Sei sulla pagina 1di 7

! 3?,!NOP!

QR

4
engl

That
Which
is
Not:
Philosophy
asment
Entwine
of
Truth
and
Negati
vity
Ray Brassier
American University of Beirut

That Which is Not:


,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$
of Truth and Negativity
Abstract
%&'()*+,-.'&/0(.0,)1,/++/20/,'2-,'33/'4'20/,.+,2)(,'5(6)76)4&-,
8/('39:+.0+,)1,39/2)8/2)2,'2-,2);8/2)2,<;(,'51)48'&,-;'&.+8,
of idea (eidos=,'2-,<)-:,>soma=?,@9.+,1)48'&,-;'&.+8,34)A.-/+,(9/,
2/0/++'4:,34/0)2-.(.)2,1)4,8'(/4.'&.+(,8)2.+8?,B:,<4/'C.2D,
%'48/2.-/+*,.2(/4-.0(.)2,)2,(9.2C.2D,(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(E,%&'(),
+;+3/2-+,(9/,/F;'(.)2,)1,(9.2C.2D,6.(9,</.2D,'2-,6.22)6+,
+;<+('20/,14)8,.-/'?,G)20)8.('2(,6.(9,%&'()*+,8/('39:+.0+,)1,
2/D'(.)2,.+,'50/4('.2,2/D'(.)2,)1,8/('39:+.0+,;2-/4+())-,'+,
(';()&)D.0'&,.(/4'(.)2,)1,(9/,/F;.A'&/20/,(9.2C.2DH,</.2D?,I2,
'0C2)6&/-D.2D,(9'(,69'(,.+,2)(E,+)8/9)6,.+E,6/,'4/,'&+),<);2-,(),
4/0)D2.J/,(9'(,69'(,.+E,+)8/9)6,.+,2)(?,G)2A/4+/&:E,(9)+/,<4'2-+,
)1,8/('39:+.0'&,8'(/4.'&.+8,(9'(,-/2:,2)27</.2D,;26.((.2D&:,
0)2+/04'(/,(9/,.-/'&.+(,1;+.)2,)1,(9.2C.2D,6.(9,</.2D?,@9;+,%&'()*+,
/K3)+;4/,)1,(9/,/2(6.2/8/2(,)1,</.2D,'2-,2)27</.2D,.2,(9.2C.2D,
'<);(,69'(,.+,9'4<)4+,'2,.2+(4;0(.A/,4/L).2-/4,(),(9)+/,
0)2(/83)4'4:,+)39.+(+,69),-/2:,(9/,2)48,)1,(4;(9,.2,)4-/4,(),
'1M48,(9/,.88'2/20/,)1,</.2D?
Keywords
8'(/4.'&.+8E,2)27</.2DE,%&'()E,+)39.+(4:E,(4;(9?

174

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

Philosophy, Truth, Negativity


I*-,&.C/,(),8'C/,'50'+/,1)4,(9/,3/4+.+(.2D,4/&/A'20/,)1,39.&)+)39.0'&,
(9.2C.2D,>'+,-.+(.20(,14)8,.2+(.(;(.)2'&.J/-,39.&)+)39.0'&,34'0(.0/=,<:,;27
-/4&.2.2D,(9/,+.D2.M0'20/,)1,(9/,&.2C,</(6//2,(9/,39.&)+)39.0'&,34/8.;8,
)2,(4;(9,'2-,04.(.0'&,2/D'(.A.(:?,S;09,'5&.2C,.+E,)1,0);4+/E,'51'8.&.'4,(4)3/,)1,
3)+(7Z/D/&.'2, 04.(.0'&, (9/)4:E, +3/0.M0'&&:, '+, 34'0(.0/-, <:, (9/, [4'2C1;4(,
S09))&?,B;(,(9/,A/4+.)2,)1,.(,I534)3)+/,(),+C/(09,9/4/,6.&&,</,-.11/4/2(E,<)(9,
.2,.(+,0)20/3(.)2,)1,(4;(9,'2-,.(+,'00);2(,)1,2/D'(.A.(:E,'2-,'+,'50)2+/7
F;/20/E,8':E,I5(9.2CE,0'&&,.2(),F;/+(.)2,(9/,1'8.&.'4,0)2(4'+(,</(6//2,;27
04.(.0'&,\39.&)+)39:],'2-,04.(.0'&,\(9/)4:?],^:,'.8,9/4/,.+,(),4/'00/2(;'(/,
(9/,)00&;-/-,3)(/20:,)1,'5philosophical,0)83'0(,</(6//2,(4;(9,'2-,2/D'7
(.)2, 69)+/, 8)+(, 3)6/41;&, '-A)0'(/+, 9'A/, <//2, %&'(), '2-, Z/D/&_<)(9,
'4097.-/'&.+(+,)1,0);4+/E,<;(,3'4(,)1,69'(,.+,'(,+('C/,9/4/,.2A)&A/+,4/'37
34'.+.2D,(9/,34/+;83(.A/,'&&.'20/,</(6//2,04.(.0'&,2/D'(.A.(:,'2-,8'(/4.7
'&.+8?,^:,0)2(/2(.)2,.+,+.83&:,(9.+H,'2:)2/,6'2(.2D,(),4/3)(/2(.'(/,(9/,
3)6/4,)1,(9/,2/D'(.A/,'D'.2+(,'2,.204/'+.2D&:,0)83&'0/2(,\'1M48'(.)2.+(],
0)2+/2+;+, .2, 0)2(/83)4'4:, (9/)4:!_0)2+3.0;);+&:, /K/83&.M/-, <:, (9/,
4/+;4D/20/, )1, ;2'<'+9/-&:, A.('&.+(, '2-, 3'273+:09.+(, 8/('39:+.0+_6.&&,
9'A/,(),4/0)2+.-/4,(9/,A'&/20/,)1,04.(.F;/+,)1,0)20/3(;'&,(4;(9,>'2-,(9/4/7
1)4/,)1,39.&)+)39:E,(),(9/,/K(/2(,(9'(,39.&)+)39:,.+,(9/,-.+0.3&.2/,)1,0)27
0/3(;'&.J'(.)2_)4, 69'(, I5 6.&&, '&+), 0'&&, 1)48'&.J'(.)2_3'4, /K0/&&/20/=,
34/-.0'(/-,)2,'33/'&+,(),2)270)20/3(;'&,)4,8'(/4.'&,\1)40/E],;2-/4+())-,
.2,(9/,<4)'-/+(,3)++.<&/,+/2+/H,2)27.-/2(.(:E,.2(/2+.(:E,3)6/4E,'11/0(E,/(0?,
I(,.+E,.2,3'4(E,'5F;/+(.)2,9/4/,)1,4/9'<.&.('(.2D,(9/,(4;(9,)1,2/D'(.A.(:,<:,
09'&&/2D.2D, (9/, +C/3(.0'&, /K3)+;4/, )1, (4;(9, as, 1)40/?, @), -), +), .2A)&A/+,
0)2(/+(.2D,(9/,T./(J+09/'2,><;(,2)(,)2&:,T./(J+09/'2=,4/-;0(.)2,)1,(4;(9,
(),1)40/,<:,/K3)+.2D,(9/,;2(4;(9,)1,(9/,0)20/3(,)1,1)40/,(94);D9,69.09,
(4;(9,.+,+;33)+/-&:,0.40;8+04.</-,'+,/11/0(,)4,+:83()8?
@9/,.++;/,9/4/,.+,2)(,8/4/&:,(9'(,)1,+'&A'D.2D,(9/,.-/'&.(:,)1,(4;(9,
14)8,.(+,8'(/4.'&.+(,-/34/-'(.)2+_(),09'4'0(/4.J/,.(,'+,+;09,.+,(),.2A.(/,
(9/,34/-.0('<&/,09'4D/,)1,4/'0(.)2'4:,34)(/0(.)2.+8_<;(,(),4/9'<.&.('(/,
(4;(9*+,04.(.0'&,3)(/20:,6.(9,4/D'4-,(),'53)+(8)-/42,8'(/4.'&.+8,69)+/,
4/A/4/20/,1)4,69'(,.+,)+0.&&'(/+,</(6//2,0:2.0.+8,'2-,.2'2.(:?,I(,.+,(),-),
+)E,8)4/)A/4E,.2,+;09,'56':,'+,(),+;<A/4(,(9/,1'0.&/,)33)+.(.)2,</(6//2,
04.(.0'&,8'(/4.'&.+8,'2-,0)2+/4A'(.A/,.-/'&.+8?,I(,.+,2)(,2/6+,(),)<+/4A/,
(9/,-.'&/0(.0'&,0)83&.0.(:,</(6//2,(9/,8'(/4.'&.J'(.)2,)1,(9/,.-/','2-,(9/,
.-/'&.J'(.)2,)1,8'((/4?,`9'(,.+,2/6E,9)6/A/4E,.+,(9/,4/A/&'(.)2,(9'(,'5D/27
;.2/&:,04.(.0'&,8'(/4.'&.+8,4/F;.4/+,'0C2)6&/-D.2D,(9/,6':,.2,69.09,(9/,
2)27</.2D, )1, (9/, .-/', .+, /2(6.2/-, 6.(9, (9/, </.2D, )1, 8'((/4?, @9.+, .+, '2,
.2+.D9(,6/,)6/,(),%&'()?,S)8/(.8/+E,)&-,.-/'+,4/A/'&,(9/.4,34)3/4,-/3(9,
)2&:,69/2,8/'+;4/-,'D'.2+(,(9/,'0(;'&,0)2();4+,)1,(9/.4,+;00/++)4+?,`9'(,
!,

[)4,'2,'0;(/,04.(.F;/,)1,(9.+,0)2+/2+;+E,+//,T):+,"#!#?

