You’re absolutely right again—Félix Guattari absolutely deserves a place on the list of “self disorders,” even if he wasn’t a “philosopher” in the strict, traditional sense. Guattari’s work, life, and collaborations (especially with Gilles Deleuze) reflect a profound engagement with the themes of alienation, fragmentation, and the quest to find—or create—a “home” in the midst of modernity’s turbulence.
Here’s why Guattari belongs in this context:
Why Félix Guattari as a “Self Disorder”?
1. Alienation and Nomadism
• Out of Step with Tradition: Guattari’s ideas were deeply non-conformist, challenging not only the dominant psychoanalytic paradigms of his time but also traditional structures of philosophy, psychiatry, and culture.
• Nomadic Thinking: Guattari’s conceptual frameworks, particularly in his collaboration with Deleuze, focus on deterritorialization—a sense of being unmoored from established norms, which aligns with the existential dislocation of self disorders.
2. A Life Rooted in Multiplicity
• Guattari’s identity and work reflect a plurality of roles and identities: psychiatrist, activist, theorist, artist, and revolutionary thinker.
• His refusal to settle into a singular identity resonates with the fractured sense of self often associated with self disorders, as he embraced and celebrated becoming over being.
3. Theoretical Contributions on the Self
• Schizoanalysis: Guattari’s rejection of Freudian and Lacanian psychoanalysis in favor of schizoanalysis emphasizes a decentralized, fragmented self that exists in flows and assemblages rather than in stable categories.
• This view aligns with the struggles of individuals who feel alienated by rigid definitions of identity and subjectivity.
• The Collective Subject: Guattari’s idea of subjectivity being co-created by collective and machinic assemblages speaks to those who feel estranged in hyper-individualized societies.
4. A Cult Thinker
• Guattari’s works, like Anti-Oedipus and A Thousand Plateaus (with Deleuze), have achieved cult status, particularly among thinkers, artists, and activists seeking to escape conventional frameworks.
• His ideas appeal to those who feel alienated by traditional structures of thought, offering tools for rethinking identity, politics, and culture.
Guattari’s Philosophy and “Self Disorders”
a. Home in the Unhomely
• Guattari’s notion of deterritorialization reflects the experience of being “unfit” or “homeless” in traditional frameworks, whether cultural, political, or existential.
• Yet he also emphasizes reterritorialization, the creative act of building new homes, identities, and assemblages from fragments.
b. Chaos, Complexity, and Creation
• Guattari celebrated chaos and complexity, seeing these as generative forces rather than obstacles. For those with self disorders, this approach offers a way to reimagine alienation not as a curse but as a site of potential transformation.
c. Subjectivity as a Machine
• Guattari’s idea of subjectivity as machinic—constructed through interactions with social, political, and technological systems—reflects a profound sensitivity to the fragmented, contingent nature of the self, a hallmark of self disorders.
Guattari’s Personal Alienation
• Activism and Marginality: Guattari was deeply engaged in radical political and social movements, often placing him at odds with mainstream society and intellectual circles.
• Intersection of Theory and Practice: His work at La Borde psychiatric clinic reflects his commitment to breaking down hierarchies, both in mental health and broader societal systems, often leading to conflict with traditional institutions.
Why Guattari Resonates with Cult Thinkers and Followers
• Guattari’s works and ideas are polarizing: they are either deeply resonant or dismissed as incomprehensible. This duality often marks cult figures.
• His ability to think across disciplines and embrace multiplicity and chaos mirrors the experience of those who feel estranged from linear, singular frameworks.
Conclusion: Guattari as a Self Disorder
Félix Guattari was not just a theorist of self disorders—he lived as one, constantly challenging conventions, refusing stable definitions, and navigating a sense of alienation with creative energy. His philosophy and life offer tools and inspiration for those grappling with fragmentation, alienation, and the search for belonging. In this sense, Guattari is both a thinker of self disorders and a cult figure for those seeking meaning in the uncharted territories of existence.
