOIcIariaI? WIcrc is iI, sincc in IIc pIacc vIcrc iI is aIgc-
braicaIIy prcscribcd (IIc parIySIaIc) , iI is IIc (ncv) bOurgcOisic IIaI is
makingiIscIcOmOrIabIc?
TIcrc is nOIa singIcmaOrIcxIOMarxismIIaIdOcsnOIhndiIsmain-
spring in IIc qucsIiOn. WIcrc is IIc prOIcIariaI? !I OIIOvs IIaI pOIiIics
is IIc uniIy O OppOsiIcs Oa IOpics (IIc currcnI siIuaIiOn) and an cIIics
(Our Iasks ) .
! n 1hc Class S/rulcs in Francc, IIc mOvcmcnI I O discOvcr IIc subccI
vOrks vOndcrs as iI is caugII bcIvccn IIc crOciOusncss O IIc pOIcmic
andIIcurgcncyOIIcinIcrvcnIiOn.Rcad, Or cxampIc.
. . . vIiIcIIcsIruggIcOIIcdicrcnIsOciaIisIIcadcrsamOngIIcmscIvcs
scIs OrII cacI O IIc sO-caIIcd sysIcms as a prcIcnIiOus adIcrcncc IO
OncOIIcIransiIpOinIsOIIcsOciaIrcvOIuIiOnasagainsI anOIIcr-IIc
jrolc/aria/ raIIics mOrc and mOrc rOund rcvolu/ionaj Socialism, rOund
Communism, Or vIicI IIc bOurgcOisic Ias iIscIinvcnIcd IIc namc O
lanqui.TIisSOciaIismisIIcdcclara/iono]/hcjcrmancncco]/hcrcvolu/ion,
IIcclassdic/a/orshijOIIcprOIcIariaIasIIcncccssaryIransiIpOinIIOIIc
aboli/iono] classdis/inc/ionscncrally, IOIIcabOIiIiOnOaII IIcrcIaIiOnsO
Zb1
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
prOducIiOnOnvIcIIIcyrcsI,IOIIcabOIiIiOnOaIIIIcsOcaIrcIaIiOns
IIaIcOrrcspOndIOIIcsc rcIaIiOns OprOducIiOn, IOIIc rcvOIuIiOnising
OaIIIIcidcasIIaI rcsuIIrOm IIcscsOcaI rcIaIOns. (SW !, 282)
Hcrc IIc pOsiIiOnaI cxIracIiOn O IIc Our !undamcnIaI cOnccpIs O
MarxismscOmbincdviII IIc IabOurO!IIcrIisIOricaIIOpOIOgy.
TIc OurcOnccpIsarc.
- IIcparIy ( raIIyngOIIcprOIcIariaI asadvcnIOIIcIsIOricaI Onc-
Onc;
- tIccIasssIruggIc (pcrmancnI dccIaraIiOn O!IIc rcvOIuIiOn as pIacc
OIIc subjccIivc;
- IIc dicIaIOrsIip OIIcprOIcIariaIascxcrcisc Ocuscd On dcsIrucIOn;
- cOmmunism, nOI as a cIOscd uIOpia buI as IIc IIrcc!OId prOccss O!
ccOnOmicaI, sOciaI, andcuIIuraIdcsIrucIiOnrccOmpOsiIiOn.
NaIuraIIy, yOu cOnsidcr IIaI IIc (prOIcIarian subccI s spccihcd by
iIs rcgisIcring OcOmmunism undcr IIcIavO!Is dicIaIOrsIip and in IIc
guisc OIIc cIass sIruggIc, yOu ObIain IIis IIaIvc anIicipaIcdIvOycars
agO.
dccIaringIhcpcrmancncc dictaIorship
oIrcvoIuIion
oIIhcproIcIariaI
#
aroundcommunism IhcproIctariaIraIIics
YOuIavcIOadmIIIaI,puIaIIIccrOssinIIisvay, IIcscnIcnccbcgins
tO css up.
Wc arc in a pOsiIiOn IO makc iI say cvcn mOrc, i vc undcrsIand IIaI
IIcdicIaIOrsIipOcIassisIIcsupcrcgOmOdaIIyOIIcsubccIivcprOccss,
vIOsc acc O!usIicc is cOmmunism. TIc vOrd 'IransIOn Ias OnIy an
indicaIivc vaIuc. As MaO rcpcaIs, viIIOuI cOmmunisIprOccssus, IIcrcis
nO cOmmunism. And vIcrc is IIis prOccssus cOnccnIraIcd i nOI in IIc
'IransiIiOn'suppOscdIOIcadIOiI, andvIOscdicIaIOriaIIcrrOrsuppOrIsIIc
ObvcrscOIIcrcsIOraIiOnisIIav?icIaIOrsIipO!IIcprOIcIariaIandcOm-
munismarclhcsamclhin (IIcsubccI-prOccssOcIasspOIiIics graspcdin
IIc scissiOn OIs idcnIiIy inIO IIc supcrcgO andusIicc.
ZbZ
JPlLb LJHlLb
As OrIIc 'pcrmancnI dccIaraIOn O! IIc rcvOIuIiOn, iI s nOI diIicuII
tO scc IOv, IO IIc uprising (unc I 848. siIcnI anxcIy O IIc cOrncrcd
vOrkcrs), iI adds IIc pcrmancnI cOuragc O IIc rcvOIuIiOn. TIc IaIIcr
mcanssubccIivizaIiOn in IIcpIacc OIIc cIass sIruggIc. WIOcvcrrcIains
OiI OnIy cOuragc OrgcIs IIaIIis sIuaIcd aIIIc samc pOinI asIisIOricaI
anxicIy.
AI IcasI, IIaI is, i IIcrc is a rcvOIuIiOn, vIicI is vIaI any pOpuIar
csIivaI-OIIc surgng, cIcganI, sprng-IikckindsnOI, arrOm iI.
!cIussayIIaI, indchanccOIisIOry, IO dccIarcIIcpcrmancncc OIIc
rcvOIuIOn mcans IO Icar OncscI avay, aI IIc IcarI O!IIc rcaI, rOm IIc
mcrcprOvOcaIiOnO!IsIOO-uIIncss.
!IisvIcnIcbcviIdcrngriOIIiIsIIcban O!IIc Iav IIaIIOIraccIIc
dirccIiOn O a cOmmiImcnI in IIc midsI O iIs ObIusc viOIcncc makcs Or
tIc cOuragc O!a cOmpIcIcdsubccIivizaIiOn.
!I OIIOvs IIaI IIc Our apparcnI cOnccpIs (parIy, cIass sIruggIc, dcIa-
IOrsIpO IIcprOIcIaraI, cOmmunism arc Organizcd inIO Our dicrcnI
Oncs,jlusonc,IIcparIy, IIcsubjccIivcgrOuping,vIicIisOnIyIIcgcncric
namc!OrvIaIcvcr IIc knOIOIIc OIIcr Ourgivcs usIO IIink.
PARTY
movcmcnI-rioI (anxicty)
subccIivizaIion _
_
(cIass
sIruggIc)
insur
rccIio
n-war (cour
agc)
_
dicIaIorshipoIthcproIcIariaI (spcrcgo)
sccIvcproccss
communism (usIicc)
YOucanaIsOcIassiyIIcOurcOnccpIs in IIc!OIIOvingmanncr.
PARTY
proccssus
proccssusO
movcmcnI-rioI (anxicIy)
irrccio-wr (o
communism (usticc)
Zbd
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
TIc passagc rOm Onc O IIcsc diagrams IO IIc OIIcr dchncsIIcvIOIc
qucsIiOn OIIcdiscovcjOIIcsubccI.
TIis rcquircs IIc supcrpOsiIiOn O IvO grids-IIc hrsI Onc aIIcnIivc
IO IIc diaIccIic O subccIivizaIiOn/subjccIivc prOccss, vIicI sOmcIOv
OIIOvs IIc Iav O cmcrgcncc O IIc subccI-c!ccI; IIc sccOnd, IO IIc
quaIiIaIivc asymmcIry viIIin IIc subccI, vIicI cnIaccs IIc puIsiOnaI
aIgcbraO-vanisIingccIipscOIIcSamc-andIIcrccOmpOsingIOpOI-
Ogy O-dcsIrucIiOn-rccOmpOsiIiOn.
!nIIc acIuaI invcsIigaIiOn, aII OIIis dcrivcsrOm a mOvcmcnIamOng
IOpOIOgics.
Wc knOvIIaI!rcudacccpIsiIs ruIc. WIcnIc mOvcsrOm IIcsysIcm
uncOnsciOus-prccOnsciOus-cOnsciOus IO IIc IOpOgrapIyid-cgO-supcrcgO,
vc ignOrc whcrcIO hndIIc ObccI IIaIis idcnIicaIIOIIc IvO IabIcs. TIis
is bccausc iI is a maIIcr O inducing, rOm Onc IO IIc OIIcr, IIc cOrrccI
pOsiIiOn O!IIc pIus-Onc-IIc cOrrccI vay O askingIIc qucsIiOn 'WIcrc
is IIc subjccI?
!ikcvisc,!OrMarx,vIcnvcmOvcrOmparIy-cIasssIruggIc-dicIaIOrsIip
O IIc prOIcIariaI-cOmmunism IO IIings sucI as mOdc O prOducIiOn-
rcIaIiOnsOprOducIiOn-idcOIOgics.
WIcrcis IIcprOIcIariaI?
TIc sccrcI OIIcsubjccIis nOI cOnIaincd]rs/in Onc IOpOIOgyand /hcn
in anOIIcr. !I Iics in IIc mOvcmcnI by vIicI Onc bIurs IIc OIIcrIIus
rc-prOducingIIcacI IIaI a subjccI is IIcdisIurbancc OanaIgcbra.
Zb9
1M6 Su0j 6Cl V6 W| S. d00
M3 9, VV
OnIIc subjccIasundccidabIc-IdcrIin, IaI-vay andscIIing
IIc sccOndIaIOnhrcSIaIicO!IIc/ojoscbOdy, IIcparIy
!IcnOmcnOIOgy OIIcOurcOnccpIs
TIc subccI-cccI, in iIs OrmaI principIc, can in nO vay bc rcduccd IO a
simpIc cOnIradicIiOn. Bcsidcs, IIis is IIc Iiddcn rcasOn bcIind IIc nccd
Or a IOpOIOgy in Ordcr IO pusI Or iIs IIcOry. YOu musI Iavc aI yOur
dispOsaIa ncIvOrkO cOnccpIs, O! vIicI'subccI aIvays dcsignaIcs IIc
arIicuIaIiOn, viIIOuI bcing abIc IO siIuaIc wi/hin IIis ncIvOrk IIc pOinI
subsumcdundcrIIisIcrm.
WIcIIcr iI is a maIIcr O IIc subjccI in IIc hcId O pOIiIics Or O IIc
subccI OpsycIOanaIysis, Or IIcsc IvO Ordcrs-arc IIcrc any OIIcrs?
arcIIOscinvIicIIIcqucsIiOnisIIcmOsIdcvcIOpcd, anddcspiIcIIcacI
IaIapparcnIIyIIcypuIaIOurdispOsaIIvOspccihcdIcrms!OrIIcsubjcc-
Iivc-cIassinOnccasc,IIcuncOnsciOusinIIcOIIcrvc aIvaysprOcccd
ina vayIIaIis askcv,byaIIcOryOIIcspIacc ( capiIaI, IIcsymbOIic) in
vIicIvcinvcsIigaIc,inarcIrOacIivcinIcrcrcncc, IIc sympIOms ( rcvOII,
ncurOsis) IO vIicInOusIicccanbcdOncviIIOuIsiIuaIing IIcOuIpIacc.
Wc musI IIcrcOrc rcdOubIc IIc IOgic O IIc pIacc viII a IOgic O iIs
inIcrrupIiOn, a diaIccIic O aiIurc, by Icaning On IIc IvO sIOpcs OmaIc-
riaIism and Iaving IIc vIcrcviIIaI IO IIink IIc dividcdrcgimc O! IIc
OccupaIiOn OpIaccs.
Zbb
1hLY l 1hL bUbdLL1
TIss IIc manrcasonvIy Lacan, n a hrsImomcnI, IadIo pn dovn
IIcsubccIundcrIIcIrpIc nsIancc oIIc symboIc (Iav oIIcpIacc),IIc
magnary (scI!dcnIIyo!IIc pIacc) andIIcrcaI (dspcrson) . TIcn, n a
sccond momcnI, Ic Iad Io saIuraIc IIs ordcr vIIa IopoIogcaIapprox-
maIon, n ccrIan rcgards vIIouI cscapc sncc IIc cuIIng (oIIc knoI)
aIcd rcaIIyIo daIccIczc IIcIack (oIIc obccI) .
Marxsm approacIcs IIc subccI-supporI o! aII poIIcs (IIc parIy) on
IIc basis o Is IIrcc maor conccpIs (cIass sIruggIc, dcIaIorsIp o IIc
proIcIaraI, communsm) vIosc nIrcaIc arIcuIaIon dchncs, n Marxs
ovnopnon (scc IsamousIcIIcrIo Wcydcmcycr oMarcI ! 852) , IIc
vcryorgnaIIy oIs conIrbuIon.
Asaras! amconccrncd, vorrcdabouIcnsurngIIcInkocauscand
conssIcncybcyondIIc!acananscIup,!posIIIaIIIcsubccI-proccsssa
conIradcIonoconIradcIons,IIcIvsIng o!Ivoproccsscso!vIcIonc
(j subordnaIcs IIc cxccss Io IIc pIaccmcnI, and IIc oIIcr ( o, nvcrIs
IIs ordcr.
TIcmpossbIIyIodccidcIIcdomnanIIcrm,snccIIcdoubIcdomna-
IonmbrcaIcsIvoproccsscs,skcy Io IIcIIcoryo!IIc subccI.
TIc cIasscaI poIIcaI dcbaIc comcs dovn Io askng IIc qucsIon. s
I IIc linc IIaI s !undamcnIaI or IIc organzaIon? TIs dcbaIc s n
csscncc nhnIc, pIacng IIc 'corrccI Inc nIIc mrror oIIc dca IIaI
'IIc parIy s aIvays rgII. TIc corc oIIc MaosI conccpIon o!poIIcs
posIsIIaIIIcconsIrucIonoIIcparIyrcqurcsIIcmassIncnmaIIcrs
o!organzaIon, IIaI s. bcyond IIc mass Inc o]IIc parIy, IposIs IIc
mass Inc ovcrIIc parIy. n dong so, I dccIarcs cxpIcIIy IIaI IIc oId
dcbaIc s undccdabIc. !n IIs rcgard, I puIs nIovork IIc IIcory o
IIcsubccI.
WIIouI gvng n anyIIng aI aII Io ndcIcrmnacy, vc posI IIaIIIc
subccIproccss s rcsoIvcd n IIc undccdabIc. TIc undccdabIc s IIc
conccpI oIsconsIIuIon.
Wc knov sncc GdcIs amous IIcorcm IIaI Io posI 'TIcrc s somc
undccdabIccan bc IIc rcsuIIoadcmonsIraIon.TIsgocsIosIovIIaI
IIcrc s a conccpt o IIc undccdabIc, and IIus IIaI vc hrmy Ic IIc
docIrncoIIcsubccIIoIIc possbIIyoa caIcuIaIon. Wc dcmonsIraIc
IIc subccI.TIc undccdabIc docs noImcanrccdom. !IsIIcmmancnI
pontoIgIIo!anyordcrvIoscncccssIyvcdcIcrmncaIIIccrossovcr
bcIvccnIvo proccsscs, ando.
!!IbcrIys oundaIonaI, IIcundccdabIcby conIrasIsncrrcd.
I s cquaIIy !orbddcn Io IInk IIaI bcIvccn IIc Ivo proccsscs
Zb0
JPlLb l L1hlLb
and o IIcrc cxsIs an obccIvc IcrarcIy. NcIIcr cxccss nor Iack Ias
any nIrnsc prvIcgc, any morc IIan subccIvaIon or IIc subjccIvc
proccss. ! Iavc poIcmczcd agansI IIc rcducIon o IIc rcaI Io IIc soIc
hgurcoIIc causaI obccI bccausc I sccmcd Io mc IIaI IIs MaIIarmcan
acqusIon, and IIc magnhccnI consIrucIon Ic drans around IIc van
sIng Icrm, Iook Ioo mucIprcccdcncc ovcrIIc daIccIco conssIcncy.
!rom IIs vc sIouId noI drav IIc concIuson IIaI IIc IIcory o IIc
subccIsIIusrc-ccnIrcd (onIIccxccss) . TIcrcsnoccnIrcnIIcsubcc-
IvcIvsI.WIIouIIIcancIoragco!Iack,IIccxccssvouIdbcnoIIngbuI
aIc!IsIcImcra,quckIyrcvcrscdnIoIsopposIc.apIIosopIyo!naIurc,
asvc sccnIIccasc o!cIcuzc.
EIIcs, ! vII arguc, s ccrIanIy noI nd!crcnI Io IIc conIraran sIruc-
Iurco!IIcIvsI. !IdsIngusIcsbcIvccnIIcsIrands. BuIIauIIorzcsIo
dccdconIyIIc!oIIovng.IIcrcssomc undccdabIc.
EIIcs amounIs Io IIc maxm. 'ccdc conscqucnIIy orm IIc ponI o
IIcundccdabIc.
WcvouId bc IaIkng vIIouI sayng anyIIng, !IIc undccdabIc dd
noIgurcna IopoIogy.
2
HIdcrIn s IIc sccond grcaI hgurc o IIc Gcrman daIccIcan. TIcrc
vIcrc HcgcI makcsa crcIc, Icproduccsa Iorson.
cgcI dcduccs !russa asa conccpIuaIIcrmromIIc SIaIc. !I couId bc
NapoIcon, and HcgcI Ioys vII Is cqunc dca (IIc man vII IIc Ivo-
IorncdIaIvaspassng undcrncaIIIsvndovs) .
or HIdcrIn, Gcrmany sIands opposcd I o Grcccc. !Is aII-anIan
modcrnIy conssIs n makng somcIIng n!ormaI ouI o IIc ormaI,
vIcrcasIIcorgnaIonysansIurncdIIcr'AsaIcurynIoIIcunsur-
passcd !orm o! IIcTcmpIc. Gcrmany s a nosIaIga dvsbIc nIo Grcccc
andIscI, raIIcrIIana sngIcconccpI.
HIdcrInknovsIIcIopoIogyoIIc subccI.
TIc boIdcsI momcnI n a days coursc or n a vork o arI s vIcn IIc
sprIoImc andnaIurc, vIcnIIc IcavcnIyvIcIIakcs IoIdoman
andIIcobccInvIcIIcsnIcrcsIcd, opposconcanoIIcrmosIcro-
cousIy,bccauscIIcscnsuousobccIcxIcndsonIyIaI!oIIcvayvIIc
IIcsprI avakcnsmosIpovcruIIyvIcrc IIcsccondIaIarcs up. AI
Zb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
IIis mOmcnI, man Ias IO sus/ain himscl]/hcmos/, Icncc, Ic aIsO is IIc
mOsI cxpOscd in IiscIaracIcr. ( E!T ! I 0)
TIis admirabc IcxI is IIc mcIapIOrica cOndcnsaIiOn O IIc Our
cOnccpIs.
HIdcrin is cOmmcnIing upOna qucsIiOnIIaI CrcOnasks OAnIigOnc.
vIcncc dcrivcs Icr cncrgy, Icr audaciIy, IO susIain Icrsc! in IIc divi-
siOnOIIcav?HOvcansIcbcarIIcassumpIiOnOusIiccaIIIcprccisc
pOinIvIcrc, in IIcguiscOCrcOn-! mcaninIIcguiscOIIaIvIicI, in
AnIigOnc,isIIc ObigaIOry cxisIcncc O!IIc CrcOn-c!ccI-IIc viOcnccO
IIc supcrcgO dcmandsrcpcIiIiOn?
!n Ordcr IO cucidaIc IIis prObcm, HdcrIin gOcs sIraigII IO IIc dia-
ccIicaI csscncc O sub ccIivizaIiOn. TIc vIOIc IcxI bcars iIs unbcarabIc
IOrsiOn.
WIaIisIIccOnIradicIiOngivcninIIcrisk, inIIc'bOIdcsImOmcnI? On
OncIand,IIc' spiriIOIimc,IIaIvIicI 'IakcsIOdOman,OnIIcOIIcr,
'IIc ObccI in vIicIIcisinIcrcsIcd .
!I is paIcnI IIaI Icrc icsIIc OnIOOgica discOrd bcIvccn IIccOnsisI
cncy IIaI 'Iakcs IOd and IIc causc (IIc ObccI) . Hdcrin pOsiIs On
Onc Iand IIc cxccss, and, On IIc OIIcr, IIc pacc. TIaI vIicI 'Iakcs
IOds-andvIOscsiIc,bccausc iI is OuI Opacc,iscacd'Icavcny-is
IIc samc IIing rOm vIicI OOvs IIc nccd IO Icar Oncsc avay rOm
IIc pacc prcscribcdbyIIc ack, in IIc guisc O!IIc ObccI O Oncs inIcr
csI. !I is nOIa sOurcc, a Ocus, Ora causc. !Iis IIcvcryprOccss OOrcc as
dis-pacing. HdcrIinsayssOIimscaIcrOn. IIc spiriI OIimc 'avakcns
mOsIowcuy.
TIcpaccd dchniIiOn OIIc Iuman bcing, Iicd IO IIc scnsuOus causa
ObccI, gOcs Ony 'Ia O IIc vay. WIaI a rcmarkabc cxprcssiOn 1hc
alcbra is only hal]-o]-/hc-way o]/hc sub)cc/. TIc OvcrcOming O IIis Ia
vaydravs a IOpOOgicapicIurcIIaIdOcsnOIcOmc upbyaccidcnI. !IIc
cOnIradicIiOn appcars 'mOsI crOciOusy, iI is bccausc IIc pacc musI bc
OvcrcOmcsOIIaI 'IIc OIIcrIaIIarcsup. AsIOnisIingmcIapIOrica cOn-
cisiOn TIc 'OIIcrIaisIIc OIIcrdimcnsiOn, IIcIOpOIOgica cOrrcaIcO
anypaccmcnI.TIcagcbraisIiIcraIyscIOnhrcbyIIc cxccss.
WIaIappcarsncxI?OncmusI'susIainOncscI,vIcrcinyOuviIimmc-
diaIcyrcad IIc cOnsIiIucnIrcquisiIcO!cOuragc,againsIIIc backgrOund
Oa '!crOciOusanxicIy. COuragcisIIcnamcO!IIcIOpOIOgicaburningup
OpIaccsandO inIcrcsIs, inasmucI asiIis subOrdinaIcdIOIIcgcsIurc O
Opcning Oncsc upIObccOming 'IIcmOsIcxpOscd, vIicIisvIaIaOvs
Zbb
JPlLb LJHlLb
Onc IO 'susIain OncscI. TO susIain Oncsc, IIcrcOrc, in IIc Opcning
O IIc ncv, IIc apparcnI unIimiIaIiOn vIOsc diaccIica idcnIiIy is IIc
imiIaIiOn, IIc cIaracIcr. TIis isbccausc cOuragc, IIc burnIprccipiIaIiOn
(Onc Ias 'hrcd Oncs IasI rOunds ) in IIc cxccss OvcrIIc pIacc, prOmpIy
rccOmpOscs-bcyOnd IIc dcsIrucIiOn IIaI iI is-IIc subccIivc prOccss O
usIicc.TIcsIrandOIIcsubccIivcIOrsiOncxpainsvIyIObc 'IIcmOsI
cxpOscd andIO 'susIain OncscIarc OncandIIc samcIIing.
AndiIis asOOncandIIc samcIIingIO OOv'IIcObccIinvIicIOnc
is inIcrcsIcd-vIicI iIappcarssIOud!uIhIIc dcsirc-andIIc!acIIIaI
IIisObccI isavaysIaI-vay.
!OrIIissccOndidcnIiIyisIIcsIrand, vIOscinIcracingviIIIIcOIIcr
cxpIains vIy, rOm IIc pOinI O IIc subccI, yOu Iavc IIc risk and IIc
day, IIc !crOciOus and IIc cxpOscd, IIc Ia-vay and IIc cIaracIcr,IIaI
is, anxicIy, IIcsupcrcgO, cOuragc, andusIicc.
TIcrcisnO'virIucinIIis.TIcscvOrdsrOmHdcrindOnOIdcsignaIc
anyabiiIyand,inaccrIainscnsc, CrcOnviObIainnOansvcrIOIisqucs
IiOn.!IisaqucsIiOnOapassingmOmcnI,Oapass,invIicIIa!-vayand
hrc!OrcvcrpOcIicizcIIcsubccI-c!ccI.
!mpOssibIcIOgivcabcIIcrcxprcssiOnIOIIcvayinvIicI, cOupIcdOnIO
anxicIy, cOuragc-a pracIicaI brcacI in vIaIcvc is unapparcnI-Opcns
OuIIOIIc scrcnc dissipaIiOn OIIc IavinIOusIicc.
Ouragc namcs IIc abscnI causc, ObsIrucIcd by IIc rcaI, by cnabIing
a divisiOn O IIc pIacc. TIis divisiOn puIs IIc Iav IO IIc IcsI, insIcad O
caIIingOriIs rcsIOraIiOn.
ZVb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
4.1uslicc, Ihc cOnsisIcncy !OrIhc hasIc O!Ihc causc, amOunIsIOrcaIiv-
izingIhca, hcrcasIhcsupcrcgOmakcsiIabsOuIc. ThisIimcIhcc!!ccI
O!rccOmpOsiIiOn Obcys Ihc maxim. AIays mOrc O!Ihc rca, and Icss O!
IhcIa.!!, inIhcsupcrcgO,Ihc nOnaisOnyIhcunivcrsabarbarism O!
Ihca, IhcninjusIicciIisIhccOrrOsiOnO!IhcIaiIscI!.!IisIhcsubjcc
Iivc principIc O!IhciIhcringaayO!righI.
Thc acIivc sOurcc O!j usIicc, invcrscy IO IhaI O! Ihc supcrcgO, is Ihc
IOpOIOgizaIiOn O! agcbra. Hcrc Ihc ncighbOurhOOd subOrdinaIcs Ihc cc
mcnIaryIOiIscI!.usIiccisIhcblurrino]lhcjlaccs, IhcOppOsiIc,Ihcrc!Orc,
O!Ihc righIpacc.
usIiccis rcIrOacIivc-cOrrcaIiOn-by ayO!IhcajjroximalivcIcgiIi-
mizaIiOn O! cOuragc, hcrcas Ihc supcrcgO-cOrrcaIiOn -dcsignaIcs
Ihc rioursO!anxicIy.
ThcdivisiOnO!IhcsubjccIivcprOccsshappcnsaccOrdingIOIhcdisIribu-
IiOn O!Ihc cxccss, ciIhcrOnIhcsidc O!OrdcriIhincachpacc OrOnIhc
sidcO!iIsiIhcring aayasanOngOingprOccss.
Thc undccidabc ics in Ihc !acI IhaI Ihis ciIhcr . . . Or . . . !Orms an
inIcracing, andnOIan aIcrnaIiOnOra simpccOcxisIcncc.
ThcsupcrcgOisIhcrcsIOraIiOnisI!accO!rccOmpOsiIiOn(hichdOcsnOI
mcanrcpcIiIivc.SIainisnOIIhcTsar,nOrisRObcspicrrc!Ouis!) . usIicc
is iIsinsIiIuIing!acc.
BuIcvcryinsIiIuIiOnrcsIOrcs.
AdmiI IhaI hcrc yOu havc a pIcasing phcnOmcnOIOgica digrcssiOn.
OmbinciI, ! bcgyOu,iIhIhccOdmaIhcmcsIhaIgivcyOuiIsIhcOry.
ThOughaIaysbind,adccisiOnaIaysaIOsOnca!IcrIhc!acIOrajrs
couj IO sIaIcIhccsscncc O! iIs undccidabiiIy.
ZV0
Ul d00d| S 0 IM6 | Od| 0d|y
M3 , VV
HOrizOnIas, vcrIicas. diagOnas?-Thcimaginary as saIuraIiOn O!