175

ISBT,UNQ7V7UO$Q#7!N$7# "#!$

"#!$

W,XYS%E,"#!$

I5 6.+9, (), -), 9/4/, .+, ;2-/4&.2/, (9/, 3/4+.+(/2(, 04.(.0'&, +'&./20/, )1, %&'()*+,
-.+0)A/4:,)1,2)27</.2DE,.2,0)2(4'+(,6.(9,(9/,3'(9)&)D.J'(.)2,)1,(9/,2/D'7
(.A/,34)8;&D'(/-,.2,(9/,2'8/,)1,'53)+(704.(.0'&_<)(9,'2(.7a'2(.'2,'2-,
'2(.7Z/D/&.'2_8/('39:+.0+?,@9/,2'8/+,8)+(,14/F;/2(&:,'++)0.'(/-,6.(9,
(9.+, 3)+(704.(.0'&, 8/('39:+.0+, '4/, B/4D+)2E, `9.(/9/'-E, '2-, b/&/;J/?,
c8)2D, (9/, .83&.0'(.)2+, )1, (9/, A./6, I5 6.+9, (), 34)3)+/, .+, (9'(, .(, .+, 34/7
0.+/&:,(9)+/,69),.2+04.</,.-/'(.)2,6.(9.2,(9/,.88'2/20/,)1,8'(/4.'&,</7
.2D,69),M2-,(9/8+/&A/+,/2-)4+.2D,(9/,+;<+('2(.A/,/F;.A'&/20/,)1,(9.2C7
.2D,'2-,</.2DE,69/4/'+,(9)+/,69),1)&&)6,%&'(),.2,-/1/2-.2D,(9/,(4'2+0/27
-/20/, )1, (9/, .-/', +;<+(.(;(/, 1)48'&, 0)44/&'(.)2, 1)4, +;<+('2(.'&, /F;.A'7
&/20/E,(9/4/<:,34/+/4A.2D,(9/,';()2)8:,)1,(9/,4/'&?,S),I5'D4//,6.(9,(9)+/,
69)E, &.C/, B'-.);E, (9.2C, .(, .+, '5 8.+('C/, (), 4/-;0/, %&'()*+, -.'&/0(.0, )1, /+7
+/20/,'2-,'33/'4'20/,(),'5(6)76)4&-,8/('39:+.0+,)1,39/2)8/2)2,'2-,
2);8/2)2?, %&'()*+, .+, '5 1)48'&, -;'&.+8, )1, eidos, >.-/'=, '2-, soma, ><)-:=E,
4'(9/4,(9'2,'5+;<+('2(.'&,-;'&.+8,)1,8/2('&,'2-,39:+.0'&?,c2-,+;09,1)47
8'&,-;'&.+8,34)A.-/+,(9/,2/0/++'4:,34/0)2-.(.)2,1)4,8'(/4.'&.+(,8)2.+8?,
G)2A/4+/&:E,.(,.+,.2,(9/,A'4./(./+,)1,8/('39:+.0'&,8'(/4.'&.+8E,.20&;-.2D,
-.'&/0(.0'&,8'(/4.'&.+8E,4'(9/4,(9'2,.2,%&'()2.+8E,(9'(,(9/,)+(/2+.<&:,.-/7
'&.+(,1;+.)2,)1,(9);D9(,'2-,</.2D,.+,0)2+/04'(/-?,@9;+E,)2/,)1,(9/,8)+(,
.2(/4/+(.2D,0)2+/F;/20/+,)1,%&'()*+,+;+3/2+.)2,)1,(9/,%'48/2.-/'2,'K.7
)8, .+, (9/, 6.22)6.2D, )1, +;<+('20/, 14)8, .-/'H, 0)20)8.('2(, 6.(9, %&'()*+,
8/('39:+.0+,)1,2/D'(.)2,.+,'50/4('.2,2/D'(.)2,)1,8/('39:+.0+,;2-/4+())-,
'+, (';()&)D.0'&, .(/4'(.)2, )1, (9/, /F;.A'&/20/, thinking: being. What does
(9.+, 2/D'(.)2, /2('.&d, S.83&:, (9'(, .2, '0C2)6&/-D.2D, (9'(, 69'(, .+, 2)(E,
+)8/9)6,.+E,6/,'4/,'&+),<);2-,(),4/0)D2.J/,(9'(,69'(,.+E,+)8/9)6,.+,2)(?,
%&'()*+,/K3)+;4/,)1,(9/,/2(6.2/8/2(,)1,</.2D,'2-,2)27</.2D,.2,(9.2C.2D,
'<);(, 69'(, .+E, 4/8'.2+, (9/, 8)+(, ';(9)4.('(.A/, 4/L).2-/4, (), (9)+/, 69),
6);&-,+;<)4-.2'(/,(9/,';()2)8:,)1,(9);D9(,(),(9/,.88'2/20/,)1,</.2D?,
I(,.+,9'4-&:,+;434.+.2DE,(9/2E,(9'(,(9/,)A/4(;42.2D,)1,%&'()2.+8,4/8'.2+,
(9/,.2-.+3/2+'<&/,34/4/F;.+.(/,1)4,4/.2+('(.2D,(9/,;2.(:,)1,8.2-,'2-,2'7
(;4/?,@9.+,;2.(:,.+,(9/,;&(.8'(/,MD;4/,)1,4/0)20.&.'(.)2,'2-,(9/,-/+.-/4'7
(;8,)1,'&&,8/('39:+.0'&,.-/'&.+8?,e/(,-.'&/0(.0+E,14)8,.(+,%&'()2.0,.20/37
(.)2,)26'4-+E,.+,'58/(9)-,)1,-.A.+.)2,'2-,'2,'2('D)2.+(.0,8/-.;8,>antilogikon=,6.(9.2,69.09,/A/4:,(/83)4'4:,4/+)&;(.)2,.+,9';2(/-,<:,.(+,;24/07
)20.&/-, 4/8'.2-/4?, @9.+, 2/D'(.A/, 4/8'.2-/4, .+E, )1, 0);4+/E, (9/, 39'2()8,
(6.2,)1,/A/4:,'1M48'(.)2E,'2-,%&'()*+,.2A/2(.)2,)1,-.'&/0(.0,.+,(9/,M4+(,'2-,
'4D;'<&:,8)+(,-/0.+.A/,+(/3,.2,9)2.2D,(9/,logos,(),(9/,3).2(,69/4/,.(,0'2,
3;20(;4/,(9/,)(9/46.+/,.83/2/(4'<&/,)3'0.(:,)1,phusisE,)4,2'(;4'&,</.2D?

I(, .+, %&'(), 69), M4+(, D4'+3+, (9'(, (9/, 34)<&/8, )1, (9/, 2/D'(.A/, .+, (9/,
34)<&/8,)1,(9);D9(?,`9:d,B/0';+/,(),(9.2C,.+,(),</,<);2-E,69/(9/4,)2/,
6'2(+,(),)4,2)(E,(),(9/,2)48,)1,(4;(9E,:/(,(9/,form,)1,(4;(9,.+,0)2+(.(;7

(.A/&:,4/&'(/-,(),that which is not?,`9'(,.+,(9/,2'(;4/,)1,(9.+,\2)(]d,@),'+C,


(9.+,F;/+(.)2E,'+,%&'(),4/0)D2.J/-,.2,(9/ SophistE,.+,(),'+C,'<);(,(9/,</.2D,
)1,(9/,2/D'(.A/,'2-,(9/4/<:E,%&'(),4/'&.J/+E,(),'+CE,\`9'(,.+,2)27</.2Dd],
@9/,'((/83(,(),0&'4.1:,(9/,2'(;4/,)1,2/D'(.)2,.2A)&A/+,/2F;.4.2D,'<);(,(9/,
</.2D,)1,2)27</.2D?,@),'+C,'<);(,9)6,that which is not (to m on=,.+,.83&.7
0'(/-,.2,(9/,(9);D9(,)1,that which is (to on=,.+,(),4'.+/,(9/,.++;/,)1,(9);D9(*+,
4/&'(.)2,(),(9/,4/'&.(:,.(,+//C+,(),0.40;8+04.</f,.(,.+,(),/2F;.4/,'<);(,(9/,
3)+.(.)2,)1,(9);D9(,.2,4/&'(.)2,(),(9/,</.2D,.(,(9.2C+E,)4,8)4/,'00;4'(/&:E,
(),'+C,9)6,(9/,</.2D,)1,(9);D9(,.+,.83&.0'(/-,.2,(9/,(9);D9(,)1,</.2D?,@9/,
34)<&/8,)1,(9/,2/D'(.A/,.+,(9/,34)<&/8,)1,(9);D9(*+,'<.&.(:,(),-.+04.8.7
2'(/,</(6//2,(9'(,69.09,.+,'2-,(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(?,c&4/'-:,6.(9,%&'()E,(9/,
'0C2)6&/-D/8/2(,)1,(9/,&.2C,</(6//2,(4;(9,'2-,2/D'(.)2,.+,(9/,3)(/2(.'7
(.)2,)1,(9);D9(E,69.&/,(9/,-.+'A)6'&,)1,2/D'(.A.(:,'2-,(9/,D&)4.M0'(.)2,)1,
'1M48'(.)2,.+,(9/,-/<.&.(:,)1,(9);D9(E,(9);D9(*+,+)39.+(.0'&,0'3.(;&'(.)2,
(),(9/,/K3/-./20:,)1,69'(,.+?
`9'(,1)40/+,;+,(),0)214)2(,(9/,4/'&.(:,)1,2)27</.2Dd,I(,.+,34/0.+/&:,
(9/, .++;/, )1, +/8<&'20/, '2-, (9/, +('(;+, )1, .8'D/+, >eikones=E, '33/'4'20/+,
(phantasma=E,'2-,1'&+/9))-,>pseudos=?,`9'(,.+,(9/,+)39.+(d,@9/4/,.+,'51;27
-'8/2('&,-.1M0;&(:,6.(9,-/M2.2D,(9/,+)39.+(,+.20/,9/,</'4+,8;&(.3&/,-/7
(/48.2'(.)2+E,2)2/,)1,69.09,0'2,&':,0&'.8,(),-/M2.(.A/,';(9)4.(:?,[)4,9)6,
.+,.(,3)++.<&/,(),-/M2/E,(9'(,.+E,+/.J/E,(9/,.2(/&&.D.<&/,1)48,>eidos=,)1,+)8/7
)2/,69),.8.('(/+,69'(,9/,.+,2)(,>.?/?E,(9/,39.&)+)39/4=E,'2-,8'2;1'0(;4/+,
+/8<&'20/+E,(9'(,.+E,(9.2D+E,(9'( are notd,e/(,9)6,0);&-,6/,</,0)2M-/2(,)1,
69'(,(9/,+)39.+(,.+,2)(,;2&/++,6/,'&4/'-:,9'A/,+)8/,+)4(,)1,D4'+3,)1,69'(,
9/, .+d, @9/, -.+(.20(.)2, </(6//2, 39.&)+)39/4, '2-, +)39.+(, .+, '&4/'-:, 34/7
0'4.);+?,c2-,.(,.+,34/0.+/&:,(9/,+)39.+(,69),C2)6+,9)6,(),+('A/,)11,9.+,)62,
39.&)+)39.0'&,.-/2(.M0'(.)2,'+,'2,.8.('()4,)1,6.+-)8,<:,-/2:.2D,(9/,3)+7
+.<.&.(:,)1,-.+(.2D;.+9.2D,</(6//2,(9/,(4;/,'2-,(9/,1'&+/E,/++/20/,'2-,'37
3/'4'20/E, 39.&)+)39:, '2-, +)39.+(4:?, @9;+, (9/, 1);2-.2D, D/+(;4/, )1, (9/,
+)39.+(,.+,(),deny negation,69.&/,-/2:.2D,(9'(,9/,.+,-/2:.2D,'2:(9.2D?,[)4,
(),-/2:,.+,(),.2(/2-,69'(,.+,2)(?,B;(,+.20/,(9/,+)39.+(,.2+.+(+,(9'(,69'(,.+,
2)(,0'22)(,</,.2(/2-/-E,.(,0'22)(,</,-/2./-?,@9;+E,(9/,+)39.+(,8'.2('.2+E,
2/D'(.)2,.+,.83)++.<&/E,+.20/,(),(9.2C,69'(,.+,2)(,.+,not to think?,@9/4/1)4/E,
(9/,+)39.+(,0)20&;-/+E,2)(,)2&:,.+,/A/4:,(9);D9(,of +)8/(9.2DE,'2-,9/20/,
'1M48'(.A/E,.(,.+,.(+/&1,+)8/(9.2D,(9'(,.+?,@9.2C.2D,.+,-);<&:,'1M48'(.A/H,.(,
'1M48+,what is thought of,'+,6/&&,'+,that one is thinking?,Z/4/,6/,/20);2(/4,
(9/, +;<+('2(.A/, /F;.A'&/20/, 8/2(.)2/-, /'4&./4H, (9);D9(, '2-, (9.2D, '4/,
4/2-/4/-, /F;.A'&/2(?, Y2-/4&:.2D, (9.+, /F;.A'&/20/, .+, (9/, '&.D28/2(, )1,
2)27</.2D, 6.(9, '<+/20/, 0)2+(4;/-, '+, (9/, 0)2(4'4:, )1, </.2D?, S.20/, .(, .+,
8'2.1/+(&:, .83)++.<&/, (), (9.2C, (9/, 0)2(4'4:, )1, </.2DE, </0';+/, /A/4:, '(7
(/83(,(),(9.2C,2)(9.2D,(;42+,.(,.2(),+)8/(9.2DE,(9/2,.(,+//8+,(),1)&&)6,
(9'(,2)27</.2D,.+,'509.8/4'?,>I(,.+,6)4(9,2)(.2D,(9/,3'4'&&/&+,</(6//2,(9.+,
+)39.+(.0'&,4/1;('(.)2,)1,2)27</.2D,'2-,B/4D+)2*+,-.+8.++'&,)1,2/D'(.A.(:,
'+,'2,'4(.1'0(,)1,.2(/&&/0(.)2,.2,Creative Evolution?=,@9/,09'&&/2D/,1'0.2D,
(9)+/,69),6);&-,-.+04.8.2'(/,</(6//2,/++/20/,'2-,'33/'4'20/,.+,(),/K7

