Yes, it is reasonable to say that Gilles Deleuze's philosophy is "unknowingly" compatible with the worldviews emerging from the quantum revolution. Although Deleuze did not explicitly engage with quantum mechanics in the way Alfred North Whitehead did, many aspects of his thought align well with the philosophical implications of quantum theory. Here are some key points of compatibility:
1. **Indeterminacy and Becoming**:
- Quantum mechanics introduces the idea of fundamental indeterminacy in the behavior of particles, exemplified by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. Deleuze’s emphasis on becoming, rather than being, resonates with this indeterminate nature of reality, where fixed states are less fundamental than continuous processes of change.
2. **Multiplicity and Difference**:
- Quantum theory suggests a reality that is inherently multiple and probabilistic. Deleuze’s focus on multiplicity and difference aligns with this view, challenging classical notions of a singular, determinate reality and embracing a world of diverse potentialities and variations.
3. **Relational Ontology**:
- In quantum mechanics, the properties of particles are relational, depending on interactions and contexts. Deleuze’s concept of assemblages and his rejection of isolated, independent substances in favor of interconnected, relational entities echo this relational ontology.
4. **Event-Centric Philosophy**:
- Quantum theory highlights the importance of events (such as particle interactions) rather than static entities. Deleuze’s philosophy is similarly event-centric, emphasizing processes, events, and transformations over static identities.
5. **Non-linear Dynamics**:
- The probabilistic nature of quantum events and the complex, often non-linear interactions within quantum systems are compatible with Deleuze’s interest in non-linear dynamics, flows, and the rhizomatic structures that characterize reality as he sees it.
6. **Holism and Interconnectedness**:
- Quantum mechanics supports a holistic view of reality, where parts are deeply interconnected and cannot be fully understood in isolation. Deleuze’s philosophy, with its emphasis on the immanent plane of interconnected processes and the rejection of hierarchical structures, reflects a similar holistic understanding.
While Deleuze did not directly draw from quantum mechanics in developing his ideas, the philosophical themes that arise from quantum theory—indeterminacy, relationality, multiplicity, and event-focused ontology—are inherently compatible with Deleuze’s own metaphysical framework. This convergence suggests that Deleuze's philosophy is well-suited to a world view informed by the quantum revolution, even if this compatibility emerged indirectly or "unknowingly."