IhcsIaIicO!IhcsubjccI-Exampcs O!diagOnaIOgmaIismand
sccpIicism-McagrcncssO!Ihc imaginary-RccOccIiOn, rccOccIiOn
WhaIdOyOuanI!rOmmc?
LcIusspcndsOmcmOrcIimcgOingOvcrIhcsIaIicO!IhcsubjccI.
Wc havc csIabishcd Ihc horizonlal cOrrcaIiOns. anxicIy-cOuragc is Ihc
subjccIivizing scissiOn,andsupcrcgO-jusIicc, IhccOnIradicIiOnO!Ihc sub-
jccIivcprOccss.
Wc havc asO csIabishcd Ihc vcrlical cOrrcIaIiOns. anxicIy-supcrcgO
dchncsIhc sIrand- O!IhcIOrsiOn;cOuragcjusIicc,iIs sIrand-.
WchavcpOsiIcdIhcbOcking-inIcrrupIiOnO!IhcscIOinks. IhcbOdy,
gcncrahyjokcimcnon O!IhcsubjccI-c!!ccI andbcarcrO!IhcundccidabIc.
Arc Ihcrc diaonal cOrrcaIiOns? WhaI is Ihc mcaning O! Ihc pairs
cOuragc-supcrcgOand anxicIy-jusIicc?
A sIaIiccOmpriscd O!aIhc sysIcmsO!inkagciI bccaIIcd saIuraIcd.
!s IhisIhccascO!IhcschcmaO!IhcsubjccI?
! immcdiaIcIyanscr. Ycs. Whalsaluralcslhcslalico]lhcsub)cclisnolhin
bullhc imainaj.
Thc diagOnaIs givc shapc IO IhcIO grcaI imaginary !uncIiOns-hich
aIsO cOnsIiIuIc Ihc !Orma cOnccpIs O! idcOOgy. Ihc dOgmaIic and Ihc
sccpIic.
ZV
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
TIc idca IIaIIIcdiagOnasaIuraIiOnisIIcvcrydciniIiOnOIIcimagi
naryisuyinkccpingviII!acansIcacIing, usIasiIisparIOIIccgiIi
maIcincOdcsccnIrOmIIc MarxisIIIcOryOidcOOgy.
WIcn TIOmas MnIzcr hrcs up IIc Gcrman cOunIrysidcviII a cOm
munisI cgaiIarian discOursc, Ic cOuragcOusy subccIivizcs, againsI IIc
backdrOpOdcaII, andappcasIO usIicc.
WIcn Ic namcs Iis cOuragc bascd On IIc absOuIc cOnvicIiOn IIaI
IrisI sccks IIc uhmcnI O IIis dcsign, Ic prOpOscs IIc imaginary
arIicuaIiOnOIIcbravcryOrcvOIbascd OnIIc supcrcgOvIOscacgOry
is 'IIc ingdOm OGOd.
WIcn IIc Rcd Guards in Bciing aIIack IIc ncv burcaucraIic bOur-
gcOisic in Ordcr IO puI inIO cccI a cOmmunisI prOgrammc, IIcy arc
cOnsIiIuIcd bytIc sIrand-, cxccpIIIaIbyinvOkingIIc guaranIcc OIIc
'absOuIc auIIOriIy O MaO cdOng IIOugII, IIcy bccOmc idcOIOgicay
suIurcdIO.
WIcnIIcinsIiIuIiOnOmassdcmOcracy, asIIcimmcdiaIcacIuaiIyO
pOiIica cOmmunism, is accOmpanicd by IcrrOrisI prOsOpOpcias againsI
IIc 'spics and 'IraiIOrs, IIisisbccauscIIcavsprccariOusncss, sucIas
IIcprOccss OIIcusIicc-IypcinsIiIuIcsiI,immcdiaIcycnIaisIIccxpO-
surc O anxicIy, IIc rcmcdy OrvIicI is an imaginary inIaIiOn O risk,
asIIc hxaIiOn Oa rca vIOsc burrcd paccs prOvOkc IIc cxpcricncc O
IOO-pIcnIy.
WIcnIIcuIOpiancOmmunisIs,idcahgurcsOIIcnOnav,arc accOm-
panicd, asvc scc in IIc casc O!Ouricr, byan inhniIc dcIai Oprcscrip-
IiOns andduIics, scIIing up a cOmbinaIOy O rucs Or IIc IOIaIiIy OIIc
passiOns and in acI caving nO rOOm Or cisurc Or any ncigIbOurIOOd,
IIisisbccausciIiscOnvcnicnIIOsIOpIIcbrcacI, suppOscdIObcgcncra
izcd, OIIcruIcviaIIcsIricIdcducIiOnOallo]/hcrcal.
TIcimaginaryisIIus vIaIprOvidcsIIccOnnccIiOnbc/wccnIIcsIrands
andy,namingasiIdOcs,inIIcrcgisIcrOIIcidca,IIccndcsspracIicaI
invcrsiOn OIIcirrcspccIivc dOminancc. TIc imaginaryisvIaI prOduccs
simiiIudc andscmbanccbcIvccnIIcackandIIccxccss.
ByvayOIIcimaginary,cOuragccvokcsIIcsupcrcgOvIicaIIIcsamc
Iimc convokin usIicc. TIc imaginary vards O anxicIy rOm IIc pOinI
rOm vIicI usIicc canbc incrrcd andcOuragc isinduccd.
Bccausc iI cnabcs IIc diagOna suIuring O IIc IvO sIrands O IIc
subccI, IIcimaginaryrcckOnsviIIIIcincxisIcnIIIaIisIIcidcnIicancss
IOOncsc. GObackIOmycxampcs,andincacIcascyOuvisccIIaIIIc
sIrOngIOd OIIc imaginaryIics ingivingcOmOrItO cOuragc (byvay O
ZVb
JPlLb l LJHlLb
IIc supcrcgO) OrIOusIicc (byvay O anxicIy) IIrOugI a hxcdprincipc
O idcnIiIy-vIcIIcr iI is a qucsIiOn O GOds av, IIc cuI O MaO, Or
uIOpianmania.
TIc diagOnas prOducc IIc uncIiOn O IIc 'cgO, IIcy prOducc IIc
simiar, IIc crIic hcIiOn O a uniOn O q and , by vIicI IIc subccI
sIrinks rOmIIc divisiOn IIaIbringsiIinIObcing.
!acanrigIIycOngraIuaIcsIimscOr'IIcvcdgcIIaI!drivcinIcrcby
puIIingbackiniIspIaccIIcdcccpIivcIruismIIaIidcnIicancssIOOncsc,
vIicIis prcsumcd IO cxisIin IIc cgOs usua scnsc jOiIsc , Ias sOmc-
IIingIOdOviIIa suppOscdinsIanccOrcaiIy [rclj (E 6/54) .
TIis'vcdgci snOIIingcscIIanIIcsIaIicdisIincIiOnbcIvccnIIcIOri
zOnIa (cOnccpIuaI) cOnnccIiOnandIIcvcrIica (rca) cOnnccIiOn,OnOnc
Iand, andIIc diagOna (imaginary) cOnnccIiOn, On IIc OIIcr.
TIcimaginary, induccdbyIIcsviIcIingOIIcdOminanIbcIvccnack
andcxccssinIIc subccIivc IvisI, aaciOusyrcprcscnIsIIc undccidabc
asavaysarcadyIavingbccndccidcd.
EiIIcr (dOgmaIism) bccausc IIcrc is an unbrcacIcdcga cOnIrO Ovcr
cOuragc, Or (sccpIicism) bccauscIIcnOnavOusIiccrcprcscnIsOnyIIc
cIcrna undccidabiiIy OIIcav.
TIc imaginary cOmpriscs IvO maxims. 'GuaranIccd by IIc OIIcr, !
can and ! musI cvcryIIing and ' Sincc IIcrc is nO OIIcr, ! can and ! musI
nOIIing
!ncvcrycasc,IIismcansIIcrcignOmOraiIy,vIicIisIIccxacIOppO-
siIcOcIIics.
Aas, vc arcacxIrcmcymOra. NObOdycancscapc saIuraIiOn.
2
OuragcinIIcrcgisIcrOIIc imaginarysuppOrIs iIscI viII a hxcdpOinI
by vIicI IIc rccOmpOsiIiOn (inIO usIicc) umps aIcad IOiIs OppOsiIc in
IIcsupcrcgO.TIcasscmbyOIIcinsurrccIiOnrcaizcsancvasivcscissiOn
OIIcav, buIimmcdiaIcyIIcrcarcOnyIraiIOrsIObc cxccuIcd.
SarIrcIassccnIIisvcryvcinIis Cri/iquco]Dialcc/icalRcason,vIcnOn
IIc basis O IIc grOupinusiOn ( anOIiOnvIicI mOrcOvcrvOuId raIIcr
Iavc IO bc rcgisIcrcdOn IIc sidc OIIc anxiOus subccIivizaIiOn in yj Ic
gcncraIcsIIcpcdgcdgrOup, vIcrc raIcrniIy-IcrrOrrcigns suprcmc.His
dravbackics in Iaving prcscnIcd as IvO succcssivc hgurcs O IIc samc
pIcnOmcnOn vIaI in acI is IIc cOcxisIcncc O iIs vcrIica and diagOnal
ZVV
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
nkagcs and IIusnIavng msscd IIc pOnI vIcrc IIc magnarys ds-
OncdrOmIIcrca.TIssbccauscSarIrcIOIdsOnIOasimjlccOnccpIOn
OIIcsubccI.Hc cnumcraIcsIssIrands, vIIOuIbcngabcIOIInkIIcr
nIcracng.
AcIuaIy, IIc pIcnOmcna rOIc O IcrrOr aI vOrk n mass dcmOcracy
s vIaI aOvs IIc magnary absOuIcncss O cOnvcIOn IO agcbracc
cOuragc, vIOsc csscncc s IOpOOgca. Evcn IIOugI yOu dramaIcaIy
cIangcd accOrdng IO ObccIvc buI unknOvn ncgIbOurIOOds and O
OvcdIIc mmancnIrcsOurccsOcxccss, yOupOsI, n CIna, IIaIcvcry
IIng rcsuIs rOmcIarman MaOs aIcsI drccIvc, IOvIcI Obcdcncc
s mmcdaIcy duc; Or, yOu, n !ran, IIaI GOd prOcccds by vay O yOur
mOdcsInIcrvcnIOnIOcxpc SaIanIIc SIaI.
TIs ncvIabc dagOnaI dOgmaIcs cOuragc. TIc cOrrcIaIc O anxcIy
IIcrcbyhndsIscmcdaIcdby IIcsIOvydspIayOa supcrcgOcanIc-
paIOn, vIcI n any casc s vIaI I avays cas upOn. AnxcIy rcqurcs
IIc cxccssinlhcsamcjlacc OIcrrOr, and IIs rcqurcmcnI s IIc pOnI O
IIc rca n IIc cOrrcaIOn. COuragc argucs rOm an dca dOgmaIcIy,
IIcmagnarydagOnavIcI, aIIIcsamcpOnI, guaranIccsIIaIcOuragc
cxpOscsIscIOIIc rcaIvIIOuIdcsIrOyngIIcdcsIrucIOn.
SymmcIrcaIIy, IIc prOccss O usIcc, vIcI mcans IIc vcakcnng O
IIc av IOIIcbcnchIOIIcrca, gcncraIcsancsscnIaIunccrIanIyvII
rcgard IO IIc subccIvc pIaccmcnI. !rccarOus hdcIy IO cOuragcOus
subccIvaIOn, usIccsprOpcrIyIIaIvIcIprOvOkcsanxcIyasIOIIc
ruIcssIrcngIIIOvard OIIc rcaI. usIccby nOmcanss IIcprOccdurc
OscrcnIy. RaIIcr, I nduccs EccIcsasIcs nOIOn IIaI a IIc rvcrs run
nIOIIc sca,IIccIaOIcmagnary Odc-scnsc.
usIccs cscOrIcd by a vacaIOn OccrIanIcs, n vIcI IIc burrng
OIIc paccs sbuIIrcsscdnIIc magnarybyIsOvncIcrnIy. TIcrc Ias
ncvcr bccn any ruc. sucI s IIc anIagOnng dagOna hcIOn by vIcI
usIcc vards OIIcrcsIOraIOnsI drvcs IIaI arc pOarcdbyanxcIy.
EvcryOnc agrccs IO OvcrcOdc usIcc vII dcaIs, IO subccI IIc uIurc
nOnIavIOsOmcruIc, IOnamcndchnIcy,rOmImcsmmcmOra,vIaI
vIbc IIccascvIcn a IIcknOvn pIaccsOnOmnaIOnvIavcbccn
runcd Onc aIcr anOIIcr. TIs s bccausc cvcryOnc csscnlially dOubIs IIc
rcaauIOnOmyO usIcc.EvcryOnccOmbncsIIcdOgmaIcdagOnaIOIIc
hxcdpOnI,guaranIccIOcOmcrOmIIcuIurc,vIIIIcsccpIcadagOnaI
OdsOrdcr, guaranIccIandcddOvnrOmIIcpasI.
Wc nccd a IIc cOnssIcnI bravcry O a Marx and a MaO n Ordcr IO
rcusc IO cgsIaIc cOmmunsm OIIcrvsc IIan rOm IIc rca pOnI O
JPlLb LJHlLb
pOIca subccIvIy. Wc nccd aI IIc rgOur O Lacan n Ordcr ncvcr IO
argucOnIIc bassOa cascOIcang
3
Arrvcd aI IIs pOnI, ! cOncss IO Iavng IIc Or nO dcsrc IO cOnInuc.
!n spIc O Is cgcnd, IIcrc s nOIIng mOrc sIrucIuraI and, n IIc asI
nsIancc,nOIIngmOrcmpOvcrsIcdIIanIIcmagnary.!IsIruc,IIcrc
s asO nOIIng mOrc ObvOusIy ncccssary. ! undcrsIand IIc IcmpIaIOn
IO cxIausI IIc cOmpcIc IraccIOry O Is arcIcIypcs, vIcI arc IIOsc O
gOOd and bad OrIunc, adOrncdvIIIIcmcIapIOrsOnaIurc. OnIIc Onc
Iand, IIcrcgsIcrOIsmmancnIspIcndOur,vIcI scrvcs IOcOnhrmIIaI
IIcrcs (buIIIcrc snI) sOmcAmgIIy.OnIIcOIIcr,IIaIOIsanarcIc
ndcrcncc,nOrdcrIOcsIabIsIIIaIvcarcpuIOncarIIvIIOuIaIOmc
and vIIOuI a IcarII (buI IIcrc s aIvays a !acc, and, Hdcrn says, a
!rc) .
!asca Ias cxIausIcd IIs qucsIOn, vII Is mscry and Is grandcur.
GOOddaIccIcan IIaI Ic s, Ic IOOks Or IIc dvsbcpOnI rOm vIcrc
IIs aIIcrnaIng rcprcscnIaIOn dsappcars navOurOIIcpurcrcaOIIc
subccI ( CIrsIan s IIc namc O sucI a subccI ) . TIs pOnI Iurns OuI IO
incxislinCod(OrIObccOnIcnI,kccscarIcs,vII GOds cxsIcnccsOny
dOaIry) and locxcccd ilscl]in lhc1cxl (Or I s Ony IIrOugI a IOpOIOgca
rcadngOIIcTcsIamcnIs, dssOIvngIIccIIcrOIIc IcxI nIO IIchgurcs
IIaIOvcrIOvI, IIaIOnccandscOvcrIIaIIIcsc ScrpIurcsarc an cxccp-
IOnIO IIcvOrd) .
TIc HOyBbc s IIccxccssvc Iracc OrIIcGOdvIO s Iackng.
!I s parIcuIary casy IO csIabIsI, Or !ascas CIrsIan, IIc knOI O
anxcIy ( IInk O 1hcMyslcjo]1csus. Hc sucrs IIs aIIicIOn and IIs
abandOnmcnIn IIc IOrrOrOIIcngII ), OIIcsupcrcgO ( GOdunqucs-
IOnabysIcrrOr), OusIcc (IIc duIy OLOvcdssOvcsnIOgraccaIIIc
vOrdyrucs OIIcpacc) andOcOuragc (vc musIvagcr,agansImcrc
dvcrsOn).
Mscry and grandcurarcIIc dagOnas nvIcI !ascaI rccOgncs prc
cscyIIcsccpIcaImagnaryandIIc sIOcnIIaIOn. Hcncc, I shIIngIO
cOnvcrscvIIMOnscurdc SacabOuIEpcIcIusandMOnIagnc.TOdss-
paIcIIc magnaryOnc-sdcdncssOmOraIysIIcncgaIvcnIrOducIOn
IOIIc daccIcOIIc subccI.
TIcMarxsIIIcOryOdcOOgysucrsrOmIIcunsIOppabcmcagrcncss
1
JHLY l 1HL bUbdLLJ
O IIc diagOnas. WIaI mOrc is IIcrc IO add, cxccpI IIc cvidcnI viscOsiIy
OIIcircnIvning, IOIIc scparaIc OrmuaIiOnsOIIc 'Iuman cOndiIiOn',
dOgmaIicaycxaIcd in iIspOvcrasabsOuIc (arI and rcIgiOn) OrsccpIi
caIIy rcduccdIO iIs dchcicncyand IOIIcincxOrabiiIyOdcaII?TOsIOv
IIaI a IIis sIicks IO Our skin in IIc Orm Oa IransccndcnI dcnia OIIc
casssIruggc gOcs nOurIIcrIIanIIc ccrIhcd rcpOrIOsOmcmaIcriaisI
baii.
TIc vOrd 'Iurncd upsidc dOvn Onyccds inIO my passiOn Or scIIng
iI sIragII.
AIIIc samcIimc, ! cOncssIIaIIIcprcssurcOIIcimaginary, Oncc vc
rccOgnzciIsprncipc,bynOmcansdcmandsIIaIvcbccOmcscandaizcd.
Evcn IIc amOus 'cuII O pcrsOnaIIy', in iIs manicsI cOrrcIaIiOn IO IIc
ObiqucanxicIicsOusIbravcry,sccmsIO mc IOsIcmrOmIIcincvIabIc
prcsumpIiOnOIIc OncmucImOrcsOIIanrOmIIcdicIaIOriainamics
vIicI pass Or rcaI and vIicI i nccdcd arc cOmpaIibc viII IIc mOsI
mcdiOcrcOimagcs. NObOdyIascvcrnccdcdIIccuIOGuyMOIcIs pcr-
sOnaiIy n Ordcr IO givc IIcr massivc cOnscnI, during IIc Agcrian var,
IOIIcmassacrcOamiiOnAgcrians, incudingIOrIurcandIIccamps.As
OppOscd IO IIc SIainisI cndcavOur, rOmvIicIaIcasI a giganIic Russia
cmcrgcd, IIcsc IOrrOrsarc a IIc mOrc IransparcnI insOarasIIcy Ony
scrvcd IO dcay IIc ncviIabc ndcpcndcncc by six Or scvcn ycars and,
IIus, pcOpcvcrc massacrcd, rigOrOusIyspcaking, OrnOIIing.
! ccrIainyparIicipaIcdin IIc 'cuI O MaO', by mcans OvIicI !, ikc
miiOns mOrc, hgurcd IIc hxcd pOinI viII vIicI IO gaugc IIc radcaI
IurnabOuI OcOuragc andIIccOmpcIc IransOrmaIOn ObOII mypracIi-
ca cxisIcnccandmycOnvcIiOns duringIIcsccOndIaOIIc I 60sand
IIccary 70s-ycars O grandcur i cvcrIIcrcvcrc any. !n rcIrOspccI, !
Iavc cOmc IOknOviIsridicuOusaspccIs, IIcunrcaiIicsOIIc subccIvc
IraccIOry by vIicI IIis cuI Iraccd an imagnary diagOnaI and vIicI,
cxpOscd IO IIc rca, ! can nOv dcsignaIc viII cariIy. BuI ! cOncss IIaI
! cc nO rcmOrsc vIaIsOcvcr Or Iaving Iravcrscd IIis cxpcricncc, nOI
cvcn Or nOurisIing an uncOnIrOabc nOsIagia vIcn ! rcmcmbcrIIOsc
ycars. AIcraI, sOcacdcIisIinIcccIuaIsvcrcOIIcrvscvigOrOusand
innOvaIivc undcrSIainIIanIIcyarcIOdayinIIcprOvinciadcbascmcnI
OIIcirpcIIyscnIimcnIsandIIcirbanaIIabiIs. !buynciIIcrIIcpOsIIu-
mOusrcvcngcOCamusOvcr SarIrcnOrIIccxccssivcpraiscOrRaymOnd
ArOn, bccauscIc vOudIavcbccn 'IcssmisIakcn',vIicIis casycnOugI
IO accOmpisI vIcn Onc dOcs nOI Iakc any risks OIIcr IIan IO OOv
IIcpcdagOgy OIIc vOrd as iI is. As Or IIc cIsIs OIIc pOsI'68 cra, !
Z
JPlLb l LJHlLb
cOnsidcrIIcm css IIc vcIims O a dcvasIaIng iIIusiOn, as IIcy prcIcnd
IOday, IIan carricd avay bcyOnd IIcmscvcs by IsIOry, rOm vIcncc
IIcydrcvccrIanmagcs, uniyngcOnscqucnccsandnOIOnIyIIciusOry
causcOIIcirdcIcrminaIiOn. TIc maginaryIIuscOmcsinIO cOnsOidaIc
IIc rcaand nOI inOrdcrIOinsIaIIIcscmbIanI.
!s IIis IO say IIaI vc sIOudsing IIc praisc OIIc pOcIry OIIc imagi-
nary? O cOursc nOI. !I is casy IO scc IIaI ! IOnOur iI, as IIc scnsccss
diagOnaOdcscnscOrasIIcdcrcicIiOnOabscnscinIIcpaccOndc-
scnsc, Ony On IIcgrOundsOvIaIsuppOrIs I in IIc subccIascccIivc
prOccss.
Evcn pOcIry, cOnIraryIO vIaIcvcr acadcmic cxpanaIOns Irai bcIind
iI, ccdsOnIIcIOpOIOgicadimcnsiOn Oanguagc, and nOIOnIIcmagi-
nary. TIissOncOMaarmc's dirccIivcs.
WcdvcIinIIOscIrucgrOvcs, vIcrc, Iavng markcdOurvay,
WiIIargcandIumbcgcsIurcIIcpurcpOcI musI
SIandguardagainsIIIcdrcamascncmyIO Is IrusI.
l l
LcIus nOI sIandguardOr prOIibI buI sum up.
anxicIy
supcrcgo
subciviti
C _
.
.
J
^
_,_
u
ubcctivcccss
couragc
O
usIicc
NOv IIaI iIissaIuraIcd, IIc subccs sIaIic avaiIs Ony iIsmOmcnIum.
TIisisGOd'samOusngcrIickIOpuIIIcmccIansminmOIiOn. GOd,
IIaIs mc. As mOdcrn as anyOnc can cvcr bc, ! vi cOnIcnImyscviII
IIcvOrd Oan cnginccr.
bCM6Od
M3 , VV
ncasibc-TIc Orma subccIivc-!uncIuaiIy-AxisOabOiIiOn
TraccIOrics-AcIiOn, rcacIiOn, sIabiiaIiOn-TIc cscargOI
Any aIIcmpI IO hgurc IIc subccI as undccidabIc musI acc IIc impOs-
sibiiIy O iIs scIcma. TIc Iask bcOrc us is IIcrcOrc impOssibc. TIc
draving IIaI ! am abOuI IO skcIcI OuI musI bc inIcrprcIcd in igII O
iIs prOccIiOns and iIs imiI pOinIs. !I sIrucIurcs a cv sympIOms Or IIc
unscIcmaIizabc.
NciIIcrIIcquaiIaIivcbrcak, vIOscOpcraIiOn iscnIircIypracIicanOr
IIc cOnIradicIiOn, vIOsc Icrms dO nOI sIarc a unihcd panc, can bc puI
inIO animagc.
TIcrc cxisIs nO gcOmcIry OIIcdiaIccIic.
Lacan inisIcs Iis discOursc asIIc draIsman Oan impOssibc scIcma.
Hc sIOvs, viIIOuI spcaking, IIc pOinI vIcrc IIc rca cannOI makc a
pOinI.
2
!irsI, IIcn, IIc spacc, asIIc pIacc OIIc subccIsbccOmingOuI-O-pacc.
TIcimIIOIIcdisIribuIiOnOpaccsisIixcdIIcrcinbyIIccmpIypacc,IIc
unOccupyabcpacc, vIicIisIIc sIrucIuraI ancIOragc OIIcOuIpacc.
9
JPlLb l L1HlLb
HOv sIOud vc hgurc IIc unOccupyabc pacc? WcviII sIOv iI in an
ObIiqucvaybya IOc.
WcIIusIakcasOurpOinIOdcparIurcapancsIOIIIrOugIviIIaIOIc,
vIcrcby aI Onccvc missOuIOnIIccsscnIiaacIIIaIIIcIOcisa pIacc,
an cmpIy pacc, and IIus a pOinI ikc IIc OIIcrs, disappcarcdamOng IIc
OIIcrs, iiI is nOI acking-in-iIs-pIacc.
BuIIOvsIOud vc rcprcscnI IIcacIIIaIIIc subccI in apOsiIiOnO
inIcrnacxcusiOn,vaciIaIcs'arOundIIccmpIypaccIIaIiIun-Occupics?
TIis vi Ony givc us a vugar apprOximaIiOn. !n Ordcr IO indicaIc IIaI
IIc OccupaIiOnOIIccmpIypIaccisa sIrucIuraImOvcmcnI, namcy, IIc
vaciaIing Or IIc ccipsing, vc nccd IO Iavc a vay IO scIcmaIizc IIaI
'sOmcIIingOIIc spaccOccupicsanddOcsnOIOccupy, hIsanddOcsnOI
hI IIcIOIcin IIc panc.
!dccidcOnIIcsOuIiOnOavccIOr, viIIOuIOrigin,OricnIcdIOvardIIc
cmpIy pIacc. TIis pOarizaIiOn O IIc vccIOr, Iakcn aI iIs cxIrcmc imiI,
makcsIIc OccupaIiOn (iIisIIcIOcIIaIcOnIrOIsIIc OricnIaIiOn) andIIc
inOccupaIiOn (IIcvccIOr dOcsnOIhIIc vOid) inIO Onc.
OursccOndIask cOnsisIs in cnIcring IIc IOpOOgy by scIcmaIizing IIc
cxccss,by visuaizingIIcOuIpacc.Hcrcvc nccd sOmcIIingIIaInciIIcr
purcybcOngs IO IIc spaccnOrsimpy Occupics IIc vOidbuI IIaIbrings
OuIIIcviciniIybcIvccnIIc IvO andIIusasIcns iIscIOnIOIIcsubjccIs
sIrucIuraaspccI.
! sccurc IIis viII an anguar rcprcscnIaIiOn IIaI, by inIrOducing
nOI Ony IIc pIanc buI asO IIc spacc, symbOIizcs vIaIcvcr IIc cxccss
IOdsinIcrms Oa dcsIrucIivcIcaring-avayrOmIIcuniIyOIIcpanc
vIic aI IIc samc Iimc, sIanding as iI dOcs dirccIIy abOvc IIc vccIOr,
iI rcmains sIrucIurcd by IIc OsciaIiOn vIOsc vaciaIing IaIncss iI
inIcrrupIs.
TIisramingdcviccdcscrvcsIIc namcO]ormalsub)cc/ivc.
hoIc
spIacc
b
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
TIc Orma subccIivc cOmbincs inIO a uniqucprOccss bOII IIcvccIOrs
pOarizcdmOvcmcnIIOvardIIcvOidandIIcanguarrcprcscnIaIOnIIaI
subIracIs iIrOmIIcspacc.
Asub)cclivcjosilionisapOinIS
vIicIincquamcasurciscaugIInIIc
vccIOraizaIOn (paccd, cOnscqucnIIy, aIIIc samc Imc as iI s cxcudcd,
duc IO IIc !acI IIaI iI is viII rcgard IO IIc cmpIy pacc IIaI I mOvcs)
andsuppOrIsa di!crcnIia gap nangc, inspaIiavciniIyIO S
(andIIus,
sIanding in IIc cxccss O!inIcrrupIiOn Ovcr IIc OsciaIiOn IIaI carrics iI
IOvardIIcinOccupaIiOnOIIc IOc) .