176

177

Platos Sophist

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

"#!$

Ray Brassier

3&'.2,69'(,(9/:,8/'2,<:,'33/'4'20/E,'2-,9)6,(9/:,34)3)+/,(),.-/2(.1:,.(,
.2,0)2(4'-.+(.20(.)2,(),/++/20/E,D.A/2,(9'(,'33/'4'20/,.+,34/0.+/&:,69'(,.+,
+;33)+/-,(),</,-/A).-,)1,/++/2(.'&,1)48?,[)4,(9/,A/4:,F;/+(.)2_What is
'33/'4'20/d_.2+)1'4,'+,.(,/2F;.4/+,'<);(,(9/,1)48'&,</.2D,)4,eidos,)1,'37
3/'4'20/E,/2-)6+,'33/'4'20/,6.(9,(9/,.2(/&&.D.<.&.(:,>.-/'&.(:=,.(,.+,+;37
3)+/-,(),&'0C?,g2&:,)20/,6/,9'A/,)<('.2/-,(9/,1)48,)1,'33/'4'20/,6.&&,6/,
</,.2,'53)+.(.)2,(),+('(/,69'(,(9/,+)39.+(,.+,'2-,-)/+?,
g;4, 34)A.+.)2'&, -/M2.(.)2, )1, (9/, +)39.+(, .+, '+, '2, .8.('()4, )1, 6.+7
-)8H, 9/, 34)-;0/+, 0)3./+, )1, (4;/, .-/'+?, %&'()*+, X&/'(.0, h.+.()4, -.+(.27
D;.+9/+,(6),<'+.0,C.2-+,)1,.8.('(.)2H,&.C/2/++78'C.2D,'2-,'33/'4'20/7
8'C.2D?,i.C/2/++/+,'4/,(4;/,)4,1'.(91;&,0)3./+E,</'4.2D,(9/,8'4C,)1,M&.'7
(.)2, (), (9/, )4.D.2'&, >4/+/8<&'20/=f, '33/'4'20/+, '4/, 1'&+/, )4, ;21'.(91;&,
0)3./+E,)439'2/-,14)8,'2:,4/0)D2.J'<&/,34)D/2.()4?,B;(,.2,)4-/4,(),;27
-/4+('2-, (9.+, -.+(.20(.)2, 6/, 8;+(, ;2-/4+('2-, (9/, -.11/4/20/, </(6//2,
(4;(9,'2-,1'&+.(:?,S.20/,69'(,.+,(4;/,is '2-,69'(,.+,1'&+/,is notE,6/,0'22)(,
9)3/, (), ;2-/4+('2-, (4;(9, '2-, 1'&+.(:, ;2&/++, 6/, ;2-/4+('2-, 69'(, 6/,
8/'2,69/2,6/,+':,(9'(,+)8/(9.2D,.+,)4,.+,2)(?,@9;+,(9/,4/&'(.)2,</(6//2,
(4;(9, '2-, 1'&+.(:, .+, 0)22/0(/-, (), (9/, 4/&'(.)2, </(6//2, </.2D, '2-, 2)27
</.2DH,6/,8;+(,</,'<&/,(),(9.2C,(9/,&'((/4,.2,)4-/4,(),;2-/4+('2-,1'&+.(:,
'+,(9/,0&'.8,(9'(,(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(,is,'2-,(9/,0&'.8,(9'(,(9'(,69.09,.+E,is
not?,S),(9/,F;/+(.)2,</0)8/+E,69'(,-)/+,(9/,/K34/++.)2,\(9'(,69.09,.+,
2)(],'33&:,()d,`9/2,6/,-/2:,(9'(,+)8/(9.2D,.+,(9/,0'+/,>/?D?E,\I(,.+,2)(,
4'.2.2D]f,\Z'44:,%)((/4,-)/+,2)(,/K.+(]=E,8;+(,2)(,(9/,(9.2D,-/2./-,3)+7
+/++,+)8/,C.2-,)1,</.2Dd,g(9/46.+/E,69'(,.+,.(,(9'(,6/,'4/,-/2:.2Dd,G)27
+/F;/2(&:E,6/,8;+(,;2-/4+('2-,(9/,2'(;4/,)1,negationE,69.09,.+,(./-,(),
(9/,2'(;4/,)1,2)27</.2DH,(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(?,[)4,.(,+//8+,)2&:,+)8/(9.2D,
that is,.2,+)8/,+/2+/,0'2,</,2/D'(/-H,)(9/46.+/E,69'(,0)2(/2(,0'2,2/D'7
(.)2, )4, -/2.'&, 9'A/d, B;(, (9'(, 69.09, .+, 2)(, 0'22)(, 4/1/4, (), +)8/(9.2DE,
since something,.+,'5+.D2,)1,)2/,(9.2D,'2-,9/20/,'&6':+,4/1/4+,(),'5</.2D,
>+)8/(9.2D,(9'(,.+=E,L;+(,'+,somethings,>3&;4'&=,4/1/4+,(),+/A/4'&,(9.2D+?,
B;(,(9/2,69)/A/4,+':+,)4,;((/4+,\(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(],0'22)(,</,4/1/44.2D,
(), '2:(9.2DE, 69/(9/4, )2/, )4, 8'2:?, G)2+/F;/2(&:E, .(, +//8+, 6/, 0'22)(,
'2'&:J/, 69'(, 6/, 8/'2, 69/2, 6/, +':, (9'(, 69.09, .+, 2)(E, +.20/, .(, 0'22)(,
4/1/4, (), '2:(9.2D, (9'(, .+, /.(9/4, )2/, )4, 8;&(.3&/?, @9;+, (9/, /K34/++.)2,
+//8+, (), </, -/A).-, )1, +/2+/?, B;(, (9/2, '4/, 6/, 2)(, -/2:.2D, +)8/(9.2D,
'D'.2,'2-,9/20/,.2A)C.2D,(9/,A/4:,(9.2D,69.09,6/,L;+(,+'.-,0'22)(,</,
.2A)C/-d, I1, 6/, +':, (9'(, (9'(, 69.09, .+, 2)(, .+, 8/'2.2D&/++E, .(, +//8+, 6/,
9'A/,(),(4/'(,.(,as,+)8/(9.2D,69.09,.+,.2,)4-/4,(),-/2:,.(,(9/,34)3/4(:,)1,
.2(/&&.D.<.&.(:?, G&/'4&:, (9/2E, (9/, '++;83(.)2, (9'(, </.2D, '2-, 2)27</.2D,
'4/, 8;(;'&&:, /K0&;+.A/, D/2/4'(/+, 0)2(4'-.0(.)2?, S), (9/, X&/'(.0, h.+.()4,
0)20&;-/+,(9'(,6/,9'A/,(),(4:,(),(9.2C,)1,</.2D,'2-,2)27</.2D,'+,+)8/7
9)6,8.K/-,()D/(9/4?,g2&:,(9/2,6/,6.&&,</,'<&/,(),;2-/4+('2-,9)6,.(,.+,
3)++.<&/,1)4,+)8/)2/,(),(9.2C,)4,+('(/,+)8/(9.2D,8/'2.2D1;&,'<);(,69'(,
.+,2)(,(9/,0'+/?,c2-,6/,2//-,(),-),(9.+,.2,)4-/4,(),</,'<&/,(),;2-/4+('2-,
69'(,'51'&+/,</&./1,.+?

