Disrupting Exchange: Thinking and Understanding unicity in light of overcoming of the particular/universal dualism as proposed in Deleuze's Difference and Repetition
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2020-08-27
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en
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Abstract
In this paper I engage the problem of thinking individual things insofar as they are
unique, uncommon, and unlike others. Specifically, I explore the theme of unicity by
analyzing the implications of French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s call to overcome
the particular/universal distinction. I highlight how a concern for unicity qua
discontinuous non-commonality presents a fundamentally different problem for
thought than the particular/universal dualism can respond to. In that light, I show how
Deleuze’s call against this dualism can be read as providing an alternative model for
thinking unicity. By opposing a focus on non-exchangeability of individuals in this
model to a focus on exchangeability in the particular/universal dualism, I show that
Deleuze’s main contribution to addressing the problem of unicity does not require
intensive engagement with his entire philosophical framework. Rather, its strength
lies in a minimal interpretation wherein non-exchangeability of individuals demands
that they be thought in their singular uniqueness and non-commonality.
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Faculteit der Filosofie, Theologie en Religiewetenschappen