TIispOnI S
l
is subccIvizing in naIurc, bcng IIc minma uniIyO! IIc
OsciIIaIiOn and IIc inIcrrupIOn, O aIgcbrac bcIOnging and IIc gap O
IOpOOgicaIadIcrcncc.
TIcacIOIssIrucIuraaIIracIiOnis dcsignaIcdasanxicIy, A, vIcrcby
IIaIvIicI in IIccxccssrisksdcjrivinilo]ilslackcxpIainsvIyiIappcas
IOIIcspacc.TIcacIIIaIncccIiIisbOIIcxccssivcrcpusOnandprva
IiOnOIIcpOarIyOacksnscrbcdascOuragc, C.
S
a
IIcvay up IO IIcanguIarinc IIaI issuppOscd IO markIIcbOundaryO!
IIcOrmaIsubccIvc (in Icrms OIIccxccss) . LcIuscaIIIIs pOnI S
l
. TIc
subccIivc prOccss vOuId bc IIcOurncyrOm S
IO S
aIIcvayIO S
and S
TIc aIIcrin
J7
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
sOmc vay is IIc incviIabIc c!IsI insIancc O any subccIivc inIcracing,
IIc mOmcnI vIcn dcsIrucIiOn raiscs IIc bd and gOcs bcyOnd Is Ovn
sIrucIuraOrm, bcyOndiIsanguIarassignaIiOnIOIIcspIacc, as!caugIIin
a vcrIgO OabOiIiOn-vIOsc anxOus IIcmaIicdcmands IIaI Onc IIrOv
Oncsc!Icad hrsIinIOIIcvOrdsn!crnO.
AIIIcpOnI,vIicIisIIccxIrcmcImiIOvIaIcOuragcisabcIObcar
OIIc cxpOsurcIOIIcrcaI,andIIcmaximumIcgIIOrIIcprOccIiOn/
Sc, IIcrc bcgins a 'dcsccnI IIaI can bc mappcd in S
I
, bascd On IIcacI
IIaI anxicIy Icrc gains prcccdcncc Ovcr cOuragc, aIIracIiOn Ovcr rcpuI
sOn. TIs is vIaI vc can ca IIc mOmcnI Orcgrcssvc subccIvizaIiOn.
!n sIricI cOrrcaIiOn, IIcprOccIiOnsprOvidc usviIIa mcasurc OIIc acI
IIaI IIc supcrcgOic nsIancc gains prcccdcncc OvcrIIc 'rsc OusIcc IO
rigIIIIcvrOngs.
!nS
hnay,IIcrcsasIOppngpOinIOnarccOmpOsingvccIOriazaIOn,
dcIcrmincdbyIack
!! rOm S
IIcsIOppngpOinInvIicIIIcrcadissOvcsiIscinIIc
mmancncc O!parIs, IIcnvc can carvc OuIIIrcczOncsinIIc rgIIangc
OabOiIiOnand cOnscrvaIiOn OnIIc cI, IIc zOnc Oac/ion, gOvcrncdby
IIcprmacyO!cOuragcandIIcgrOvingvccIOraizaIOnOIIcprOccIOn
/Sc !n IIc middc, cOrrcaIcd IO IIc rcgrcssivc subccIvizaIOn, IIcrc is
rcac/ion, invIicI AgainsIIcuppcrIandOvcrC, andvIcrcIIcpOnI/
ScdccncsOnccagain.OnIIcrigII,s/abiliza/ion.YOuviundcrsIandIIaI
IIcscarcIIrccsmuIancOusmOmcnIsgvcnnanysubccI-prOccssSpacc,
n IssupcrOriIyOvcrImc, sIcingvIIrcgardIOIIscOcxsIcncc
WccOuIdObviOusIycOnInuc
TIcrc yOu Iavc, rcady Or disasscmbIy, IIc cOmpcIc cscargOI O!
pcrOdzaIOn.
b
LIM| CS dS IM6 0| SS| QdI| 00 0 IM6 Qd|d00X6S 0
Qd|I| Sd0SMl Q
M3 Zb, VV
AnIigOncOncc mOrc-EIIics sIIc rcmaindcr O!pOIiIics-OgcOIIc
ncacuIabcdccisiOn-TO givcinOrIObc-TIc MOscOvIraIs-TIc
parIsanmindscI
!rOmHcgcIO Lacan, IIcrc!crcnccpOinI!OrcIIicsisSOpIOcIcan.WIOis
AnIigOnc?TIaIsIIcqucsIiOn.
YOu can imagnc IIaI ! am nOI gOng IO IcII yOu IIaI !Or us
MarxisIs, AnIgOnc s IIc cxprcssOn O!arcIac sOcaI rcaIOns AgansI
IIc rgII O!IIc ciIy vIOsc dcspOIsm s sccuIar, IIcsc Orccs ca upOn
IIc OId unvriIIcn rgII O! bOOd and amy Ov IIaI vOud dO yOu
a OI O gOOd YOu vOud ObIain IIc kind O MarxisIs IruIIs-bccausc
I isIruc-IIanks IO vIcI vc Iavc !aIcn bcIind IIc IsIOrca nIc-
igcnccO!IIcbOurgcOsc, viIIOuImOvnganncIIOvardancncrgcIic
brcak.
AnOIIcrvay IOOrmuaIcIIs samcpOnIs IIcOOvng. IIcrccxisIs
nO MarxisI cIIics. AI bcsI IIcrc s an cIIics o]Marxsm, vIicI vc can
dcsignaIc rcIrOacIivcIy as IIc pracIicaprncipIc bcInd IIc raIOnaI ca-
cuIaIiOnsO!pOIIics.
EIIics as On IIc sdc O!IIaIvIicI, n IIcprimacyO!pracIicc, unc-
IiOns as a rcmaindcr Or IIc mpOssbc cxIausIiOn O IIcOry. Takc IIc
advanccs and sIOrIcOmings O IIc prOIagOnisIs O! IIc COmmunc Or O
IIc Rcd Guards. Oncc IIcy Iavc passcd IIrOugI IIcOrcIica rcccIiOn n
V
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
vicv O IIc ncxI sIagc, vIaI rcmains is IIc acI IIaI IIcy incarnaIc IIc
uncOndiIiOnaI virIuc O any IisIOricaI accOunI, IIaI is, IIc unOrgcIIabIc
dccisiOn.
WccanhndsuppOrI OrIIis in IvO axiOmsrOm HcgcI.
- j . . . IIccIIicaIOrdcrcsscnIiaIIycOnsisIsinIIisimmcdiaIchrmncss
O dccisiOn (!I280)
- 'COnscqucnIIy, IIcabsOIuIc rigII OIIccIIicaI cOnsciOusncss isIIaI
IIc dccd, IIcshajci nvIicI iI aclualizcs iIscI, sIaIIbc nOIIing cIscbuI
vIaIiI knows (!I28 )
EIIics cOnccrnsIIc dccisiOnin iIspracIicaI absOIuIcncss, vIicI cannOI
bcincrrcdrOmanyIIingcIscbuIrOmiIscOnIcmpOranciIyIOIIcknOvI-
cdgcavaiIabIcaIIIcIimc.EIIicsmakcsa discOurscOuIOIIaIvIicI can
nciIIcr vaiI nOrbcpOsIpOncd. !I makcs dOviII vIaI isgivcn.
Hcrc, vc rc-cncOunIcrIIcsubccIivcuncIiOnOIasIc asOrmaIIcdin
HcgcIsIcxI.
EIIicscsscnIiaIIyIOucIcsupOnIIcundccidabiIiIyOIIcsub ccI. TIisis
IruccvcnvIcn, asaIIOrmsOvisdOmaimIOdO,iIargucsrOmIIcpOinI
OvicvIIaI IIis undccidabiIiIycOmcsdOvn IOa purcacccpIancc OacI.
TIc nOIiOn IIaI cIIics (Silllichkcil) is IIc IOgic O IIc incaIcuIabIc dcci-
siOn cxpIains vIy Or HcgcI iI is incriOr IO mOraIiIy (Mcnlnat, vIOsc
rcaImbcIOngs IO rcIIccIiOn.
!n IIis rcgard, vc viII rcvcrsc HcgcI. MOraIiIy is indccd caIcuIabIc,
sincc iI is caugII in IIaI vIicI, rOm IIc spIacc, gOvcrns IIc dsappcar-
ing OIIc subccIivc prOccss, iIs rcducIiOnIOIIcsIaIcOa Iracc. WiIIOuI
arguingOra supcriOriIy, Our inIcrcsIviII bc in cIIics. !Orvc knOvIIc
cOsI OvIaIbrings ViIIicrsdc I!sIc-Adamand Rimbaud, IIOugIIIcyarc
prOOundIy apOIiIicaI, IO bc On IIc sidc OIIc COmmunc, Or vIaI brings
IIisOrIIaIrcacIiOnarypcasanIrOmBOurgOgncIOscIupanundcrgrOund
rcsisIancc mOvcmcnI, purcIy On IIc grOunds IIaI, as Ic says, 'vc musI
dOsOmcIIing.
WiIIOuI sucI dccisiOns, IIcrc vOuId nOI cvcn bc any maIIcr Or
pOIiIi.
TIOscvIOinIIcsccircumsIanccsvaiIOrIIc 'absOIuIc rcIccIiOnIavc
alIIIcIimcin IIcvOrId,bcIIcy!IaubcrIOrGidc, IOgivc a scrcnccvaIu
aIiOnOIIcvrOngs cOmmiIIcdbybOIIparIics andIOIcIIIIcmscIvcsIIaI
MisIcr TIicrs Or !cIain, IIOugI in dispuIabIc vays, ObccIivcIy prOIccI
ccrIain nccds, vIcrcas IIc OIIcrs, drcamcrs nO dOubI, rcaIIy cxaggcraIc
vIcn IIcy cxccuIc a nicc bisIOp Or vIcn IIcy sIamcIcssIy sIaugIIcr
1
JPlLb LJHlLb
an Ohccr O IIc Occupying Orccs prOIccIcd by ancicnI cOnvcnIiOns and
rcccnI capiIuIaIiOns.
EIIicsisOnIIcagcndavIcncvcrIIcsubccIivcIcnsiOnObIainsunivcr-
saIiIyOnIyin IIcparIicuIarOrsakingOanyviIIsIOvIyIOinvcsIigaIcIIc
cOmpIcIc sIaIcOaairs.
!acan is ccrIainIy rigII in rcducing cIIics IO IIc qucsIiOn. Has IIc
subccIgivcn in? WIyIIcvcrb IOgivc in? Bccausc vIaI is aIsIakcin a
dccisiOnisnOIIIcquaIiIyOIIc subccI buIpurcIyand simpIy iIsbcing.
TO givc in mcans IO disappcar. NOIIing viII IIcn Iavc IakcnpIacc buI
IIcpIacc.
TIcvIOIcqucsIiOnOcOnIcmpOrarypOIiIicscOmcsdOvnIOIIis.isIIc
inIcrnaIiOnaI prOIcIariaI O !rancc gOing IO cxisI? A raIiOnaI pOIiIics Ias
nO OIIcrgOaIbuI IO usc IIc cxisIingsubccIivizaIiOns in OrdcrIO susIain
ina IOpOIOgyIIccOmmunisIprOccssOIIis cxisIcncc-IIccOnsisIcncyO
IIaIvIicIcx-sisIs.
!vc makccIIicsinIOIIcrcmaindcrOpOIiIics,vc can aIsOOrmuIaIc
IIcprObIcmasOIIOvs.isiIncccssaryIOcOnIinucgivinginIOIIcundcni
abIcadvanIagcsOIIcuniOnisI-parIiamcnIaryspIacing?
TIc cxisIcnccOIIcsubccIgcIsdissipaIcdinIOIIcnOnscnsc OIIcIav
assOOnasIIc maximisIOgivcin.!acansaysIIis OrccuIIy. csirc, vIaI
is caIIcd dcsirc, suhccs IO makc Iic mcaningIcss i iI Iurns sOmcOnc inIO
a cOvard (E 782/660) .
By invcrsiOn, IIis amOunIs I O dchning cOuragc as IIc cOrc O IIc
qucsIiOn.
Onc aIvays givcs in Or IIc sakc O sOmc gOOd, Oncs Ovn Or IIaI O
OIIcrs. !acan caIIs IIis IIc scrvicc OgOOds. NOIicc IIaI IOgivcinOrIIc
sakcOOIIcrsisnOIvOrIImucImOrcIIanIOgivcinOrOncsOvnsakc.
!n IIc MOscOv Irias, vIcI arc IIc IIcaIrcaI sIagng O IIc parIy as
IIc cOnInuOusprOccssOpurgngandbOOdysc-dcvOuring, IIc SIaIc is
IIc Lav carng nciIIcr GOd nOr man IIaI prOcIams IO bc IIc sOar and
nIcgra rcazaIOn O cOmmunsI usIcc and, casIing IIc IraiIOr OuI O
pacc nIOIIcanOnymiIyOa vanisIcdIOmb, dssOvcscIIics purcyand
simpIyinIOIcrrOr.
WIcnOncOIIcdcsgnaIcdrcncgadcs,BukIarin,IrcsIOsIOpIIcvOrsI
by sIrayng rOm Iis ObigaIOry scripI, OOk IOv Ic rcpIaccs IIc cIIica
principc, vIcIaOnc is capabIc OusIyng IIcIcrrOrisI supcrcgO, viII
IIc spaccdprincpc OcacuaIOn, crrOr, and, IIus, pOIics.
1Z
JPlLb LJHlLb
VysIinsky vanIsabsOuIcyIIaI BukIarin dccarcImsc a BrIsI Or
Gcrman spy, OrIIaIvOud cxcudc IIc accuscd rOm any pIacc vIaI-
sOcvcr n IIc spacc O IIc SIaIc, vIicI is IIc Ony IIng IIaI s inIOcr-
abIc rOm IIc pOinI O vcv O cIIics and cgImizcs IIc dcaII pcnaIy.
BukIarin, subccI IO aI knds O viOcncc anddcprivcd Oan ahrmaIvc
subccIiviIy as pOIca rcssIanI, dccnds Iimsc On IIis prccisc pOinI
vII a rarc sIubbOrnncss, gOing sO ar sO as IO IrcaI Is dcnOunccrs as
prOvOcaIcurs.
VysIinsky. ! amaskngyOuabOuIcOnnccIiOnsviIIsOmcpOIicc
auIIOrIy
BukIarin. ! IadnOcOnnccIOnsvII anypOccauIIOrIcs
vIaIsOcvcr.
VysIinsky.TIcn vIyvasI sOcasyOryOuIOOn a bIOcvIcIvas
cngagcdncspOnagcvOrk?
BukIarn. COnccrnng cspiOnagc! knOv absOuIcy nOIIing.
VysInsky. WIaIdOyOumcan, yOu dOnIkOv?
BukIarn.usIIIaI.
VysInsky. AndvIaIvas IIcbOccngagcdin?
BukIarn. TvOpcOpcIcsIhcdIcrcabOuIcspiOnagc, SIarangOvicI
and!vanOv, IIaIs IOsay, IvO agcnIs-prOvO
caIcurs. ( 383)
WIcn a ccaraIOn cxIOrIcd rOm IOdaycv mcnIiOns a cOnvcrsa-
IiOn abOuIacIsOcspiOnagc, BukIarnsccks suppOrI inIisdcnIIyasan
nIcIccIuain OrdcrnOIIOgivcnusIasIcinavayvidOinIishna
dccaraIOnvIIIIcamOusIIcOryOdOubccOnscOusncss,vIcIaOvs
IimIOsurrcndcrpOIicayvIIOuIannuingIimscquasubccI.
VysIinsky dyOucarryOn a cOnvcrsaIiOn jviIIIOdaycvaIIs
cOunIrypacc ?
BukIarn. ! carricd Ona cOnvcrsaIiOn and kcpI myIcadOnmy
sIOudcrs aI IIc Iimc, buII dOcs nOIOIIOvrOmIIis IIaI ! dcaII
viIIIIc IIings OvIicIIOdaycvusIspOkc IIsvas IIchrsI
cOnvcrsaIOn. . . .
VysIinsky. !I is OnO cOnscqucnccvIcIIcrIvas IIchrsIOrnOIIIc
hrsI. O yOu cOnhrmIIaIIIcrc vas sucIa cOnvcrsaIOn?
BukIarin NOI sucIa cOnvcrsaIiOn, buIa dicrcnIOnc, and asO
sccrcI.
VysIinsky. ! amnOIaskingyOuabOuIcOnvcrsaIiOnsingcncra, buI
abOuIIIiscOnvcrsaIOn.
1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
BukIarin. !nHcgcs LOgicIIcvOrd IIis iscOnsidcrcdIObc IIc
mOsIdihcuIvOrd. . . .
VysIinsky. ! askIIc COurIIOcxpainIOIIcaccuscdBukIarinIIaI
Ic is Icrc nOIinIIccapaciIyOapIiOsOpIcrbuIa crimina, and
Ic vOud dObcIIcrIOrcrain rOm Iaking Icrc abOuIHcgcs
pIiOsOpIy, iIvOudbcbcIIcrhrsIOaOrHcgcspIiOsOpIy. . . .
BukIarin. ApIiOsOpIcrmaybca crimina.
VysIinsky. Ycs, IIaI is IOsay, IIOscvIO imagincIIcmscvcsIObc
pIiOsOpIcrs IurnOuIIObc spics. !IiOsOpIyisOuIOpaccIcrc.
! amaskingyOuabOuIIIaI cOnvcrsaIiOn OvIicIIOdaycvusI
spOkc dOyOu cOnhrm iI OrdOyOu dcny iI?
BukIarin. ! dOnOIundcrsIandIIcvOrdIIaI. Wc Iad a cOnvcrsaIiOn
aI IIccOunIry IOusc. (42 )
TIc sympIOmaIic impOrIancc OIIis pOinI, vIcrc cIIics andpOiIics in
IIcicOnIradicIOryarIicuaIiOndcIcrmincIIc abccI sIaIusOIIc subccI,
is scI IIaI VysIinsky cndsup cxpiciIy OppOsingIIcIvO Icrms.
VysIinsky.! vibc cOmpccdIO cuIIIc inIcrrOgaIiOn sIOrIbccausc
yapparcnIyarcOOvingdchniIcIacIicsanddOnOIvanIIO
IcIIcIruII,IidingbcIind a OOdOvOrds, pcIIiOgging, making
digrcssiOnsinIOIIc spIcrcOpOiIics, OpIiOsOpIy, IIcOryand
sOOrII-vIicIyOumigIIasvcOrgcIabOuIOnccandOra,
bccauscyOuarccIargcdviIIcspiOnagcand,accOrdingIOa
IIcmaIcriaOIIcinvcsIigaIiOn, yOuarcObviOusya spyOan
inIcigcncc scrvicc. ( 423)
TIus, in Ordcr IO disquaiy BukIarin in Iis capaciIy as subccI, iI is
absOuIcykcyIOmakcIim]orcljolilics.
TIc priOriIizing O Ohcia adccIivcs aIIacIcd IO Liu SIaOqis namc as
IIccmbcmaIicIargcI duringIIcsIOrmOIIcCuIurarcvOuIiOn,accOrd-
ing IO vIicI Ic, IIc O. ! !arIy pcrsOn in pOvcr Iaking IIc capiIaisI
rOad, isa rcncgadc, IiddcnIraiIOrandscab vIO IascOnccacdIimscin
IIc !arIyand is a crimc-sIccpcd ackcy Oimpcriaism, mOdcrnrcvisiOn-
ismandIIcuOminIangrcacIiOnarics(G!CR! 83-! 84), vcavcsIOgcIIcr
viIIprccisiOnIIaIvIicIpcrIainsIOpOiIicsinIIcIIinkabcramcOIIc
sIruggcbcIvccn IvOpaIIs (mOdcrn rcvisiOnism,IIccapiIaisIrOad, uIi-
maIcy bcIraya OIIc vOrking cass) and IIaI vIicI dravs vigOurrOm
IIc purcycIIica rcmaindcr (sccrcI agcnI, impcriaism, spy Or !OrmOsa,
crimina) .
19
JPlLb l L1HlLb
!naIIcsccascs,iIdOcsnOIsuhccIOOvcrpOvcrIIcadvcrsaryOnIIc
sOcgrOundIIaIIc vas IIc ObjccI IO bc cOmbaIcd. BuI undcrncaII IIc
divisiOn O IIc parIy, bcIraya O IIaI vIicI sIands Or iIs sOu, iI is asO
ncccssaryIOcvOkcIIcunnamcabccIIicaaiurc.AndiiIdOcsnOIcxisI,
IIcnIIcrc is causcIOinvcnIiI.
WIaIIIcscaIand-asIIciruIurcIassIOvn-cnIircycmpIyIOrOrs
varn usabOuIis IIaIIIcOrma rccOgniIiOn OcIIics asIIcOnypOssibc
prinipc O sc-cOndcmnaIiOn (Icncc IIc sinisIcr IIcaIrc in MOscOv
rcquircsIIccOncssiOn andIIc abccIiOn) cIangcsinIOiIsOppOsiIc iIIc
pOiIicacOnIcnI,OvIicIcIIicsissuppOscdIObcIIcrcmaindcr,Iappcns
IObc rcduccdIOIIc ObccIiviIy OIIcparIy-SIaIc.
!nOrdcrIruyIO arrivcaIcIIics, vcmusIaIcasInOIgivcupOnpOiIics
as a subjccIivc prOccss, On cOmmunisI pOiIis. TIis is impOssibc i Onc
cIOOscslhcwronjarq, inaIIcscnscsOIIc cxprcssiOn.
TIc parIisan mindscI can ccrIainy invOvc abncgaIiOn and Obcdicncc
Or, as SIain says, cOnsciOus submissiOn and uniIy O vi . EIIica
cOuragcamOunIsIOIIcOccIOIravcrscanxicIy,sinccIIismcansnOIIing
csc buI IIc capaciIy IO cOnsidcr Oncsc nu. WIO vi say vIcIIcr vc
cancOnIinuOusydOviIIOuI IIis kind OannuingsubccIivizaIiOn?
BuI IIc parIisan spiriI is asO IIc rcvcrsc. WIcn iI is subOrdinaIcd IO
pOiIics, andnOI IOOrganizaIiOn,iI dcmandsabsOuIcparIicipaIiOn inIIc
mOvcmcnI OIIcrca, IIcdcIccIiOnOIIc brcacI rOmvIcrcIOIip Ovcr
inIO avanI-gardisIic dcsIrucIiOn. LOOk aI IIc dirccIivcs O IIc CuIura
RcvOuIiOnviIIrcgardIOIIccadrcs.
!I is IIcrcOrc impcraIivc IOpcrscvcrc in IIc inc O rOm IIc masscs,
IOIIc masscs. Bcpupis OIIcmasscsbcOrcbccOmingIIcirIcacIcrs.
arc IO makc rcvOuIiOn and bc gOOd aI makingrcvOuIiOn. OnI bc
araid O disIurbanccs. OppOsc IIc Iaking O IIc bOurgcOis sIand, IIc
sIicing O RigIIisIs, aIIacks On IIc LcI and rcprcssiOn O IIc grcaI
!rOcIarian CuIura RcvOuIiOn. OppOsc IIccrcaIiOn Oa OI O rcsIric-
IiOnsIO Iic IIc Iands OIIc masscs. OnI bc OvcrOrds OrsIand abOvc
IIc masscs, bindy Ordcring IIcm abOuI.
! nsucIcircumsIanccs,nOcOrpOrcaIicrarcIycancxcmpIyOurOmIIc
IcsI O cOuragc. ! IIc parIy prcIcnds IO prOIccI yOu rOm iI, yOu sIOud
bccOmcIIcparIyabyyOursc.YOumusIinIurnknOvIOvIOcOnsidcr
IIcparIyasnu,sOcysOIIaIiIcOnIinucsIOcxisIasIIcbOdyOasubccI.
Iis capIrcs IIc cOmpcIc mcaning O IIc maxim. arc IO gO againsI
Ihc Iidc, abOuI vIicI Wang HOngvcn (IOday in prisOn . . . ) aI IIc 0II
1b
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
OngrcssOIIcIincscOmmunisI!arIy, inIIcpurcsIsIycOAnIigOnc,
indicaIcs IO vIaI cxIcnI vc musI scc in iI IIc cOmpcIc OppOsiIc O IIc
'scrviccOgOOds
WIcncOnrOnIcdviIIissucsIIaIcOnccrnIIccOrrccIpOiIicaincand
IIc OvcraI siIuaIiOn, a Iruc OmmunisI musI acI viIIOuI any schsI
cOnsidcraIiOns and darc IO gO againsI IIc Iidc, viIIOuI car O bcing
rcmOvcdrOmIis pOsI, cxcudcdrOmIIc!arIy, IIrOvn inai, Orccd
IOdivOrcc, OrpuI inrOnIOIIchring squad.
!I is ccarIIaIIcrc iI is IIc vcrycxisIcncc O IIcparIyiIscIIaI is aI
issuc,sinccbygivingin,OncvOudgainOnIyiIssIaIisIdcsubccIivizaIiOn,
iIs cOunIcrrcvOuIiOnaryIcrminaIiOn.
TIc cIIics O Marxism cOnsisIs in rcsOving IIc paradOxcs O parIisan
sIip On IIcsOidIcrrainOIIcIIcOryOIIcsubccI.
TIis sOuIiOn is accOmpIisIcd in IIc divisiOn O Onc cOnccpI, cOnh-
dcncc,vIicIdcpcndingOniIspOinIOappicaIiOn, cOnIainsIIc nccdOr
discipinc andIIc incviIabiIiIyOrcbciOn.
10
L| dSSl Cd| 06I0u|
dUP0
NciIIcrIIcsunnOrdcaII-ApOgccsanddccadcnccs-TIc Ourkinds
OcIIics-WIaIIappcncd nOIsOOngag iscOurscs-OnhdcnIOr
bcicving?
YOu can ncaIIydisIinguisI, sinccavays, IvOgcnrcsOcIIics. EiIIcr yOu
incr an cIIics rOm IIc Ordcr O IIc vOrd, IO vIicI IIc subccI musI
cOrrcspOnd, viIIOuI cxcIuding IIc nccd Or IIc cOnIOrIiOns O IIc cOn-
vcrIcd OryOuincriIrOmIIc subjccIsviII,bynO mcansdcpcndcnIOn
IIcvOrdspOssibiiIics, viIIOuIcxcudingIIaIIIcvOrdmay OrdcrIIc
rcpcIiIiOnOIIisviIIing.
TIis says as mucI as IIaI IIc qucsIiOn is brOacIcd accOrding IO IIc
spacc Or accOrding IO IIc OuIpacc, accOrding IO subccIivizaIiOn Or
accOrdingIOIIcsubccIivcprOccss,accOrdingIOIIcpOssibIcOraccOrding
IOIIc impOssibc.
LcImc addinpassingIIaI a maximIIaIis vcry mucIinvOgucamOng
pariamcnIarypOiIicians,cspcciaIy'rOmIIcIcI,isIIcOncIIaIdccarcs.
'!OIiIicsisIIcarIOIIcpOssibIc. NOvIcrcdOcsIIccIassnaIurcOIruII
appcarviIIsucInakcdncss.TIismaximOrsurcisIruc, andiImaycvcn
bccxcccnI,]orlhcm.Asaras!amcOnccrncd,!pOsiIcxpiciIIyIIaIjolilics
is lhc arlo]lhc imjossiblc.
TIc OuIcr bOrdcr O IIc irsI cIIica Icndcncy ahrms IIaI an inIcgra
masIcry O IIc knOvcdgc O IIc vOrd is acccssibIc sO IIaI IIc rigII
1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
pacc OIIcsubjccIisrcprcscnIabc IIcrcinasiIs OOd. !rOm an absOuIc
knOvcdgc !OIOvs a cOmpcIc rccOnciIiaIiOn. Oncc pasI IIc cOgniIivc
cOnvcrsiOn, IIc subccIivc prOccss O! visdOm is cIcrna. Hcrcin vc can
rccOgnizc IIc scriOusncss O IIc axis O vcrIicaizaIiOn, in vIicI IIc rca
and IIc avarc rcciprOcaIabc viIIOuI rcmaindcr.