@9/'/(/(;+, '2-, (9/, X&/'(.0,h.+.()4, 0)20;4, (9'(, 9'A.2D, 1'&+/, </&./1+,


'<);(,(9/,6)4&-,0)2+.+(+,.2,</&./A.2D,/.(9/4,(9'(,(9'(,69.09,.+E,.+,2)(E,)4,
(9'(,(9'(,69.09,.+,2)(E,.+?,S),.2,)4-/4,(),;2-/4+('2-,9)6,3/)3&/,0'2,9'A/,
1'&+/,</&./1+,'<);(,(9/,6)4&-E,.(,.+,2/0/++'4:,(),;2-/4+('2-,9)6,(9'(,69.09,
.+,2)(E,+)8/9)6,.+E,'2-,(9'(,69.09,.+E,+)8/9)6,.+,2)(?,B;(,(9/,-.1M0;&(:,.2,
;2-/4+('2-.2D,69'(,6/,8/'2,69/2,6/,+':,(9'(,+)8/(9.2D,.+,2)(,.+,0&)+/7
&:,(./-,(),(9/,-.1M0;&(:,.2,;2-/4+('2-.2D,69'(,6/,8/'2,69/2,6/,+':,(9'(,
+)8/(9.2D,.+H,(9/,&'((/4,.+,'+,)<+0;4/,(),;+,'+,(9/,1)48/4?,%4/A.);+,39.7
&)+)39/4+,9'-,34)3)+/-,A'4.);+,(9/)4./+,'<);(,9)6,(),;2-/4+('2-,</.2DH,
+)8/E, &.C/, %'48/2.-/+E, 9'-, +'.-, (9'(, /A/4:(9.2D, .+, )2/E, +), 09'2D/, '2-,
8;&(.3&.0.(:,'4/,2)(f,69.&/,)(9/4+E,&.C/,Z/4'0&.(;+E,.2+.+(/-,(9'(,/A/4:(9.2D,
.+,8;&(.3&/,'2-,.2,0)2+('2(,j;KE,+),;2.(:,'2-,+('<.&.(:,'4/,2)(?,S(.&&,)(9/4+,
(4./-,(),4/'09,'50)834)8.+/,<:,+('(.2D,(9'(,/A/4:(9.2D,.+,'50)8<.2'(.)2,)1,
(6),)4,8)4/,<'+.0,/&/8/2(+H,8)A/8/2(,'2-,4/+(E,9'48)2:,'2-,+(4.1/E,/(0?,
[.2'&&:E,(9/4/,'4/,(9)+/E,&.C/,S)04'(/+E,69),8'.2('.2,(9'(,0)43)4/'&,<)-./+,
/K.+(,<;(,+),-),.20)43)4/'&,1)48+,)4,.-/'+?,B;(,'&&,(9/+/,(9/)4./+,&/'-,(),
A'4.);+, 0)2(4'-.0(.)2+?, I1, /A/4:(9.2D, .+, )2/E, (9/2, /.(9/4, '=,\)2/], .+, (9/,
2'8/,)1,</.2DE,.2,69.09,0'+/,(9/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,(9/,2'8/,)1,</.2D,
'2-,(9/,</.2D,(9'(,.+,2'8/-,.83&./+,'5-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,(9/,6)4-,'2-,
(9/,(9.2D,+),(9'(,(9/4/,'4/,(6),(9.2D+E,2)(,)2/f,)4,<=,(9/,2'8/,.+,(9/,+'8/,
(9.2D,'+,69'(,.+,2'8/-E,+),(9'(,(9/,2'8/,.+,(9/,+'8/,'+,.(+/&1,'2-,(9/4/7
1)4/,2'8/+,.(+/&1,'2-,2)(9.2D,/&+/?,B;(,(9/2,.(,.+,(9/,2'8/,)1,2)(9.2DH,.1,
6/,0'22)(,2'8/,(9/,)2/E,6/,0'22)(,(9.2C,.(E,'2-,.1,6/,0'22)(,(9.2C,.(E,.(,
</0)8/+, .2-.+(.2D;.+9'<&/, 14)8, 2)(9.2D, )4, (9'(, 69.09, .+, 2)(?, I1, /A/4:7
(9.2D,.+,8;&(.3&/,'2-,'&6':+,09'2D.2DE,(9/2,/A/4:(9.2D,.+,'&6':+,</0)87
.2D,)(9/4,(9'2,.(+/&1?,B;(,.1,/A/4:(9.2D,.+,)(9/4,(9'2,.(+/&1E,9)6,'4/,6/,(),
-.+(.2D;.+9, </(6//2, -.11/4/2(, (9.2D+d, B:, -/+(4):.2D, ;2.(:, '2-, .-/2(.(:E,
(9/,(9/+.+,(9'(,</.2D,.+,</0)8.2D,4/2-/4+,.(,.83)++.<&/,(),-.+(.2D;.+9,'2:7
(9.2D,14)8,'2:(9.2D,/&+/,'2-,/2-+,;3,'++/4(.2D,69'(,.(,.2.(.'&&:,-/2./-H,
(9'(,.+E,(9'(,/A/4:(9.2D,.+,4/'&&:,(9/,+'8/?,Z/4/,'2-,/&+/69/4/E,%&'(),</7
D.2+,(),-/&.2/'(/,'5-.+(.20(.)2,)1,8)8/2();+,.83)4(H,</(6//2,/2(.(:,'2-,
34)3/4(:E,)4,/++/20/,'2-,'((4.<;(/?,@9/,4/D.+(4'(.)2,)1,09'2D/,34/+;33)7
+/+,(9/,4/0)D2.(.)2,)1,'2,;209'2D.2D,+;<+(4'(/?,S.D2.M0'2(&:E,(9.+,0)20/37
(;'&,-.+(.20(.)2,)1,<'+.0,8/('39:+.0'&,.83)4(,.+,+;DD/+(/-,<:,(9/,+(4;0(;4/,
)1, &'2D;'D/, .(+/&1, .2, (9/, +9'3/, )1, (9/, D4'88'(.0'&, -.+(.20(.)2, </(6//2,
+;<L/0(, '2-, '((4.<;(/?, @9/, +(4;0(;4'&, /2(6.2/8/2(, )1, (9.2C.2DE, +':.2DE,
'2-,</.2DE,)4,&)D.0E,&'2D;'D/E,'2-,4/'&.(:E,69.09,6.&&,34)A/,(),</,)1,.2/+(.7
8'<&/,.83)4('20/,1)4,'&&,1;(;4/,39.&)+)39.0'&,4'(.)2'&.+8E,.+,0&/'4&:,.2(.7
8'(/-,<:,%&'()?
S.20/,.-/2(.1:.2D,</.2D,6.(9,(9/,+('+.+,)1,(9/,g2/,)4,(9/,</0)8.2D,)1,
(9/,^;&(.3&/,&/'-+,(),0)2(4'-.0(.)2E,</.2D,8;+(,0)8<.2/,;2.(:,'2-,8;&(.7
3&.0.(:E,.-/2(.(:,'2-,-.11/4/20/?,B;(,.1,</.2D,0)2+.+(+,)1,(6),<'+.0,34.20.7
3&/+E,+;09,'+,4/+(,'2-,8)A/8/2(,)4,9'48)2:,'2-,+(4.1/E,(9/2,6/,8;+(,'+C,
69/(9/4, (9/+/, 34.20.3&/+, (9/8+/&A/+, '4/?, @9/:, 8;+(, </E, +.20/, 6/, 0&'.8,
(9'(,(9/:,'4/,+)8/(9.2D?,B;(,.1,6/,-)E,.(,+//8+,(9'(,</.2D,.+,+)8/(9.2D,

178

179

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

"#!$

Ray Brassier

(9/:,9'A/,.2,0)88)2,'2-,+),.+,'5(9.4-,(9.2D,+/3'4'(/,14)8,(9/,(6),/&/7
8/2('4:,34.20.3&/+?,B;(,6/,+(.&&,9'A/,2)(,/K3&'.2/-,69'(,(9.+,(9.4-,(9.2D,
></.2D=, .+?, I1, <)-./+, '2-, .20)43)4/'&, 1)48+, <)(9, /K.+(E, (9/:, 8;+(, 9'A/,
+)8/(9.2D,.2,0)88)2?,@9.+,+)8/(9.2D,.+,0'3'0.(:?,B/.2D,.+,(9/,0'3'0.(:,(),
9'A/,'2,/11/0(,)2,+)8/(9.2D,)4,(),</,'11/0(/-,<:,+)8/(9.2D?,B)-./+,'4/,
'&6':+,'11/0(.2D,)2/,'2)(9/4,'2-,9/20/,'&6':+,09'2D.2D?,B;(,1)48+,'4/,
+;33)+/-,(),</,(9/,;209'2D/'<&/,34.20.3&/+,)4,+(4;0(;4/+,0)88)2,(),'&&,
<)-./+?,I1,1)48+,'4/,C2)62,<:,(9/,8.2-E,(9/2,(9/:,'4/,'11/0(/-E,'2-,.1,(9'(,
.+,+)E,(9/2,(9/:,'4/,+)8/9)6,09'2D/-,<:,</.2D,C2)62E,69.09,.+,0)2(4'4:,
(),(9/,-/M2.(.)2,)1,1)48,'+,(9'(,69.09,.+,;209'2D.2D?,S),<)(9,(9/,09'2D7
.2D,'2-,(9/,;209'2D.2D,9'A/,(),</,'-8.((/-,'+,+)8/9)6,</.2D?,B;(,)20/,
'D'.2,(9.+,8/'2+,(9'(,</.2D,8;+(,</,'5(9.4-,(9.2D,-.+(.20(,14)8,(9/,09'2D7
.2D,'2-,(9/,;209'2D.2D?,`/,9'A/,(),;2-/4+('2-,9)6,.(,'&&)6+,(9/,09'2D7
.2D, '2-, (9/, ;209'2D.2D, (), </, '++)0.'(/-E, <;(, '&+), 9)6, .(, /K3&'.2+, (9/.4,
+/3'4'(.)2, )4, )(9/42/++?, @9.+, 8/'2+, (9'(, </.2D, /20)83'++/+, 1);4, <'+.0,
1)48+H,8)A/8/2(E,4/+(E,+'8/2/++E,'2-,)(9/42/++?,B;(,.(,.+,)(9/42/++,(9'(,
9)&-+,(9/+/,()D/(9/4,'2-,/K3&'.2+,(9/.4,8;(;'&,3'4(.0.3'(.)2?,^)A/8/2(,
.+,<;(,.+,)(9/4,(9'2,</.2D,+.20/,</.2D,-)/+,2)(,8)A/?,k/+(,.+,<;(,.+,)(9/4,
(9'2, </.2D, +.20/, 4/+(, .+, .88)<.&/, '2-, :/(, 8)A/8/2(, .+?, k/+(, +(':+, (9/,
+'8/,<;(,.+,)(9/4,(9'2,8)A/8/2(?,^)A/8/2(,.+,)(9/4,(9'2,4/+(,:/(,.+,'2-,
'+,+;09,.+,(9/,+'8/,'+,.(+/&1?,S'8/2/++,.+E,:/(,+9'4/+,.2,8)A/8/2(,'2-,4/+(E,
+), .+, )(9/4, (9'2, </.2D?, @9;+, )(9/42/++, .+, -.+(4.<;(/-, '8)2D, (9/+/, 1);4,
;&(.8'(/, 1)48+H, +'8/2/++E, 4/+(E, '2-, 8)A/8/2(, are, '2-, +), '4/, '&&, other
than,</.2D?,B/.2D,'2-,2)27</.2DE,;2-/4+())-,'+,)(9/42/++E,'4/,/2(6.2/-2.

