In this episode we discuss the work of French philosopher Alain Badiou. Ever since the 1970s, Badiou’s philosophy has been characterized by an untimely systematicity and an ambitious effort to bring together politics, art, science, and love in a unique synthesis under the aegis of a novel fundamental ontology. In Metapolitics, Badiou explains what he understands by politics as a historical site where truths can be produced, and what it means for a militant subject to remain faithful to such a truth, affirming a radical egalitarianism over against the exclusions and hierarchies of the state. Along the way he says some very funny things about what he sees as the deficiencies of more traditional ‘political philosophy’. Above all, Badiou reminds us that even when it seems like there is no alternative, no state is capable of truly foreclosing the possibility that a radically restructuring Event might take place – and he’s got the math to prove it. We think he’s neat!This is just a short teaser of the full episode. To hear the rest, please subscribe to us on Patreon:patreon.com/leftofphilosophyReferences: Alain Badiou, Metapolitics, trans. Jason Barker (New York: Verso, 2001).Music:“Vintage Memories” by Schematist | schematist.bandcamp.com“My Space” by Overu | https://get.slip.stream/KqmvAN

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related