CcrIainvarianIsOIIccOmmunisIidca rcscmbIcIIisIIcmcOIarmOny,
byvIicIusIicc, unmOOrcd rOmIIcsubccI bccOmcsacaIcgOryO!bcing.
! any rcscrvc O IIc cxccss drics up, iI is acIuayiIs sIrucIura ancIOr-
ng IIaI is sIruck by annuImcnI. Or IIc csscncc O a Orms O visdOm
ics in pOsiIing IIaI Onc can ciminaIc IIc ack. TIcirdOcIrinc is Onc O!a
u spacc.
AIIIcOIIcrcxIrcmcOIIccIIicahcd,vchndIIcIIcsisIIaInOIIing
is IObc cxpccIcdrOmbcinginIcrms OIIc subccIsvi.TIc vOrd Ony
cvcrO!crsyOu IIcIcmpIaIiOnIO givc in. TIis is IIc sIOryIOd in a IIc
nincIccnII-ccnIury nOvcs O !OrmaIiOn. IIc inhniIc, cIIica Or amOrOus
subccIiviIy O IIc yOung man musI carn iIs radica inadapIaIiOn IO a
ObccIiviIy. !n Ordcr IO bccOmc a vcI-paccd and rcspccIabc cIaracIcr,
IcmusIIakc iIdOvna nOIcI. TIcnOvcisIisIIcirOnicIisIOriOgrapIcr O
IIcbcIrayaOOncsc.
TIis hgurc can IIus upIOd IIc cIIica prOccss Ony in IIc Iragcdy O
rcnOuncingIIc vOrId, in IIc unaIcrcd prOccss O purc subccIivizaIiOn.
TIisIimcvccanrccOgnizcIIcinIrinsicvaIOrizaIiOnOIIc cxccssOvcrIIc
cxccss,vIcrciniIisamaIIcrOmainIainingOncsc (mOsIO!IcnindcaII)
viIIOuIcvcrIcIIingOncscsidcbackinIOrcgrcssivc subjccIivizaIiOnand
rccOmpOsiIiOn.
Typicay,IIcmcIapIOrsOIIcIIrsIkindOcIIicsarcdiurnaandsOar,
asvc scc in !aIO. pOn cxIIing IIc cavc O sIadOvs, Onc isbindcd, IIc
day appcars in cxccss Ovcr iIs Ovn igII. TIc mcIapIOrs O IIc sccOnd
kindarc nOcIurnaandunar. COnsidcrWagncr,IIcsccOndacIO1ris/an,
vIcrc Onc is cOnvcrsing On IIc bcncI O! dcsirc abOuI IIc mcIapIysica
advanIagcs O dcaII and IIc nigII aI casI, IIaI is, as Ong as IIc nObc
cuckOd dOcs nOI cOmc and inIcrrupI IIis Obsccnc pIiOsOpIica rcuniOn
byinIrOducingIIc symbOIicprincipcOIIc cmbarrassingIIird, IOvIicI
in IIc Opcra, bcIvccn IIc guiIy IcnOr and sOpranO, sO many cxccIcnI
basscsdcvOIcIIcmscvcs.
TIc acI IIaI inIIis nigII aI cOvs arc back, asHcgcI ObccIcd againsI
ScIcing, is prcciscy a virIuc Or IIOsc vIO, in Iransgrcssing IIc prc-
scribcd pacc and in dc!crring OnIy IO iIs Oca dicrcnIia vanI IO Iavc
nOIIingIOdOviIIan cxacIdiscriminaIiOnObOvincs.
1b
JPlLb l LJHlLb
'NciIIcrIIcsunnOrdcaIIcanbcOOkcdaIsIcadiyLaROcIcOucaud
Obscrvcd, IIcrcby dismiing bOII cxIrcmc !Orms O! cIIics. TIis is
bccausc Ic OpIcd !Or IIc niIiisI vcrsiOn, !rOmvIOscvanIagc pOinIIIc
OIIcrIIrcc canbc Obscrvcd viII a parIicuIarsIarpncss.
Bcsidcs, a ROcIc!Oucaud is rigII in sIOrI-circuiIing IIc IvO mcIa-
pIOrs.ayandnigIIbcOngIOIIcsamc cras.A!OrmsO!visdOm,jusIas
acxisIcnIiadissidcnccs,rccrIOIimcsOIcigIIandIOIimcsOcrisis.Or
iavigOrOusasccndingcassisabcIOmOdcIisIOryandIIccOnccpIsOiIs
spccuaIiOnupOn iIsOrcc, IIisObviOusyisducIOIIcacIIIaIiIIypOsIa-
Iizcs iIsvi inIOIIcinIcgra ahrmaIiOnOIIc visdOmOIIc vOrd, and
IO disscnIcrs iI cavcs Ony IIc pacc O!IIcgcncradcnia OradicaI dis-
cOrdancc.AndiinvcrscIy, vcarcina ruinOusandIIOugIIcsscpOcI,in
IIcpuIrcacIiOn OIIc scsamc pacc vIcrc vc rcmain andrOmvIicI
nOncvpOiIica subjccIisIIcinIcrnacxcudcdOrIIcpIaccd cxccss, IIcn
IIc OppOsiIc IcmpIaIiOns-rcsigning Oncsc! IO IIc cOursc O IIc vOrd,
suppOscd IO bc ncccssary, OrviIIdraving !rOm iI cOmpcIcIy-bcgin IO
cOmmunicaIc!rOma sidcs. WIcnIIc rcckciIycinruins, IOIIcsOc
bcncIiIOIIcmiiIary, hrsIIIcMaccdOniansandIIcnIIcROmans,IIisis
vIaIIIcOppOsiIcandycIsimiarscIOOsOEpicurusandIIcSIOicsbusicd
IIcmscvcsviII.
TIcrc rcmains IIc casc vIcn, csscnIiaIy nciIIcr gOOd nOr bad, IIc
vOrd is vIaI IIc subccI rccOmpOscs !rOm a pOinI vIcrc IIc subjccIivc
undccidabc dOcs nOI dcmand IIaI Onc givc up. TIc acI O discOrdancc
IIcn is rccOgnizcd as IIc OuI-O-pacc cOndiIiOn OsubccIivizaIiOn: IIaI
discOrdancc is asO Iakcn up in a prOccss OapprOpriaIiOn dcsignaIcs IIc
subccIivcprOccss OrccOmpOsiIiOn and IIaI IIcrc is discOrdancc in IIis
prOccss cOnnOIcs IIc rcgrcssivc subccIivizaIiOn insOar and vIaIcvcr iI
induccs inIcrms OrcpcIiIiOninIIcsubccIivcprOccss.
BcIvccn dayandnigII,IIcmcIapIOrvOudbc IIaIO!/hccarricro]]rc,
vIicIMaIarmcssIarhxcsviIIOuIcxccss.AcscIyusmadcaIragcdyOuI
O!iI. Promclhcus.
2
TIcrc arc Our kinds OcIIics.
I . TIc cIIics O praisc, vIcrc Onc Ias a pacc O Oncs Ovn viIIin a
vOrd Opcn IO cvauaIiOn.
1V
1HLKY l 1HL bUbdLL1
2. TIccIIicsOrcsignaIiOn,vIcrcOnckccpsIOOncspaccina dcvau
aIcdvOrd.
3. TIccIIicsOdiscOrdancc, vIcrcOncsIandsnIIcOuIpaccOapacc
IIaIisinIrinsicaydcvauaIcd.
4. TIc !rOmcIIcan cIIics, vIcrc Onc pOsiIs IIaI IIc pacc is ycI IO
cOmc in a vOrd Opcn IO rc-cvauaIiOn, vIicIIIc hrc O usI cxccss
rccOmpOscs.
TIc hrsIIvOkindsOcIIcsrccrIOIIcvIOc,IIcasIIvO, IO IIc nOI-
a.TIisisa diaccIicadivisiOnOIIcrccIangc.
AnOIIcr Onc immcdiaIcy umps O IIc pagc. IIc cIIics O praisc s
OpIimisIic (accOrding IO bcing), as is IIc !rOmcIIcan ( accOrding IO IIc
prOccss) . RcsgnaIiOnanddiscOrdanccarcpcssimisIic.
!Iis ccarIIaIIIcsc IvO aIIiIudcs rccr IO IIcprimiIivcarIicuaIiOns O
IIcsubccI,viIIna IisIOricascIIingIIaIpuIsIIcmIOIIc IcsI.
OuviIavcnOdihcuIyarguingIIcOOving.
- prasc cOnnOIcsusIicc, insOarasiIOOvs IIc axis OIc avs rca
dissipaIiOn,buIiIsmaginaryimiIisIIcIIcmcOanabsOuIcpacc, O
a rcaspacc, a imiIvIicImOrcOvcrissaIuraIcdviII anxicIy-OOk
aIIIc diagOnas.
- rcsignaIiOnsingcsOuIIIc supcrcgO,IIcIcrrOrizingOrdcrIIaIIasnO
nccdOrdisguising iIscasvauc inOrdcrIOascribcIIc subccIIOIIc
avquanOnav.
- discOrdanccIOucIcsupOnanxicIy,vIicIknOvsIIaIiIIOucIcsupOn
IIcrcaOnyIIrOugIIIc incOnsOabcOssOIIc dcadvOrd.
- !rOmcIIcus is IIc cIaracIcr vIO, in dchancc OIIc gOds, kccps IIc
bccOmingOcOuragcrunningOn cmpIy.
On IIis basis vc vipOsiIIIaIIIc hrsI IvO kinds suIurc cIIics IO IIc
subccIivcprOccss,andIIcOIIcrIvO, IOsubccIvizaIiOn,andIIaIIIcdis
IincIiOnbcIvccnOpIimism andpcssimismgOcsnOurIIcr IIanIOrcpcaI
IIc inIcrIvining OIIc sIrand andIIcsIrand-.
TIc Ony inIcrcsI O IIis apprOacI vOud bc IO cOnhrm IIaI cIIics
givcs us a namc Or IIc subccI as IsIOricay rcaizcd in IIc Orm O
discOursc.
!IvOudbc a aacyIO cOncudc IIaIIIcrc cxsIs ancIIics OcOuragc,
anOIIcrOIIcsupcrcgO, and sO On. !I is miscading IOOOvIIcsOpc O
IIcsIrucIurc.
A subccI cxisIs Ony IIrOugI a IsIOricizcd inkagc O IIc Our
Z
JPlLb LJHlLb
cOnccpIs. EIIics isa pOsiIiOninIIccOmpcIcIicdOiIsOurpOcs(praisc,
discOrdancc, rcsignaIiOn, !rOmcIIcus) , vIcrcby Onc O IIcm is ncvcr
anyIIingcscIIanIIcvayIOgainacccssIOIIcOIIcrIIrcc.
TIus, IIc Giscardian cOnjuncIurc-cIIis bc IIc namc Or IIc pOiIi-
ca dsarray IIaI OOvcd IIc disarray O IIc inIcccIuas aIcr I 76 aI
IIc aIcsI-viIncsscs IOv IIc cIIca dcbaIc O Iimcs O crisis makcs a
cOmcback. Ocs IIis mcan IIaI rcsgnaIiOnsuddcnyimpOscsiIsc a by
iIsc? NO. !irsI vc musI rcaizc IIaI, as IIc rcsuI OIIc ycars I 66-73,
IIcrcrcmainsa !rOmcIIcanrccrcnccvIOscdcnaiscOnsIIuIivc OIIc
cOnjuncIurc in qucsIiOn. TIc 'criIiquc O miiIanIism, IIc rcuIaIiOns O
Marxism, and IIc aIIack agansI IIc 'masIcr discOurscs, arc IIc ncccs-
sarypassagcvays, andOIcnIIc OnysubsIancc,OrIIcrc-csIabisIingO
mOrasandrigIIs.SccOndy,vcObscrvcIIaIIIcpIiOsOpIicsOdcsirc,by
rcying OnIIccIcap cuIsOIIcprcviOusupIcava-IIaIis, IIcbOurgcOis
bcraIiOn OmOrcsIavc sprcad a discOrdanI niIism IIaI iIs cOrrOsivc
pOvcrdcsignaIcdasIIcincviIabccriIicaayOrcsgnaIiOnsOnIIc risc.
!inay, iI appcars IIaI IIc inIcccIuas cOnscnI Or !rcncI impcraisI
sOcicIy (pariamcnIary ibcrIcs, Iuman rgIIs, uniOnism, cOnIcmpI Or
IIcTIrdWOrd,andsOOn), cvcnIIOugIiIisimiIcdaIhrsIIOancIIcsO
pcrsOnabcIaviOur, cannOIdOviIIOuIIIccOccIivcpraisc IIaIis aIcnI
n IIis kind O vOrd Ordcr, praisc IIaI v Iavc cxpOdcd (IIis uIurc
anIcriOr is addcd n uy I 8 ! ) during IIc csIiviIics in IOnOur O IIc
rOsc, vIcrc IIc inIcccIuapcbs raicdcnmassc IO IIc SIaIc, as sOOn as
iIrcccivcdIIcdccOraIiOnOIIcprOvinca cmbcms OcamOrcc.
An cIIica ramcvOrk IIus avays ariscs vIIin a cOmpcx saIuraIcd
IOIaIy. TIc cIIicadcbaIc subsumcs any parIicuar cIIics. !Or, icIIics
is IIaIvIicI a subccImakcs inIO IIc ruc n Icrms O iIs cOnsisIcncy, I
canObIainIIissynIIcIcpOsiIiOnOnybyIIcncccssarynOminaIiOnOIIc
OIIcrpOssibiiIics.
BcyOndIIc dcscripIivccaIcgOrcsIIaI! Iavc uscd, IIcrcOrc,vc musI
indicaIc IIc sub)cc/ivc]orma/ions OcIIics, vIicIdOnOIcOincidcviII IIc
subccIscOnccpIs.
TIcsc OrmaIiOns cOnsIiIuIc discOurscs. TIcrcin ics IIcir dicrcncc
rOm IIc subccIs prOccsscs. An cIIics dcsignaIcs cxpciIy a gcncra
arIicuaIiOnOIIcsubjccI,vIicIcnIcrsinIOiIscOnsisIcncyanduncIiOns
accOrdingIOIIcrcgmc OIcaIcrmaIIOrajrcs-couj.
!IisnOIparIOIIcOrdcrOIIcimaginary ciIIcr, sincciIIraccsnOdiagO-
nabcIvccnIIcsIrandsOand. SIi,iIisOcOurscIrucIIaIdOgmaIism
andsccpIicsmin]cc/cIIcs asmucI asIIcy saIuraIcIIcsubccI.
Z1
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
An cIIics is IIc surnamc Oan cxisIing subccI-cccI.
TO urcyOu, ! givcyOu IvO OiIssurnamcs.
clic] is IIc discOursc O IIc cIIics O praisc: con]dcncc, IIaI O
!rOmcIIcans.
BuI IIc aar bccOmcs mOrc cOmpicaIcd vIcn any idOI can rcac
IIaI bcic mcans cOnhdcncc in IIc spacc, vIcrcas cOnhdcncc is bcic
inIIcOuIpacc.
BcIvccn !rOmcIIcus andpraisc, iI sccmsIIc dicrcncc is Ony IIaIO
IIc dirccIiOnOa vccIOr.
! iI is rOm IIc pOinI O cOnhdcncc IIaI Marxism IOucIcs upOn
cIIics, as ! . . . bccvc is IIc casc, IIcn iI sIOud nOI surprisc us IIaI
iI Iurns back inIO bcic. COnhdcncc is IIis prcpOIica arrangcmcnI,
IIis rcmaindcr O cacuabc acIiOn, viIIOuI vIicI Marxism Ias ncvcr
bcgun Orrcbcgun.
TO a mcans nOIIing, and iI avays Iappcns. TO ai is a caIcgOry O
pOiIics.!IisOnyIOgivcinIIaIbcOngsIOcIIics.CcrIainyIIOscvIOgivc
inargucOnIIcbasisOaurcs.BuIIIOscarcOnydiscOurscs.TIcIruIIs
IIaIvIaI cOnsIiIuIcs aiurcas causc isIIc acIOIavinggvcnin.
!n pOIcs, iIsIO cOnssIcncyIIaIIIcaurcincOrpOraIcsiIsc.
! aIcr 73 Onc viIncsscd IIc 'aiurc O IIc rcbciOus mass mOvc-
mcnI O May-unc ! 68, iI vas Ony rOm IIc pOinI Oa pOIca prOc-
cssIIc parIy IO cOmcascOnsisIcncyOIIccasssubccI-IIaI iIbccamc
pOssibcIOmcasurcIIccxIcnIIOvIicIIIcmassmOvcmcnI, rcquircdOr
anysubccIiviaIiOn, isa causc OnyinsOarasiI disappcars.
TOargucbascdOnIIisdisappcaranccinOrdcrIOscIIcdOvnOraicO
OrdcracIuaymcansIOabdicaIcIIcsubjccIiIsc. !arrOm bcng abcIO
cvOkcIIc'mOvcmcnIsaiurc asIIc causcOrIIisabdicaIiOn, vc musI
bcIOncsIandrigOrOuscnOugIIOadmiIIIaIOncIasaicdoncscl]IOIOd
sIcady in o and IIaI IIus unIingcd, IIc IOrsiOn-purcy by mcans O
isOaIng-nOOngcrIas a subccIivc vacncc and puIs yOu purcy and
simpybackinloyourjlacc.
!nmaIIcrs O MarxsIpOiIics and IIc subccI Ocass, IIcrc is Ony Onc
vayOgivng in,vIcIisbyOsingcOnhdcncc.
!rOm 76 Onvard, Our inIcccIuas Iavc OsI cOnhdcncc cn massc,
arguing insIcad-viIIOuI bcing IOIay vrOng abOuI IIis-IIaI IIcy Iad
ncvcrbccnmOrcIIanbccvcrs.OcsOncavaysIavcIObccvcnOrdcr
IO Iavc cOnhdcncc? As ar as ! am cOnccrncd, ! Iavc cOnhdcncc n IIc
pcOpc and in IIcvOrkingcass in dirccIprOpOrIiOnIOmy ack Obcic
inIIcm. !nsOaras!bccvcinIIcm,vIicIavaysinduccsIIc cxjcclalion
ZZ
1PlLb l LJHlLb
Oa sicabcpOpuarmOvcmcnI,mycOnhdcnccbcginsIOvaciaIc. ! ncv-
crIIccss dOnOI ccasc IObcicvcin IIcm, knOvingu vcIIaIIOvaci-
aIc dchncs IIc sIrucIurc O IIc subccI. TIis cavcs us iIs IisIOry, vIicI
cOrrcspOndsIO vIaI! Iavc cOnhdcnccin.
Z
L0V6 WMdI y0u Wl | | 06V6| 06l l 6V6 IW| C6
dUP0
BcicandcOnhdcncc-HOvYukOngmOvcdIIc mOunIains-!rOm
ycsIcrdayIOIOdayNiIiism andaIaism-TIc divisiOnOcOnhdcncc
AndycI, IIis isIIc cvc
!!bcicisvIaI cnabcs IIc pOssibiiIyO! savaIiOn, and cOnscqucnIy IIc
subjccIs pOIcnIia cIcrniIy in a spaccmcnI vIicI is hnay rca, cOnh-
dcncc is cOnccnIraIcd in IIc hdciIy IO cOuragc, cOnccivcd as IIc dicr-
cnIia O a rccOmpOsiIiOn vIicI is mOrc pOrOus IO IIc rca, css cxpOscd
IOIIc av.
AIIIcIvO cxIrcmiIicsOMarxism, yOuvi hnd IIc OOvingIIcscs
!Iis nOIIIccOnsciOusncssOmcnIIaIdcIcrmincsIIcirbcing,buI, On
IIc cOnIrary, IIcir sOcia bcing IIaI dcIcrmincs IIcir cOnsciOusncss
(Marx,!rcaccIOContributiontothCritiquo]PoliticalEconomy) .
Marxism impics maniOd principcs, buI, in IIc hna anaysis, IIcy can
abcrcduccdIOasingcscnIcncc. !IisrigIIIOrcvOIagainsIIIcrcacIiOn-
arics (MaO, ubiquiIOus quOIaIiOnduringIIc CuIura cvOuIiOn) .
l
TIc hrsI IIcsis may susIain yOu in IIc bcic IIaI cOmmunisI cOn-
sciOusncss vi ncccssariy cmcrgc sincc IIc succcssiOn rcguatcd by IIc
cOnIradicIOrybccOmingOa mOdcOprOducIiOn makcs iIsOIIaI,bcyOnd
capiIaism, IIcrc is Ony IIc assOciaIiOn O rcc vOrkcrs and IIc rcign O
Z9
JPlLb l LJHlLb
IIcprincipc IOcacIaccOrdingIOIIcirnccds. SIrippcdIOiIsbarcbOncs,
IIis ccrIainIy cnIais IIaI aI IIc cnd O IIc dcvcOpmcnI O prOducIivc
Orccsvc cncOunIcrIIcviIIcringavayOIIcSIaIc.AndsucIaccrIainIy
is a IIc mOrc acccpIabc vIcn Onc cOnsidcrs IIaI an cnIirc scicntihc
apparaIuscOncrsupOniIIIcdigniIyOa mOdcrnbcic!.
BuI IIc avs O agcbra arc imprcscripIibc, and iI is indccd a MarxisI
agcbra IIaI is aI vOrk inpOiIica ccOnOmy. !rOm IIc sIandpOinI O! IIc
subjccI, iiI cxisIs, IIc scicnIihc scrcniIyOccOnOmism ncccssariy issucs
inIOIIcOOvingkindOyricadccaraIiOns
OIOuraIIcrand YOuarcOurpOvcruancIOr.
!nOrdcrIOdccndyOurdigniIy,vc asI.
WIcnc arcgrippcdbyIungcr,
WcIIinkOyOu
And aOurpainvanisIcs.
OI!rcsidcnIMaO YOuarc IIcrcdsunIIaIigIIsup OurIcarIs.
!OOvingyOurIcacIings,vc hgIIa!rOnIabaIIcagainsIIIccncmy.
WIcnvc sucrIcrribcIOrIurc,
WcIIinkOyOu
AndOurbOdysIOps acIing
WIy?BccauscI OcOnhdcIIcbccOmingO jusIiccI Obcingmcansi nIurn
IIaIIIcusIis onman. OnyIIcsupcrcgOicIumbingO!Oncsc!canpuI
a sIOpIOIIcimmincnIccrIiIudcO!IIcObccIivc cndOIIc av.
TIc bcic in prOducIivc !aIaism and IIc cuI OpcrsOnaiIy arc IvO
sidcs O! IIc samc IisIOrica cIIics. SIain givcs us iIs usiOna vcrsiOn.
hvc-ycar pans andIIc !iIIc !aIIcr O IIc pcOpc makc IIc samc hxcd
pOinI O bcic and Organizc IIc Onc and Ony pancIary praisc. TIc
CuIura RcvOuIiOn is IIis cIIics in iIs disOincd sIaIc. !n IIc namc O!
MaO, OncIIundcrsagainsI!iu SIaOqis IIcOryOprOducIivcOrccs . YcI,
nOIIing css IIan IIc absOuIcncss O a IIOugII vas nccdcd in Ordcr IO
igIIIIcabsOuIcncssOprOducIivc capiIas. BcicagainsIbcic. !Ivas
cvcn rcquircdIO scckOuIIIc advcrsary On Iis Ovn Icrrain, by sIOving
IOva cOmpcIc submissiOn IO MaOs IIOugII muIipicd IIc prOducIiOn
O IOmaIOs, as in a maIcriaisI rcncva O IIc miracuOus caIcI O hsI,
Or madc iI pOssibc IO buid a Icn IIOusand IOn !rcigIIcr, barcIandcd,
in a sIipyard Iardy cquippcd Or IIc asscmbing O simpc bOaIs. Scc
Or insIancc Slctd Philosojhical Essays by Workrs, Farmrs andSoldirs
(Bciing, ! 72) .
Zb
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
AbOvc aII, dOnOIbcIicvc IIcrc is anyIinIOirOnyinvIaI! amsaying.
CaugII in IIc rcaI mOvcmcnI vIcrcby IIc cOmmunisI rccOmpOsiIiOn
uriOusIygrOpcsiIsvay, IIcscIcxIscarryadiaIccIicaIandmOraIgrandcur
againsIvIicItIccOnIcnImcnIOOurmiscricscannOIraiscanyObccIiOn.
Ic acI is IIat subccIivizaIiOn OIIOvs IIc dicIaIcs O IIc discOursc O
bcIicin OrdcrIO sIaIIcrIIc ObsIacIc.
Ic rcIaIiOn IO IIc ObsIacIc is IIc criIcriOn O dcIimiIaIiOn bcIvccn
cOnhdcncc and bcIic, !rOmcIIcan cIIics and IIc cIIics O praisc. 'HOv
YukOng MOvcd IIc MOuntains, a abIc MaO OIcn madc usc O, Ocuscs
prcciscIy On IIis dcIimiIaIiOn. By aIIcmpIing IO mOvc IIc mOuntain
viII a pickaxc, OId YukOng Iurns iI inIO IIc prcIcxI Or an impOssibIc
cOnhdcncc. Hc cOuragcOusIy subccIivizcs in discOursc sOmcpOinI OIIc
rcaI-cOnccivcd as impOssibiIiIy viII rcspccI IO IIc ruIc-and Iakcs iI
upOn IimscI IO dividc IIis ruIc, IIaI is, IO a//ack IIc rca, aI IIc pricc O
cOunIIcssibcs. !IIc gOOdgcnicIIcnmOvcsIIc mOunIain-IIc rcIayO
bcIic, nOv subOrdinaIcd IO cOnhdcncc-Onc sIOuId nOI aI aII scc in iI
IIc muIIinaIiOnaI visdOmvIcrcby Hcavcn IcIpsIIOsc vIO IcIp IIcm-
scIvcs, buIIIc cOnvicIiOnIIaIIaving cOnhdcnccinOncscI, inIIcmOdc
O IIc dcsIrucIivc scissiOn O IOcaI cOnsIrainIs, gcncraIizcs IIc prOccss O
IIc subccI.Ic gcnicisvIaIcvcryOncviIIdO, IIOusandsOmcnarmcd
viII pickaxcs, as IOng as, againsI IIcir rcsignaIiOn, yOu Iavc bccn IIc
!rOmcIIcusOa parIicuIardcsIrucIiOn.
TIcrcisnOIIingIcrcIIaIisrcdOIcnIOaIOgicO cxampIcs. TIcimpOr-
IanI IIing is IO IOucI upOn IIc rcaI. NO Onc viII imiIaIc yOu. YOu viII
simpIy Iavc dcsIrOycd IIc bcIicin IIc ObsIacIc, yOu viII Iavc dispIaccd
IIc pIaccOIIc impOssibIc.
TIccsscncc OcOnIidcnccIicsinIaving cOnhdcnccincOnhdcncc.Iis
isvIyiIisrigIIIOrcvOII.!nOIIcrvOrds,IIcrcisnOuscIcsscOuragc.Ic
idca O uscIcss cOuragc, Iikc iIs anxiOus rcvcrsc, IIc !rancOisIs \iva la
mucr/c, is nOtIingbuIIIc rcacIiOnaryparOdyOcIIics.
BcIic dcnics IIc ObsIacIc prcciscIybccausc iI bcIicvcsin iI. ! IIcgOOd
gcnicdOcsnOIrcmOvcIIcmOunIain,iIisbccauscIIcrcisarcasOnOrIIc
mOunIainIO bcvIcrciI is. CIcarIy, ! cancircIc arOundiI IOIIcsOundO
IrumpcIs.rumpcIOrpickaxc, IIaI is IIc vIOIc qucsIiOn. BcIicadOrns
IIcObsIacIcviIIiIsaIIcgOricdiscOursc. COnhdcncc, siIuaIcdatIIc samc
pOinI, digs dccpcr viIIOuI vaiIing, and pays aIIcnIiOn IO IIc holcs O
vIicI IIc ruIc prcscribcs IIc inOccupaIiOn viIIOuI cOnIrOIIing aII IIcir
ncigIbOurIOOds.