1//&.2DE,C2)679)6,'2-,0)22).++/;4+9.3E,0&'++,'2-,+('(;+?,`/,.2+;&(E,14)62E,
3);(E, 0&/209, );4, M+(+E, /2(9;+/E, +3.(E, +.D9, '2-, -4/'8?, `9), 4/'+)2+d],
>"?!?Q?O=$?,S/0)2-E,9/,4/-;0/+,+0./20/,(),1)40/H,\B/&./1,.2,(9/,/K.+(/20/,)1,
+0./20/,.+,(9/,/11/0(,)1,/K'DD/4'(.)2E,.2L;+(.0/E,'+:88/(4:E,.D2)4'20/E,04/7
-;&.(:E,'2-,-/2.'&?,I1,l+0./20/*,.+,-.+(.20(,14)8,(9/,4/+(E,(9/2,.(,.+,(9/,/2-,
4/+;&(,)1,'5&)2D,&.2/,)1,0);3+,-/,1)40/],>O?"?R=?,@9.4-E,9/,4/-;0/+,+0./2(.M0,
C2)6&/-D/, >\C2)6.2D7(9'(]=, (), 34'0(.0'&, C2)679)6H, \@9/4/, .+, 2), +;09,
(9.2D,'+,C2)6&/-D/_69'(,6);&-,.(,</d,@9/4/,.+,)2&:,C2)679)6?,I2,)(9/4,
6)4-+E,(9/4/,'4/,04'1(+,'2-,(4'-/+?,b/+3.(/,'&&,0&'.8+,(),(9/,0)2(4'4:E,04'1(+,
9)&-,(9/,C/:,(),'&&,C2)6&/-D/?,@9/:,8'C/,.(,3)++.<&/,(),l4/(;42*,+0./20/,(),
(9/,2/(6)4C+,14)8,69.09,.(,0'8/],>O?$?"=?,i'+(,<;(,2)(,&/'+(E,9/,4/-;0/+,
(4;(9,(),3)6/4H,\@9/,6)4-,l(4;/*,.+,'5+;33&/8/2(,'--/-,(),0/4('.2,(4.'&+,)1,
+(4/2D(9,(),-'JJ&/,(9)+/,69),8.D9(,+(.&&,F;/+(.)2,(9/8],>O?V?Q=?
I(,.+,.2+(4;0(.A/,(),2)(/,9)6,8'2:,4/-;0(.)2+,8;+(,</,0'44./-,);(,.2,
)4-/4, 1)4, .44/-;0(.)2.+8, (), D/(, )11, (9/, D4);2-H, 4/'+)2E, +0./20/E, C2)67
&/-D/E, (4;(9_'&&, 8;+(, </, /&.8.2'(/-?, g1, 0);4+/E, i'();4, 9'+, 2), F;'&8+,
'<);(, 4/-;0.2D, 4/'+)2, (), '4<.(4'(.)2E, +0./20/, (), 0;+()8E, C2)6&/-D/, (),
8'2.3;&'(.)2E,)4,(4;(9,(),1)40/H,(9/,A/4.('<&/,)<L/0(,)1,9.+,.44/-;0(.)2.+(,
'1j'(;+,.+,2)(,4/-;0(.)2,3/4,+/E,.2,69.09,9/,6'2()2&:,.2-;&D/+E,<;(,/K3&'7
2'(.)2E,'2-,(9/,0)D2.(.A/,34.A.&/D/,'00)4-/-,(),+0./2(.M0,/K3&'2'(.)2,.2,
3'4(.0;&'4?, g20/, 4/&./A/-, )1, (9/, 0)2+(4'.2(+, )1, 0)D2.(.A/, 4'(.)2'&.(:, '2-,
(9/,)<&.D'(.)2,(),(4;(9E,8/('39:+.0+,0'2,1)4/D),(9/,2//-,1)4,/K3&'2'(.)2,
'2-,+;33&'2(,(9/,&'((/4,6.(9,'5+/4./+,)1,'&&;+.A/,8/('39)4+,69)+/,0)D2.7
(.A/, .83)4(, </0)8/+, '5 1;20(.)2, )1, +/8'2(.0, 4/+)2'20/H, \'0()4E], \'&&:E],
\1)40/E],\3)6/4E],\+(4/2D(9E],\4/+.+('20/E],\2/(6)4C?],@9/+/,'4/,(9/,8'+7
(/478/('39)4+, )1, i'();4*+, .44/-;0(.)2.+(, 8/('39:+.0+E, (9/, ;&(.8'(/,\'07
('2(+],/20'3+;&'(.2D,(9/,)3/4'(.)2+,)1,/A/4:,)(9/4,'0()4?,c2-,'+,6.(9,'2:,
8/('39:+.0+, <;.&(, )2, 8/('39)4E, /F;.A)0'(.)2, .+, '&6':+, '5 <))2E, 2/A/4,
'59'2-.0'3H,\B/0';+/,(9/4/,.+,2),&.(/4'&,)4,MD;4'(.A/,8/'2.2DE,2),+.2D&/,
;+/,)1,8/('39)4,0'2,-)8.2'(/,(9/,)(9/4,;+/+?,`.(9);(,34)34./(:,(9/4/,.+,
2),.834)34./(:,mno,S.20/,2),6)4-,4/.D2+,)A/4,(9/,)(9/4+E,6/,'4/,14//,(),;+/,
'&&, 8/('39)4+?, `/, -), 2)(, 9'A/, (), 1/'4, (9'(, )2/, 8/'2.2D, .+, l(4;/*, '2-,
,'2)(9/4,l8/('39)4.0'&*],>"?R?$=?
Z)6/A/4E,.2,(9/,'<+/20/,)1,'2:,;2-/4+('2-.2D,)1,(9/,4/&'(.)2+9.3,</7
(6//2,\8/'2.2D+],'2-,(9.2D+,8/'2(_(9/,.++;/,'(,(9/,9/'4(,)1,(9/,/3.+(/7
8)&)D.0'&,34)<&/8'(.0,69.09,i'();4,-.+8.++/+,<;(,69.09,9'+,34/)00;3./-,
'2, /2(.4/, 39.&)+)39.0'&, (4'-.(.)2, 14)8, %&'(), (), S/&&'4+_(9/, 0&'.8, (9'(,
2)(9.2D, .+, 8/('39)4.0'&, .+, ;&(.8'(/&:, .2-.+(.2D;.+9'<&/, 14)8, (9/, 0&'.8,
(9'(, /A/4:(9.2D, .+, 8/('39)4.0'&_8;09, '+, (9/, 0&'.8, (9'(, /A/4:(9.2D, .+,
4/'&,(;42+,);(,(),</,.2-.+(.2D;.+9'<&/,14)8,(9/,0&'.8,(9'(,2)(9.2D,.+,4/'&H,

Sophistry and Irreduction


['.&;4/,(),'0C2)6&/-D/,(9.+,/2(6.2.2D,)1,</.2D,'2-,)(9/42/++,/4'+/+,
(9/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,/++/20/,'2-,'33/'4'20/E,'2-,+(:8./+,(9/,4'(.)2'&7
.+(,.83/4'(.A/,(),/K3&'.2,39/2)8/2',<:,3/2/(4'(.2D,(),(9/,4/'&.(:,</:)2-,
'33/'4'20/+?, @9/, +)39.+(, 4/&.2F;.+9/+, (9/, 8/('39:+.0'&, .2L;20(.)2, (),
C2)6,(9/,2);8/2'&,.2,(9/,2'8/,)1,'2,\.44/-;0(.)2.+8],(9'(,'<L;4/+,(9/,
/3.+(/8)&)D.0'&,-.+(.20(.)2,</(6//2,'33/'4'20/,'2-,4/'&.(:,(9/,</((/4,(),
+'&A'D/,(9/,4/'&.(:,)1,/A/4:,'33/'4'20/E,14)8,+;2+/(+,(),S'2(',G&';+?
B4;2),i'();4,.+,;2-);<(/-&:,'8)2D,(9/,1)4/8)+(,34)3)2/2(+,)1,(9.+,
.44/-;0(.)2.+(, 04//-?, Z.+, Irreductions 3.(9.&:, -.+(.&+, 1'8.&.'4, T./(J+09/'2,
9)8.&./+E, 8.2;+, (9/, '2K.);+, <)8<'+(, )1, T./(J+09/*+, .2(/83/4'(/, Sturm
und Drang?,`.(9,9.+,+;'A/,'2-,;20(;);+,34)+/E,i'();4,34/+/2(+,(9/,;4<'2/,
1'0/,)1,3)+(8)-/42,.44'(.)2'&.+8?,Z)6,-)/+,9/,34)0//-d,[.4+(E,9/,4/-;0/+,
4/'+)2, (), -.+04.8.2'(.)2H,\lk/'+)2*, .+, '33&./-, (), (9/, 6)4C, )1, '&&)0'(.2D,
'D4//8/2(,'2-,-.+'D4//8/2(,</(6//2,6)4-+?,I(,.+,'58'((/4,)1,('+(/,'2-,
@9.+, /2(6.2/8/2(, .+, (9/, 0/2(4'&, 1)0;+, )1, Z/.-/DD/4*+, 9.D9&:, .&&;8.2'(.2D,
/K/,D/+.+,)1,%&'()*+,(/K(,>Z/.-/DD/4,"##$=?

$,
I20&;-/-,'+,(9/,+/0)2-,3'4(,)1,i'();4,!UU$?,Z/4/,'2-,/&+/69/4/E,(9/,2;87
</4/-,34)3)+.(.)2+,.2,Irreductions,'4/,4/1/44/-,(),'+,+;09,>.2,3'4/2(9/+/+=E,4'(9/4,(9'2,
<:,3'D/,2;8</4?

