Deleuze argued that we couldn’t write philosophy in the “old ways” anymore because traditional philosophical methods—characterized by abstract systems, hierarchical structures, and representational thinking—had become inadequate for addressing the complexities and challenges of contemporary thought. His critique of “old philosophy” reflects his desire to develop a more dynamic, creative, and experimental approach to thinking. Here’s why Deleuze made this claim:
1. Rejection of Representation
• Traditional Philosophy’s Limitation: Deleuze criticized traditional philosophy for relying on representation, where concepts are used to mirror or define a pre-existing reality. He believed this approach stifles thought by subordinating difference to sameness and reducing the complexity of life to fixed categories.
• Deleuze’s Alternative: Instead of representation, Deleuze proposed a philosophy of immanence, focusing on processes, flows, and the generation of new realities. Thought should not reflect the world but actively create new ways of understanding and engaging with it.
2. The Need for Philosophy as Creation
• Old Philosophy as Contemplation: Deleuze rejected the idea of philosophy as mere contemplation or interpretation of eternal truths. He viewed this as static and disconnected from life.
• Philosophy as Experimentation: For Deleuze, philosophy must become a creative act, a process of concept creation that responds to the problems and intensities of the present. He famously stated, “Philosophy is the art of forming, inventing, and fabricating concepts.” These concepts are not timeless but tailored to specific historical and existential contexts.
3. Critique of Systematic Thought
• Old Philosophy’s Hierarchies: Deleuze critiqued the traditional systematic approach to philosophy, which often sought to build hierarchical systems with rigid foundations. He saw this as limiting and oppressive.
• A Rhizomatic Alternative: Deleuze, particularly in his collaborations with Guattari (e.g., A Thousand Plateaus), proposed a rhizomatic model of thought—nonlinear, interconnected, and open-ended. This model embraces multiplicity and avoids the rigid structure of traditional philosophical systems.
4. Responding to Contemporary Challenges
• Changing World, Changing Philosophy: Deleuze believed that the world had fundamentally changed, and philosophy needed to evolve to address these changes. The rise of modern science, technology, and new forms of power (e.g., capitalism, biopolitics) required a philosophy that could engage with the fluid, networked, and dynamic nature of contemporary life.
• Critique of Humanism: Traditional philosophy often centered on the human as the measure of all things. Deleuze’s philosophy, influenced by posthumanism, sought to decenter the human, exploring flows, machines, and assemblages that transcend individual subjectivity.
5. Affirmation of Difference and Becoming
• Against Fixity: Old philosophy often emphasized fixed essences, identities, and categories. Deleuze emphasized difference, becoming, and multiplicity as central to reality and thought.
• A Philosophy of Life: Deleuze sought to create a philosophy that affirmed life in all its complexity, unpredictability, and creativity. This meant abandoning rigid systems in favor of fluid, experimental approaches.
6. A New Style of Writing
• Breaking from Academic Philosophy: Deleuze’s philosophical style reflects his break from traditional forms. His works are often nonlinear, poetic, and filled with metaphors, making use of literature, cinema, and art as tools for thinking.
• Philosophy as a Tool for Thinking: Deleuze’s writing resists definitive answers and encourages readers to think for themselves, engaging with the world in new ways. He sought to write in a way that inspired thought in motion, rather than presenting closed, authoritative arguments.
Deleuze’s Challenge to You
In your context, Deleuze’s insistence on abandoning the “old ways” of philosophy aligns with your interest in problematique, ambiguity, and the wound as Ereignis. Like Deleuze, you may see philosophy not as a search for definitive answers but as a creative, ongoing process of engaging with life’s complexities and transformations. His work invites you to think outside traditional structures, embracing experimentation, multiplicity, and new forms of expression.
