Event and Decision: Ontology and Politics in Badiou, Deleuze, and Whitehead (2010), edited by Roland Faber, Henry Krips, and Daniel Pettus, is a philosophical anthology that explores how the concept of the event functions within the ontologies and political philosophies of Alain Badiou, Gilles Deleuze, and Alfred North Whitehead. The volume examines how each thinker conceptualizes the event and its implications for subjectivity, creativity, and political transformation.
Main Themes and Arguments
1. The Event as Ontological Rupture and Creative Becoming
- Badiou: The event is a radical rupture that interrupts the existing order (the “situation”) and introduces a new truth. It is an occurrence that cannot be predicted or derived from the current state of affairs, requiring a subject to decide upon its significance and maintain fidelity to its truth.
- Deleuze: Events are expressions of pure becoming and difference. They are not disruptions but continuous processes of transformation that unfold through virtual potentials becoming actual. Deleuze’s events emphasize immanence and the creative flow of life.
- Whitehead: Events are actual occasions that constitute reality. Each event is a process of becoming that integrates past experiences and contributes to the ongoing creative advance of the universe. Whitehead’s events highlight the relational and processual nature of existence.
Despite their differences, all three philosophers view events as central to understanding change and novelty in both ontology and politics.
2. Decision and Subjectivity
The concept of decision is pivotal in how subjects engage with events:
- Badiou: A subject emerges through the decision to remain faithful to an event, thereby participating in the unfolding of a new truth. This fidelity is an active commitment that defines the subject’s identity.
- Deleuze: Subjectivity is not a fixed identity but a process of becoming that aligns with the flows of desire and the virtual potentials of events. Decision here is less about choice and more about tuning into the immanent processes of change.
- Whitehead: Decision is the process by which an actual occasion determines its own becoming, integrating influences from the past and contributing to the future. Subjectivity is thus a momentary achievement within the broader process of creativity.
In all three frameworks, decision is not merely a rational choice but a creative act that constitutes subjectivity and shapes reality.
3. Political Implications
The ontological perspectives on events and decisions have significant political ramifications:
- Badiou: Politics arises from events that disrupt the status quo, such as revolutions or social movements. The subject’s fidelity to these events leads to the emergence of new political truths and structures.
- Deleuze: Politics involves creating spaces for difference and becoming, resisting oppressive structures that limit potentialities. It emphasizes micropolitics and the transformation of desire.
- Whitehead: Politics is understood as the collective process of harmonizing individual experiences and values, fostering a society that accommodates diversity and promotes creative advance.
Each philosopher offers a distinct vision of how events and decisions can lead to political transformation, emphasizing the role of creativity, commitment, and process.
Concluding Perspective
Event and Decision presents a nuanced exploration of how events function as catalysts for change in ontology and politics. By examining the theories of Badiou, Deleuze, and Whitehead, the volume highlights the centrality of events in shaping subjectivity and driving political innovation. It invites readers to consider how decisions made in response to events can lead to new forms of existence and collective life.
If you are interested in a deeper exploration of how these concepts relate to contemporary issues or other philosophical traditions, feel free to ask!