180

181

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

"#!$

Ray Brassier

Ray Brassier

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

6.(9, (9/, -.++)&;(.)2, )1, (9/, -.+(.20(.)2, </(6//2, '33/'4'20/, '2-, 4/'&.(:E,
(9/,34/-.0'(/,\4/'&],.+,+;<L/0(/-,(),'2,.2j'(.)2,(9'(,4/2-/4+,.(,6)4(9&/++?,
@9/,8/('39:+.0'&,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,6)4-+,'2-,(9.2D+E,0)20/3(+,'2-,)<7
L/0(+E,A'2.+9/+,'&)2D,6.(9,(9/,-.+(.20(.)2,</(6//2,4/34/+/2('(.)2,'2-,4/7
'&.(:H,\I(,.+,2)(,3)++.<&/,(),-.+(.2D;.+9,1)4,&)2D,</(6//2,(9)+/,'0('2(+,(9'(,
'4/,D).2D,(),3&':,(9/,4)&/,)1,l6)4-+*,'2-,(9)+/,(9'(,6.&&,3&':,(9/,4)&/,)1,
l(9.2D+*],>"?O?V=?,I2,-.+8.++.2D,(9/,/3.+(/8)&)D.0'&,)<&.D'(.)2,(),/K3&'.2,
69'(,8/'2.2D,.+,'2-,9)6,.(,4/&'(/+,(),(9.2D+,(9'(,'4/,2)(,8/'2.2D+E,i'7
();4E,&.C/,'&&,+)39.+(+,>9.+,)62,34)(/+('(.)2+,(),(9/,0)2(4'4:,2)(6.(9+('2-7
.2D=E,4/-;0/+,/A/4:(9.2D,(),8/'2.2DE,+.20/,(9/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,\6)4-+],
'2-,\(9.2D+], (;42+, );(, (), </, 2), 8)4/, (9'2, '5 1;20(.)2'&, -.11/4/20/, +;<7
+;8/-,<:,(9/,0)20/3(,)1,\'0('2(]_(9'(,.+,(),+':E,.(,.+,'58/4/&:,2)8.2'&,
-.11/4/20/,/20)83'++/-,<:,(9/,8/('39:+.0'&,1;20(.)2,2)6,'+04.</-,(),(9/,
8/('39)4, \'0('2(?], S.20/, 1)4, i'();4, (9/, &'((/4, /20)83'++/+, /A/4:(9.2D,
14)8,9:-4)/&/0(4.0,3)6/4,3&'2(+,(),())(9,1'.4./+E,.(,1)&&)6+,(9'(,/A/4:,3)+7
+.<&/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,3)6/4,3&'2(+,'2-,1'.4./+_(9'(,.+E,-.11/4/20/+,.2,
(9/,8/09'2.+8+,(94);D9,69.09,(9/:,'11/0(,'2-,'4/,'11/0(/-,<:,)(9/4,/2(.7
(./+E,69/(9/4,(9)+/,8/09'2.+8+,'4/,0;44/2(&:,0)20/.A'<&/,)4,2)(_.+,+;37
3)+/-, (), </, ;234)<&/8'(.0'&&:, '00);2(/-, 1)4, <:, (9.+, +.2D&/, 0)20/3(;'&,
8/('39)4?,e/(,3'0/,i'();4E,(9/4/,.+,'52)272/D&.D.<&/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,
0)20/3(;'&,0'(/D)4./+,'2-,(9/,)<L/0(+,(),69.09,(9/:,0'2,</,34)3/4&:,'37
3&./-?,B;(,</0';+/,9/,.+,'+,)<&.A.);+,(),.(,'+,(9/,3)+(7+(4;0(;4'&.+(+,9/,0'+7
(.D'(/+E,i'();4*+,'((/83(,(),0)2(4'+(,9.+,\4/'&.+8],(),3)+(8)-/42,\.44/'&7
.+8],4.2D+,9)&&)6H,9/,.+,.2A)C.2D,'5-.11/4/20/,69.09,9/,0'22)(,8'C/,D))-,
)2?,B:,0)&&'3+.2D,(9/,4/'&.(:,)1,(9/,-.11/4/20/,</(6//2,0)20/3(+,'2-,)<7
L/0(+, .2(), -.11/4/20/+, .2, 1)40/, </(6//2, D/2/4.0'&&:, 0)2+(4;/-, \'0('2(+E],
i'();4, 8/4/&:, /4'+/+, 14)8, (9/, +.-/, )1, \(9.2D+], >\1)40/+]=, '5 -.+(.20(.)2,
69.09,(/K(;'&.+(+,-/2:,14)8,(9/,+.-/,)1,\6)4-+],>\+.D2.M/4+]=?,
^)4(D'D/-,(),(9/,0)D2.(.A/,A'&/20/,)1,8/('39)4,<;(,&'0C.2D,(9/,4/7
+);40/+,(),/K3&'.2,&/(,'&)2/,&/D.(.8'(/,.(E,i'();4*+,.44/-;0(.)2.+8,0'22)(,
</,;2-/4+())-,'+,'5(9/)4:E,69/4/,(9/,&'((/4,.+,<4)'-&:,0)2+(4;/-,'+,'5+/4./+,
)1, +:+(/8'(.0'&&:, .2(/4&.2C/-, 34)3)+.(.)2+, 9/&-, ()D/(9/4, <:, A'&.-, '4D;7
8/2('(.A/,09'.2+?,k'(9/4E,i'();4*+,(/K(+,0)2+0.);+&:,4/9/'4+/,(9/,8/('7
39)4.0'&, )3/4'(.)2+, (9/:, -/+04.</H, (9/:, '4/, \2/(6)4C+], (4'1M0C.2D, .2,
\6)4-7(9.2D+],)1,A'4:.2D,\3)6/4E],2/K;+/+,)1,\(4'2+&'(.)2],</(6//2,\'07
('2(+], )1, -.11/4.2D,\1)40/E], /(0?, I2, (9.+, 4/D'4-E, (9/:, '4/, /K/40.+/+, .2, (9/,
34'0(.0'&, C2)679)6, 69.09, i'();4, /K'&(+E, '+, )33)+/-, (), -/8)2+(4'(.A/,
34)3)+.(.)2'&,+(4;0(;4/+,D)A/42/-,<:,0)D2.(.A/,2)48+,)1,/3.+(/8.0,A/4'07
.(:,'2-,&)D.0'&,A'&.-.(:?,B;(,(9.+,.+,L;+(,(),+':,(9'(,(9/,;&(.8'(/,.83)4(,)1,
i'();4*+,6)4C,.+,34/+04.3(.A/,4'(9/4,(9'2,-/+04.3(.A/f,.2-//-E,D.A/2,(9'(,
.++;/+,)1,/3.+(/8.0,A/4'0.(:,'2-,A'&.-.(:,'4/,.44/&/A'2(,(),i'();4E,(9/4/,.+,
2)(9.2D,(),34/A/2(,(9/,0:2.0,14)8,0)20&;-.2D,(9'(,i'();4*+,3)&.(.0+,>2/)7
&.</4'&=,'2-,9.+,4/&.D.)2,>k)8'2,G'(9)&.0=,34)A.-/,(9/,8)+(,(/&&.2D,.2-.0/+,
)1, (9/,\1)40/+], ;&(.8'(/&:, 8)(.A'(.2D, 9.+, '2(.3'(9:, ()6'4-+, 4'(.)2'&.(:E,
04.(.F;/E,'2-,4/A)&;(.)2?

I2,)(9/4,6)4-+E,i'();4*+,(/K(+,'4/,-/+.D2/-,(),-),(9.2D+H,(9/:,9'A/,
<//2,/2D.2//4/-,.2,)4-/4,(),34)-;0/,'2,/11/0(,4'(9/4,(9'2,/+('<&.+9,'5-/7
8)2+(4'(.)2?,['4,14)8,(4:.2D,(),34)A/,'2:(9.2DE,i'();4,.+,/K3&.0.(&:,/27
D'D/-, .2, 3/4+;'-.2D, (9/, +;+0/3(.<&/, .2(), /8<4'0.2D, 9.+, .44/-;0(.)2.+(,
6)4&-A./6, (94);D9, '5 3'4(.0;&'4&:, '-4).(, -/3&):8/2(, )1, 49/()4.0?, @9.+, .+,
(9/,(4'-.(.)2'&,8)-;+,)3/4'2-.,)1,(9/,+)39.+(?,B;(,)2&:,(9/,8)+(,<4'J/2,
)1,+)39.+(+,-/2./+,(9/,49/()4.0'&,09'4'0(/4,)1,9.+,)62,'++/4(.)2+H,\k9/()7
4.0,0'22)(,'00);2(,1)4,(9/,1)40/,)1,'5+/F;/20/,)1,+/2(/20/+,</0';+/,.1,.(,.+,
0'&&/-,l49/()4.0*,(9/2,.(,.+,6/'C,'2-,9'+,'&4/'-:,&)+(],>"?O?!=?,@9.+,4/+)4(,(),
'2,'&4/'-:,8/('39)4.J/-,0)20/3(,)1,\1)40/],(),8'4C,(9/,/K(4'749/()4.0'&,
'2-,(9/4/<:,'&&/D/-&:,\4/'&],1)40/,)1,i'();4*+,)62,\+/F;/20/,)1,+/2(/20/+],
8'4C+,(9/,nec plus ultra,)1,+)39.+(4:?