IOscvIOgavcupOnrcvOIuIiOn,vIcIIcrIIcyIaIkabOuItIcGuIagOr
dZ0
1PlLb l LJHlLb
IIc rcIrcaIOIIc masscs, sIOvIIaI, i IIcy vcrc parI O IIc mOvcmcnI,
O 68 and iIs cOnscqucnccs, IIcy ncvcr scriOusIy parIOOk in IIc subccI
vIOsc cvancsccnI causc IIcy bcIcId in IIOsc Occurrcnccs. Icsc pcOpIc
bcIOng IO IIc sIrucIurc. Icy Iivcd undcr tIc rcgimc O scI-idcnIiIy, aII
IIc vayIO aIIaining IIc mOsI cOmpIcIc disidcntihcaIiOn. Icy OnIybcn-
chIcdrOmanOrnamcnIaIbcIic.NOvIIcyIcIIusIIaIIIcyIadIakcn'IIc
masscsasamasIcr-signihcr.IaIiscOrrccI.BuIIIcysIOuIdacknOvIcdgc
IIaIIIccvcnIdidnOIcaIIOrIIis.OIcIIIIcIruII, IIcrcvasnOIIingbuI
a minOr crack in IIc impcriaIisI spIacc, OvIicI tIc mOvcmcnI, vIicI
aIvayscOmcsIOa cIOsc, vas IIc aIgcbraic causc. IOsc vIO, Iikcvc did,
sav in IIc hrsI pIacc a Iack (IIc subccIivc and pOIiIicaI prccariOusncss,
tIcabscnccOaparIy) andnOIauIIncss (rcvOII,IIcmasscsinIIcstrccIs,
tIc IibcraIiOn O spcccI) Iad sOmcIIing OnvIicI IO nOurisI IIcir cOn-
hdcncc, vIiIc IIc OIIcrs IadnOIIingIcIbuIIIc pOssibiIiIy ObcIraying
IIcirbcIic.
2
IOsc cIIics IIaI Iic bcIvccn cOnhdcnccandbcIic-nciIIcr!rOmcIIcus
nOrIIc sagc-Iavc sOmcIIingin cOmmOn. IIcyaIIcIaimIIaI nO paII is
cvcrOpcncdIOhIIIIcgapbcIvccnsubccIivc cvaIuaIiOnandIIcnOrmO
IIcvOrId.IcscarccIIics OIIcimpassc. TIcy cxisIncccssariIy, sincciI
is IrucIIaIcvcryruIcis anim-passcOIIcrcaI.
TIc dicrcnccbcIvccnIIcmIics in IIc acI IIaIrcsignaIiOn Iakcs IIc
issuc in Icrms O IIc vIOIc-IIc kingdOm O ncccssiIy-vIiIc discOrd-
ancc,bcingrcIIcxivc, mainIainscvaIuaIiOnIOIIcpOinIOriskingdcaII
IIcnOcIurnaIkingdOmOrccdOm.
TIc discOursc OrcsignaIiOnis]a/alism. TIc discOursc O discOrdancc is
nihilism.
YOusIOuIdarrangcIIcOurdiscOurscsOctIics, cncIOscdinIIcsubjcc-
IivccrOssing,asinIIcdiagrambcIOv.
LcIuscxpIainIIcarrOvs.
!aIaIismpIcadsrOmIIcpOinIOIIcsupcrcgO (Iav nOnIav) inOrdcr
tO IOId IIaI IIc OppOsiIiOn bcIvccn gOOd and cviI is incsscnIiaI viII
rcgard IO ncccssiIy. Likc aII discOurscs OIransiIiOn, iI is unsIabIc. !n IIc
midsI O a grcaI sIOrm, inIIcxibiIiIy migII Icad IIc aIaIisI, vIO cOnhdcs
incvcryIIingraIIcrIIan inIimscI, IO sidc viII IIc subccI O cOuragc.
uring a pcriOd O gIamOur and Ordcr, Ic IcansIOvards bcIic, sincc Ic
dZ
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
:ub )cclivc]roccss
bclicI
conIidcncc
sub)clivizulion
Ias nO hrm mOOring OrIIcimpasscandmaccraIiOn.TIis Iimc bcOngsIO
IIc bcauIics OIIcsupcrcgOand, sccn rOm aarandviII IIccycsOIIc
aIaisI, iIvagucy rcscmbcsusIicc. !Iis nOIrigII IO dcspair OIIcaIaisI
discOursc. !I is ncccssary IO hgII againsI iI, IargcIing iIs vcak pOinI. IIc
OsciIaIiOnbcIvccnbcicandcOnhdcncc.
!n IIcacIOrics,IIcaIaisIicdiscOurscisvcryvcIimpanIcd. WOrkcrs
viI bc vOrkcrs, Wc vi aIvays bc uckcd Ovcr, Hcrc nObOdy vanIs
IO dO anyIIing, and sO On. ccaIism is IIc spOnIancOus pIiIOsOpIy
O prOIcIarians. AIIOugI IIc cOarscncss and sIupidiIy O IIis discOursc
arc discOuraging, Or IIOsc vIO arc cnIigIIcncd by IIc IIcOry O IIc
subccIiI is ncvcrIIccss a divisibcandprccariOus IisIOrica prOducIiOn.
An Organizcd micrO-cOnhdcncc (a cOmmunisI vOrkcrs grOup) Ocay
disrupIs iIs ruc.
TIc qucsIiOn IIaI vc musI bc abc IO anIicipaIc cOnccrns raIIcr IIc
suddcnIcmpIaIiOnObcic.!IiscssimpOrIanIIOmisIrusIIIcgOOmydis
cOurscOrcsignaIiOnIIaniIsimmOdcraIcuIurcOpraisc.TIcparIy, IIaI
vIicI is cacd IIc parIy, cannOI rcsI cOnIcnI viII IIc acI iIis bcicvcd
in.WcdOnOIprOmiscanyIIing,IcnccIIccisnOrcasOnIOOIOvus.Wc
dcmand andOrganizcIIcparIiIiOningOa cOnhdcncc.TIc aIaisIisIIus
anacccpIabcandriskyinIcrOcuIOr.
As OrniIiism, iIknOvsIvO mOdcs Ocmcrgcncc.
AsahgurcOcrisisandcriIicadissOuIiOn,iIispassivciiIdOcsnOIIing
buI arrangc inIO a discOursc IIc ca O anxicIy IO IIc supcrcgO. Wc aI
knOvIIcscinIrOvcrIcdandravagcdsIanccsIIaIimmcdiaIcygivcinand
Zb
JPlLb l L1HlLb
yicdIIcvayIO IIc ascinaIiOn OIcrrOr.TIcIransiIivcacIiOnOpassivc
niIiism rcsuIIs rOm IIc acI IIaI iI is aIvays a dccaIcd bcic, a bcIic
IIaI Ias cOmc undOnc. Aas, IIc IraccIOryvIicI, bcginningviII bcic,
cads IO aIaism by vay O passivc niIiism Ias bccn IIc IraccIOry O a
cOnsidcrabcparIOmygcncraIiOn.TIc hna maximOIIis prOccss isWc
arcrigIIIObcsaIishcdviIIiIIIc -OrinsIancc,viIIranOisMiIIcrrand.
TIis mcans IIaI, iniIiay, IIc '!IisrigIIIOrcvOIvas upIcd cxcusivcy
IIrOugIIIchcIiOn Oapraisc.TIcpassivcniIiisIismOrcaicnIOusIIan
IIcaIaisI, sincc Ic IasaIaismahcado]him.
COnvcrscy, acIivcniIiismis,aIIIcmOsIObscurcpOinIOiIs argumcn-
IaIiOn, pOaricd by aninappicabIccOnhdcncc. OncviIsayIIaIIIisisa
crisisOcOnhdcncc IIaIprcccdcsiIsObccI, vIicIIccrisisObcicviIIin
passivc niIiIism OOvsiI.
TOday, IIc yOung arc gadIy niIiisI. BuI passivc niIiisIs can cnisI
IIcmOnIybymcansOaIcmpOrarymisundcrsIanding. !nvain, IIcyvisI
IO cOnvcy IO IIc yOung IIc idca IIaI IIc csscncc OdiscOrdancc cOnsisIs
inIIc dccaI ObcIics, IIc crisis OidcOOgics, IIc crasI O Marxism. !Or
vigOrOusacIivc niIiismisin scarcI OaOrmOcOnhdcnccand, ivcarc
nOmOrcabIcIOcOnvcyOncIOiIdirccIIyIIanIIcpassivcniIiisIs,vccan
vaiIviII . . . cOnhdcncc.
AcIivc niIiism vaOrizcs Ony iIscI. TIis is avays bcIIcr IIan IO cnd
up IOcraIing IIc vOrd. TIc passivcniIiIisI is arcady a rcaisI, packing
Iis bags Or IIc pOsIs and paccs OsOcia aIc. TIc acIivc niIiisI inIcriIs
nOIIing. Hcncvcrbclicvcd, andIIcrcinIicsaIIIis sIrcngII. ncss IcOins
rcigiOus sccIs, IIrOugIvIicI Ic viI Icap IO IIc mOsI rancid prOducIs
ObcIic Ic isa IravccrviIIOuIIuggagc, vIOsc OnyuIurcis cOuragc,
andiIis IOvard IIis cOuragc IIaIIis anxicIyguidcs IimbyIIc surcncss
OIIcrca.
TIc acIivc niIiisI is parIicuarIy OdiOus and parIicuIary prOmising.
Evcry day, Ic squandcrs IIc cxisIcnIia capaciIy O vIicI Ic Oudy
dccarcs IimscI IIc bcarcr. Taking IO Iim Ias IOO many cOnscqucnccs
Or Iim IO asscnI IO iI casiy. Hc is indicrcnI IO IIc rccOmpOsiIiOn O
IIc vOrId, as IOng as iI Ias nOI bccn scizcd by a cOIccIivcrcckOning Or
IOucIcdbyIIcrcsIricIcdacIiOnOIIc avanI-gardc.
TIcpaindrOmcIIaIscrvcsasaIiIcinGuycbOrdssiIuaIiOnisIhIm
a cincmaIicbaancc-sIccIOIIcacIicvcmcnIsOIvcnIyycars ( 55-75)
O acIivc niIiism- spcaks abOuI IIc acIivc niIiIisI. 'Inirum imus noclc
clconsumimurini, WIiring vc vak aI nigII and vc arc cOnsumcdby
hrc
ZV
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
WcpIacc a OurIOpcs inIIcacIIIaIIIishrcmaycOnsumc IIcvOrd,
Iaving Oncc again bccOmc rOmcIIcus hrc IIrOugI IIc mcdiaIiOn
OcrcdbypOIiIica cOnhdcncc.
Arc vc nOI in a cOndiIiOn-and Icrc ics IIc pacc O IIc sIrucIurc O
IIc subccI-IO say viII SamucBcckcII. '!n any casc vc Iavc Our bcing
inusIicc, ! IavcncvcrIcardanyIIingIOIIc cOnIrary?
3
LcIussiIuaIccOnhdcncc viIIinIIc cIIicaI dcbaIc.!IscOricnIcdIOvards
bcIic, iI Opcns a vay OuI Or acIivc niIiIism, vIiIc aIaism is iIs IaIing
pOinI.
COnhdcncc Organizcs IIc cnIirc cIIica hcd. Likc IIc OIIcr IIrcc dis-
cOurscs, iIprcscribcssOmcuncIiOnsIOiIs pOIcs.
MaOdividcscOnhdcncc, Ic dividcsIIccIIicsOMarxisIpOiIics.
Wc musIIavc cOnhdcnccin IIc masscs andvc musIIavc cOnhdcncc
inIIc arIy.TIcscarcIvOcardinaIprincipcs.!vcdOubIIIcscprinci-
pcs, vcsIaaccOmpIisInOIIing.
TIc 'cardinacIaracIcrOIIcscIvOprincipcs isbOundIOIIcir cIIica
signihcaIiOn. WiIIOuIIIcm, MarxisIpOIiIicsIasnOIcvcnbcgun. Wc can
dO prcciscIy nOIIing, sinccIIc subccI OIIc vcrb dOing rcmains incOn
sisIcnI. COnhdcncc is IIaI rOm vIicI cIass pOiIics dravs iIs causc (as
rcmaindcr) andiIscOnsisIcncy (asdiscOurscOIIcsubccI ) .
COnhdcncci s IvOOd. WIaI dOcs 'cOnhdcncci nIIc masscs mcan? !I
mcansIIaIIIcvanisIingOIIc masscscauscsIIc Causc OcOmmunism:
IIaI IIc pOiIicaI subccI vcavcs iIsc rOm buI aIsO rOm IIaI IIc
imaginary supcrcgOicdiagOnamaybc sIOrI-circuiIcd.
COnhdcnccin IIcmasscscOmcsdOvn IOIIcacIIIaIiIispOssibc, and
Icncc rcquircd, IO discOnnccI cOuragc, in IasIcs, rOm IIc imaginary
diagOnaIIIaIappcasIO IIcsupcrcgO,bygaining a OOIIOdinIIcanIici-
paIiOnO usIicc. SucI an anIicipaIcdcccIuaIiOn cOnhdcs IIc Iask OIIc
subccIIOIIcacIivcmasscs-IIc rcacuIviIIinIisIOrys ruc.
COnvcrscy, cOnhdcncc in IIc parIy cOmcs dOvn IO parIicuIarizing
IIc supcrcgO-cccI ( spccia discipIinc, inIcrna rucs, sacrihccs . . . ) . !I
mcans rccOgnizing IIaI rccOmpOsiIiOn is nOI IIc advcnI Oan absOIuIc
spacc. !I mcans cnding O IIc anxicIy induccd by usIicc, and IO dO
sO IIrOugI IIc prccisiOn O IIc subccIivc prOccss, IIc rccOmpOsing
dd
JPlLb l LJHlLb
cxacIiIudcOIIcdicIaIOrsIipOIIcprOcIariaI. !Imcans sccingIIaIIIc
subccI is asO vOvcn rOm . COnhdcncc in IIc parIy susIains usIicc
viII rcgard IO anxicIy IIrOugI IIc dcimiIaIiOn OIIc supcrcgO. !nIIis
vay, iI discOnnccIs IIc imaginary diagOna IIaI rccrs usIicc dirccIy IO
anxicIy.
AnIicipaIiOn (OusIicc) anddcimiIaIiOn (OIIcsupcrcgO)cOmpOscIIc
divisibIcmOvcmcnIOIIc discOurscOcOnhdcncc.
TIcanIicipaIOrysidc-IIaIOIIc masscs-vccOmcsacIivcniIilism. !I
isaIvaysuIOpian-dcmOcraIic, a gcsIurcOabandOnmcnI, and iIs IisIOri-
caI vuIncrabiiIycasiyuscsiI IOIIaIaspccIOniIiismvIicI carrics IIc
biIIcrsOvcrcignIyOIIc sub ccI.A cOnhdcncc IIaIissOakcd inIIisbiIIcr-
ncssOrIOOlOngisadrunkcncOnhdcncc.BysIOrI-circuiIingbcic, iIrisks
turninginIOpassivcniIiism.
TIc dcimiIing sidc-IIaI O IIc parIy-is OricnIcd IOvards bcIic. !I
is gady miIiIary and absOuIisI, cxaIIing and gOriying iIs cadcrs. !I is
IIc bcarcrO IIc ainIcnancc and IcnaciIy O IIc pOiIica subccI. TIc
impOrIancc O iIs uncIiOn-bcing IIc guardian O IIc disIancc rOm IIc
vanisIing OIIc masscs, an cccI Okccping On IIc cdgc viIIin iIs Ovn
avsIOud nOI makc Onc OrgcI IIaI, vIcn cOnhdcncc is cOscd O
rOm acIivc niIiIism, iI muIaIcs and Ossihcs. An undividcd cOnhdcncc
in IIc parIy Ony givcs birII IO a mcdiOcrc bcic. ! IisIOry, in iIs IarsI
passcs, dcmands O us sOmc cxccss O idOaIry, sOmc subsIanIia IOvc O
OurapparaIus-abOdyacnprcyIOIIcOurcOnccpIsOIIcsubccIvc
sIOud nOncIIcIcss rcmain alcrI and rcIurn rOm iI by vay O IIc IOnic
rcqucnIaIiOnOniIiismandIIcsOurIasIcOuprising.
LOvcvIaIyOuvi ncvcrbcicvcIvicc
A cOnhdcnccisabandOnmcnIanddiscipinc.TIis isvIaI scIsiI OuIin
IIccircuiI IIaI gOcs rOmniIiismIObcIic.TIcOurII hgurc avays pays
IIc dummy. !aIaIismis IIcdummyOrIIccircuiIsOcOnhdcncc.
COnhdcncc dispcs IIc paradOxcs O parIisansIip, sincc iI is OnIy rOm
cOmmunism, asan immancnIrcsOurccOIIccxccssrcgisIcrcdinIIcIis
IOric cuI OpOpuIar sIOrms, IIaIsIcm--cOnhdcncc in
IIc parIy and IIc acccpIanccOiIs IarsI rulc.
WcIavccOnhdcncc in dicIaIOrsIip inprOpOrIiOn IO Our cOncrcIc cOn-
hdcncc, vIicI can bc mcasurcd in sIcp viII pOiIics, in IIc cxisIcncc
amOng IIc pcOpc O IIis subccI IIrOugI IIc cccI O vIicI IIc SIaIc
sIaIbc OrcclOscd
EacI and cvcry day, in IIc Ordcrcd abOur tIaI vagcrs On iIs ccc
IuaIiOn, varding OIIcOinI cIimcras OdOgmaIismand sccpIicism, IIc
dd1
1HLY l JHL bUbdLL1
iscOurscOcOnicnccvIispcrsIOus.'YcIIIis isIIc cvc.!cI usaI acccpI
ncv sIrcngII, an rca Icncrncss. An aI avn, armc viII gIOving
paIicncc, vc vi cnIcrIIc ciIIcsOgOry.
!IIcspcnOurOciIicsisOIcnnOIIingbuIIIccccIOaninispcnsa-
bc anrcamybcic, iIisnOncIIccsssuIIcicnIOr usavaysIObcabc
IO say, in cOnhcnccasin IruII: 'TIIsis IIc cvc.
Z
1|d0S| d0|S L00006S d00 K66|60C6S
1|d0S|d0|S J0|00uC|00
|...a.a....SuinlPuul. 7hc FounJulion o] Lnivcrsulism, :....a.,a.......
( s:..|.:as:..|.:a......:,r.....zee:, . ze
z r.:.. n.|.w..a. uJiou. A Sub)c.l lo 7rulh (m.....,.... u......:, .|
m......:.r.....zee:, . :e
: ..a.|..:|..|..,.:..,|.:,.....||,.|..:.|.,:...a..:.a:.7hcoricJu
su)cl..:|....|.||...:..a..:....:.a.a....,|.|...,|,.:w.....,a.....
.......,..:...|...:..a..:|..:|..:a.,:|..aa.:..|x.:..|.m..|.|.
..:....w...:w.,..:..w.:|a.a.....:|..........|:|.|..s....,...|
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:|.,..:.:|.:a.a...,..,......t,.a..,.-:...,..:.i........a.:.a
o,:..|... s....-... La ]oliliquc Jcs ]oclcs. Pourquoi Jcs ]oclcs cn lcm]s Jc
Jclrcssc (r.....o..m..|.|i --z, . z ie: s.....:.s:...:|..,........
..w..,.|.a..a:......:.a..t.....t.o..:|..HciJcjjcranJlhcPolilics
o]Poclj, :....:.iir..:(u.o...u......:,.ii||.....r.....zee:,........
:|......|.:...i.:..a..:....:.:|.a|.c....,..i|..,|:..ss...r..
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,.....|..a.:.,.....,..:...|......o.|-:|.|.. ,..,..dAnlijonc,
Lacanavcclcs]hiloso]hcs (r....|o..m..|.i -- i , .i -:e...aMcla]hrasc,
suiviJc Lclhclrc Jc HlJcrlin (r....rur. i --s, o...:|..,..:....i..
a.a....in.|a..|.....:....i......|( Lmkchr..o.....rcloumcmcnl
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c.:|..... c|-..:. .|.ow|..a:|.x.,|:..,.|.n.,.|..an.|a..|...
Synco]c. 7hc Philoso]hy o] Ra]lurc, :.... s.||,oo.....|| ..a o...a..m
m.|..., ( m.....,.|.. u......:, .i m......:. r..... i --+,. ez:z
..ar...,....o..:...HJlJcrlin.Lcrcloumcmcnlnalal(t.v.......r....
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: i a.a....7horicJusu)cl, z-e/zse
:z biJ. , ez/++.|...:....i..i....:..|.:,.w|..|a.a....a.,:...Pcul-on
]cnscrla]oliliquc?....a..:..s,|...:|......im..s........:..,.|.:.
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r..| s..a...... .. t. r.a.. .-i-....... Lc Pcrroqucl +z , i -s+, i e
m..s.............a.a...w.|..,........|,..Pculon]cnscrla]oliliquc?,
o......:|...,.:..i..i....:..|.:,|..o....s|...:.a
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..:.... :|.. ..,..: .i |..:...... ..a ,.|.:...| ,....a.:.:... .. a.a....
w..ss...i.....:.....m..s..rs,.:...:.a.Prclom.ournal]ormajcsanJ
Polilicss,zeee, i +e-
:+ a.a....ibiJ., i -s/ i sz
: biJ.
:e a.a....cinj anJEvcnl, i (:....|.:....a.r.a, |..s:..::.w|..|:|..
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.ii....:.a.a.a.....a:|.r.|.:...|s.o,..:.7hcPraxiso] AlainaJiou, .a
r....|:... : a..:|.::..a:..:..c|....(m.o.......,.....zeee, .
:e-~:s
:: a.a....7horicJusu)cl, i+/ i z:
:s a.a.... 7horic Jusu)cl, | -s/ i sz i.Pcul-on ]cnscr l a]oliliquc?, a.a...
V
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w.|....|..|,.|a.i|m..s......a.|....||..:|....|.......:..:|.
.:..:.a( -e, . ..a|.:..w...:..a.7hcCommuni:lMani]c:lo ( ee,
:- ..|...|...m.||....:...a.| ..:...:....Cahicr:]ourl'analy:c-( i -es,
-:-i e-. m.:..s.:....o....|o c.||.... lacanian ink i z ( i --:, ++- i .
s.:... , r|...:..| :|. t.,...|:|. s.,..r.., :....:..|..|...s...
Scrccn i s+( i -::s, z. :+ i.r....|.m.||......|,:.s:.|..|.....|
|..:.a..a.......a..|nJcbulJanlavic ,r....o.||...a.zeez,
+e a.a....Pcul-on]cn:crla]oliliquc?, i +.|.ucrmt.a.a....m....:..,...
:.:....::|.:...|7hcoricJu:u)cl, a.aa..:.:w..,..:..:.:.a...:.:|.
,.|.:...|.....,.|....||.a........,.:.....a.:.:....,.|,..,.
:.|..s..Marxi:mclcnini:mcclrcvi:ionni:mc]acclacri:ccconomiquc ,r....
m..,....i -:e, ..a7ran:]ormalion:Juca]ilali:mc ,r....m..,....i -:e,
+i a.a....Lojic:o]worlJ:, : i
+z s..r:.....a.|.|...|.a....c....,:..|n..:.....|m.:....|...RcaJinj
Ca]ilal, :....a..a..w.:.. , t..a..xta. i -:e, . i --:es...am..|.|
r.....|:.7hcHi:loio]Scxualiq, :....s.|..:n..|.,,x.w\..sr..:|...
a..s.. i -:ss-, . ..a7hcHcrmcnculic: o]lhc Sub)ccl. Lcclurc: allhc Collcjc
Jc Francc, I8I-I 82, .ar.-a-...o....:....|, o..|.a...|.|| ,x.w
\..sr.|,...m...||...zee-, ...|.|.|:|...........,...a..:....
:.....:|..a.|.:....|.|...a..r.:..n..a..7hcSub)cclMcJicval/MoJcm
, s:..|..a s:..|..a u......:, r..... zee+, .|. w..s.| :|. .,..:...
,|.|...,|..t..s.:.:.|....w|.a...|..r...a.m..s..w|.:a.a...
a...|..t.....|:|...........,...:.,...:|..,:|.....a..:.|...,
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:.a.a....|..s..s...:r..|..a:.|.....a..,.|c|...:....:,..7hco
o]lhcSub)ccl. t..s.:.:.|....LaCo:ayla Cruz.Cri:liani:moyca]ilali:mo(En
lorno a la: c..|.......Jc :an Aju:ln) , a.........t...a.. i --:, r..:.
.|:|..w..s|..|...:....|.:.a..:.r.,..|..Polyjra]h.Annlcrnalional
1ournalo]CullurccPolilic: i -/ze(zees, ::-:
+: a.a....Lojir:o]worlJ:, +,:.....a.r.a,
++ a.a.... Lojic: o] worlJ:, se .|..:. ....... a........ :|. ...:....:,
|.:w...7hcoi o]lhcSub)ccl ..aLojic: o] worlJ: ..:....|:|....,|.s
..|,..:...,......,,...a:.:|...:|........|.:|....|,..:.|ra.|.:,
:|.:...|.|...a..cinjanJFvcnl, ...|.a...,......a:|.r.|...:....
.|.o:|..s.|,..:..|r.|.:....7hcPraxi:o] AlainaJiou, ::-~ee
+- Lojic:o]worlJ:, :-i
+e biJ., ::-,:.....a.r.a,
+: biJ., s:,:.....a..a: ....:...:|..:.|...:.a.:.....| :|....,...|,
+s a.a.... r|.|...,|,..a:|. a..:|.|.........n]nilc 7houjhl.
9
7rulhanJlhcRclumo]Philo:o]hy, :......a.a o|...r.|:|...a..:..
c|....,t..a..c..:.....zee:, . i ze:
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||dC
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Dclc]abulanarralur ,r:...:.|.:.|a|..,.....|.,.s.....,.. ,-.|..
....|m..s...,|.....:...|.......|..:|...........a....,....
.|,......,|.......a..,..|.:..,....s.
z s...|...s.,|...,..:.c.:..Di:cour::urlcn:cmblcJu]o:ilivi:mc,r....
t m.:|....i s+s, . i ze r..c.:.....|,..|.:.........,..:......,|.
|...,|....a...|,|.|...,|......,.:..:..,..|.:.....w.:|,..|.:..
.......,..,.|...|.....|...,...:..|........,,...a:.:|.,.|.:...|
..a........|.....|:|.:....m..s
: ..|......:.r......m.::.....a..|..:...:.:|.r....a...,..r........
m., i -si . ..a:|.....|:..,..|.|..:...... |.....|:|......|r....|
........
+ ..|....,......a.s...|..:.|,..|.|.:.aw..s.
- .|... o...|. Lcllrinc: ,r.... ..- c..:.. i -e:, . i : s-+e a.a... .... .
.|..:.. |..:.:...|..:|. ... |..,..: .. |.. ...|...... .|. r....
c....r.|.:...|o..|...:.....r.|.:.......|.a.a..Polcmic:, :....
s:..c......., t..a..x.w\..sv.....zeee, . zsi -z
|d| .10 |ldC 0 bu0jCI|
o. s.,:.|.. i +. i -e:. m.. .. ..,..:.a :. |.. .:.:.a w.:|.. :|.
w..s..,.|....:|.......|.....|..|.|..:....:.u.a..:|.,..|.:.....a..
:.:...|.,.:|.w..s..,.|...|...|..|.:.|,........:..,|.:..:.:w.|..:.|.
|..:....|..,...:.:....,o....:...s.,..a..,c.|:...|s..|.:....SclcclcJ
work:, .|-, ..|.||...|....:|::, //www..s..:...,
z i.r....|.:|.....:......|.......|..:,.....,,..|w.:|.....,
a.,...||.|...|..,|...:,7oulaquic:l:c ra]]orlc c aJan uncJi:lancc Jc
a qui licnl au licu ou a c:l. . .|:....:..:....|.:...w..|a|.r..,.:
:|.:....|.:..:..:...a..:....:..::|.:.:..|..:|.,|...w|....:..
