TY - JOUR

T1 - The Notion of 'Singularity' in the Work of Gilles Deleuze

AU - Borum, Peter

PY - 2017/1/30

Y1 - 2017/1/30

N2 - In Deleuze, singularity replaces generality in the economy ofthought. A Deleuzian singularity is an event, but the notioncomprises the effectuation of the event into form. The triptychémission–distribution–répartition itself distributes the dimensions ofthe passage from form-giving event to topological morphology. TheDeleuzian concept of intensity allows thinking both pre-individualityand the rhizomatic connection of singularities on the metaphysicalsurface of structure. Reflections upon the philosophy of differentialcalculus allow for a coherent scaffolding reaching from pre-individualintensity to specific individuality, in the passage from transcendentalgenesis to empirical morphogenesis. But if singularity as event isintensive, singularity as determinant of morphology – and hence, ofstructural metastability – is not. Although the differential scaffoldingcovers both intensive difference and extensive equality, and so the twosides of the notion of singularity, the concept of intensity remains slightlydisplaced, rendering conceptually difficult not only the perception ofintensity, but also the contemplation of individual duration, if viewed inthe terms of genetic ‘indi-drama-different/ciation’. The essay concludesthat it is art that may let us consciously contemplate our pre-individualdifferences.

AB - In Deleuze, singularity replaces generality in the economy ofthought. A Deleuzian singularity is an event, but the notioncomprises the effectuation of the event into form. The triptychémission–distribution–répartition itself distributes the dimensions ofthe passage from form-giving event to topological morphology. TheDeleuzian concept of intensity allows thinking both pre-individualityand the rhizomatic connection of singularities on the metaphysicalsurface of structure. Reflections upon the philosophy of differentialcalculus allow for a coherent scaffolding reaching from pre-individualintensity to specific individuality, in the passage from transcendentalgenesis to empirical morphogenesis. But if singularity as event isintensive, singularity as determinant of morphology – and hence, ofstructural metastability – is not. Although the differential scaffoldingcovers both intensive difference and extensive equality, and so the twosides of the notion of singularity, the concept of intensity remains slightlydisplaced, rendering conceptually difficult not only the perception ofintensity, but also the contemplation of individual duration, if viewed inthe terms of genetic ‘indi-drama-different/ciation’. The essay concludesthat it is art that may let us consciously contemplate our pre-individualdifferences.

KW - Faculty of Humanities

KW - singularitet, intensitet, differentialregning, individuation, begivenhed, form

UR - http://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/dls.2017.0253

M3 - Journal article

VL - 11

SP - 95

EP - 120

JO - Deleuze Studies

JF - Deleuze Studies

SN - 1750-2241

IS - 1

ER -