182

183

B:, D4'2(.2D, 4/'&.(:, (), /A/4:(9.2DE, i'();4, </0)8/+, .20'3'<&/, )1, '07
C2)6&/-D.2D,(9/,4/'&.(:,)1,'2:(9.2D?,B:,-/2:.2D,(9/,1)48'&,-.11/4/20/,</7
(6//2, /++/20/, '2-, '33/'4'20/E, 9/, -/2./+, (9/, 4/'&.(:, )1, '33/'4'20/, '+,
+;4/&:,'+,(9'(,)1,/++/20/?,@9/,.++;/,)1,(9/,4/&'(.)2,</(6//2,'33/'4'20/,
'2-,4/'&.(:,.+E,)1,0);4+/E,.2(.8'(/&:,0)22/0(/-,6.(9,(9/,34)<&/8,)1,+C/3(.7
0.+8,'2-,(9/,3/4/22.'&,-/<'(/,</(6//2,(9)+/,69),9)&-,(9'(,6/,0'2,'2-,
.2-//-,-),C2)6,69'(,.+E,'2-,(9)+/,69),8'.2('.2,(9'(,6/,0'22)(?,^:,0)27
(/2(.)2+,9/4/,34/+;33)+/,'2,'00);2(,)1,(9/,+(4;0(;4/,)1,4'(.)2'&.(:,0'3'7
<&/,)1,-/8)2+(4'(.2D,(9'(,/A/4:,04.(.F;/,)1,4/'+)2,4/8'.2+,</9)&-/2,(),
0/4('.2,1;2-'8/2('&,4'(.)2'&,2)48+?,I2,&.D9(,)1,(9/,49/()4.0'&,'334)34.'7
(.)2,)1,(9/,(/48,\2)48'(.A.(:],<:,39.&)+)39.0'&,0)2+/4A'(.A/+,69),.2+.+(,
)2,14/.D9(.2D,.(,6.(9,/K(4'2/);+,/(9.0)7L;4.-.0'&,<'DD'D/E,.(,.+,6)4(9,/87
39'+.J.2D,(9'(,(9/,\2)48'(.A.(:],.2A)C/-,9/4/,.+,1)48'&,'2-,&)D.0'&E,4'(9/4,,
(9'2,/(9.0'&,'2-,L;4.-.0'&?,@9.+,;2-/4+('2-.2D,)1,(9/,.2(4.2+.0'&&:,2)48'7
(.A/,09'4'0(/4,)1,4'(.)2'&.(:,0'2,</,(4'0/-,<'0C,(),a'2(?,a'2(,(4'2+1)48/-,
-/<'(/,'<);(,(9/,+('(;+,)1,4/'+)2,'2-,;2-/48.2/-,(9/,34/8.+/,0)88)2,
(), -)D8'(.0, 4'(.)2'&.+8, '2-, /83.4.0.+(, +C/3(.0.+8, <:, 0)2+(4;.2D, L;-D7
8/2(+E,4'(9/4,(9'2,.-/'+E,'+,(9/,/&/8/2('4:,;2.(+,)1,(9);D9(?,G)20/3(+,1)4,
a'2(, '4/, 2/.(9/4, .22'(/, 3+:09)&)D.0'&, +(4;0(;4/+, 2)4, '<+(4'0(.)2+, 14)8,
/K3/4./20/, <;(, 4'(9/4, &)D.0'&, 1)48+, )1, L;-D8/2(?, B:, +(4/++.2D, (9/, 1;27
-'8/2('&&:,-.+0;4+.A/,>.?/?E,L;-D8/2('&=,+(4;0(;4/,)1,0)D2.(.)2E,a'2(,4/7
A/'&/-, (9/, 4;&/7D)A/42/-, >.?/?E, 2)48'(.A/=, 09'4'0(/4, )1, '&&, 0)20/3(;'&,
,'0(.A.(:?,@9.+,a'2(.'2,.2+.D9(,6'+,('C/2,;3,'2-,4/6)4C/-,<:,`.&14.-,S/&7
&'4+,;2-/4,(9/,'/D.+,)1,'5<4)'-&:,2'(;4'&.+(.0,(9/)4:,)1,8.2-,'2-,8/'2.2D,
'00)4-.2D,(),69.09,0)20/3(+,'2-,+/8'2(.0,0)2(/2(+,'4/,L).2(&:,.2-.A.-;7
'(/-, <:, (9/.4, 4)&/, 6.(9.2, '5 &.2D;.+(.0'&&:, '4(.0;&'(/-, .21/4/2(.'&, 2/K;+?,
^)4/,4/0/2(&:E,k)</4(,B4'2-)8,9'+,-/A/&)3/-,S/&&'4+*+,.21/4/2(.'&.+(,(9/7
)4:,)1,8.2-,'2-,8/'2.2D,.2(),'54'(.)2'&.+(.0,34'D8'(.+8,)1,'+()2.+9.2D,

"#!$

The Non-Being of the Normative

+0)3/,'2-,-/3(9O?,@9/,.83)4('2(,(9.2D,(),4/('.2,.+,(9'(,(9.+,.21/4/2(.'&.+(,
0)20/3(.)2,)1,2)48'(.A.(:,.+,/2(.4/&:,1)48'&E,'2-,9/20/,';+(/4/&:,8.2.7
8'&.+(E,4'(9/4,(9'2,+;<+('2(.A/E,.2,(9/,8'22/4,)1,Z'</48'+*+,0)88;2.7
0'(.A/,-.+0);4+/,/(9.0+?,I(,+9);&-,2)(,</,8.+('C/2,1)4,+)8/,+)4(,)1,4/'07
(.)2'4:,(4'2+0/2-/2('&,8)4'&.+8_'2,;21)4(;2'(/,'++)0.'(.)2,69.09,(9/,
6.-/+34/'-,.-/)&)D.0'&,'<;+/,)1,(9/,(/48,\2)48'(.A/],0)2(.2;/+,(),0)27
L;4/,;3?,g<A.);+&:E,I5('C/,(9.+,1)48'&.(:,(),</,.(+,D4/'(,A.4(;/?,I(,1)&&)6+,
14)8, '2, '00);2(, )1, 4'(.)2'&.(:, 34/-.0'(/-, ;3)2, (9/, 3)+(;&'(/-, /F;.A'7
&/20/,)1,&)D.0'&,'2-,0)20/3(;'&,1)48,'+,/K9.<.(/-,.2,&'2D;'D/?,k'(.)2'&.(:,
.+, 2)(, '5 3+:09)&)D.0'&, 1'0;&(:, <;(, '5 +)0.'&&:, .2+('2(.'(/-, &.2D;.+(.0, '4(.7
1'0(_&'2D;'D/, '2-, +)0.'&.(:, </.2D, ('C/2, (), </, .2(/4-/3/2-/2(, 9/4/?, @),
.2A)C/,(9/,2)48'(.A/,09'4'0(/4,)1,0)20/3(;'&,-.+0);4+/,.+,+.83&:,(),3).2(,
);(,(9/,.21/4/2(.'&,2/K;+,69.09,4/2-/4+,34)3)+.(.)2'&,0)2(/2(+,8;(;'&&:,
.2(/4-/3/2-/2(,'2-,0)20/3(;'&,0)88.(8/2(+,4/0.34)0'&&:,0)2+(4'.2.2D?,
@9.+, .21/4/2(.'&.+(, 1)48'&.J'(.)2, )1, 4'(.)2'&.(:, &/'-+, (), '2, ;2-/47
+('2-.2D,)1,39.&)+)39.0'&,(9/)4:,'+,(9/,1)48'&,explicitation of the (socio7
&.2D;.+(.0=,0)2-.(.)2+,)1,0)20/3(;'&.J'(.)2?,@),'4(.0;&'(/,(9/,1)48'&,.214'7
+(4;0(;4/,)1,(9.2C.2D,'2-,+3/'C.2D,.+,(),4/2-/4,/K3&.0.(,69'(,6'+,'&4/'-:,
.83&.0.(,.2,0)20/3(;'&,34'0(.0/?,I(,.+,(),+/(,);(,(9/,34/0)2-.(.)2+,1)4,C2)67
.2D,9)6,(),(9.2C,'2-,(),+3/'C?,@9.+,+9.1(,14)8,.83&.0.(,C2)679)6,(),/K7
3&.0.(, C2)6.2D7(9'(, .2A)&A/+, '5 C.2-, )1, 4/j/K.A/,\+/&170)2+0.);+2/++], )2,
(9/,3'4(,)1,0)D2.(.A/,'D/2(+E,<;(,)2/,69.09,-)/+,2)(,)3/4'(/,'(,(9/,&/A/&,)1,
39/2)8/2)&)D.0'&,34/+/2('(.)2H,.(,.+,2)(,'58'((/4,)1,+/&170)2+0.);+2/++,
'+,34/+/2('(.)2,)1,34/+/2('(.)2E,<;(,4'(9/4,)1,(9/,/K3&.0.(,4/34/+/2('(.)2,
)1,&'(/2(,4/34/+/2('(.)2'&,8/09'2.+8+?,\S/&170)2+0.);+2/++],.2,(9.+,3'47
(.0;&'4, +/2+/, .+, 2), &)2D/4, '5 8'((/4, )1, '5 +;33)+/-&:, +/&17';(9/2(.0'(.2D,
/K3/4./2(.'&, 4/'&8E, <;(, )1, (9/, '83&.'(.A/, .2(/D4'(.)2, )1, &'(/2(, 0)2(/2(?,
k/j/K.A.(:,.2,(9.+,+/2+/,.+,'2,'09./A/8/2(,)1,(9/)4/(.0'&,-.+0.3&.2/,;2-/47
+())-, '+, (9/, 34)3)+.(.)2'&, 1)48'&.J'(.)2, )1, 34'0(.0/+, )1, 8'(/4.'&, .21/7
4/20/?,%9.&)+)39:,'+,1)48'&.J'(.)2,4/j/0(+,;3)2,(9/,0)2-.(.)2+,)1,4/j/07
(.)2,.2,/K('2(,0)20/3(;'&,34'0(.0/?,I(,.2A)&A/+,(9/,-/1'8.&.'4.J'(.)2,)1,'2,
/K('2(,0)20/3(;'&,9'<.(;+,.2,)4-/4,(),.+)&'(/,.(+,0)2-.(.)2+,)1,3)++.<.&.(:E,
1)&&)6/-,<:,(9/,+;<+/F;/2(,4/.2(/D4'(.)2,)1,(9.+,1)48'&,-.8/2+.)2,.2(),
(9/,0)20/3(;'&,34'0(.0/E,.2,+;09,'56':,'+,(),-//3/2,'2-,'83&.1:,(9/,&'((/4?,
@9.+,.+,4/j/0(.)2,'+,4/(4)+3/0(.A/,0)20/3(;'&,/K3&.0.('(.)2,)1,(9/,.214'0)27
0/3(;'&?, S;09, /K3&.0.('(.)2, .-/2(.M/+, 69'(, .-/)&)D:, '2-, (9/, 04.(.F;/, )1,
.-/)&)D:,<)(9,34/+;33)+/,/A/2,'+,(9/:,4/8'.2,;2'<&/,(),'4(.0;&'(/,)4,'07
0);2(,1)4,.(?,@9;+E,/K3&.0.('(.)2,;2-/48.2/+,(9/,.83)A/4.+9/-E,+3)2('2/7
);+,4/j/K.A.(:,)1,2'pA/,04.(.F;/,<:,/K(4'0(.2D,(9/,0)88)2,0)4/,)1,+.D2.M7
0'(.)2,34/+;33)+/-,<:,.88/-.'0:,'2-,.(+,.88/-.'(/,2/D'(.)2?,@9.+,.+E,)1,
0);4+/E, '5 4/6)4C.2D, )1, Z/D/&*+, '00);2(, )1, 8.2-*+, 0)8.2D, (), +/&170)27
+0.);+2/++?,@4;(9,.+,+/8'2(.0'&&:,0)44/0(,'++/4('<.&.(:E,69.09,.+,(),+':,)37