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:....|.:....|r...a.iJ , o....c:,....:|.|....a..:.woc:war,:oll
chwcrJcn) .
3 .|.....:.....|.:|...:..:,|...a...:....:..:...|...:|........:.:.a
..:|.,........:.r.r....|7oulrcquic:lJunlicu rcvicnl:urla]arlJc
luimmcquicn c:lJclcrmincc]ourJc]laccrla ]lacc, Jclcrmincrla Jclcrminalion.
]ranchir la limilc. Elrc Jun licu ...|a .|..|.:....|.:.a.. ..::|....:...|
:.....:.|....,:..,|......,....||,......|.w|....a.w.a.a...
|...||w.|..:..a...|..:|.a..::..:|..,,...:...|.:w...|.|..,..,
..a...|......|....w.a|....::|...,
+ i.r....|7oulccquic:lJunloullui]ailob:laclccnlanlquil: yinclul.a...a..
91
1HLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
Ihc opposiIion bcIwccn bcIonging and incIusion, I havc IransIaIcd trc Jun
toutas'bcIongingIoa whoIc. AnoIhcrtransIationIoruntoutcouIdbc'aIoIaI-
iIy, and thcrcIIcxivcs yinrlutcouIdaIsobcrcndcrcdas 'incIudcsiIscIIin it.
5 Thc Frcnch cxprcssion ]cu Jc rculitc (' scanI rcaIiIy) is oIIcn invokcd by
Badiou in ways simiIar Io Lacans usagc. As Brucc Fink annotaIcs in hs
TransIaIorsEndnotcsIoLacansFrrits, iIwasAndrcBrcIonwhointroduccd
thc cxprcssion in his I 24 'IntroducIion au iscours sur lc pcu dc rcaIiIc,
PointJu)our (Paris. GaIIimard, ! 70) .
6 In Frcnch. ]uuttcnirhorslicu. Othcr IransIaIions couId bc 'Wc musI stay
outoIpIaccor'IIis ncccssary Io hoId oIIpIacc.
Spinoza,Ethics, cd. and Irans. G. H. R. Parkinson ( OxIord. OxIordUvcrsiIy
Prcss, 2000) , PartI, Prop. ! 0, SchoI.
8 In Frcnch,]ussccn]orcc is a stricI homonym Ior]ussuns]orcc, 'noIwiIhout
Iocc. Pusscrcn]orcc rcIcrstoIhc vioIcnImovcmcnIoI'pushingIhrough a
Iawora dccision, oI 'opcning apassagcor 'imposing oncs waybyIorcc. Cc
qui]ussccn]orcc couId Ihus bc transIaIcd as 'whaIpushcsIhrough by Iorcc
buI Ihis wouId havc mcanI Iosing ouI on Ihc wordpIay bcIwccn im]ussc
and ]ussc IhaI Badiou is dcvcIoping hcrc as parIoI his aIIcmpI Io go a stcp
bcyondLacan.
LcninsphrascinactuaIIacIsIaIcsIhat'poIiIicsisaconccnIraIcdcxprcssionoI
Ihccconomy,asBadiou corrccIIyquoIcsbcIow.ThcsuggcsIionoIcxprcssiv-
ism,nodoubI, makcsthisIcsspaIaIabIcIoIhcAIIhusscrianinBadiou, insoIar
asAIIhusscrinhiscanonicaIworkadamanIIyopposcsaIIsuchcxprcssivcIinks
bcIwccn Ihc diIIcrcnt insIanccs oI a sociaI IoIaIiIyandIhistoIaIityitscII. Scc
VIadimir . Lcnin, 'Oncc Again on Ihc Tradc Unions, Ihc CurrcnI SiIuaIion,
andIhcMisIakcsoITroIskyandBukharin, CollcctcJworks (Moscow.Progrcss
PubIishcrs, ! 65) , voI. 32, 70-! 07. 'Isaidagainin myspccchthaIpoIiIicsisa
conccnIratcdcxprcssionoIcconomics,bccauscIhadcarIicrhcardmypoIiti-
caIapproachrcbukcdinamanncrwhichisinconsistcnIandinadmissibIcIor
a MarxisI.PoIiIicsmusIIakcprcccdcnccovcrcconomics.Toarguc oIhcrwisc
istoIorgcIIhcABC oI Marxism. AmIwronginmypoIiIicaI appraisaI?IIyou
Ihinkso, sayiI andprovc iI. BuI you IorgcI Ihc ABC oIMarxism whcn you
say (orimpIy) IhatIhcpoIiIicaIapproachis cquivaIcnIIoIhccconomic,and
IhaIyou canIakc thconcand Ihcothcr
!0 LacaninIroduccdIhiscxprcssioninhis ! 7 !-2ScminarXIX. . . . ou]irc. Scc
Autrcscrrits (Paris.
]
iIionsduScui200I ) , 547-52. LiIcraIIy,Ihccxprcssion
mcans'hcrcsoncorhcrcssomconc.BruccFink, inhis IransIaIionoI
Lacans ScminarXX.EncorcIrom Ihc IoIIowing ycar proposcs 'Thcrcs such
a Ihingas Onc (S XX, ! 28) .
I HcgcIs 1ctijkcit, IransIaIcd as 'acI in Engish, is rcndcrcd as lc]uirc in Ihc
FrcnchIransIaIionuscdbyBadiou.ForIhisrcason,IhavckcpIboIhcxprcs
sions,'acIand'making,inIransIaIingBadiousparaphrascoIHcgcI.Fuircis
d9Z
LNN1Lb N LlLLNLLb
ancnormouslyIIcxibIc vcrb in Frcnch, and, as IwiIIindicatcIora numbcr
oIinstanccsbcIow, IhisisaII Ihc morcIrucin 1hcoio] thcSub)cct.
! 2 For Fausts iIIcrcnI rcadings oI Ihc Iinc Irom Ihc GospcI according U
John, 'In Ihc bcginning was thc Word, aII Ihc way Io Ihc concIusion 'In
Ihcbcginningwasthcccd,scc GocIhc, Fuust.Purt0nc, trans. avid Lukc
( OxIord. OxIordUnivcrsiIyPrcss, ! 8), vcrscs ! 224-! 237. In Gcrman, m
An]unj wur Jcr 1utcchocsIhcIincsIromHcgcIsScicncco]IojicabouI1utand
1ctijkcitusI quoIcdby Badiou.
! 3 In Frcnch, Ihc cxprcssion ]ussc cn]orcc, commcnIcd upon abovc, is hcrc
appIicd Iosu]lucc, IhcpIaccoIthcsubccI.AIIcrnaIivcIransIaIionsmightbc
'pushcsIhrough(pasI)iIspIacc, 'passcsiIspIaccasIorccorcvcn'makcsiIs
pIaccpassintoIorcc .
! 4 SccJoscph SIaIin, 'FoundaIionsoILcnnism ( ! 24) Lcninism, trans. Edcn
6 CcdarPauI (London.GcorgcAIcn6Unwin, ! 28) , ! 73.
! 5 InIhisparagraphandthcprcviousonc, Badiou ispIayingn)ustcssc, 'right-
ncss or'corrccIncss, and)usticc, 'usIicc. In EngIish, 'righI or 'usI idcas
transIatcsJcs iJccs)ustcs.
! 6 In Frcnch, ]uit ]urti IitcraIIy mcans 'makcs (up) a parIy or 'makcs Ior a
parIy, 'consIiIuIcsaparIy, buIaIso 'pIays orpcrIorms Ihc rocoIparIy.
!7 In Frcnch, u]ussc)c picks up on Ihc scnIcncc commcnIcd upon abovc
(noIc 2) , wiIh u again having boIh a common mcaning, as in any 'it or
'somcthing whaIsocvcr, and IcchnicaI mcaning as thc cquivaIcnI oI Ihc
Frcudian id. Fuirc, too, is noIoriousIy IIcxibIc and invoIvcs boIh an acIivc
'makingor'doing (asinthcacIordccdIromGocIhcsFuust) andanintran-
sitivc'bccomingor'cominginIobcing (asinFrcudsdictumwocswur,soll
lhwcrJcn, 'WhcrciI was I shaII comcintobcing ) .
! 8 Thc Icrm transIaIcd as 'protcsIingi s rcvcnJicutivcsi nFrcnch. This rccrs Io
Ihc Iradc unionisI gurc oIpoIitics, bascdon 'dcmands, 'cIaims or 'vindi-
caIionsasproIcsIaIionsagainstinusIicc andcxpIoiIaIion, usuaIIyaimcdat
Ihc SIaIc. ForBadiou, Ihc IcrmIorIhisrcasonismosIIypcoraIivc.
I InIhisscntcnccandIhcprcviousonc,Ihcvcrbuscdin Frcnchisonccagain
]uirc, 'making, 'pracIising, 'Iorming, 'consIiIuIingandsoon.lubourjcoisic
]uitJc lu]olitiquc and lu bourjcoisic]uitsu)ct.
20 'WhcrcIhcrcisopprcssion, IhcrcisrcsisIanccisaphrasccommonIyaIIrib
uIcdIoMaocdong. LauraBaIIadurandSimonKrysI in IhcircarcIuIIrans-
IaIionoIBadious'ThcParIyandIhc FIux, annoIaIcthis phrascasIoIIows.
'For aII iIs IuIurc rcsonancc, Ihc origin oI Ihc phrasc is cIusivc. somc
ChincscsourccssuggcsIitssourcc maynoIbc inMaoswritingsaI aII. Mao
uscdIhcphrascin hisinIcrvicwwiIhEdgarSnow ( ! /, I 65 ) . iIconIinucd
Io rccurduringIhcCuIturaIRcvoIuIionandwasIorccdoIaIIpIaccs-inIo
Ihc JoinICommuniqucIrom RhardNixons ! 72visiI toChina
2 ! Pructisc Murxist ]olitics IransIatcs Ihc Frcnch ]uirc Jc lu ]olitiquc murxistc.
d9d
JHLY l 1HL bUbdLLJ
OIhcr possibIc IransIaIions incIudc 'makc or do' or put inIo pracIicc
MarxisI poIiIics. Thc cmphasis oI]airc is on Ihc acIivc, miIitanI, organizcd
naIurcoIMarxismquapoIitics.
|d| .10B bu0jBC u00B| 0B b| 0| | B|S 0 0B LkCB|00
InFrcnch,laJc:lrurlionJuncqualilcJc ]orrccanbc rcadasboIhanobccIivc
andasubccIivcgcniIivc, thaIis, as'IhcdcstructionoIorbya ccrIainquaIity
oIIorcc.
2 AnoIhcr haII-coIIoquia haII-gnomicscnIcncc. Durccl, c]orrcJclclorJrc, il:
nou: Jonncnllc)u:, in which Iorcc by 'Iorsion cxtracIs aII Ihc uicc Irom
Ihc rcaI.
3 Thc scntcncc pIays on]luicJc:a:lrc:, 'rain oIIaIIing sIars, andJc:a:lrc, dis-
astcr.
4 MaIIarmc, IgiIur, 0uvrc:rom]llc: (Paris. GaIIimard, ! 5 ! ) , 44I .
5 In Frcnch, lc]a::cur:ur]larc:Jcla]orrc cvokcs Ihc hgurc oIIhc]a::curor
'passcrwiIhinIhcLacanianproccdurc oIla]a::c.ForBadiou, Ihccmphasis
isonIhcacIoIpassingancIcmcnIoIIorcconIoasysIcmoIpIaccsinsucha
wayIhaI this cIcmcnI noIonIy rcmains inthcsamcspoIbuIaIso makcsIhc
originaIIorcc disappcar.
6 Hcrc, in a nuIshcII, wc arc givcn a Iogic oI Ihc mark, which wiII bc morc
IamiIiar Io rcadcrs oI crrida. Dc-marquc, dc-marcaIcd, can aIso mcan
'markcddownordiscounIcd, aswiIhmcrchandisc on saIc.
7 Thc scnIcncc is sIrucIurcdaround thc pun on Ihc homonymous]oinlrccl,
rcaIpoinI or poinI oI Ihc rcaI, and ]oinl rccllc, 'noIaI aIIrcaI.
8 InFrcnch, Ihc scnIcncc pIays onIhc inIcrnaI rhymc bctwccn]onllhi:loirc,
'makchisIory, and :onllhi:loirc, archisIory.
InFrcnch, Ihisonc-Iincrbrings IogcIhcr Ihcword pIay on]onl/:onland Ji:
]aralrc/]ourlrc.Ellc:]onlrcqu'cllc::onl, mai:cnJi:]arai::anl]our/rc.
! 0 Badiou is aIIuding Io MaIIarmcs sonncIs VicIoricuscmcnt Iui Ic suicidc
bcau (Thc ncsuicidcIIcdvictoriousIyCP6) andouIOrguciIIumc-I-iI
dusoir ( ocscvcryPridcin Ihc cvcning smokc CP73) .
! Thccxprcssion produccsmovcmcnI IransIatcsthcFrcnch]ailmouvcmcnl.
! 2 In Frcnch, cn ]cr:onnc can aIso mcan in no onc or in nobody, which is
consisIcnI wiIh MaIIarmcs idca ( mcntioncd bcIow) oI Iogic as impcrsoni-
cdrcason.
! 3 Thc rcadcrmaywish Io Iurn Io MaIIarmcs pocm in Frcnch, quoIcd Irom
his0uvrc:rom]llc:.
99
AIa nuc accabIantcIu
Basscdc basaIIcctdc Iavcs
AmcmcIcscchos cscIavcs
ParuncIrompcsansvcrtu
QucI scpuIcraInauIragc (u
Lcsais, ccumc, maisybavcs)
SuprcmcuncntrcIcscpavcs
AboIiIIcmI dcvcIu
OuccIaqucIuribond IauIc
cqucIqucpcrdiIionhauIc
TouIIabmcvaincpIoyc
ansIcsibancchcvcuquiIranc
AvarcmcnI aura noyc
Lc IanccnIantd'uncsircnc
LNU N1Lb NU LLLNLLb
To avoidimprccision in thc IransIation, a goodstraIcgy is Io comparc and
combinc Ihc avaiIabIc EngIish rcndcrings. Thus, in whaI IoIIows, I scIcc-
tivcIy rcIy on IransIaIionsandparaphrascs oIMaIIarmcs poctryIromboIh
OxIord UnivcrsiIy Prcss and Ihc UnivcrsiIy oI CaIiIornia Prcss. Onc crror
common Io boIh cdiIions is thc IaiIurc Io undcrsIand c mmc as mcaning
'IushwiIhorrighIupIo, rcIcrring Io Ihc proximiIyoIIhcba::cJcba:allc
clJclavc:Iolc:crho:c:rlavc:.
! 4 Thc cxprcssion Ihc Iack oIbcing in Ihis casc is a IransIaIion oIlc Jc]aulJc
l lrc, IoIIowing Ihc modcIoIlcmanqucclrc. Dc]aulcan aIsomcan dcIcct,
'shortcoming, IaiIing or 'IauII.
! 5 Thc cxprcssion Io puI aI IauII hcrc transIatcs mcllrc cn Jc]aul. Anothcr
IransIaIion couId bc 'Io causc to dcIauII, hich in Ihc prcscnI conIcxI
wouIdmcan Io rcvcaI Ihc pIacc whcrc socicty is shown Io bcwanIing or
Iacking.
! 6 MaIarmc,SclcrlcJIcllcr:o]Slc]hancMallarmc, cd.andIrans.RoscmaryLIoyd
( Chicago.ThcUnivcrsiIyoI ChicagoPrcss, ! 88), 77.
!7 In addiIion Io mcaning, :cn: couId aIso bc transIatcd as scnsc or 'dircc-
Iion, which wouId bc consistcnI wiIh thc Icap provokcd by Ihc pocIic
opcrationoIannuImcnIinMaIIarmcs casc.
! 8 ApIayon rou]Jc]orrc androu]Jcla]orrc.
! MaIIarmc, 0uvrc:rom]llc:, 428.
20 AnoIhcrtransIationIor]aillhcoricJu:u)cl wouIdbc 'makcsa Ihcory outoI
Ihcsubcct.
2 ! BadiouhcrciscnIcrIainingIhc optionoIaddinganoIhcrtcrcct (cnIircIyoI
hisowninvcnIion) IoMaIIacspocm.
Mortc IcxccsquiIutsonchanI
Sinon quannuIcdc sa hainc
Lc mt dccumc nauIragcanI
22 OnIhc noIionoIIhcparIyas'advanccddcIachmcntoIIhcworkingpcopIc
(acIuaIIy a quotc Irom Lcnin), scc Joscph StaIin, Conccrning QucsIions
9b
1HLY l JHL bUbdLL1
oI Lcninism (January 25, ! 26) work (Moscow. Forcign anguagcs
PubIishingHousc, ! 54), vol. 8, ! 3-6.
23 OnIhcparIyas 'IcadcrshipnucIcusandas'powcrIuInucIcusIorIhcwhoIc
pcopIc, scc among oIhcr pIaccs Mao cdong, 'PrcIiminary ConcIusions oI
Ihc Land InvcsIigaIion Campaign (August 2, I 33) SclcclcJ work:, vol.
6 and 'Thc RoIc oI Ihc Chincsc CommunisI ParIy in Ihc NaIionaI War
( OcIobcr ! 38) SclcclcJ work:, vol. 2. AII quoIaIions avaiIabIc onIinc aI
hIIp. //www.marxisIs.org.
24 On Ihc noIion oI 'opcn widc, scc Mao cdong, 'Spccch aI Ihc Chincsc
CommunisI ParIys NaIionaI ConIcrcncc on Propaganda Work (March I 2,
! 57) SclcclcJ work:, vol. 5. ThisnoIionis aIso discusscdaIsomc IcngIh in
Ihc CircuIarIrom May ! 6, ! 66IhaI hcraIdsIhc bcginning oI Ihc CuIturaI
RcvoIuIionin China.
25 ArcIcrcnccIoIhcsong'ThcInIcrnaIionaIc.' CcsIIaIuIIcnaIc/Groupons
nous, cI dcmain/ LInIcrnaIionaIc/ ScraIcgcnrchumain ( 'Thisis Ihc hnaI
sIruggIc/LcIusgaIhcrIogcIhcr,andIomorrow/hc!nIcrnaIionaIc/iIIbc
Ihc humanracc ) .
2 6 Mao, 'TaIkOnQucsIionsOI PhiIosophy ( ! 64) SclcclcJ work:, vol. .
27 MaIIarmc, 0uvrc: complclc:, 433. EngIish IransIaIion by Mary Ann Caws
avaiIabIc onIinc aI hIIp. //www.sIudiocIco.comIibraric/maIIarmc/prosc.
hIm.
28 MaIIarmc, 0uvrc:complclc:, 44! .
2 Hcrc Badiou, in a nasIounding iI noI scandaIous IcaI, quoIcs a scrics oI
consccuIivc Iincs IromADicc1hrow, aII Ihc whiIc crasing Ihc IypographicaI
diIIcrcnccs and simiIariIicsbcIwccnIhcmin IcrmsoIIonIIypc andsizc. !n
Frcnch, Ihis 'IaI rcndiIionrcadsasIoIIows. 'RicndcIamcmorabIccrisc o
sc II IcvcncmcnI accompIi cn vu dc IouI rcsuIIaI nuI humain naura cu
Iicu (unc cIcvaIionordinairc vcrsc Iabscncc) qucIc Iicu inIcricurcIapoIis
qucIconquc commc pour dispcrscr acIc vidc abrupIcmcnI qui sinon pa;
son mcnsongc cI Iondc Ia pcrdiIion, dans ccs paragcs, du vaguc cn qu
IouIcrcaIiIcscdissouI ( 1horicJu:u)cl, ! ! 2, cI. 0uvrc:complclc:, 474-5) .
3 0 RcIcrcnccs, rcspccIivcIy, Io 'AnoIhcr Fan (BcIonging Io MIc MaIIarmc)
,
and 'Hcrodias ( Sccnc) .
3 ! ThisisIromIhcsonncI'TouIOrguciIIumc-IiIdusoir ('ocscvcryPridcin
Ihc cvcning smokc ) .
32 ThcscIhrccIcrmsarcIakcnIromIhcconsccuIivcsonncIs'ocscvcryPridc
. . ., ' Surgi dc Ia croupc cI dubond . . . ( 'Ariscn Irom Ihc rump . . . ' ) , and
'Unc dcnIcIIc aboIiI . . . ('A Iaccvanishcs . . . ) .
3 3 I n Frcnch, Ihc scnIcncc i s somcwhaI ambiguous. C'c:l manicrc Jc ]orcc
quc Jc)oucrpour]nir avcc la]a:cinanlc cl impcr:oncllc :cJuclion Jc: :ijni]anl:
:cparablc:.
34 In Frcnch, con:cicncc mcans boIh 'conscicncc and 'consciousncss. Badiou
90
LNUNJLb NU LlLLNLLb
is cxpIoiIing Ihis doubIc mcaning, as Ihc subscqucnI aIIusion Io cIass-
consciousncssmakcsabundanIIycIcar.
35 !nFrcnch,MaIIarmcssonncIrcadsasIoIIows.
ScspursongIcsIrcs hauIdcdianIIcuronyx
L Angoissc, cc minuiI, souIicnI, Iampadophorc,
MainIrcvc vcspcraIbrIcparIcPhcnix
QucncrccuciIIcpasdccincraircamphorc
Sur Icscrcdcnccs, au saIonvidc.nuI pIyx,
AboIiIbibcIoIdinaniIcsonorc,
(CarIcMaIrccsI aIIcpuiscrdcspIcursau SIyx
Avcccc scuI obcI donIIcNcanIshonorc) .
MaispochcI a croiscca unordvacanIc, unor
AgoniscscIonpcuIcIrc Icdccor
csIicorncsruanIduIcu conIrcunc nixc,
IIIc, dcIunIcnuccn Icmiroir,cncor
Quc, dansIoubIiIcrmcparIccadrc, sc xc
cscinIiIaIionssiIIIcscpIuor.
ForIhcEngIishvcrsion,l havcuscdWcinhcimsIransIaIionIromIhcUnivcrsiIy
oICaIiIorniaPrcss, aIIIhcwhiIcrcpIacing 'Anguish wiIh 'AnxicIy.
36 SccMaIIarmc, 0uvrc:complclc:, !40.
37 SccSclcclcJIcllcr:o]SlcphancMallarmc, 87.
38 AnoIhcr IransIaIion Ior ccqui]ail ici :u)cl Jc lanjoi::c couId bc 'whaIcvcr
IurnsanxicIyhcrcinIo a subccI.
|d| . ldCK d00 S|uC|00
Scc HcgcIs Iamous Iinc in 7hc Phcnomcnolojy o]Spiril. imc is Ihc NoIion
iIscII IhaI i: lhcrc and which prcscnIs iIscII Io consciousncss as cmpIy
inIuiIion (Ph487) . Badiou misquoIcs Ihc originaI Gcrman, asiIHcgcI had
wriIIcn 'Jiccili:lJcrcjri]Ja', whcrcas Ihc acIuaI Iinc Irom Ihc originaI
rcads.'Diccili:lJcrJa:cicnJccjri] :clb:l' . AIcxandrcKocvcaIsocommcnIs
on Ihis passagc in 'A NoIcon EIcrniIy, Timc, andIhc ConccpI, nlroJuclion
lo lhc RcaJinjo]cjcl, cd. AIIan BIoom, Irans. Jamcs H. NichoIs Jr. ( Ncw
York. Basic Books, ! 6) , !0 . FinaIIy, Badiou inIroduccs a pun on lu,
'Ihcrc, which IransIaIcsIhcGcrmanJa, andlclaJuJiapa:on, Ihc 'Ia oIIhc
IuningIork.!havcIricdIorcIainsomcIhingoIIhispunbyusingIhccxprcs-
sion 'IhaIscIsIhc Ionc.
2 hcFrcnch hcrcuscs:cclivc, 'spIiIs, andclivajc, 'spIiIIing AnoIhcr IransIa-
Iion couId bc 'cIcavcs oII and 'cIcavagc or cvcn 'scission. Badiou cIcarIy
has in mind Ihc MaoisIconnoIaIionsoI Ihc Iogic oIspIiIIingor scission, as
9
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
inIhcsIogan'Onc dividcsinIoIwo,suggcsIcdbyIhcLacanianquanJun]ail
Jcux.
3 Thc Frcnch hcrcis quiIc convoIuIcd. la lhcoricanalliquclicnlccllccquivoquc
Jan:l in:lruclionJuJc:ir Jou : a]]rchcnJclc:u)cl. which couIdaIsobc Irans-
IaIcdas'IhcIhcory oIpsychoanaIysishoIdsIhiscquivocaIionIo bc insIruc-
Iivc abouIIhc wayIhcsubccIcanbc apprchcndcd on IhcbasisoIdcsirc .
4 Thc rcadcr shouId kccp i n mind IhaI Ihis simpIihcaIion oIIhcworId aIso
rcIcrsIo MaIIarmcs dchniIion oI Ihc acI, aIIudcd Io abovc. 'Thc onc avaiI-
abIcacI,IorcvcrandaIonc, isIoundcrsIandIhcrcIaIions,inIhcmcanIimc,
Icwormany accordingIosomcinIcriorsIaIcIhaIoncwishcsIo cxIcnd, in
ordcrIo simpIiIy Ihc worId ( ' MusicandLcIIcrs, ! 87) .
5 An aIIusionIo MaIIarmcs 'Prosc (IordcsEsscinIcs)
,
.
6 Lcnin, Malcriali:m anJ Em]irio-Crilici:m, in voI. !4 oI his CollcclcJ work:,
Irans. Abraham Fincbcrg. 'FrankIyandbIunIIydid Bishop BcrkcIcyarguc
In ourIimcIhcscvcrysamc IhoughIs on Ihc cconomicaI cIiminaIion oI
maIIcr Irom phiIosophy arc cnvcIopcd in a muchmorcarIIuIIorm, and
conIuscdbyIhcuscoIa ncwIcrminoIogy, soIhaIIhcscIhoughIsmaybc
Iakcnbynavc pcopIcIor rcccnIphiIosophy ( 28) .
7 A rcIcrcncc Io Xavicr (broIhcr oIJoscph) dcMaisIrcs \oajc aulourJcma
chambrc ( ! 70),IransIaIcdasA!oumcarounJmRoom, Iorcword AIain dc
BoIIon, Irans. AndrcwBrown (London. HcspcrusPrcss, 2004).
8 'HaII-saying hcrc IransIaIcs Lacans mi-Jirc, IhaI is, Ihc noIion IhaI IruIh
can onIy bc 'haII-said or 'haIIspokcn, whcrcby mi-Jil is an obvious,
MaIIarmcan-sounding homonym Ior miJi, 'noon or 'midday. In his
unpubIishcdscminaron LacansanIiphiIosophy, Badiou discusscsaIIcngIh
Ihc diIIcrcnccsand simiIariIics bcIwccn Lacans 'haII-said' and MaIIarmcs
'midday, comparcd Io NicIzschcs 'noon as Ihc Iimc oI Ihc 'shorIcsI
shadow.
Thc Frcnch hcrc, miJi(l), combincs inIo a singIc word Ihc oIhcrwisc
homonymousmi-Jil( 'haII-said ) andmiJi('noondayor'midday ) .
! 0 BadioumaybcIhinkingoI LouisAIIhusscrsdiscussionoI IhcunivcrsaIand
Ihc spccihc, in ForMarx, Irans. Bcn BrcwsIcr ( London-Ncw York. crso,
2005) , ! 83.
! ! 'iscrcpancy hcrc IransIaIcs Jccalajc, a Icrm cspcciaIIy dcar Io Badious
Iormcr Icachcr AIIhusscr ( noIabIy in his carIy rcading oI Jcan-Jacqucs
Rousscau) which can aIso mcan 'inIcrva Iag, or 'gap. Scc AIIhusscr
'Rousscau. Thc SociaI ConIracI (Thc iscrcpancics), Polilic: anJ Hi:loj,
Irans. Bcn BrcwsIcr (London. Ncw LcIIBooks, ! 72) , ! ! 3-60.
!2 ThcFrcnchuncmi:ccnbiai: ( 'sIanIing' ) couIdaIsobcIransIaIcdas'apuIIing
askcw', 'asidcwaysgIancc, ora 'lookingawry, asin Ihc cponymousbook
by SIavo ick. 'TwisIcdhcrcIransIaIcslorJu, asin IhaIwhichundcrwcnI
a Iorsion, noI sIraighI.
