The Technique of Thought: Nancy, Laruelle, Malabou, and Stiegler after Naturalism

Description

The Technique of Thought explores the relationship between philosophy and science as articulated in the work of four contemporary French thinkers - Jean-Luc Nancy, Francois Laruelle, Catherine Malabou, and Bernard Stiegler. Situating their writings within both contemporary scientific debates and the philosophy of science, Ian James elaborates a philosophical naturalism that is notably distinct from the Anglo-American tradition.

Ian James is fellow in French at Downing College, Cambridge. He is author of The New French Philosophy, Paul Virilio, and The Fragmentary Demand: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Jean-Luc Nancy.

"This book is a tour de force: it remains faithful to the thought of the theorists studied while putting forward its own distinct philosophy. It also brings together philosophy and science in ways that have been lacking in contemporary continental thought."-Aurelien Barrau, Laboratory of Subatomic Physics and Cosmology, Universite Grenoble Alpes "Rethinking the relation between philosophy and science, and written in dialogue with a wide range of scientific discourses, Ian James situates an incisive series of postphenomenological and postdeconstructive readings in light of Anglophone traditions of naturalism and science writing. The Technique of Thought is a remarkably lucid and accessible volume that will both initiate and transform scholarly debates across numerous disciplinary fields and traditions."-Philip Armstrong, The Ohio State University "This book tentatively envisions philosophy as a technique of thought in order to "imagine a future" when there is no longer a fracture between analytic and Continental traditions in philosophy."-Philosophical Reviews "While the title of this brilliant book is written in the singular, it should, to my mind, be read through the lens of what one of the thinkers addressed in the book, Jean-Luc Nancy, has referred to as the singular plural. For as Ian James establishes from one chapter to the next, in meticulous readings of contemporary scientific and philosophical texts, the real is irreducibly multiple."-Critical Inquiry "The rigor and deft with which James approaches scientific-realist perspectives produce a rich picture of post-metaphysical thinking."-Rhizomes "James's staged encounter of some of the most interesting current scientific and philosophical work is not only extremely rewarding to read, but also highly suggestive of myriad paths for research to come."-French Studies