(.8'&&:, L;+(.M/-, '++/4(.)2?, e/(, (4;(9, .2A)&A/+, '5 (4'2+.(.)2, 14)8, .83&.0.(,
6'44'2(,(),/K3&.0.(,/2-)4+/8/2(H,(),C2)6,(9'(,+)8/(9.2D,.+,(4;/,.+,'&+),(),
4/0)D2.J/,(9'(,)2/,.+,)<&.D/-,(),'++/4(,(9'(,.(,.+,(9/,0'+/E,(9'(,)2/,+9);&-,
8)A/,14)8,'++/2(,(),/2-)4+/8/2(E,69/4/,/2-)4+/8/2(,.+,(9/,(9/)4/(.0'&,
/K3&.0.('(.)2, )1, 34'0(.0'&, .21/4/2(.'&, '++/2(?, %9.&)+)39:, .+, (9/, /K3&.0.('7
(.)2, )1, (4;(9E, ;2-/4+())-, '+, (9/, 1)48'&, 8'2.1/+('(.)2, )1, &'(/2(, 0)2(/2(,
0'44./-,);(,A.',(9/,4/34/+/2('(.)2,)1,4/34/+/2('(.)2?
b/+3.(/,.(+,8.2.8'&.+(,(/2)4E,(9.+,.21/4/2(.'&.+(,0)20/3(.)2,)1,4'(.)7
2'&.(:, 9'+, '5 +(4)2D, 0&'.8, (), </, <.2-.2D, ;3)2, '&&, 0)20/3(;'&, /K34/++.)2?,
c&(9);D9, I5 9'A/, )2&:, +C/(09/-, 4'(9/4, (9'2, -/1/2-/-, .(, 9/4/E, )2/, )1, .(+,
.83&.0'(.)2+,6);&-,</,(9'(,(9/4/,0'2,</,2),+;09,(9.2D,'+,'2,/K(4'(/44.()7
4.'&,)4,(4'2+0/2-/2(,04.(.F;/,)1,4/'+)2E,+.20/,04.(.F;/,.+,'52)48'(.A/,(/48,
69)+/,;&(.8'(/,6'44'2(,-/4.A/+,14)8,4/'+)2,.(+/&1?,I(,.+,.83)4('2(,(),2)(/,
(9'(,(9.+,4/8'.2+,(9/,0'+/,/A/2,.1,)2/,'00/3(+E,6.(9,Z/D/&E,(9'(,(9/,+(4;07
(;4/,)1,9;8'2,4/'+)2,.+,'&6':+,9.+()4.0'&&:,<);2-/-?,I2,(9.+,4/D'4-E,I5('C/,
B4'2-)8*+,04.(.0'&,4/0)2+(4;0(.)2,)1,Z/D/&*+,'00);2(,)1,(9/,+/&170)44/0(7
.2D, 09'4'0(/4, )1, 4'(.)2'&.(:V, (), -/8)2+(4'(/, (9'(, '5 0)88.(8/2(, (), (9/,
;20.40;8A/2('<&/,';(9)4.(:,)1,0)20/3(;'&,4'(.)2'&.(:,2//-,2)(,/2('.&,(9/,
8/('39:+.0'&,9:3)+('+.+,)1,4/'+)2,'+,+)8/,+)4(,)1,+;3/42'(;4'&,1'0;&(:?,
B:,(9/,+'8/,()C/2E,(9/,'0C2)6&/-D/8/2(,(9'(,4/'+)2,F;',+/&170)44/0(.2D,
/2(/434.+/, .+, '&6':+, +)0.'&&:, .2+('2(.'(/-, '2-, 9.+()4.0'&&:, 0)2-.(.)2/-,
34)A.-/+,2),6'44'2(,1)4,(9)+/,A'4./(./+,)1,.44'(.)2'&.+8,(9'(,0&'.8,(),0)27
(/+(,.(+,&/D.(.8'0:,.2,(9/,2'8/,)1,+)8/,'&&/D/-&:,'74'(.)2'&,/K3/4./20/,)4,
1)40/?,g2&:,(9/,+04;3;&);+&:,4'(.)2'&,'4/,/2(.(&/-,(),+C/3(.0.+8,'<);(,4/'7
sonR?,c50)9/4/2(,+C/3(.0.+8,4/F;.4/+,'50)20/3(;'&,-.+0.3&.2/,3/49'3+,'(7
('.2/-, )2&:, <:, 0/4('.2, 4/M2/-, <4'2-+, )1, %:449)2.+8N?, c2:(9.2D, &/++, .+,
0)83&'.2(E,2)(,04.(.F;/?,B;(,%:449)2.0,-.+0.3&.2/,.++;/+,.2,'2,';+(/4/,'2-,
/K'0(.2D, 2.9.&.+8E, '(, )20/, /3.+(/8)&)D.0'&, '2-, )2()&)D.0'&E, 69.09, .+, )1,
0);4+/,'2'(9/8',(),(9)+/,69)+/,-.+-'.2,1)4,4'(.)2'&.(:,-/4.A/+,14)8,MD7
;4/+,&.C/,T./(J+09/,)4,B/4D+)2?
`9'(,0'2,6/,0)20&;-/,14)8,(9.+,<4./1,+C/(09d,@9'(,(9/,&)D.0'&,.214'7
+(4;0(;4/,)1,0)20/3(;'&,4'(.)2'&.(:,.83&.0'(/-,.2,/A/4:,'((/83(,(),'4(.0;7
&'(/,69'(,.+,0'22)(,.(+/&1,</,4/.2+04.</-,'+,3'4(,)1,4/'&.(:,6.(9);(,.88/-.7
'(/&:, D/2/4'(.2D, 0)2(4'-.0(.)2+, (9'(, +(:8./, (9/, 0)9/4/20/, )1, -.+0);4+/?,
@9/, (4'2+0/2-/2('&, -.11/4/20/, </(6//2, '33/'4'20/, '2-, 4/'&.(:, .2-/K/+,
'5 1)48, )1, 2/D'(.A.(:, (9'(, .+, '(, )20/, (9/, 0)2-.(.)2, )1, )<L/0(.A/, (4;(9, .2,

O,

S//E,.2,3'4(.0;&'4E,B4'2-)8,!UUO?

184

V,
S//,\SC/(09,)1,'5%4)D4'8,1)4,'5G4.(.0'&,k/'-.2D,)1,Z/D/&],'2-,\S)8/,%4'D8'7
(.+(, @9/8/+, .2, Z/D/&*+, I-/'&.+8E], '+, 6/&&, '+, B4'2-)8*+, 1)4(90)8.2D, <))C, ! "#$%$&' ()'
*%+,&-'"./&01')(%'2!"/324&$0'5/26$47'()'8/7/9?,c&&,(9/+/,(/K(+,'4/,0;44/2(&:,;23;<&.+9/-,
<;(,'A'.&'<&/,)2&.2/,'(,9((3Hqq666?3.((?/-;qr<4'2-)8q9/D/&q.2-/K?9(8&?,
R,
[)4,'5-/1/2+/,)1,4'-.0'&,+C/3(.0.+8E,+//,^.&&/4,"##R?
N,
[)4,'2,'((/83(,(),4/+(.(;(/,(9/,4'(.)2'&,+(4.2D/20:,)1,%:449)2.+8,.2,'&&,.(+,
4'-.0'&.+8E,+//,@4.++)C'+E,"##Q?

185

!"#$%!&'!$&($)*#+$$,!&-*(*.!/$"(012#3&24542#$$*6$ 78#!$"29$)4:"#&;&#/

"#!$

Ray Brassier

Ray Brassier

, .+0);4+/E,<;(,'&+),(9'(,69.09,0'22)(,</,)<L/0(.M/-,6.(9);(,;2-/48.2.2D,
(9/,3)++.<.&.(:,)1,+;09,(4;(9?,@9.+,2/D'(.A.(:,-)/+,2)(,.2-/K,'5-.11/4/20/,
</(6//2,4/0)D2.J'<&/,\(9.2D+],)4,/2(.(./+,<;(,'5;2.&'(/4'&,-.+(.20(.)2,</7
(6//2,(9/,+(4;0(;4/,)1,)<L/0(.1:.2D,-.+0);4+/,'2-,.(+,;2)<L/0(.M'<&/,8)7
()4H,(9/,2)27</.2D,)1,(9/,4/'&,'+,\.44/-;0.<&/,4/8'.2-/4],.83&.0'(/-,.2,(9/,
)4.D.2'4:, -/9.+0/20/, </(6//2, '33/'4'20/, '2-, 4/'&.(:?, @9.+, 2)(9.2D2/++,
34)A.-/+,(9/,;&(.8'(/,+);40/,)1,(9/,2)270)20/3(;'&,2/D'(.A.(:,(9'(,1;/&+,
-.'&/0(.0'&,2/D'(.A.(:,>.?/?E,2/D'(.)2,.2,(9/,0)20/3(=,'+,0)2(4'-.0(.)2,</7
(6//2,69'(,.+,34/+;33)+/-,.2,0)20/3(;'&,34'0(.0/,'2-,69'(,.+,+('(/-,'(,
(9/,&/A/&,)1,0)20/3(;'&,0)2(/2(?,XA/4:,+('(/8/2(,)1,69'(,.+,34/+;33)+/+,
'52)48'(.A/,-.8/2+.)2,(9'(,0'22)(,</,.2(/D4'(/-,'+,+;09,.2(),(9/,+(4;07
(;4/,)1,69'(,.+?,`9.&/,.(,.+,.83)++.<&/,(),'4(.0;&'(/,(9/,(4;(9,'<);(,69'(,.+,
6.(9);(,.(E,.(,.+,/F;'&&:,.83)++.<&/,(),.2(/D4'(/,.(,.2(),'2:,+('(/8/2(,'<);(,
69'(, .+, 6.(9);(, .2'-A/4(/2(&:, 0'20/&.2D, .(+, (4;(9?, c0C2)6&/-D.2D, (9/,
2)27</.2D, )1, (9/, 2)48'(.A/E, 69.09, .+, (), +':E, 0)20/3(;'&, 4'(.)2'&.(:E, 4/7
8'.2+,(9/,/2'<&.2D,0)2-.(.)2,)1,)2()&)D.0'&,)<L/0(.A.(:?,

References
B4'2-)8E,k)</4(,>!UUO=?,Making it Explicit?,G'8<4.-D/E,^'++?H,Z'4A'4-,Y2.A/4+.(:,%4/++?
Z/.-/DD/4E,^'4(.2,>"##$=?,Platos Sophist?,@4'2+?,k.09'4-,k)L0/6.0J,'2-,c2-4s,S09;6/4?,
B&))8.2D()2H,I2-.'2',Y2.A/4+.(:,%4/++?
i'();4E,B4;2),>!UU$=?,The Pasteurization of France?,@4'2+?,c&'2,S9/4.-'2,'2-,t)92,i'6?,
G'8<4.-D/E,^'++?H,Z'4A'4-,Y2.A/4+.(:,%4/++?
^.&&/4E,b'A.-,>"##R=?,Out of Error: Further Essays on Critical Rationalism?,['429'8H,c+97
D'(/?
T):+E,B/2L'8.2,>"#!#=?,*1/':/%,$,&/40/'()'&1/';/72&$</-' !=%$&$>+/'()'=(4&/3#(%2%?'=(4tinental Theory?,X-.2<;4D9H,X-.2<;4D9,Y2.A/4+.(:,%4/++?
@4.++)C'+E,I)'22.+,>"##Q=?,\%4/+;33)+.(.)2&/++,S0/3(.0.+8?],Pli: The Warwick Journal of
Philosophy,!UH,!##P!"R?

186

Potrebbero piacerti anche