9b
LNUN1Lb NU LLLNLLb
! 3 BcIorc quoIing Lacan, Badiou uscs Ihc IoIIowing cxprcssions. llrcucJlc
('bcing-Io-Ihc-sidc ), llrc]ara (' para-bcing ) , Ju]ar-lrc ('par-appcaring ) .
Brucc Finks cxpIanaIion i s uscIuI i n Ihis conIcxI. 'Thc ncoIogism Lacan
crcaIcs hcrc, ]arlrc, is pronounccd cxacIIy Iikc ]aralrc, which mcans
'Io appcar or 'appcaring'. Two scnIcnccs IurIhcr on, Lacan inIcnds boIh
mcaningswhcnhcsaysIhaI'bcingprcscnIsiIscII aIwaysprcscnIsiIscII,by
]arlrc', i. c. , by appcaring and bcing bcsidc (or aongsidc) (S XX, 44-5 n.
! ) .
I 4 I nFrcnch, ]aravcnl ( 'smokcscrccn or 'scrccn' ) adds a IurIhcr pun Io Ihc
LacanianncoIogismsbascdon]ar-lrc.
I 5 In Frcnch. 'Nou:nc:ommc: ricn, ]ar:oon: lc 7oul, which isa cIcaraIIusion
IoanoIhcrIamousIincIrom'ThcInIcrnaIionaIc. 'Nou:nc:ommc:ricn.:oon:
loul. Thc cIIccI oI inIroducing Lacan's ncologism oI ]arlrc inIo Ihis Iinc
consisIsin sIanIing Ihc vicw awayIrom Ihc dogmaIicIoIaIiIyIowardwhaI
IicsbcsidcoraIongsidcIhc whoIc.
! 6 Thc Frcnch :ccau ('scaI') could aIso bc IranslaIcd as 'mark, 'sIamp or
'sIamping . ln Ihc discussion oI MaIIarmc abovc, I uscd 'scaI Io IransIaIc
]ra]]cand'sIampings Iorlimbrajc:.
! 7 SccLcnin,'OnccAgainon IhcTradcUnions,IhcCurrcnISiIuaIion,andIhc
MisIakcsoITroIskyand Bukharin, CollcclcJ work:, voI. 32, 70-! 07.
!8 ForLacan, Ihc bcsI IhaIIhis bicn-Jirc or 'wcII-saying canamounI Io is a
miJirc, 'haII-saying or'haIIsIaIing.
! Scc Lcnin, 'Marxism and InsurrccIion, CollcclcJ work:, voI. 26, 22-7. 'OI
coursc, IhisisaII ywayoIcxampIc, onIy Io iIIusIraIc IhcIacI IhaIaI Ihc
prcscnImomcnIiIisimpossibIcIorcmainloyaIIoMarxism, IorcmainIoyaI
IoIhcrcvoIuIion unIcss insurrccIion is IrcaIcdasanarI.
20 Thc suggcsIion is IhaILacan, Ihc Lcnin oI psychoanaIysis, can aIso bc iIs
Mao,insoIarasLacanIandLacan!IwouIdbcIikcakingsuccccdinghimscII.
AIso impIicd is Ihc noIion IhaI Jacqucs-AIain MiIIcr, Ihough a MaoisI
around ! 68, is nolIhcMaooIpsychoanaIysis.
2 ! ThcFrcnchhcrc, rcIcrringIoLacan'sJroilurculcnir:urlalor:ion (' hissIcady
uprighIncss abouI Iorsion ) , conIinucs Ihc scrics oI puns on sIraighIncss,
righIncss, sIcadincss, and Iorsion.
22 In Frcnch, Ihc word IransIaIcd as 'pracIicc in EngIish is noI ]raliquc buI
cx]cricncc, usI as in Ihc prcvious scnIcncc Marxism is dchncd as lc]ro]o:
cx]crimcnlc Jc :oulcnir l'aJvcnuc :ub)cclivc Junc ]oliliquc. Ex]cricncc and
cx]crimcnlc, in IhisconIcxI,shouId noI bc rcad wiIh Ihc cxisIcnIiaI paIhos
oIcxpcricncc buIin Ihc scnscoIaIormaIandpracIicaI cxpcrimcnI, simiIar
Io whaIhappcnsin invcnIivcscicncc orin arIisIicinnovaIion.
23 An aIIusio wiIhinvcrIcd gcndcr, Io Dclruirc, Jil-cllc, Ihc IiIIc oIa Iamous
novcIandhImbyMargucriIc uras ( 6) , osIcnsiblyinspircdbyMay 68.
BcyondIhisrcIcrcncc,Ihccxprcssion, cvcninIhcmascuIincIormDclruirc,
9V
JHLY JHL bUbdLLJ
Jilil as uscd by Badiou, has Iakcn on a IiIc oI iIs own and is IrcqucnIIy
invokcd in IiIcraryandarIisIiccircIcs.
24 An aIIusion Io Fricdrich NicIzschcs wcII-known rcmark, in a lcIIcr Io
Brandcs Irom cccmbcr ! 888. I prcparc an cvcnI IhaI, in alI Iikclihood,
wilIbrcakhisIoryinIwo,Io IhcpoinIwhcrcancwcaIcndarwiIIbcnccdcd,
and in which ! 888 wiIl bc Ihc Ycar I . In rc ccIing Ihis vicw, 7hcoric Ju
:u)cl cIcarlyanIicipaIcs Badious conclusion, in a conIcrcncc Irom ! 2on
NicIzschc, abouI Ihc anIiphiIosophicaI naIurc oIIhis brcak quu archipo-
liIicaI acI oI grand poIiIics. Scc Badiou, Cu::crcn Jcux lhi:loirc JumonJc?
(Paris. Lcs ConIcrcnccs du PcrroqucI, ! 2) .
25 ThcFrcnch, :ccuu, wasprcviousIyIransIaIcda s scaI buthcrca s sIamp so
asIo rcIaincchocsoIIhc pun on Ihc homonymous:uul, ump.
26 Jacqucs-AIain MilIcr, MaIrix, trans. anicI G. CoI ins, lucuniun ink 2
( ! 7) . 48- (Irans. modihcd) .
27 Thc Frcnch hcrc, Dc lu qu il]uil:u)cl, could aIso bcIransIaIcd asWhcncc
iIs qualiIy as subccI, FromIhisiI IoIIowsIhaI iImakcs (Ior) a subccI, or
his cxplains why iI consIiIuIcs a subccI.Thc usc oIan indchniIc arIiclc
in EngIish, howcvcr, mighI wrongly suggcsI Ihat Ihcrc arc scvcraI-r aI
lcasIIwosubccIs (Ihc proIcIariaI and Ihc bourgcoisic), whcrcas Badiou
is corrccIinghimscIIprcciscIyonIhispoinIsoas IoaIhrm,as hc didinIhc
prcvious scssionoI his scminar. Thcrc is onIyoncpoIIicaI subccI, Iorany
givcn hisIoricizaIion.
28 !n Frcnch, Ihc cxplcIivc ncIhaI usualIyaccompanics ncgaIion is abscnI. lc
:u)cl ubouliluricn (whichl havcrcndcrcdasIhc subccIlcads Io noIhing ) ,
as opposcd Io lc :u)cl nuboulil u ricn (which couId bc IransIaIcd as Ihc
subccIdocsnoIcadIo anyIhing ) .
2 !n Frcnch, :c]uil and: c]]cl, wiIh Ihc IaIIcr bcing a ncoIogism on Badious
parI, arc homonymous. Thc whoIc scnIcncc, Ihough, is quiIc obscurc. lu
]oliliquc ]rolluricnnc . . . c:l cc qucllc :c]uil (: c]]cl) nc ]u: lrc (: 'c]]cl quiu
nom 'communi:mc'). Thc basic undcrIying idca is IhaI Ihc prolcIariaI, Iikc
Ihc unconscious, brings inIo bcing somc cIcmcnI oI nonbcing. Or, raIhcr,
Ihrough Ihc unconscious and Ihc proIcIariaI, Ihc onIoIogicaI opposiIion oI
bcingandnonbcingiIsclIis subvcrIcd.
30 Thc Frcnch, lubollc in cc:llubollc, rcIcrsIo a spcciaI coup, Ior cxampIc in
Icncing, orasccrcIwcapon,unrccognizcdbyIhcadvcrsary.Porlcruncbollcu
quclquun Ihus can mcanIoaIIackorinIcrpcIIaIc somconc in anunIorcsccn
way.
3 ! Thc Frcnch cxprcssion, : uJo::cu u(hcrc IransIaIcd a s lcans upagainsI)
bcauIiIulIy convcys an imagc oI IruIh wiIh iIs Jo: (back) up againsI Ihc
rcaI.
32 In Frcnch, unc ]luic ( a sorc) hcrc aIso mcans a pain (in Ihc ncck) or
nuisancc.
b
LNUNJLb NU LLLNLLb
33 Badiou, i npcrsonaI convcrsaIions wiIh Ihc IransIaIor, suggcsIs IhaI 'mc:
lorlillon:couIdrcIcrIoIhc IwisIcd cIucubraIionsinIacansbrain, buI Ihavc
Ihc imprcssion IhaI Lacan is raIhcr rcIcrring Io his sIudcnIs and disciplcs
and lhcirmcnIaI clucubraions. My IranslaIion Iics Io kccp Ihc ambiguiIy
aIivc.
34 Jams up hcrc IransIaIcs Ihc Frcnch coincc, a noIion Badiou wiII discuss
bclow in Ihc conIcxI oI Lacans IopoIogics. OIhcr IransIaIions couId bc
wcdgcs orIraps.
35 BIocks hcrcIransIaIcsIhc Frcnch]uilcoinccmcnl.
36 Thc Frcnchhcrc, chunjcrl 'hommcJun:ccqu'iluJc]lu:]ro]onJ, corrcsponds
Io Ihc hrsIscntcnccoIIhcIamousSixIccnPoinIsdccision, adopIcdbyIhc
CcnIraI CommiIIcc oI Ihc Chincsc CommunisI ParIy on AugusI 8, ! 66,
markingIhcbcginningoIIhcChincscCulIuraIRcvoluIion. !nEnglish, Ihc
IuII Iinc rcads as IoIlows. Thc grcaI ProIcIarian CuItural RcvoIuIion now
unIoIding is a grcaI rcvoluIion IhaI Iouchcs pcopIc Io Ihcir vcry souIs,
in 7hc Chinc:c CullurulRcvolulion.SclcclcJ Documcnl:, cd. and wiIh noIcs by
K. H. Fan (NcwYork-London. MonIhIyRcvicwPrcss, ! 68) , ! 62. SccaIso
Badious commcnIs in Thc CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion. Thc LasI RcvoIuIion?,
rans. BrunoBosIccIs,]o:ilion:.cu:lu:iucullurc:criliquc ! 3 ( 2005) . 48-0.
37 In Frcnch, Ihis wholc scnIcncc is a biI convoIuIcd. 7cnon: lu]ri:c, ]lu lJl,
Junbi]ucc:ub)ccli Jonl lurlicululion nou: JonncruJc lu]cinc, ]oury)oinlcrlu
Jc:lruclionconJunlc cl lc bonhcurJy munqucr. Thc rcIcrcncc Io lc bonhcur
JymunqucrcounIcrsLacans mcnIion oIIhchappincss Io bc aIivc, quoIcd
abovc.
38 !n Frcnch, morjuc can mcanboIh morguc or mortuary and arrogancc,
smugncss, supcrciIiousncss. ! havc IricdIo kccp hinIs oIboIh mcanings
byusing dcadIy arroganccasa IranslaIion.
3 lnFrcnch,uu-JcluoucnJcu ( bcyondorshyoI) isaIsouscdbyLacan, SXX,
44.
40 Thc Frcnch hcrc, mi:c cn Jc]uilluncc, is IransIaIcd as Ihc acIivc IaiIurc.
AnoIhcrpossiblcrcndcringwouldbcIhcpuIIinginIoIaiIurc.
4! !n Frcnch, Jroil:. This cxIcnds Ihc pun, uscd carlicr, onrighI idcas and
IwisIcd paIhs Io IruIh. Hcrc, in addiIion, Ihc opposiIion is bcIwccn
sIraighI and conIorIcd .
42 Lapscs back hcrc IransIaIcs rclombc, which prcviousIy, in ParI scrvcd
as Ihc Frcnch IransIaIion oI HcgcIs Ruck]ull, rcIapsc, in Ihc diaIccIicaI
proccss.
43 In Ihc noIaIion oIIhc maIhcmcs oI anxicIy, Ihc supcrcgo, couragc, and
usIicc, lhavcuscdIocusIorlicu,whcrcascIscwhcrc pacc scrvcstoIrans-
IaIcboIhlicuand]lucc.ThcmaIhcmcsarconcoIIhcIcwinsIanccsin7horic
Ju:u)clwhcrcIhcscIwo Frcnch Icrms arc kcpIscparaIc.
44 ThisisanaIIusionIo aIamoussayingwhichIhcoldMaoIrcqucnIlyuscdIo
b1
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
rcIcr Io Ihc inIcrnaIionaI siIuaIion during Ihc CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion. lI was
pubIishcd inRcnminRibao (Pco]lcs Daily) on Novcmbcr , I 67. Thcrc is
grcaIdisordcrundcrhcavcnandIhcsiIuaIioniscxccIIcnI ( 7ianxiaJaluan,
xinjhsiJa hao) . Thc Chincsc noIion Ior disordcr, luan, which can aIso bc
IransIaIcd as disIurbanccs, uphcavaI or chaos, is IypicaIIyrcndcrcd as
lroublcs in Frcnch. Whcncc Ihc mosI common, sIighIIy abridgcd vcrsion
uscd by Badiou.Lcslroublcssonlunccxccllcnlcchosc. This rcndcring, whichl
havcrcspccIcdandkcpIasIiIcraI aspossibIc inmyowIransIaIion,IurIhcr-
morc cnabIcs Badiou Io p|ay on Ihc opposiIion bcIwccn voycrclair, Io scc
clcarIyand lroublc, opaquc cIoudy conIuscd or shady.
45 A pun on miJil, haII-said or haII-sIaIcd, and mauJilc, iII-said or
curscd.
46 Joscph Conrad, 7hcNijjcro]lhc 'Narcissus(NcwYork.NorIon, I 7) , I 45.
47 Spinoza, Elhics, 22I (ParII, Prop 5, Schol . ) .
48 lbiJ., 2 I I .
4 InFrcnch,s'im]laccisancoIogismonBadiousparI.ThcrcIlcxivcuscoIIhc
vcrb couIdaIsobc IransIaIcd as unpIaccs iIsclI.
50 AcschyIus,EumcniJcs,Irans.ChrisIophcrColIard( OxIord.OxIordUnivcrsity
Prcss,2002) , 8-I 00.BadiousFrcnchIranslaIionhasanxicIy (anjoissc)Ior
whaI isIransIaIcdasIroublcinIhisEngIishvcrsion.
5 I AcschyIus,ibiJ., I 03-I 05.
52 InFrcnch,Ihccxprcssioni nIhiscasci sunsu)clJcJroil, whcrcasIorIhcmosI
parI Badiou IaIksabouIIaw ( loi) raIhcrIhanrighI (Jroil) .
53 This is Irom Ihc IasI pagc oI A Scason in HcII, usI aIIcr Ihc Iamous linc
' ll]aulc/rc absolumcnl moJcmc', in ArIhur Ri baud, Com]lclc works, Irans.
Pau| SchmidI (Ncw York. Harpcr 6 Row, I 67) , 2 I 3. Ncvcrmind hymns
oIIhanksgiving. hoIdonIoa sIcponcc Iakcn, inFrcnch. 'PoinlJccanliqucs.
lcnirlc]asjajn.
54 Thc originaI scnIcncc in Frcnch, uoiquil]aillc rcvcnir-lqucccrcloursoil
su)cl-]culsourJrccls'cclaircrlc]anchisscmcnlJcccquinccom]orlc]lusaucun
rclour, dchcs aII quick andcasyIransIaIions.
55 InFrcnch, a punon Jcmission missionairc.
56 SccIhcIcIIcrMarxIoK. KugcImanninHanovcr( London,ApriI I 2, I 87 I ),
SWI,420.ThcFrcnch IransIaIionoIIhisIcIIcrhasJclruircIorsmash.
bZ
|8| V. M8||8||S K|S8l 0 M8|| 8l | S0
lnFrcnch, ' ucsl-ccqui]ailsu)cl?' onccagainrcIicsonIhcmaIcabiIiIyoIIhc
vcrb]airc.AIIcrnaIivcIransIaIionscouIdbc WhaIconsIiIuIcsa subccI?or
WhaImakcsIor a subccI?
2 A rcIcrcncc Io AIain ]
miIc-AugusIc CharIicr, Ic Ciloycn conrclcs]ouvoirs
( Paris.
]
diIionsduSaggiIairc, I 26) .
3 In Frcnch ]aulIairclcarxismc.
LNUNJLb NU LlLLNLLb
4 Found ancw hcrc IranIaIcs rc]onJc, which asidc Irom Iounding or
grounding ancw aIso crrics connoIaIions oI rccasIing or rcsourcing
oncscII. FurIhcrdown, ovcrhau wiII IransIaIc rc]onlc.
5 UncsIabIishmcnI and un-csIabIishcd hcrc IranslaIc Ihc Frcnch Jcsclab
lisscmcnlandJcsclablic, IhcopposiIcoIclablir orJrc, IorcsIorcordcrorIo
rc-csIabIishordcr.
6 Thc aIIusionis Io Ihc Frcch rcvoIuIionaryJacqucs HcbcrI, who was guiI-
loIincdonMarch24, I 74,aIIcrhavinbccomcanopponcnIoIMaximiIicn
RobcspicrrchimsclIIorhi cxccssivcscu|arismandworshipoI Rcason.
7 Lacan, 7clcvision (Paris.
]
d
iIions du Scuil, I 74), I ; 7clcvision, Irans. cnis
HoIIicr, RosaIind
Krauss nd AnncIIc MichcIson, cd. Joan Copcc (Ncw
York. W. W. NorIon, I 0)
, 8.
8 lbiJ., I 6/ 5 (Irans. modihc
) .
In Frcnch, Ihc scnIcncc pIays on]airc nuJ ( Io opcraIc as a nodal poinI)
and]aircccnlrc ( bccominga ccnIrc ) . NuJalsomcansknoIornodc.
I0 Lacan, Lc sinIhomc, 0icar? 7 ( I 7) . 2 (
,
Scminairc du I 3 anvicr
I 76 ) .
I I AbscnI-mindcd|yhcrcIransIaIcsIhcFrcnchavcc clourJcric, whichcouIdbc
anaIIusion Io Lacans Icx
L'clourJil ( I 73) , iIscII a pun on MoIicrcs pIay
L'clourJi ( 7hclunJcrcrorhcScallcrbrain) .
I 2 Thc Frcnch, clrcJcs lisicrcs (a bcingoI hcIhrcshoIds ) , couId aIsobcIrans-
IaIcdasabcingoIIimiIsorabordcr-cIiIy.SccaIsoBadiou, ThcFIuxand
IhcParIy.lnIhcMarginsoIAnli- 0cJi]us' , Irans. Laura BaIIadurand Simon
KrysI,Polyjra]h I 5-I 6(2004). 75-2.
I 3 Scc Marx, PrivaIc PropcrIy and Comunism, Economic anJ Philoso]hical
Manuscri]lso]I8, in Mar and EngcIs, CollcclcJ works, vol. 3, 27.
I4 SccEngcIsIoConradSchidI,inMarandEngcIs, CollcclcJworks,vol. 50,
462.
I 5 lbiJ., 466. OrarcIhcconc
pIs which prcvail inIhc naIuraIscicnccs hcIions
bccausc Ihcyby nomcansaIways coincidc wiIh rcaIiIy? From Ihc momcnI
wcacccpIIhc IhcoryoIcvoIuIionaIIouconccpIsoIorganicIiIccorrcspond
onIy approximaIcIy Io rcaliIy. OIhcrwisIhcrcwouIdbc no changc. on Ihc
day whcn conccpIs and rcaIiIy compIcIcIy coincidc in Ihc organic worId
dcvcIopmcnI comcs Ioancnd. Thc concpI hsh incIudcs a IiIc inwaIcr and
brcaIhing Ihrough giIIs. how arc you ging Io gcI Irom hsh Io amphibian
wiIhouI brcaking Ihrough Ihis conccpI And iI has bccn brokcn Ihrough
andwcknowawhoIcscricoIhshwhichhavc dcvcIopcd IhcirairbIaddcrs
IurIhcrinIo Iungs and can brcaIhc air. ow, wiIhouIbringing onc or boIh
conccpIs inIo conlicI wiIh caIiIy arc yu going Io gcI Irom Ihc cgg-Iaying
rcpIiIc Io Ihc mammaI, wich givcs birIh Io living young? And in rcaIiIy
wc havcinIhc monoIrcmaIa awhoIc sb-cIassoIcgg-IayingmammaIs-in
b
JHLY l JHL bUbdLLJ
! 843, ! saw Ihc cggsoI Ihc duck-biIl inManchcsIcrandwiIharroganInar-
row-mindcdncssmockcdaIsuchsIupidiIyasiIamammalcouIdIaycggs
andnowiI hasbccnprovcd SodonoI bchavc Io IhcconccpIionsoIvaIucin
IhcwayIhadIaIcrIobcgIhc duck-biIIspardon Ior (Irans.modihcd)
!6 In Frcnch. uilropuumiroirsc]c,l omilhojnquclcJc]c.
! 7 Thc Frcnch hcrc, Jcsois(l) pcrJu, plays on Ihc disIancc bcIwccn Ihc hrsI
(sois) and Ihc Ihird pcrson (soi/), inIroduccd inIo Ihc subccI, noI unIikc
Rimbauds IamousJccslunuulrc.
!8 Thc Frcnch hcrcis sIighty morc crypIic. LuproblcmulisulioncsllrouccJu rccl
pourlu vcri/c. AIIcrnaIivc IransIaIions incIudc ProbIcmaIizaIion mcans Ihc
brcakIhrough oIIhc rcaIIoward Ihc IruIh or ProbIcmaIizaIionishowIhc
rcaIpicrccsIhroughIorIhcIruIh.
FricdrichEngcIs,Anli-Dhrinj, ibiJ.
20 Iacan, Scminairc R. S. I, 0rnicur? 3 ( I 75) . ! 05. EngIish IransIaIion.
Scminar oI 2 ! January ! 75, FcminincScxuuliq.1ucqucsLu.ununJlhcolc
cuJicnnc, cd. JuIicI MiIchcII andJacqucIinc Rosc, Irans. Jacquclinc Rosc
(NcwYork. W. W. NorIon, ! 83) , ! 64.
2 ! IiIIrc indicaIcs IhaIsphinxa I onc Iimc was a Icmininc noun in Frcnch, in
conIormiIywiIh Grcck, whcrc Ihc sphinxis Icmininc. This iswhaI sccmsIo
bc impIicdinIhcuscoIsphinjc.
22 n Frcnch. Dijnorcrlcrcslclc]uil, lui, rcslcr.
23 In Frcnch.Dijnorcrlc miroirlcmcl, lui,cnmirroirJumonJc.
24 Thc Frcnch hcrc, CcquicslJu loulcxijclu posilion Jcl uulrc, quincslpus Ju
loul, is quiIc ambiguous in thaI n cslpus Ju loulcan bc undcrsIood boIh as
whichisnoIoIIhcwhoIcorwhichdocsnoInoIbcIongIoIhcwhoIcand
whichisnoIaIaII.
25 Thc Frcnch, cnc]clJcborJsurcllcmcmc, coudaIso bc IransIaIcd as wiIh
an cIIccI oI bcing iIs own bordcr or Io Ihc cIIccI oIconsIiIuIing iIs own
bordcr.
26 Iacan, R. S. I. , anncc I 74-75 , 0mi.ur?3 ( ! 75) . 7-8 ( Scminaircdu ! 4
anvicr ! 75 ) .
27 In Frcnch. Cc Jonl unc coupurc hisloriquc]uil rcnconlrc. This i sonc insIancc
whcrc coupurc, asidc Irom cuI (as in Iacans IopoIogics) , could aIso bc
IransIaIcdas brcak (as ina BachcIardian cpisIcmoogicaIbrcak ) .
28 Thc Frcnch hcrc, cc quiscvunouilcn rccl, couId aIso bcIransIaIcd as IhaI
which vanishcsin Ihc rcaIorIhaIwhichrcaIyvanishcs .
2 On AugusI ! 0, ! 66, MaoaddrcsscsIhccrowd in a sIaIcmcnI on mccIing
Ihc masscs Conccrn yourscII wiIh aIIairs oI Ihc sIaIc, his dirccIivc is
rcporIcd Io havc bccn, somcIimcsIransIaIcdas You shouId pay aIIcnIion
Io sIaIcaIIairsand carry Ihc GrcaIProIcIarian CuIIuraI RcvoIuIionIhrough
Io Ihc cnd Scc irccIivcs Rcgarding CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion, SclcclcJ works,
voI. .
b9
LNN1Lb N LlLLNLLb
30 In Ihc originaI Frcnch, as Badiou conhrmcd in pcrsonaI corrcspondcncc
withIhc Iranslator, LupcrlcclpcrJucconIainsa IypoIorLupcrlccslpcrJuc.
3 ! This quoIc is Irom Ihc Iamous circular oI SixIccn PoinIs IhaI markcd Ihc
onscI oI Ihc GrcaI ProIcIarian CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion. In English, scc Thc
ParIy ccision, 7hc Chincsc Cullurul Rcvolulion, poinI (IiIIcd CuIIuraI
RcvoIuIionary roups, CommiIIccs, and Congrcsscs ) .
|d| V. bu0jC||d|00 d00 bu0jC| ||0CSS
Iacan, R. S. I., anncc 74-75 , 0mi.ur?4 ( ! 75) 7-8 ( Scminairc du ! l
Icvricr ! 75 ) .
2 biJ.
3 In Frcnch. J'uimc'iJccJupurlipoli/iquc,.ommconuimccc qui.onsislccnsu)cl,
Juvoirclc, pur.c quunc]oispcrJu, lcJirijcunlc vcnirJcsu rcsililulion.
4 This hcading is a quoIc Irom SainI-John Pcrscs pocm \cnls (Paris.
FIammarion, I 68) , sccond song. In Frcnch. 'Sc halcrl Sc halcrl Purolc Jc
vivunll'
For IurIhcr inIormaIion abouI Ihis Iamous quoIaIionaIIribuIcdIoMao, scc
IhcTransIaIors cndnoIc 44IoParI III abovc.
6 ThisismosIIikcIyarcIcrcnccIoIcnins! 20pamphcI,Lc- winjCommunism.
Anln]unlilcDisorJcr, invoI. 3 ! oIhisCollcclcJworks. ThcIundamcnIaI lawoI
rcvoIuIion, whichhasbccn conhrmcdbyaII rcvoIuIionsandcspcciaIlybyaIl
IhrccRussianrcvoIuIionsinIhc IwcnIicIh ccnIury, is asIoIIows.Iora rcvo-
IuIionIoIakcpIacciIisnoIcnoughIorIhccxpIoiIcdandopprcsscdmasscsIo
rcaIisc Ihc impossibiIiIyoIIivinginIhc oIdway, and dcmand changcs; Iora
rcvoIuIionIoIakcpIacciIis csscnIiaI IhaIIhccxpIoiIcrs shouIdnoIbcabIcIo
IivcandrIcinIhc old way. It isonIywhcnIhc IowcrcIasscsdonoIwanI
IoIivcinIhcoIdwayandIhc uppcr cIasscscannoI carryoninIhcoId way
IhaIIhcrcvoluIioncan Iriumph ( 7! ) .
7 This quoIaIion ( 7iunxiu Ju luun, Ju Juo liunxiu Ju zhi), in which Mao oncc
again rcIics on Ihc cIassicaI Chincsc noIions oI aII-undcr-hcavcn ( liunxiu)
and disordcr (luun) buIIhisIimcIo achicvc grcaI ordcr undcr hcavcn, is
mosIIamousIyIoundinaIcIIcrIohiswiIcJiangingIromJuly8, I 66. An
EngIishIransIaIion oIIhisIcIIcrappcarcd as MaoTsc-IungsPrivaIcIcIIcr
Io Chiang Chng, lssucs unJSluJics .4 (Junc ! 73) . 4-6. UnIorIunaIcIy,
inIhisIransIaIion, IhcsayinginqucsIionisgIosscdovcrandcombincdwiIh
Ihc IoIIowing scnIcncc inIo hc siIuaIion changcs Irom a grcaI uphcavaI
U a grcaI pcacc oncc cvcryscvcn or cighIycars (4) . II is noIancxisIing
provcrb, as Badiou suggcsIs, so much as an originaI crcaIion bascd on an
ancicnI cxprcssion which Maos IIair Ior quoIabIc onc-lincrs, noI unIikc
Badious own IasIc Ior such gnomi IormuIaIions, Iurncd inIo a popular
quasiaphorisIicscnIcncc.
bb
JHLY 1HL bUbdLLJ
8 ln Frcnch, Ihc cxprcssion nonlicu has Ihc uridicaI scnsc oI no ground Ior
IriaI. In Ihc prcscnI conIcxI, asidc Irom cvoking Ihc IopoIogy oI pIacc and
ouIpIacc, noI Io mcnIion Ihc cIymoIogy oI Ihc Grcck ulo]iu as nonplacc,
Ihc IcrmcouIdaIsobc IransIaIcdas noncvcnI.
In Frcnch, 'lu ']cmmc cvokcs a quasi-archcIypaI undcrsIanding oI Woman
or univcrsaI womanhood, which is prcciscIy whaI is puI undcr crasurc or
barrcd in Lacans Iormulas oI scxuaIion. 'lu ']cmmc, cn c]]cl, incxislc uuloul.
cspiIcIhcawkwardncssoIIhc IransIaIion, I havc rcndcrcd Ihisin English
as ' Ihc woman. In Ihc ncxI scnIcncc, a paraphrasc oI HcgcIs Iamous
rcading oIAnIigonc in Ihc Phcnomcnolojy o] S]iril, I usc 'Woman wiIh a
Iargc capiIaIIo IransIaIc lu]cmmc.
! 0 SccThomasJcch, Scl7hcoi (NcwYork. AcadcmicPrcss, ! 78) , 3 3 I .
! ! PauI J. Cohcn,Scl7hcojunJlhcConlinuumHy]olhcsis(NcwYork-AmsIcrdam.
W. A. Bcnamin, I 66), ! ! 2.
2 biJ.
I 3 IbiJ., I 5 I (l havc modihcdIhc EngIishinaccordancc wiIh Ihc changcsIhaI
Badiou inIroduccd in his Frcnch IransIaIionalI changcs mcanI Io makc
IhcIcxImorcacccssiblc) .
! 4 I nIhcsc hnaI Iincs, Badiou i squoIing Irom MaIIarmcs Uncoup dc dcs.
'Junsccs ]urujcs /Juvujuc/cnquoiloulc rculilcscJissoul' aIIIhcwayIo Ihc
imagcoIIhc lunccurordiccIhrowcr.
b0
|d|I V.10|CS 0 L|CS
JuIicnGracq, Icllrincs (Paris. JoscCorIi, ! 67), 67-70.
2 Scc Mao, 'TaIk aI Ihc FirsI PIcnum oI Ihc NinIh CcnIraI CommiIIcc oI Ihc
Chincsc CommunisIParIy (ApriI 28, !6) SclcclcJ works, vol., avaiIabIc
onincaIhIIp. //www.marxisIsorg.
3 Mao as rcporIcd in 'Thc GrcaI CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion WiII Shinc For Evcr,
Pckinj Rcvicw ! (May2 ! , ! 76) . 6-! 0.
4 In Frcnch, Ihc ncoIogism Jcscns, which cvokcs 'un-scnsc or dis-scnsc, is
homonymouswiIhJcccncc, 'dcccncy.AnoIhcr, morccumbcrsomc, IransIa-
IionIo kccpIhcncoIogismcouIdbc 'dis-scnsc-y.
5 InFrcnch, inJc-scns, a homonym IorinJcccncc, indcccncy, IurIhcr cxIcnds
Ihc ncoIogisIic pun on IhaI which runs counIcr Io common scnsc and
dcccncy.
6 SIcphcn Cranc, 7hc RcJ uJjc o]Courujc, cd. ScuIlcy BradIcy, Richmond
CroomBcaIIy, E. HudsonLong, rcviscdbyonaIdPizcr (NcwYork. W. W.
NorIon, I 76), I 0.
7 On Ihc Iuscd group and Ihc pIcdgcd group, scc Jcan-Paul SarIrc, Criliquc
o]DiulccliculRcuson, Irans. AIan Shcridan-SmiIh, Iorcword FrcdricJamcson
(NcwYork-London. Vcrso, 2004), 343-04and433-.
LNUN1Lb NU LLLNLLb
8 EccIcsiasIcs ! . 7.
SccBIaisc PascaI, Pcnsccs, cd. andIrans. RogcrAricw (IndianapoIis.HackcII,
2005) , 273 ( S74/LI ) .
InIhcFrcnchoriginal,IhcIasIIincsoI IhisscnIcnccarcmissing.I npcrsonaI
corrcspondcncc wiIh Ihc IransIaIor, Badiou proposcs Io makc upIor Ihis
gap as IoIIows. cl non cuusc illusoirc Jc lcur Jclcrminulion. I 'imujinuirc vicnl
uinsiconsoliJcrlcrcclclnoninslullcrlcscmblunl.
! I ThisisIromIhcIasIsIanza oIMaIIarmcs ToasIIunbrc ( FuncrcaIToasI ) .
InFrcnch, Ihclincsrcad.
CcsIdcnosvraisbouqucIsdcIouIIcscour
O Icpoccpura pourgcsIchumbIccIlargc
cIinIcrdirc au rvc, cnncmidcsa chargc.
! 2 A. Y. Vyshinsky, ProcuraIor oI Ihc USSRSIaIcProsccuIor, in Rc]orlo]lhc
CourlProcccJinjsinlhcCusco]lhcAnliSovicl'loco] RijhlsunJ7rolskyilcs 'hcurJ
bc]orclhcMililuiCollcjiumo] lhcSu]rcmcCourlo]lhc|SSR ( Moscow.PcopIcs
CommissariaIoIJusIiccoIIhcUSSR, ! 38) , 67. SubscqucnIpagcnumbcrs
inIhcbodyoIIhcIcxIrcIcrIo IhissamccdiIion.
! 3 ThcFrcnch hcrc, ]urli, has boIh a sIricIIy poIiIicaI mcaning (parIy) anda
morc gcncraI scnsc ( dccision, 'sIancc, posiIion, 'sIandpoinI ) . Thc scn-
IcnccIhus IaIks abouI Ihc risk oIIaking Ihcwrongdccision as much as oI
choosingIhcwrongparIy.
!4 SIaIin, Lcninism, ! 7 I .
! 5 Scc'ThcParIyccision, in 7hc ChincscCullurulRcvolulion, ! 76-7.
! 6 Scc Wang Hongwcn, 'RcporI on Ihc Rcvision oI Ihc ParIy ConsIiIuIion
(cIivcrcdaIIhcTcnIhNaIionaICongrcssoIIhcCommunisIParIyoIChina
onAugusI24andAdopIcdon AugusI 28, ! 73, 7hc7cnlhNulionulConjrcss
o]lhcCommunislPurqo]Chinu (Documcnls) (Bciing.ForcignLanguagcsPrcss,
! 73) , 48.
! 7 Scc Franois uc dcLaRochcIoucauId, Muxims, Irans. Lconard Tancock
(NcwYork. Pcnguin, ! 5) , 23 (maxim26) .
I 8 OnchasrcasonIorcvoII againsIIhcrcacIionarics'or 'IIisusIihcdIorcbcl
againsI Ihc rcacIionarics is a phrasc coincd in a spccch by Mao, madc in
! 3Io ccIcbraIc SIaIins 60Ih birIhday. Thcrcarc innumcrabIcprinciplcs
oI Marxism, buI in Ihc IasI anaIysis Ihcy can aII bc summcd up in onc
scnIcncc. To rcbcI is usIicd. For Ihousands oI ycars cvcryonc said.
Opprcssion is usIihcd, cxpIoiIaIion is usIihcd, rcbcIIion is noI usIihcd.
FromIhcIimcwhcnMarxismappcarcdonIhcsccnc,IhisoIdudgmcnIwas
Iurncd upsidc down, and Ihis isa grcaIconIribuIion, in SIuarI R. Schram,
7hcPolilicul7houjhlo] Muoc-7unj (NcwYork. Pracgcr, ! 6), 427-8. For
a dcIaiIcd anaIysis oI Ihc diIIcrcnI mcanings oI Ihis phrasc, scc ChapIcr !
Irom Badious 7hcoric Jc lu conlruJiclion (Paris. Franois Maspcro, ! 75) ,
b
1HLY l 1HL bUbdLL1
IransIaIcdas 'AnIsscnIiaI PhiIosophicaIThcsis. " isRighI Io RcbcI agains
Ihc RcacIionarics, Irans. AIbcrIoToscano,]osilions.cuslusiucullurcscriliquc
! 3 (2005) . 66-77.
Scc Forq-0nc RcJ Hcurls urc wilh Chuirmun Muo Forcvcr (Bciing. Forcign
Ianguagcs Prcss, l 6) , ! 8-! .
20 SamucIBcckcII, Howi l s (NcwYork. Grovc Prcss, l 88 , ! 24.
2 ! Scc 0nlhc ucsliono]AjricullurulCoo]crulion (JuIy 3 l , ! 55) , in uolulion
s
]omMuo7sc 7unj (Bciing. Forcign LangagcsPrcss, ! 72) , 3 (Irans. modi-
hcdIo rcndcrBadious insisIcnccon 'conhdcncc ) .
22 ThisquoIci sIrom Ihc cndoIRimbauds AScasoni nHcI, Com]lclc orks,
2 ! 3 (Irans. modihcd) .
1M6Od| C K6Q6|0| |6
TIs rcpcrIOrc is ObviOusIy incOmpIcIc and, !urIIcrmOrc, iI cOnIains
scvcraIbiarrc cnIrics.
!I dcaIs OnIy IaIcraIIy vII vIaI is csscnIaI. TIus, IIc vOrd 'MaOism
is nOIprOnOunccd in iIandIIccOnccpIsOIIcsubccIarc aImOsI abscnI
rOmI. !IarrangcsOra cvscrvicccn/ranccs.
ARTAN L!TERATRE
ArI andIhc crowd. 65-8.
PocIry asIhcannulmcnoIcxchangc. 73.
ExpIanaIionoIIhc sonncI AI anucaccabIanIcIu. 74-83.
SIyIcasphiIosophicaIrcquircmcnI. 75.
ThcaIrc, oIsupcriorcsscncc. 84-7; opcraIoroISophocIcism. ! 6!-2.
BricIcxpIanaIionoIADicc7hrow. . . . 2-4.
ThclorccdIuncIion oIpcroraIions. 5-7.
Explanation oI Ihc sonncI 'ScspursongIcs Ircshau ('HcrnaiIs on high . . ) .
! 00-! 0.
PocIry as IopoIogy oIIanguagc. ! 5, 303.
ExpIanaIionoIIhc cndingoIAcschyIusEumcniJcs. 64-5.
IIhicaImcaningoIIhc novcIoIIormaIion. 333.
Thc sccondacIoI Wagncrs 7rislun. 3 ! 8, 333.
Scc aIso. S. BcckcII, J. Conrad, S. Cranc, J. Gracq, LaRochcIoucaud, PascaI,
Rimbaud, SophocIcs, Acschyus.
bV
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!. H!STOR!A!!RMSTANES
a. 1hcE]cc/ivc |nivcrsals
Junc ! 848. ! 72, 204, 283,anxicIy. 22.
Thc Paris Communc. xI, 20, incxhausIibIc anaIyscr. xli; iIs doubIc asscssmcnI.
45-6, Ihc pcopIcanddcsIrucIion. I 72-3, wcdgingoIa doubIcmodcoIbcing.
230I , anIicipaIionandrcIroacIion.2 5 I .
OcIobcr ! ! 7. 20, as asscssmcnI oI Ihc Communc 47-, Ihc insurrccIion as
vioIaIion oIpoIiIics. ! 70, aspcriodizaIionoIMarxism.204.
Thc CuIIuraI RcvoIuIion. 42, idcnIiIy oI posiIion wiIh Ihc Communc. 47,
MaIIarmcan arIisIic IuncIion. 67, as signihcr oI cxccpIion. 88, hrsI commu-
nisIrcvoIuIion. ! 85, Iorcing Ihc cmpIyplacc oILcninism. 205, rcpcaIingIhc
Communc so as Io makc iI inIo Ihc rcaI. 23 I , iIs dogmaIic diagonaI. 3 ! 4-! 5,
and cIhics. 3 I 5-! 6, andIhc supcrcgo. 325-6.
b. Na/ionalDa/a
Thc RcvoluIion oI ! 78-3. 38, naIurc oI iIs maIcriaIism. ! 85, Ihc Tcrror.
23-4.
WorIdWar lxI.
WorIdWarII.xI.
RcsisIancc. xI.
CoIoniaIwars. xI 260.
May-Junc ! 68. xI ! I , 22, obccIivc and subccIivc. 4!-2, IhcgrcaI sixIics.
302, movcmcnI, orsubccI( ) . 322.
c. Sca//crcdRc]crcnccs
PcasanIwarsin Gcrmany. 28.
Thc Third !nIcrnaIionaI. 20, ! 26, as domain oIIhc possiblc. 204, mascuIinc.
262.
Thc PorIugucscRcvoIuIionoI ! 74-5. 7 ! .
CounciI oINicca. ! 5.
Rcnaissancc. 38.
0
d. 0/hcrs
JHLMJlL LPLJlL
AporiasoIIhcCrcaIion.4-5.
Thcory oI!ncarnaIion. I 5-! 6.
LogicoIhcrcsics. ! 6-! 7.
!. GOd
ThcaIrcs csscnIiaI caIhoIiciIy. 84-5.
SainIPauIandIhcsccondIoundaIionoIChrisIianiIy. 25.
ThcsIakcsIorIhchrsImaIcriaIism. ! 86.
ThcChrisIanTwo. ! 0-! .
I nIhc imaginarydiagonaIcouragc-supcrcgo. 28.
IsIamic. 300.
ThaIHcincxisIsinIhcworIdandcxcccdsIhcTcxI. 30! .
SccaIso.MaIcbranchc, PascaI SainIPauI
!V !OG! AN MATHEMAT!S
a. MoJus 0]cranJi. IhcIransmission oI maIhcmaIics. 3-40, oIIhcir diaIccIicaI
usagc. ! 48-,scicnccoIIhc rcaI. ! 54, inIhcrazorbIadcoIIhc MarxisIbarbcr.
2 ! 0, quickgIanccaIIhcgoIdcn agcs. 2 ! 6.
b. Lojic anJ Scl 7hcoi. cxIraordinary scIs and Ihc axiom oI rcguIariIy ( or oI
IoundaIion) . 0-! , CanIors Ihcorcm. 2 ! 5-! 7, quanIihcrs. 272, ariIhmcIics
oI cardinaIs. 2667, Ihc conIinuum hypoIhcsis. 266, conssIcncy oI Ihc con-
Iinuum hypoIhcsis wiIh consIrucIibIc scIs. 267-70, RowboIIoms Ihcorcm,
argccardinaIs. 26-7! .
c. Aljcbra anJNumbcr7hcoi. 2 ! -20, Iorsion groups. !4-54, Ihc cxIcnsion o
Ihc counIabIc ordcnumcrabIc. 202-5, dcniIionoIaIgcbra. 2 ! 0,dchniIionoI
bcIonging. 2 ! ! , axiomsoIPcano. 226.
J. 7o]olojy. 2 ! -20, Mbius sIrip. 35, gIoba and IocaI. ! 20-! , dcniIion oI
IopoIogy. 2! 0-! ! , commcnIary on Ihc axioms oI ncighbourhoods. 22 !-3,
BorromcanknoI. 226-8.
V. TRA!T!ONAL!H!LOSO!HY
AncicnIaIomism. 53-6 I .
CIassihcaIionoIphiIosophics. ! ! 6-2 ! .
HisIoryoImaIcriaIisms. ! 87-.
SIrucIuraIIraccIoryoI idcaIisms. ! 02.
An oIdIhcmc. 234-6.
CIassicaI Ihcorics oIIhc subccI. 278-80.
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Ethicaldiscourscs. 32 !-.
Sccalso.ArisIoIlc, cscarIcs, Hcidcggcr,PlaIo,KanI
V!. !SYCHOANALYS!S STR!CTO SENS
Amcricanpsychoanalysis. 30, I 44, ! 8.
]
colcIrcudicnncdcParis. 40-! .
Thc transmissionoI psychoanalysis. 40.
!tsshipwrcckIorIhc bcnchIoIcIhics. ! 36.
ThcpsychoanalyIical curcandpoliIicalrc-cducaIion. ! 42-4.
InaninconsisIcnIIoIaliIywiIhMarxism. 280.
ocsnoIargucIrom acascoIhcaling. 30
Sccalso.Frcud
V!!. !O!!T!CA!THEORY
a. Poli/icsandHis/oj
HisIory. iI docs noI cxist. 2; who arc iIs acIors?. ! 80-I ; Ihc Iour IundamcnIaI
contradicIionsoIIhcconIcmporaryworld. 2 I 7.
PoliIics. as sIrucIurc oI hcIion. 85-6, in rcIrcaI. 85-6; lamp-bcaring. ! 08; iIcra-
Iivc andbrcak-upoIIhc Onc. ! I 4-! 5; ininIcrnalcxclusionIo iIsob ccI. ! 30,
Is cI -IacI oI noI bcing. ! 34, opposcd Io Iradc unionism. I 4! ; cquivociIy oI
thc conccpI oI rclaIion oIIorcc. ! 70; Irom Ihc Onc Io Ihc Onc Onc. 2 ! 3-!4;
wiIhouI propcr namc. 2 ! ; Ihc poinI oI vicw oI class on Ihc SIatc in Ihc
masscs. 22; Ihc incxistcnI propcr Io thc SIaIc. 262, inc and organizaIion.
286, andcthics. 30-! 6; Io IailandIo givcin. 322.
b. 1hcFourFundamcn/alConccj/so]Marxism
lasssIrugglc, conIradictionbourgcoisic/prolcIariaI. sIructurc. 7, sIrugglc7 con
IradicIion. 24; schcma. 43; sccnby Mallarmc. 8-!00; Ihc rclaIion oI classas
impossiblc. ! 26-7;classpoinIoIvicwandIruIh. ! 73,oncoIIhcIourconccpIs.
282-4.
cvoluIion.IalscIimcIoconcludc.6; propcrnamcoIIhcimpossiblcoIMarxism.
! 28;oIhcroIthcOIhcr. ! 56;anxicIyandcouragc. ! 72;7 communism.205-6;
algcbraic. 22;IhcclassscizcsIhc mass. 246, inIcrrupIion.256-7.
ctaIorshipoIIhc prolctariaI. rcciprocatablcwiIhcommunism. 88; onc oIIhc
IourconccpIs.282-4.
0Z
JHLMJlL LFLJl L
Communism.78, 6,asannulmcnIoIIhcSIaIc. 88-2; Iallacious haltingpoinI.
! 08; dcniIion. ! 34, usticc. ! 5; concrcIc. ! 84, and Ihc dicIaIorship oI Ihc
prolcIariaI. ! 88, rcvoluIion. 205-6; topological. 235, Ihc rcvoluIion is iIs
absIract momcnI. 244; onc oI Ihc Iour conccpIs. 282-4; uIopian. 28; is noI
lcgislaIablccxccptdiagonally. 300.
c MassandClass
Masscs, mass movcmcnI. clinamcn. 58-; vanishing tcrm oI hisIory. 63-4; iI is
righI to rcbcl. ! 06, 234; namc oI Ihc rcal. ! 36; is noI implicd buI Iorccd. 273;
conhdcnccinIhcmasscs. 330.
orking class. proccdurc oIiIs scission. ; iI makcs a nodal poinI oI Ihc Iwo
dchniIions oIcapiIalism. 26; associalclassandas poliIical class. ! 88; its Ihrcc
lcvcls oIconsistcncy. 236-8; sponIancousIaIalism. 328.
ProlcIariaI. Iorsion. ! 2-30, what a rcvoluIion prcscnIs IoanoIhcr rcvolution.
I 34,namcoIIhcIruthasnoI-all. ! 73; makcsIhcworkingclassdisappcar.2 38;
whcrcis iI?.280-4; poliIicaIcxisIcncc,cIhicalcxistcncc. 3 30-I .
d. 1hcNcwourcoisic
Modcrn rcvisionism, PF. dctcrmincs Ihc class. ; Iwo bourgcoisics, Iwo rcvo
luIions. 82-3; supcrhcial critiquc oI ! 68. ! 6-7; sIaIisI knoI oI Ihc parIy.
22-30; USS. 74, 83, iI cxists. 83; dcmonsIraIing Ihc conIradicIion IcninisI
party/communism. 206; itsnovclIy. 246, Sino-SovicI spliI. 225.
Gulag, totaliIarianism. IoIalitarianism docs not cxist. ! 2, Ialscncss oI Ihc
thcsis 'A camp is a camp. ! 42; Ihc politics oITcrror. 23-4; Moscow Irials.
3 ! 2-! 5.
Socialism. iI docsnoI cxisI. 7-8, immobilcmovcr. 235.
Thc SIaIc. rcvcrsal oI Ihc sIaIist lack. 82; and rcvolI. ! 06; i I ncvcr provcs Ihc
cxisIcnccoIIhcprolcIariat. ! 34, supcrcgo. ! 46, ! 5; andIhc indivisionoIIhc
law. ! 84; obccIoILcninism.205-6;ina Borromcan knoIwiIhIhcmasscsand
Ihc classcs. 228-30, ncvcr a guaranIcc oIcommunism. 235.
c Con)unc/urc
ImpcrialisI socicIy. 7, ! 4! , 262-3.
MulIinaIional pcoplc. xl; thcimmigranI prolcIarian as cmpty placc (cqualiIyoI
righIs) andcxccss ( inIcrnaIionalprolctariaIoIFrancc) . 262-4.
Tradcunionism, unionisIworldvicw. , 26-7;absIracIclcmcnIoIIhcsubccIivc.
237, makcsconsisIcncyouI oIthc capiIalisIcausc. 238, and Ihc nation-SIaIc.
266-70.
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YouIh.acIivcnihiIism. 32.
Thc inIcIIcctuaIs. xI, grcaIcr during Ihc StaIin cra. 302; andIhc cIhicaI dcbaIc
acr I 76. 32! -2.
] 1hcSub)ccl, /hcParq
Onc docs noI lovc onc anothcr in Ihcm. 40, Lcninism Ior thc univcrsiIy. 46;
rcIaIion Io thc masscs. ! , subccIivc poinI oI poIitics. ! ! 5; as communisI.
I 82-3, as schcmatism. ! !-2; asympIotic. ! 8; in Ihc contradicIion rcvoIu-
Iion/communism. 205; as Onc Onc. 2 ! 3, Iying IogcIhcrIhc knoI. 22; Ihird
IcvcIoIconsisIcncy.237-8,supporIsthcIourdiscourscsinIhcLacanianscnsc.
246-7,bodyoIpoIitics. 20; cthicaImcaningoIIhcparIisanmindscI. 3 ! 2-I 6,
conhdcnccinIhc parIy. 330 .
09
O06X 0 ||0Q6| NdO6S
rcca IIaI abscnI rOm IIc cnmcraIiOn bcOv arc. Engcs, Hcgc,
Hcrin, Lacan, Lcnin,MaIIarmc, MaOcOng, Marx.
WIcn iI is a qcsIiOn O a simpc mcnIiOn by vay O iIsIraIOn, IIc
pagcnmbcrisiIacizc.
cscIys, I 56, I 58, ! 6 I-3,
I 66-8, 3 !
ain ! 8 I
IIsscr,L . 2, I 87, 224
risIOIc4V, I22, I ! , 235
rOn, R. 302
BcckcII, S. 280, 3 30
Bcrkccy, G. ! I 7-! 8
BcrnsIcn, E. 20o
Bcvc-Mcry, H. 22
BrccII, B.
BrczIncv, !. V
BkIarn, N. 3 I 2-! 4
Cams, . 02
CanIOr, G. 2 , 2 I 7, 26I ,
266
CIaIcabrian, !. -R. 2o0
COIcn, !. -. 27! -4
COmIc, . xxxvii, 4V
COnra, . I 5
Cranc, S. 25
c Saci, 30I
cbOr, G. 32
cczc, G. 22. 207, 287
cmOcriIs 5-60, V
cscarIcs, R. 40, ! 87, 30!
cvin, . . 2678
ras, M. II
EpicIcIs 30 I
Epcrs 3 I
EOxs 203, 20
ErIpics I
!crmaI, !.
!abcrt, G. I 0
!OcaI, M. I 87, ! 88
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!Ouricr, CI. 28
!rcud, A. 20
!rcud, S. , I 24, I 25-8, 2,
, , I 66, I 74, I 7, 22,
27-80, 284
GaOis,E 2 I 6
Gauss, C . ! . 2
Gidc,A.
Gucksmann,A. I 82
Gdc . 267, 268-, 270-I , 2,
286
GOcIIc, . W. vOn3 5
Gracq, . xIi, 280
HcbcrI, . ! 86
Hcidcggcr, M. , , 234-5
HibcrI, . 2 I 6
HugO,V .
ccI,T. 365
Oncs, E. 2
ung, C. G. 2
anI, !. , I I 7-I , , I I , I 4,
20I , 278, 2
auIsky, . !
hrusIcIcv, . I 80, 2
La McIIric, . I 2 I
La ROcIcOucaud, !.
3
Lassac, ! . 20
Lcibni, G. W. 2, 6
Lcvi-SIrauss, . 207
LinBi aO , ! 80
Liu SIaOqi , 3 I 4, 2
LOuis ! 2
LucrcIis 2
00
MacbrancIc, . 37
MarcIais, G.
Mcrscnnc, M.
Micr, . -A. I 32-5
Mincr, . - C. 262-3
MiIIcrrand, !. , 2, 3 5 I
MOcI, G . 302
MOnIaignc 30I
MnIcr, T. 28
cvIOn, !.
!asca B.-,2, 30I
!cIain, !I. x
!aIO ! 84, I ! , I 3, 3 I 8
!O!OI ! 8 I
!OiIzcr, G . I 7
!OmpidOu, G. 42
!yIIagOras2025
RcicI, W. 208
Rimbaud,A. , ! 68, 2 ! 6, , 2
RObcspicrrc, M. 22, 2
ROusscau, . -. 4 I
ROvbOIIOm, ! . 2670
SainILukc2
SainI !au ! 2 5, I I
SainI!cIcr 2
SainITIOmas 22
SainI-OIn!crsc2
Sandcvincc, !. xxxix, xiv
SarIrc,. -!. 272, 278, 2, 300, 2
ScIcIing, !. W. . 3 ! 8
Scguy, G.2
SIaarcviIcI, !. I 54
SOpIOccs I 5 5-6, I 58, ! 6I -6, ! 68,
30,
SpinOza, B. 22, 37, ! 60
SIain, . xl, 20, 38, 8I , I , ,
, , 205, 2, 225-6, 232,
24-6, 302, 2, 3 I 5, 325
TIicrs, A. 3 ! 0
Vicc-Grihn, ! . 7
Viicrsdc!scAdam,A.
l NULX l PPL NMLb
VOIairc I 86
VysIinsky, A. !. 3 I 2-I 4
Wagncr, R. , , ! 07, 2, 3 I 8,
333
Wang HOngvcn 3 ! 5-I 6
OIa, E
TIc cxpiciI nOmnaIiOns arc unair. Hcrc ! musI spcak O Gardncr
avics, uminOus anaysI O! Maarmc, and O !ranOis RcgnauI, vIO
IcacIcs mc IIcIIcaIrc.
0